Shattered by Death (A Jo Oliver Thriller Book 2) by Catherine Finger Page B
Authors: Catherine Finger
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my mind, the fireplace glowed with a fury, and I couldn’t look at it. The specter of what I’d just seen via Mitch’s cell phone hung before me as I made myself a strong pot of French pressed coffee.
What were the rest of the guys saying about me this morning? Aware of its morbid power, I’d never given gossip any air to breathe. Who were they drawing into the pit of disbelief as every lie was cast about?
I poured my coffee, black, and sat down at the counter. My cell phone buzzed, confirming an appointment with Kira Stoklavich, the department’s therapist, at 8:00 this morning. Maybe she could help me sort fact from fiction.
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Whoa! Where had that come from? And how the heck was I gonna find the truth? How big a life of its own had the idea of me being a murderer taken on? I sipped the hot brew. My Magnificent Being and I could handle it. His glorious peace wrapped around me like a prayer shawl. It freed my mind to wander. I finished my coffee, picked up my gym bag, and paused to grab my barn coat. Just touching it brought back pleasant memories.
Gray legs, replete with sculpted muscles, pounding down the rail… poetry in motion as his graceful silhouette floated down the arena fence. A great big, beautiful, 17.2 hand quarter horse gelding named Scooter waited for me across town. I gotta go see a woman about a horse .
A quick barn visit would be just the elixir I’d need after my meeting with Kira. With any luck at all, I’d still be able to keep my coveted Friday visit with Samantha. Until my innocence was firmly established at the station, I had to tread carefully where Samantha was concerned.
During the past several weeks, I’d been hard at work gathering references, arranging home visits and interviews, and working through the legions of paperwork for the process of formally adopting my little girl. I was grateful beyond belief to have the afternoon with her to look forward to, but in light of the murder investigation, was it wise? As much as I wanted to see her, I didn’t want to bring any more disruption into her life.
Maybe a better woman would wait until things calmed down. But I needed to see her. I prayed her little-girl warmth would envelope me like a cocoon and help me forget about the horror of the past thirty-six hours.
Other than Scooter, Samantha, and my mother, no one was really dying to see me. Funny what being the prime suspect in a gruesome double-murder case does to your calendar. Heat rushed to my face as the image of Cliff and Georgi, two of my dearest friends, passed quickly through my mind. I’ll call them next .
I tossed my gym bag in the back seat and settled into my squad car. It felt good to be at the wheel again. Before backing down the driveway, I voice-dialed my mother’s number and left a message telling her I’d be stopping by soon. My phone chirped, and I turned it over. The screen lit up with Donna’s face, and I smiled into the cold plastic. “Hey.”
“That’s not the most articulate greeting you’ve ever offered me. But far from the worst. Do you want me to call Georgi for you, or have you already talked to her?”
I sighed. “Yes. Please.” How I ever got so lucky to have such amazing friends was beyond me. Thank you God .
“You know she can stay with me.”
Donna had probably already invited her.
I lifted my eyes to the sky. “I’m so grateful for you both. Yes. Call her. Have her bring all the cheese and chocolate she can carry. We’re in for a few long days. And I need you both by my side. I’m off to see Dr. Stoklavich.
“By yourself?” She raised her voice.
“Yes.” I swallowed.
“Are you really okay going to this appointment alone, sweetie?” Her voice carried me into a safety zone. She and her husband Jim had been my saviors many a night. That they lived next door was one of the Seven Wonders of the World to me. In fact, their house disappeared from my rear-view mirror as I
What were the rest of the guys saying about me this morning? Aware of its morbid power, I’d never given gossip any air to breathe. Who were they drawing into the pit of disbelief as every lie was cast about?
I poured my coffee, black, and sat down at the counter. My cell phone buzzed, confirming an appointment with Kira Stoklavich, the department’s therapist, at 8:00 this morning. Maybe she could help me sort fact from fiction.
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Whoa! Where had that come from? And how the heck was I gonna find the truth? How big a life of its own had the idea of me being a murderer taken on? I sipped the hot brew. My Magnificent Being and I could handle it. His glorious peace wrapped around me like a prayer shawl. It freed my mind to wander. I finished my coffee, picked up my gym bag, and paused to grab my barn coat. Just touching it brought back pleasant memories.
Gray legs, replete with sculpted muscles, pounding down the rail… poetry in motion as his graceful silhouette floated down the arena fence. A great big, beautiful, 17.2 hand quarter horse gelding named Scooter waited for me across town. I gotta go see a woman about a horse .
A quick barn visit would be just the elixir I’d need after my meeting with Kira. With any luck at all, I’d still be able to keep my coveted Friday visit with Samantha. Until my innocence was firmly established at the station, I had to tread carefully where Samantha was concerned.
During the past several weeks, I’d been hard at work gathering references, arranging home visits and interviews, and working through the legions of paperwork for the process of formally adopting my little girl. I was grateful beyond belief to have the afternoon with her to look forward to, but in light of the murder investigation, was it wise? As much as I wanted to see her, I didn’t want to bring any more disruption into her life.
Maybe a better woman would wait until things calmed down. But I needed to see her. I prayed her little-girl warmth would envelope me like a cocoon and help me forget about the horror of the past thirty-six hours.
Other than Scooter, Samantha, and my mother, no one was really dying to see me. Funny what being the prime suspect in a gruesome double-murder case does to your calendar. Heat rushed to my face as the image of Cliff and Georgi, two of my dearest friends, passed quickly through my mind. I’ll call them next .
I tossed my gym bag in the back seat and settled into my squad car. It felt good to be at the wheel again. Before backing down the driveway, I voice-dialed my mother’s number and left a message telling her I’d be stopping by soon. My phone chirped, and I turned it over. The screen lit up with Donna’s face, and I smiled into the cold plastic. “Hey.”
“That’s not the most articulate greeting you’ve ever offered me. But far from the worst. Do you want me to call Georgi for you, or have you already talked to her?”
I sighed. “Yes. Please.” How I ever got so lucky to have such amazing friends was beyond me. Thank you God .
“You know she can stay with me.”
Donna had probably already invited her.
I lifted my eyes to the sky. “I’m so grateful for you both. Yes. Call her. Have her bring all the cheese and chocolate she can carry. We’re in for a few long days. And I need you both by my side. I’m off to see Dr. Stoklavich.
“By yourself?” She raised her voice.
“Yes.” I swallowed.
“Are you really okay going to this appointment alone, sweetie?” Her voice carried me into a safety zone. She and her husband Jim had been my saviors many a night. That they lived next door was one of the Seven Wonders of the World to me. In fact, their house disappeared from my rear-view mirror as I
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