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Deadly Memories

Page 24

by Laura Scott

“Still nothing on Jacobson’s cause of death,” she said as he parked off to the side of the building.

“And nothing on you being missing,” Doc drawled. “I still think that’s strange.”

She frowned. “Not if I live alone.”

He shook his head. “Maybe. But from the photos I’ve seen online, you and your dad are close. Seems odd that you wouldn’t be in contact with him for two days. And I would also expect that you’d accompany him to the race.”

She didn’t have a good answer for that, as his logic made sense. Was her father involved in this mess? She truly didn’t want to believe it.

Doc threw the gearshift into park, then pushed open his door. “Sit tight. I’ll be back.”

Despite the heat, she shivered. Putting a hand to her forehead, she was surprised to feel heat radiating from her skin. Was she coming down with a flu bug? The timing couldn’t be worse, there was no time to be sick, so she decided against mentioning the possibility to Doc.

The news continued to drone on, but she stopped listening. Sleep might be the best thing to make her feel better.

She startled when Doc opened the driver’s side door. His grin indicated good news as he patted his breast pocket. “We’ve got the tickets.”

“Great.” She strove to sound enthusiastic. The race wasn’t until tomorrow. Hopefully by then she’d feel better.

They were just leaving the parking lot when there was an announcement of a special report on the radio news station. Doc quickly turned the volume up to hear better as he headed north around the outskirts of the city.

“Just in from the Lexington police, the cause of death for Calvin Jacobson has been deemed a homicide based on blunt force trauma to the back of his skull. Anyone with information related to the horse trainer’s demise should call the Lexington police department tip line.” The announcer rattled off the phone number.

Another shiver coursed through Fiona, one that had nothing to do with the temperature or her illness. This was the information she’d been secretly dreading hearing. She turned to look at Doc. “Homicide? Someone hit him over the head with enough force to kill him?”

“That’s what it sounds like.” His expression hardened as he navigated traffic. “Makes me wonder if you were there when he was killed.”

Dazed, she struggled to remember. The timing didn’t work, unless the trainer had been dead longer than the media was aware of. And it seemed as if seeing someone getting struck on the head with enough force to kill him was an event that would be clearly etched in her mind.

Unfortunately, there was nothing but a swirling fog instead of a clear image of what must have transpired.

Had she witnessed Calvin Jacobson’s brutal murder? Was the trainer’s murder the reason she was in danger?

The color drained from Fiona’s face with the news of Calvin Jacobson having been murdered. For a moment, a niggle of doubt snaked into his mind. Had she remembered something important?

The only reason for her not to be forthcoming about what she did or didn’t remember was if she was protecting her father. Considering the guy hadn’t reported his daughter missing, he was leaning toward the rich racehorse owner being involved in this mess. If Liam Murphy was innocent, then why wasn’t he pounding down doors asking about his daughter’s whereabouts?

He checked the phone, then handed it to Fiona. “Please call Rex. I’ll give you the number.”

“Okay.” She glanced at him, her fingers poised over the phone. He recited the digits as she punched them in. Then she handed the phone back.

Of course, Rex didn’t answer. Not a surprise since his boss wouldn’t recognize the number. He quickly left a message and ended the call.

His boss returned the call five minutes later. “What happened to your phone?”

“I ditched it. I saw a black SUV that looked suspiciously like the one that searched for Fiona the night we escaped.” He’d decided to take the long way around the city, avoiding the worst of the traffic. “We need a rental property, and with the races starting tomorrow, I don’t think there will be many options available.”

Rex sighed. “I’ll see what I can do. Did you get the tickets?”

“Yes, thanks. Our plan is to head to the racetrack tomorrow. I’m hoping seeing the horses will spur some memories for Fiona, but in the meantime, we need a place to stay.”

“Yeah, I’ll get something arranged. You have a car, right? I’ll probably have to broaden my search zone.”

“Yes.” He hesitated, then added, “We just heard a news report indicating Calvin Jacobson was murdered.”

Rex let out a low whistle. “That’s not good. No wonder I didn’t hear from the Lexington PD. I’m sure they have their hands full with the investigation. You think his death is at the heart of the danger surrounding Fiona?”

“It would be one giant coincidence if the two events were not related.” He could feel Fiona’s gaze on him as he spoke. “Unfortunately, her memory hasn’t returned, so there’s no way to know for sure.”