Killer Reunion by G. A. McKevett Page A

were?”
    Savannah sighed. “The color of the mud. It’s redder up there than anyplace else in the county. Right, Gran?”
    â€œAbsolutely. I knew ever’ time any of you kids went up to that den of iniquity to fornicate—or to come too dadgum close.”
    Savannah gave her grandmother an affectionate smile. “And only somebody who had visited that ‘den of iniquity’ would know such a thing. Right, Gran?”
    Granny sniffed. “I’ve heard tale. Or maybe I’ve been up there once or twice in my time. But only with my husband, so . . .”
    Nudging Savannah in the ribs with his elbow, Dirk said, “I can see now where you get your detecting skills.”
    Savannah nodded. “Let’s just say, it wasn’t a particularly windy day when that apple fell off the tree.”
    â€œThe only question I have is,” Gran continued, “why are you, Miss Savannah, so much worse off than your husband? He ain’t the kinda man who’d have his wife get out and push a car that’s mired in the mud. Hmmm.”
    Savannah sighed. “Gran, just once in a while, don’t you reckon some things could remain a mystery?”
    â€œThose are the words of a person with secrets to hide, so I’d say that whatever occurred, you, girl, were the culprit.” Gran turned to Dirk. “If you would please, grandson, carry your wife into the bathroom yonder and hose her off in the shower.”
    Dirk gulped. “Carry her?”
    â€œMost certainly. I sure don’t want those muddy feet of hers on my clean floor.”
    Savannah grinned at him. “You carried me over the threshold on our honeymoon night.”
    â€œBut that was one step.”
    Her grin started to fade. “Are you suggesting, big boy, that I’m a mite too heavy for you to hoist?”
    â€œWhy no. Not being a completely stupid man, I wouldn’t dream of suggesting such a thing.”
    With only a slight groan, he scooped her into his arms and headed toward the bathroom. There was a brief moment of high drama when he tried to maneuver them both through the narrow doorway leading into the bath, but in the end, no romance novel hero had ever done it better.
    As they disappeared into the bathroom, he added, “Let’s just say, when I married you, babe, I got my money’s worth.”

Chapter 6
    D uring her career as a law-enforcement officer, Savannah had been required to perform the sad task of informing the next of kin when their loved ones had passed. It had been her least favorite part of being a cop.
    In the performance of that depressing duty, she had seen a wide range of reactions, from stoic bravery to numbing shock and uncontrolled hysteria.
    But never in all her years had she witnessed the complete breakdown and devastation of a human being who had received bad news—until she told Marietta that her sexy, strapping sandals were a goner.
    â€œNo! No! It can’t be true! Oh, Gaawwd! Tell me it ain’t true!” Marietta shrieked, collapsing across Granny’s sofa. Dramatically sprawled, legs apart, turquoise leopard-print knickers exposed, she pressed the back of her right hand to her forehead, while clutching the arm of the sofa with her left. “I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it!”
    Although Savannah had asked Dirk to be present when she broke the news to Marietta, she didn’t blame him for jumping up from Gran’s chair and hightailing it out the front door at the first sign of her sister’s indecent exposure. Almost everyone who knew Marietta Reid was far more acquainted with her lingerie collection than they chose to be.
    When someone misbehaved in that neck of the woods, it was commonly remarked that so-and-so had “shown their hind end.” For some reason, Marietta took that phrase quite literally. Though usually only in the presence of males she found attractive.
    â€œWhat’s all the