Smoky Mountain Investigation by Annslee Urban

replayed in her head, nothing stood out as a hint. “Sorry, Dave. The caller didn’t insinuate anything about another murder. How long do you think the victim has been out here?”
    Dave gave a shrug. “Not too long. Three, maybe four hours tops. Rigor mortis hadn’t set in yet. Blood was still oozing from the wound when he was found.”
    Great. Kylie swallowed against a dry throat. More detail than she cared to know. “The person who found him didn’t see anything?”
    “No.” Dave shook his head. “It was a man and his wife. They spotted the body when they walked to the picnic tables to have lunch. There were no other vehicles in the area. They probably just missed the culprit.”
    “So you both agree that this crime is related to the airport murder and most likely Conrad’s?” She looked at Dave and then Nick.
    Dave gave a single nod and Nick’s frown deepened the creases around his eyes and answered her question even before he replied, “Afraid so.”
    As much as she was inclined to agree, she still held an inkling of hope that this was an unrelated murder. She hated to believe that the man who was stalking her was on a killing rampage.
    “Too many similarities.” Dave fixed his smoky gaze on her as if he could read her mind. “One precision slash across the neck. No other injuries noted, like the last victim and Conrad.”
    Kylie’s pulse quickened and she shoved the images of the other victims from her mind, afraid of what her churning stomach might do if she allowed them to surface.
    “Detective Michelson, look at this.” A voice rose above the commotion around them.
    Dave turned on the heel of his boot as a police officer, short and thick, with a harried expression on his face, hustled toward the detective. “One of the dogs uncovered this.” He held up a wallet tangled in slimy moss.
    Dave dug a pair of gloves from his pocket and pulled them on. “Can’t beat those canine noses.” He took it from the officer, peeled away the green bog, then opened it and went through the contents.
    “This guy’s getting bolder all the time and not as careful.” Nick brushed up closer to her, tightening his hold around her shoulders. A warm charge zipped up her spine. Of course, Nick was merely attempting to calm her, although it was completely backfiring.
    “He’s pushing his limits, ditching a body in a rest area off the parkway in broad daylight,” Nick said, then added, “It is just a matter of time.”
    “Sooner rather than later, I hope.” Kylie eased away from him, out of the warmth of his embrace, hoping to clear her thoughts and create a safer distance between them.
    Crossing her arms, she eyed Nick, waiting for him to elaborate about the crime scene. He wasn’t looking at her, though. His attention was on Dave as he went through the wallet.
    For the first time since they’d left the mountain, Kylie studied Nick. Mud caked the soles of his scuffed boots and the green camo jacket over his white polo also bore splotches of dirt. He had a placid look on his face and his dark gaze seemed to haze over, revealing concern.
    Kylie’s insides twisted into a tight knot. She was appalled at how irritable and insensitive she’d been earlier. He wasn’t to blame for this nightmare or the fact that her heart still clung to the past. He’d moved on and owed her nothing. Yet he continued to walk through this trial with her, helping her stay safe and strong. A man of noble character. If nothing else, he was a good friend.
    That would have to be enough. Before she had time to fully convince herself of that fact, she heard Dave mutter, “Well, I’ll be.”
    Kylie whirled toward him. “What is it?”
    Dave waved a small card. “The victim’s ID. Thomas Crosby, from Hampton, Virginia. Have you ever heard of him?”
    Kylie took the laminated card and studied the picture on the front. “He doesn’t look familiar.” She handed it back to Dave.
    Dave’s gaze moved from the card in his hand to Kylie and