Cover Shot (A Headlines in High Heels Mystery Book 5) by LynDee Walker Read Free Book Online Page B

hasn’t released anything yet, but I went back to the building this morning and had a chat with the doorman. Did a little eavesdropping. That’s the name I got.”
    He slumped into his chair. “Damn.”
    I pinched my lips together and looked out the window for a long minute. I hated the thought of upsetting Bob, but I needed to stay on top of the story to keep Charlie at bay and make sure his job was safe. Some days, ambition sucks.
    “I’m so sorry to have to tell you like this, Chief,” I said softly. “The thing is, I was wondering if you knew how to get ahold of Ms. Herrington, because I’m hoping she remembers the story. I’ve looked and looked for some background on the victim—” Bob’s head snapped up and I stammered “—on, um, Dr. Maynard—and I can’t find anything.” Something clicked in my head. “Even her story.”
    He braced his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands.
    “Huh?”
    “Nothing came up in the search results. Nothing. Not even the story I read about his retirement.”
    “Then how did you read it?” Bob raised his head slowly, a divot between his eyebrows.
    “Rabbit trails. I found a photo.” I bounced my foot, puzzle pieces taking shape in my brain. “There was an image result for a picture of him from the article. But the article itself never came up. Nothing did. No matter how I tried spelling his name.”
    “Maynard. M-A-Y-N-A-R-D.” Bob shook his head. “How is that possible? He was brilliant. Surely there’s stuff about his research all over the web.”
    “Not a single hit.” I bit my lip.
    “That’s odd.”
    “No, it’s so far past odd, it can’t see odd in the rearview.” I jumped up. “Hold me a spot on one for an exclusive on possible cause of death. The coroner hasn’t released anything, but I have a solid ‘unnamed source close to the investigation’ that cited marks on the victim’s neck. Charlie’s head is going to burst into flames just at that. And I’ll see what else I can find. Andrews won’t know what hit him.”
    “I appreciate the effort, Nicey,” Bob said. “But handle this with care for me? David was beloved—it’s going to hit a lot of important people pretty hard that he’s gone. Especially if the PD suspects foul play.”
    “You got it.” I paused in the door and turned back. On one hand, I wanted to ask Bob how he knew the doctor, and how well. Maybe he had information that could help me. On the other, I didn’t want to make him sadder if I could talk to other people first. “I’m not using his name yet, but maybe I can get the inside scoop from our old society editor. Can you send me Ms. Herrington’s contact info, if you have it?”
    “I don’t know—or give the slightest shit—how to get in touch with that…” Bob’s eyes fell shut and he took a slow, deep breath, “…woman. Nor do I have any interest in you pulling her into anything to do with this newspaper. Find another source.”
    I sighed.
    Nothing’s ever easy.

      
    Thirty minutes of cursing at my laptop later, I stirred my third latte of the day and smiled across the table at my best friend’s husband. Chad was a computer geek through and through, head of network security at one of the banks that occupied a tower a few blocks from my office.
    “Thanks for coming to meet me,” I said.
    He raised his cup. “Thanks for the coffee.”
    “Kids doing okay?”
    “They’re great. But you could ask Jenna that.” The hazel eyes behind his square glasses were curious. “What’s up?”
    “Ever direct.” I smiled. “That’s okay. I like direct. I have a computer problem.”
    “You have to update your antivirus stuff, Nichelle.” Chad groaned. “How many times have we been through this? Do. Not. Dismiss. The little box. That’s going to cost you more than a cup of coffee.”
    “I didn’t,” I protested. “Well, I did, but I swear I’ll stop, and that’s not why I’m here.”
    He tipped his head to one side.
    “How