Chosen by a Killer by Laurie Nave (fastest ebook reader TXT) 📕

“I could.”

Their food arrived, and they ate in silence for a few minutes. Keith put down his fork and waved at their waiter to request another beer. “So what made you want to be a journalist?”

“I’ve always had a gift with words. I guess it’s corny to say, but I’ve loved words since I was little. But I didn’t write stories or poems like most kids. I liked finding things out, writing down what I saw. I was an avid reader too.”

“Wow, you were the smart kid.”

“I did well in school. I wasn’t much of a social butterfly, especially once we all hit puberty and most of the girls in my class became obsessed with makeup and boyfriends. I guess I was a bit of a nerd.”

“Nothing wrong with nerds. They change the world and make the money,” Keith laughed. “So you were the scholar and not the cheerleader.”

“I started a newspaper in high school. We’d had one before I got there, but when the English teacher who headed it up retired, no one wanted to take her place. I hounded the principal until he relented and said it could be completely student-run.”

“I can see that. You’re pretty determined.”

“It used to drive my parents crazy. My mom said I could charm or argue anyone into or out of anything.”

“Ha!” Keith laughed. “I’m surprised you didn’t become a lawyer.”

“My parents were hoping for that. But no. Too much drama and ass-kissing.”

Keith blinked. “Tell me how you really feel.”

Celia laughed. “The law is fluid. That’s one thing I’ve figured out. Not that it upsets me. I just don’t want to be part of all the constant scrutiny and politics.”

“That’s interesting,” Keith said. “I’d think your job involves a lot of scrutiny.”

“True, but I’m the one doing the scrutinizing.” Celia sipped her margarita. “So what about you? Why corrections?”

Keith shrugged. “I started out thinking I’d be a cop. But then I did some work in a juvenile facility. Sad to say, a lot of the people I worked with were frustrated guys who hadn’t made cops.”

“Yeah, I could see that.”

“The kids were just...too much for me. But the prison system itself? I thought I could do some good. I wasn’t thrilled that my first job was at a women’s prison. But as it turns out, it was the perfect job.”

“How so?”

“After what my sister went through, I guess I saw women a bit differently. Not as weak or in a bad way. But women don’t get the respect they deserve all the time in the system. I wanted to be different.”

“I’m sure the women appreciate that,” Celia smiled.

“Not all of them. Criminals can be rough regardless of gender. But I can at least treat them like humans, not hit on them, and keep the peace with some dignity.”

“No wonder Natasha likes you.”

Keith chuckled and shook his head. “Here I was hoping it was my great physique.”

“Well, that probably doesn’t hurt,” Celia replied playfully.

“Yeah, right.” Keith rolled his eyes. “I think I’ll order some dessert.”

Chapter 24

“How’s it going?” Keith asked as he and Celia walked down the hall toward Room 4.

“Pretty good,” Celia answered. “It’s been busy. I didn’t realize how being Editor in Chief would change things.”

“I’m sure you're up to the task. Any news with your little problem?”

“Not lately, thank goodness,” Celia said. “But that reminds me. I hate to ask, but I need a different favor.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“John, my old boss. Can you find out if he’s still at his place? He’s been giving one of my friends a hard time. Not dealing with his career change well.”

“No problem. Is your friend okay?”

“I think so. I just want to make sure.”

Keith nodded and opened the door, where Natasha was already waiting. Celia thanked him, sat down, and began setting up the recorder.

“You and Keith seem quite friendly,” Tasha remarked.

“That is because we are friends,” Celia said. “And nothing more.”

“Such a shame,” Tasha sighed. “Maybe after our interviews are over you’ll give him your number.”

“He already has it. But somehow I think you already knew he did.”

Tasha laughed. “I’m afraid I’ve been a little too forthcoming in our interviews. You may actually know me well now.” She raised an eyebrow. “Of course, I know you as well.”

“Perish the thought,” Celia smiled. “So last time we talked about your father. We were interrupted before you told me about his murder.”

“Yes, sometimes I wonder if Keith listens in and opens the door on a cliffhanger.”

“True,” Celia laughed. “If he weren’t so law-abiding, I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Tasha chuckled but didn’t comment. “So I knew I’d have to be careful with my father. He knew I was angry, he suspected things, and he knew murderers. Who knows, he may have been one.”

“You think your father killed people?”

“My father did whatever he had to in order to ensure things went his way. I do the same, as do you.”

“I haven’t killed anyone,” Celia argued, a bit uncomfortable.

“Not yet,” Tasha said. Then she laughed. “Relax, I’m kidding. Like I said, I knew I should be cautious, but I was also angry. I was angry when I killed the attorney and the reporter too, but this was different. This was about betrayal.”

“That’s understandable.”

“First, I tried to access one of my father’s guns. I knew the combination to his safe; it’s how I got the gun for the first murder. But when I went to the safe this time, the combination had been changed. I realized then my father was afraid of me.”

“Well, he should have been. It was a pretty significant lie.”

“Yes, it was. However, that should have given me pause. If he was taking precautions, then the chances of me killing him without getting caught were pretty slim. But I was blinded. So I had to find another way to get a weapon.”

“Sadly, that isn’t as difficult as we would like it to be, is it?” Celia said. “It’s harder to walk into a store and buy one legally than it is to get