Chosen by a Killer by Laurie Nave (read e book txt) 📗

“He’s an attorney in town. Yeah, he’s easy on the eyes.”

“Hot is more like it. He needs to invite Dan to his gym a few times. Get rid of that dad-bod.”

Celia laughed. “See you back at work.”

Bart had her card and was standing by the door. He’d taken care of the tip, and they walked outside together. He leaned in for a kiss, but Celia gave him a friendly hug instead. “It was great to see you. Enjoy your weekend fundraiser.”

“Thanks. Have a safe trip,” Bart answered quickly, but Celia noticed it. That same dark look. What was wrong? Perhaps his relationship with his former in-laws wasn’t as cozy as he claimed.

When Celia arrived back from lunch, Gladys had a stack of messages for her. Most people used digital means, but after a controversial story broke, Celia liked to have a hard copy as well. Threats sometimes happened, and the paper copy of the number and name of the person who had called made Celia feel more in control of the situation.

Several of the messages were from the law office that represented the subject of her latest article. She wasn’t worried about those. She’d covered all the bases, her ass, as well as the publication’s. She recognized one name as a family member and a couple of others as victims of his unethical behavior. Those would go unanswered; Celia didn’t do emotional displays and pleadings. The rest she’d have to check into before making a decision.

“You’re back, I see.” John poked his head into her office. He saw the stack of messages and smiled. “You caused another stir, didn’t you?”

“Who, me?” Celia chuckled. “You know I aim to please.”

“That you do. This will send our sales up for sure. Everyone likes to see a rich man get screwed.”

“True. Except for the ones who want his money.”

John laughed. “Working on anything new I should know about?”

“Just tying up some ends and getting ready for the interview in Phoenix.”

John studied her for a minute, then slapped the door frame. “Okay then. I’ll let you get back to it.”

Celia shook her head after he walked away. Good grief, he was nosy! Every journalist had at least a tinge of paranoia now and then, but John’s could be incredibly annoying at times. He was fishing, Celia was sure of it. But she wasn’t going to take any bait until she had something solid from her next project—a cold-blooded, beautiful killer.

When Celia arrived home, her telephone was blinking. Sighing, she pressed the button. The messages could only be from one person. I really need to get rid of this landline.

“Celia, it’s me again. I know it’s been a long time. I want to talk to you. Please, it’s important—”

She erased the message without hearing the rest.

Chapter 4

The night before her appointment at the prison, Celia reread the requirements and restrictions the prison had concerning death row inmate visits. It would probably be a no-contact visit, which meant she and Natasha would be separated by a partition. There was a list of prohibited clothing, but since Celia didn’t wear sundresses or revealing clothing to an interview, she wasn’t too worried about that. The attorney had assured Natasha that she could have a pad, pen, and recording device. She would likely be at least informally searched. Most of it wasn’t new information; Celia had visited prisons before, though this was her first death row visit.

“License and pass. Be sure to sign the log after you finish the paperwork.” A grandmotherly woman sat at the desk behind what was likely bulletproof glass. She typed loudly at a keyboard and handed Celia a clipboard without looking away from the screen.

“Please step this way.” A corrections officer wearing gloves directed her. He gave her a quick pat-down and took her purse and phone. After examining her recording device, he nodded.

“I’m Robert. Follow me please.” He used a code and badge to open the first set of doors. Both their shoes echoed along the hallway, and Celia made a note to wear different shoes next time.

“Does Natasha get many visitors?”

“Her attorney visits, of course. Other than that I can’t discuss. Wait, please.”

Of course, he can’t tell me that. Celia watched him swipe the badge and enter another code, and the second set of doors opened. Another officer joined them until they reached a set of doors.

“Keith will take you from here. See you in an hour.”

Keith was a tall, lean man who was probably about 40. He shook Celia’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Brockwell. We’ll be visiting Mr. Bronlov in Room 4. I need to remind you that you are to remain across the table from the inmate at all times. Both of you are to remain seated. The visit will be for one hour, and I will be outside the door. I will knock once when you have ten more minutes and once when you have five minutes left. There is a button on your side of the table should you need anything.”

“Thanks. I thought there would be a partition.”

“Ms. Bronlov is allowed contact visits with her attorney. We will allow contact visits in this case too unless they become a problem.”

“I assure you I do not plan to create any problems.”

Keith smiled again and unlocked the door to Room 4. “Celia Brockwell is here to see you. Celia, Natasha Bronlov. I’ll be outside the door. You have one hour.”

“Thank you for coming, Celia. I apologize for not standing to shake your hand, but the prison has so many rules.” She laughed. “Have a seat.”

Natasha sat at the table, her legs crossed casually and her hair swept back into a band. The bland prison uniform blended with the neutral walls. Natasha, however, was anything but neutral. Even without her makeup, she was still stunning.

“Thank you for the invitation. Do you mind if I record? It will give me the most reliable record.”

“Of course, I assumed you would. I like your suit. I think decent clothing