Smoky Mountain Investigation by Annslee Urban Read Free Book Online Page A

she still looked as youthful as the girl in the picture. And just as beautiful.
    His chest once again felt tight. He needed to keep his head on straight. So what if he found Kylie Harper appealing? Aside from that, they were just friends. And that was all they would ever be.
    Pages ruffled and Kylie dropped the report on the table. “All this paperwork and we still don’t have a clue on who this predator might be.”
    Nick blinked, reasserting mental control. He straightened in his seat. “Evidence is building. We’re making progress.”
    Discreetly, he gathered the photos and stuffed them back into the folder.
    “I hope so. I’m not really cut out for this.” Kylie picked up her coffee and took a drink.
    “I don’t know about that. You were pretty brave out there today.” Nick gave a small chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood. But he couldn’t discount the fact that this stalker was no regular predator. He knew too much about Conrad’s murder. He had to have been a member of their high-school class. And whoever he was, he’d been harboring ten years of pent-up obsession for Kylie and now he was on the prowl. Couple that with a delusional and brilliant mind and the cops had their job cut out for them.
    Kylie slanted him a glance, her lips slightly curved. “Brave? I was shaking in my boots the whole time.”
    “Fear is a perfectly normal reaction to have in this situation. Pushing past those fears to get a job done makes you...brave.” He smiled at her.
    She returned it. “Then you were brave. I was tagging along.”
    Not true, but he wouldn’t argue.
    “I just keep wondering how I could have missed someone stalking me.” Kylie set her cup on the table, the coffee almost spilling.
    “Psychopaths like this guy can be elusive. It’s part of the game, Kylie. Part of the sickness.” Nick reached over to capture her hand and steady her cup, steady her.
    “What kind of creep collects ten years’ worth of pictures, plus every published article I’ve written, and doesn’t make himself known?” Kylie’s voice drifted off, as if she were trying to make sense of it all. She pulled her hand away, and the warmth inside him took on a chill as she thumped back in the chair and crossed her arms.
    Nick gave a slight shrug. “Someone obsessed, that’s who. It doesn’t have to make sense when someone is crazy.”
    She shook her head, her gaze never leaving his face. “Well, it doesn’t make sense. An average girl. A small-town reporter. Hardly a person of celebrity status.”
    “First of all, Miss Harper.” He leaned in closer, lifted a brow. “You are far from average. Always have been.”
    “Really?”
    Her amused laugh pricked his heart. For the better part of his teenage years he’d been in love with this woman. Beyond her gentle beauty, she was curious and funny. And the simple moments they’d spent together still warmed him to the core. Impromptu picnics along the parkway, long walks, hiking, even playing board games on a cold winter’s day.
    He breathed deeply and smiled. “Yes, Kylie Harper. You are far from average.”
    “That’s sweet of you to say.” She picked up her cup and took another sip of coffee.
    “I’m serious. I’ve never met anyone else like you.”
    Kylie lowered her cup, all the humor erased from her expression. “Then why did you leave, Nick? And forget all about me?”
    “I...” Straightening, Nick stammered. He hadn’t been prepared for that.
    “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair—” Kylie’s voice broke.
    The slash in Nick’s heart widened. Only a wimp would abandon a woman like this. He’d managed to accomplish the one thing he’d promised he’d never do—hurt Kylie Harper. And apparently he was still doing so.
    He shook his head. “No, you asked a perfectly good question. One I’ve asked myself dozens of times over the years. Honestly, Kylie, I could never forget you. And although guilt and anger played a heavy part in my decision to leave, it was time for