“That must terrify you.”
“You have no idea. No matter how you look at it, though, I can’t see her killing innocent men.”
“I still want to track down these other women. Can you put together a list? I want to know anything you know.”
“I can. I don’t know how helpful it will be.”
“I just want to cover all my bases.”
“Fair enough. Other than that, what’s your plan?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ve got to think it through.”
“Just keep me informed.”
I saluted and headed back toward the door. “That’s the plan.”
I CHECKED MY MESSAGES TO see if perhaps I would stumble across an anonymous tip but came up empty. I had information to work with, but it was all off the record, which meant my hands were largely tied, something I absolutely hated.
After running a few fruitless searches regarding Cal, I pushed myself away from my desk in frustration and slid directly into Sabrina as she moved down the aisle. I forced a smile for her benefit and attempted to roll my chair back into position, but she grabbed the fabric so I couldn’t flee.
“I would like to talk to you.” Her tone was high-pitched and brittle.
“I’m busy right now. Perhaps you can make an appointment for next week.”
To my surprise, she didn’t back down. “I know you don’t want me hanging around.”
“This is a very delicate story. I can’t afford any distractions.”
“I wouldn’t be a distraction.”
“Honey, all you are is a distraction, one I can’t deal with right now. I’m sorry if you’re upset, but ... well ... I have other things on my mind. I can’t worry about hurting your feelings.”
“You haven’t hurt my feelings.” Surprisingly, the vulnerability that had been emanating from her eyes disappeared, replaced with a look of hard determination. “You have ticked me off, though. I kind of don’t like you anymore.”
It took everything I had not to grin. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I don’t expect you to say anything. For once, you should listen. I have information that you need. I’ll only give it to you if you let me help you with everything you’re working on.”
“Are you blackmailing me?”
“I’m playing to my strengths. That’s what you do, right? Well, I have information regarding Cal Shepperly and I guarantee you want to hear it. I want something in return.”
I had to be impressed with the tactic. “How do I know this information is good enough to include you?” I asked. “Your idea of pertinent information could be vastly different.”
“Oh, this is really good information.”
“Where did you get it?”
“I have sources too.”
Now she was just playing coy. “Fine.” I threw up my hands. I was so desperate for something to focus on that I didn’t see that I had much choice. “If your information really is actionable, I’ll include you ... in at least part of my day.”
“The whole day.”
“Part.”
“Whole.” She folded her arms over her chest and fixed me with a defiant glare. “I want a co-byline, too.”
“No way. I don’t share bylines.”
“Those are my terms.”
I had no way to buy time. “I’ll give you a contribution credit at the end of the article,” I said. “That’s the best I can do.”
“Not good enough.”
“Then we’re done. I’m not offering you anything else, especially when I have no idea how good this information is. For all I know it could be made up.”
“Oh, it’s the truth. If you don’t want the information, perhaps Duncan does. I assume he’ll jump at the chance to talk to Cal Shepperly’s estranged wife.”
I sat up straighter in my chair, dumbfounded. “He has a wife?”
“They’re separated.”
Crap. I hadn’t yet been able to uncover anything on this topic. It was indeed a very good lead. “Fine. If the information leads anywhere — and by that I mean actionable leads and not a door slammed in our faces — you can share a byline.” It was painful to offer, but I needed the information. On top of that, I appreciated her style. “What’s the name?”
“Ruth Shepperly. She lives in Romeo. She also has a brother who used to hang out with Beau Burton.”
I wanted to know how she’d stumbled across the information but ultimately it didn’t matter. “Well, let’s track down Ruth, shall we?”
She beamed. “I knew you would see things my way.”
I’d just been shaken down by an idiot and I didn’t even care. Finally, we were getting somewhere.
23 Twenty-Three
Sabrina was feeling pretty good about herself. She’d preened, checked her makeup in the passenger side mirror, and shifted in her seat so many times I’d lost count.
“You can’t say anything,” I warned as I pocketed my keys. “This is still my interview.”
Sabrina’s head bob was perfunctory. “Of course.”
“I mean it.”
“I know you’re in charge.” She looked at me hard. “Despite what you seem to think, I’m not an idiot.”
That was yet to be determined. “Just ... let me do the talking. Keep your lips zipped.”
I took a moment to scan the yard as we approached the front steps. Romeo was one of the richer communities in the county, and while Ruth’s property wouldn’t land her on the higher end of any property value lists, it was still a well-kept and charming house.
“I can’t see Cal living here,” I mused. “Do you know when Ruth moved to this house?”
Sabrina didn’t respond.
“You can answer me,” I prodded. “You only have to keep your lips zipped with Ruth.”
“I only know that she’s been here a while,” she offered. “Years. I have no idea if Cal ever lived here with her, or how long they’ve been separated.”
“And who is this source again?”
“Do you reveal all of your sources?”
“No, but you’re not me.”
“Well, you have to trust me.” She was matter-of-fact. “I know you don’t believe it, but I’m going to be a really good reporter. I know what I’m doing.”
The fact that she’d essentially bullied me into giving her what she wanted proved that. Still, I didn’t want to encourage her. “Let’s see what we
