“No worries, man.” Larry shrugged.
“What about the singles bars?” Jen said. “Was Vicki in the habit of going to them?”
“I’m not real sure,” Larry said. “She mentioned going to a couple of different clubs when we went for the divorce. I think she was trying to impress me with what a good time she was having without me. She used to go to a fitness club a lot when we were still together. I guess she still was.”
Jen and Will glanced at each other. Carla Edwards had been a member of a place called BodyFit Athletic Club. It was relatively new, having been open a little over a year. According to Carla’s friends, she had spent an inordinate amount of time there.
“Which club was it?”
“That BodyFit one that everyone raves about.”
“Anything else you can think of that might help us?”
“No.” Larry thought for a moment. “I don’t think so. I wish I could help you more. I really do.”
“Thanks for your time.” Jen handed Larry one of her cards. “If you think of anything else, please give us a call.”
Karen accompanied Larry as he walked them to the door. Jen tried unsuccessfully to read her face as they said their goodbyes. Was she secretly glad, Jen wondered, that her husband’s ex was out of the picture permanently? Or was she scared in the same way that a lot of women in the area would be when they saw the evening news and learned the killer had struck again. Scared that it might be them or someone close to them next time.
Next time. Jen shuddered and hoped to God there wouldn’t have to be a next time.
“So the last two victims belonged to the same spa,” Will said when they were back in the car. “Maybe it’s the connection we need.”
“Maybe. But that club is hot right now. Probably half the women in the area are members. And as far as we know, Judy Sams wasn’t a member.”
“It probably wouldn’t hurt to double-check with her friends and family. It could be no one thought to mention it.”
“True. Unless you do an interview yourself, you can never be sure the right questions were asked.”
“In my experience, you can’t be sure of it even then.”
“Also true.” Jen made a note. “Okay, so we’ll make some calls about that.”
She glanced at her watch. It was three-thirty.
“I haven’t made arrangements for Brandon, or we could run by the spa now. Maybe I’ll go for an introductory visit this evening. It’ll give me a chance to look around, and I could use the exercise.”
The remainder of the drive back to the city was spent in companionable silence. That surprised her. On the one hand, the man’s presence caused her to lose her normal composure; on the other, she felt comfortable being with him. Maybe it’s a survival mechanism, she thought. She couldn’t exist long in the stimulated state caused by being near Will Anderson, so her body simply forced her to relax.
Or maybe, she thought, sneaking a glance at his handsome profile, I just like being around the man. In more ways than one. She hoped that wasn’t the case. There was too much danger involved in feeling like that.
In the police garage, Will turned to her.
“So what now?”
“We’ll see what the computer checks have turned up, and I’ll call to see how the Norton girl is doing. I also want to check on BodyFit’s hours. Then I’ve got to run home and feed Brandon. I’ve got a neighbor who watches him when I work late, so I should be able to come back down to the building this evening.”
“What would you like me to do?”
“I’ll leave that up to Lonnie. He’s in charge of the investigation.”
“Oh, yeah.” Will smiled. “Sorry. I guess I was just thinking it would be nicer taking orders from you.”
Jen blushed and turned to get out of the car. Will stopped her with a hand on her arm. The physical contact sent a surge of heat through her body that left her weak.
“Wait, Jen.” The flirtatiousness was gone from his voice. “I’m sorry I’m making you nervous.”
“Don’t be silly.” She automatically started to deny the truth of what he’d said, but he shook his head.
“You know it’s true. And I haven’t meant to do it. But you interest me a lot, and I can’t seem to help myself.”
Looking at him carefully, she could see little trace of the macho predator who had been circling her since that morning. Suddenly he grinned, his blue eyes sparkling, and she thought that he was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.
“I guess you just bring out the animal in me.”
He let go of her arm and moved his hand to her hair, gently brushing it back from her face. The touch sent a shiver through her, and her lips parted involuntarily. They stared into one another’s eyes, and for a second, Jen was sure he was going to kiss her. In the police garage! Then the moment passed, and he pulled his hand back on his side of the car.
“How about letting me buy you a sandwich and a beer this evening after we’re through?”
“I don’t know.” She tried to think of a good reason to deny herself the pleasure of being with this man.
“Don’t answer now.” He held up a hand. “Think about it. I promise to keep the animal under control.”
“Are you sure you can?” The words popped out before she could stop herself.
His eyes filled with such desire that she felt her breath leaving her body. This man could be the death of me, she thought, as she felt her own body mirroring his desire.
“If that’s what it takes to get to know you better, I can. It won’t be easy, but I’ll do it.” He smiled. “If I get out of hand, I expect you to put me in my place. I’ve got a feeling you can handle the likes of me, Detective Dillon.”
She laughed, but
