Page 70 of Ice Covered Heart

“Yes,” Shelby replied. “You could. That is a possibility.”

Hunter had to fight a smile. He just liked her style. No, I like her.

“Or maybe…” Shelby continued as the reporter’s face showed his uncertainty, “you could do me a favor and to repay you, I’ll give you five minutes in an exclusive interview. I don’t typically do interviews, so offering you a possibility is more than I’ve given anyone else in years.”

Shamus shifted from his right foot to his left as he fought his indecision. “Aw…dammit! Okay, okay, fine. I’ll get rid of them!” He bounded past Shelby and Hunter but then whirled around. “I’m a good resource to have,” he told them. “I know this town. I grew up here. I know you, Shelby. I’ll tell your story the right away, if you give me the chance.” He saluted. “And I’ll get rid of the others. Count on it.”

Then he was gone.

Hunter didn’t move. Curiosity compelled him to ask, “Are you giving him an interview?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” She watched as Shamus ran toward the rear of the hotel. “Channel Seven is the smallest station in the area. When he said he covered sports and entertainment, I think he meant that he covered high school football games.” Her head turned toward Hunter. “But he got inside this hotel when none of the other reporters did, and he let us know where they were so we didn’t just walk right out into some sort of frenzy.”

True. “You think he’ll be able to get rid of them?”

“I think we should go back upstairs, pack our bags, and find somewhere new to stay for the rest of our time in Hathaway.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “Just not quite sure where that will be.”

“I’ll get a place.” The safest spot in the area. Done.

“By the time we come back down, maybe Shamus will have cleared the exit for us. If not…” Her words trailed away.

“I’ll handle the press.” Easy.

But she didn’t look reassured. “You won’t get physical with them all?”

There could be no promises made on that score. “If the jerks put their hands on you, I will. No one grabs you.” Not on his watch. If someone tried to, they would definitely find him becoming physical.

“Are you this protective with all your clients?”

“Absolutely.” An immediate retort.

She seemed to fight a smile. “You say that because I’m your only client, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.” He spied the free breakfast waiting nearby. “Before we pack, let’s get bagels for the road. You have to be starving.”

“Yes, actually, I am.” But she hesitated. “Don’t get physical with the reporters?”

“I don’t plan on launching to attack innocents.” Not his style. “But if anyone hurts you, if anyone targets you, they will be fair game for me.”

She nodded. “I can work with that.”

Chapter Fifteen

Shelby’s gaze locked on the four-story building, one with broad oak trees to the left and to the right. She’d lived in that residence hall for the first year of her college life. Her second year, Shelby had moved into the sorority house. She’d still been in the sorority her senior year…

When everything had gone to hell.

As they approached the square, brick dormitory building, Shelby’s gaze was drawn to the top floor. The corner room. Her old room.

Years ago.

It had always been too hot in the spring and early fall. Even with the air-conditioning churning at full force. Too cold in the winter. She’d bunked beneath a ton of blankets.

“Your face tells me everything I need to know,” Hunter noted from his position beside her. “Tiffany lived in your same old dorm building, didn’t she? Because you are sporting the look of a woman who has been here before.”

Shamus had kept up his end of the deal. He’d gotten rid of the other reporters, allowing Shelby and Hunter to make a clean and quick exit from the hotel. When they’d arrived on the college campus, she and Hunter had easily found Jonah’s car—the same vehicle he’d driven last night at the murder scene. Not a patrol car. A blue Honda Accord with a municipal government plate. But a patrol car had been parked right next to his Honda. And both of those cars were in front of the DeSoto Dormitory.

“Same building. But I’m sure it’s not the same room.” No way. It could not be. That would be far too much of a coincidence.