A Killer's Agenda by Anita M. Whiting Page A

you.” She motioned toward Brad. “This is Brad Norton. Brad, Mr. Newsome, the most wonderful neighbor a girl could have. He was nice enough to collect my personal mail while I’ve been gone.”
    Brad hid a smile as the older man stood a little straighter, blushing slightly as he shook Brad’s hand. “Nice to meet you. If you need anything else, young lady, you know my number.”
    Alex nodded. “Would you like to come in for a moment?”
    He shook his head. “Can’t, my dear. Eloise is waiting dinner for me.” He winked at Brad. “Don’t want her to think I’m dallying with the sexy single lady down the street.” He started down the steps.
    “Remember, call me if you need anything any time, my dear,” he tossed over his shoulder as he reached his car.
    “I will and thanks again, Mr. Newsome.” She closed the door, laughing as she turned back to Brad. “The man is incorrigible! He’s also a sweetheart.”
    “He certainly thinks you are.”
    “You sound surprised,” she said absently, sorting through the mail as she led the way to the kitchen. A frown marred her
    forehead as she held an envelope up and studied it. “I wonder who this is from. No address, no stamp, nothing but my name.
    Strange.”
    She slit the top and removed the single sheet. He saw her
    expression change.
    “Problem?”
    She looked up, holding the paper out to him. “I guess you
    could say that.”
    -79-
    Anita Whiting
    He took it, fury rushing through him as he read the typewritten words.

    MISS LEAHY,
    A NOSY INVESTIGATOR COULD END UP A DEAD
    INVESTIGATOR. KEEP YOUR CLIENT IN CHARLESTON OR
    YOU’LL REGRET IT.

    There was no signature.
    “What the hell is this about?”
    “It’s self explanatory, Brad,” Alex said calmly. “We’re making someone nervous.”
    “Hard to believe, considering we haven’t even started our
    investigation yet. What makes you so sure this isn’t in regards to another case?”
    “Because all the cases I have going right now are not the kind of stuff that would illicit a letter like this. Besides we have started.
    You called Russell Ferron and made an appointment and
    contacted the police within the last several weeks. I just reopened that can of worms in the past forty-eight hours.” She frowned.
    “Strange thing is, you would think they wouldn’t want to tip their hand with this note. After all, it just confirms what we suspect.
    That there is someone behind these murders.”
    Brad nodded. “You may be right. Then again, maybe he
    thought a little threat would go a long way. One thing we do know is that whoever left this letter has to be local. That or our initial investigation has someone twitchy enough to fly in just to drop this off.”
    “Or he had someone in town do it for him.”
    -80-
    A Killer's Agenda
    Brad examined the paper again. “This is generic. It’s going to be difficult to trace.”
    Alex gathered the rest of her mail and walked to the kitchen, depositing it on the table. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to the police at this point either. This person is getting information from somewhere and until we know who he or she is, let’s just let them think I’m running scared.”
    “Somehow, I don’t think your reputation will allow that,” he said dryly.
    Her lips tilted. “You may be right.” She took the paper from him and put it on the table. “Come on. Let’s return my parent’s car before they get home. I want you to meet them.”
    He regarded her with arms folded. “You think I can handle the whole family at once?”
    She laughed, slipping an arm through his. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
    “Yeah, but who’s going to protect me from you?”
    “Now that, my friend,” Alex said, eyes dancing, “is your
    problem.”
    Brad caught her before she could step away, spinning her back into his arms. He crushed her lips to his, the kiss long and passionate. When he finally released her, she was out of breath, her cheeks blooming with