18. MURDER

A crash resounded from the kitchen, echoed by Garrett proclaiming, "I�m fine!"

Carissa rolled her eyes from her comfortable position on the sofa. His protective instincts were starting to kick into overdrive with the promise of a newborn child. This would be the third breakfast he had fixed her this week alone, and even with the enormous mess he left behind, his sensitivity always touched her.

Her eyes narrowed at a sudden news flash as it crossed the muted television set. Scrabbling for the remote, she hurriedly clicked on the sound, than simply sat there, mouth agape as a coolly professional news anchor announced, "District Attorney John Marsdon succumbed to his gunshot wound late last night. He and his wife, Carolyn, were exiting a Christmas party when the sniper took advantage of their unprotected position. He will be sorely missed. And in other news . . ."

"Garrett!"

There were clunks and heavy footsteps at the urgency in her voice, and his rumpled head peeked around the corner of the living room wall. A dish towel hung from one hand as he demanded, "What�s wrong?" She could only point unsteadily at the television, now revealing snow flurries accosting various roads around the city.

"I have to call Charity. Where�s the phone?" Her voice was numb, just as she felt. A gentle nudge against her foot brought her left hand down instantly to caress Cadfael�s sleek body just as her right snatched up the cordless phone sitting on a side table. Garrett�s hand stilled her movements to dial and he settled beside her, his soft brown eyes now tinged in heavy concern.

"Carissa, what on earth is wrong?"

She bit her lower lip. "The District Attorney was murdered last night, Garrett." As she knew they would, his expressive eyes widened, and a muscle jumped in his handsome jaw. "He and his wife were leaving a Christmas party when it happened. I have to call Charity. She and Richard were probably phoned with the emergency last night."

"My God." It was all he could manage, but aptly reflected her own thoughts.

Garrett�s hands grew lax enough for hers to slide free and begin dialing Charity�s cell, something she knew by heart. It rang several times, before a weary voice answered, "This is Charity." Carissa�s heart leapt in relief at simply hearing her friend�s voice. "Charity, are you all right? I�ve been watching the early morning news and heard about John."

The weariest of sighs slipped through the phone. "I�m fine. I probably should have called you, but it�s been rather hectic here. Richard and I are with Carolyn at the moment. I�ve never seen a woman so shell-shocked and afraid."

"Do you need me?"