Page 72 of Death of a Grill Master

Chase shook his head. “The cops are closing in, the kid got scared and blew town, end of story.”

“You seem awfully sure.”

“I’ve got a good gut,” he said, tapping his stomach. “Helps with business. I’m flying to New York tomorrow for a deal that could be huge. I don’t have time for small-town drama.”

Hayley tilted her head. “You were involved with Kylie before Hank died, weren’t you?”

Chase’s smile vanished. “Everyone in town knows that. But it wasn’t like that. And for the record, I didn’t even know about that gun onboard. I’m sick and tired of everybody trying to pin that shooting on me! The only thing I’m guilty of is having too much to drink that night. I had no beef with Hank. I was going to invest with him. What Kylie did was up to Kylie, not me.”

Kylie sat up straighter, suddenly stiff. “Chase—”

“No, I’m just saying,” he said, holding up his hands. “I never pressured you. I always said it was your choice. You were the one who wanted out of your marriage.”

“I made the decision,” Kylie said firmly, but her tone had flattened.

“I supported her,” Chase added. “Which is more than Hank ever did.”

The silence that followed was thick and sour.

Hayley crossed her arms. “Seems like you’ve made yourself right at home here.”

Chase bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying I’m shacking up here now? I don’t need to crash anywhere. Did you see my Florida home featured in Town and Country a few months ago? How dare you suggest—”

Kylie stood. “Chase, could you run to the pharmacy? I got a text that they have that prescription ready my doctor called in.”

Chase blinked. “Now?”

“Yes. Please.”

He looked like he might argue, but then thought better of it.

“Fine,” he muttered, grabbing his keys and walking out. The door clicked shut.

Kylie let out a long, shaky breath. “He gets defensive. I’m sorry.”

Hayley watched her carefully. “You okay?”

Kylie nodded. “Chase was right about one thing. The last time I saw Zane, he was scared. He said someone was after him. That he was being framed.”

“Did he say who it was?”

“No names. Just … that someone wanted to ruin him. Personally, professionally. That he couldn’t trust anyone.”

Hayley stood slowly. “If you hear from him—”

“I’ll call you. I promise.”

Hayley hesitated at the door, one hand on the knob. “Do you believe him?”

Kylie looked down. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

Hayley stepped out into the crisp air, her mind spinning.

Zane’s disappearance could indicate his guilt.

But it could also mean something much worse.

He might be running for his life.