Lindsey followed Mark out the door, thinking of the ease at which his arrogant exterior slipped into place. It wasn’t a show, though she knew he had a much softer side. She’d witnessed it firsthand. He really believed he was better than most, and with a sigh of resignation, Lindsey thought he probably was. Not that she would ever tell him that.
Calming now, she started to process the events that had just played out. She stopped walking. Mark stopped with her as if he had been monitoring her footsteps. He looked at her expectantly.
“Why are you here?” she demanded.
He stared at her as if she had lost her mind. “This is not the time or place for this conversation.”
Who made him the almighty deciding factor? “I think it is.”
He reached for her arm but she jerked out of his grasp and pointed at him. “Don’t.”
He surprised her by moving so close their bodies were practically touching. “I will not apologize for being worried about you.”
“I can take care of myself. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Running off alone while a killer is stalking you says different.”
She glared. “Go to hell, Mark.” She started to walk.
His hand snaked out, catching her arm, and turning her towards him. “I am not letting you walk out of here alone. Either walk with me or I swear to God I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here.”
He meant to do as he said. As much as she didn’t want to go with him, she didn’t want to make a scene. Her lips thinned with barely contained fury. “Fine,” she said through clenched teeth.
Together they walked to the front of the building. Lindsey toyed with the idea of darting once she was on the street but decided against it. Immaturity and misplaced anger wasn’t going to get her anywhere. Instead, she let Mark hail a cab.
They rode in silence, both staring out the opposite windows. Her anger turned to thoughts about the case, her anger at Mark becoming secondary. “We should call Vegas.”
Mark nodded, giving her a quick look. “Yes, they have a right to know they were duped.”
She nodded. The pleasure of setting the two men free was clouded by the thought of a vicious killer still being on the prowl. “There is enough evidence to at least get Hudson a new trial, and probably free Williams.”
Mark turned and met her gaze. “Let’s think this through. We can’t alert this creep that we are onto him.”
Lindsey swallowed. As much as she hated the truth to his words, she had to agree. Hudson deserved his life back, but it was more important to ensure no one else became a victim.
“We need to call Steve,” Mark added.
Lindsey nodded. “I’ll call and see if he can come over as soon as we get to the office.”
Mark slid across the seat, his finger going to her chin. His face was so close, his expression so dark, that Lindsey’s breath caught in her throat. “Don’t,” he said in a dangerously soft voice, “pull a stunt like this one again.” Lindsey opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off. “And don’t get on your high horse,” he added. “This is not a game, or even a power play. This is life,” he paused for meaning, “and death.”
His words cut like a knife and she shivered. He was right. Death was in the air.
* * * * *
A single white posy in a simple vase sat on the reception desk. Without asking, Lindsey knew who it was for. And who it was from.
Mark’s hands settled on her shoulders and she leaned back against him, needing the source of strength he offered. Forgotten was the argument over Greg.
Judy reached for the vase. “More flowers.”
“Don’t touch that,” Mark said sharply. Judy recoiled, looking wounded by his tone. Mark turned Lindsey to look at him. “You okay?”
Lindsey nodded automatically. “I need to call Steve.” And she turned away from Mark, needing to get to her office. She mentally searched for her composure. By the time she called Steve, she was beginning to pull herself together. Her hand was remarkably steady as she hung up the receiver.
She squeezed her eyes shut, and inhaled and exhaled several times. Her head fell back on the chair, and she tried to relax her body. She jumped as Mark leaned over her, his hands on the arms of her chair. She could hardly believe she hadn’t heard his approach. “Wow,” he said in a calming voice. “It’s just me.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t hear you.”
Mark kneeled down in front of her, his hands sliding to her knees. “The mind has a strange way of sensing danger. I’m not dangerous to you. You have good instincts. I’m sure, had I been someone else, you would have been alert well before you were.”
His words didn’t support what he had said to her in the past. “But you don’t believe in instinct, remember?”
Mark gave her a reassuring smile. “Not in myself, but I’ve learned to trust yours.”
“Don’t,” she said flatly. “I’ve done nothing but get us all in trouble.”
His fingers tightened on her legs. “That’s far from the truth. You were right all along. If people would have listened to you, things might have been solved a long time ago. People like Greg, who hid the facts for personal gain, caused this hell.”
The intercom went off. “Steve is here,” Judy stated.
“Send him in,” Mark said, and then returned his focus to Lindsey. “Don’t start doubting yourself. We need your instincts more than ever.”
Lindsey smiled but didn’t say anything. Mark straightened to his full height and with his normal grace moved to the office door and opened it. Steve stood there about to knock. Mark offered him his hand. “Glad you’re here.”
Steve stepped into the room, his eyes on Lindsey “You can’t seem to get rid of this particular case, can you?”
Garth walked through the door directly behind Steve, and shook Mark’s hand. He gave Lindsey a quick nod. She tried to smile, but couldn’t. “What do you think, Steve?” she said, wanting to get on with finding answers.
“I have the flower being taken to the lab right now,” he said walking towards her and sitting down in a chair.
“We won’t find anything though,” Garth added. “You know that. No florist tag, and Judy said the delivery person wasn’t more than fifteen or sixteen. Probably grabbed off the street and paid to bring it up.” Garth sat in the chair next to Steve.
“Did you read the card?” Steve asked.
Lindsey swallowed back the queasiness that was lifting to her throat. She could feel the eyes of the room watching her. Steve pulled a piece of paper and slid it on the desk in front of her. “I wrote down what it said. The lab will, of course, need the actual card.”
She read it in silence, Mark walking behind her to lean over her shoulder.
Ring around the rosy
Pocket full of posies
Ashes, ashes they all fall down.
I knew you would come back. Tonight we celebrate.
Lindsey pressed her palms on the desk, trying to hide the way they shook. Mark squeezed her shoulder in silent support.
Steve reached for the piece of paper as if he was afraid Lindsey would read it again. “His fixation on you is confirmed.”
Lindsey’s hand closed down on the paper. “No. Do you understand what he is saying . . .” She looked around the room. “Tonight we celebrate. He plans to kill another woman.”
“Tonight,” Mark said.
“But not you,” Garth said quietly.
Lindsey focused on Garth. “How do you know?”
“Instincts,” he said. “You’re not the only one who follows them. It’s not you. He’s toying with you.”
Steve looked at Lindsey. “The words ‘ashes to ashes’ and the choice of the posy are both symbolic of death.”
“What are the chances he will harm Lindsey?” Mark asked.
Garth responded again, “I don’t think she’s in immediate danger. Right now he appears to be enjoying the game.”
“But,” Steve interject
ed, “we can’t take chances.” He jabbed a finger at the note. “He could be talking about Lindsey.”
“Either way,” Lindsey said, “he plans to kill again tonight.”
“Any evidence found at the apartment?” Mark asked.
Steve looked at Mark. “Nothing helpful, I’m afraid.”
Lindsey’s mind was racing. “He’ll go to the Pink Panther to choose his victim. I’m sure of it.”
“It fits,” Steve said. “The question is, will he expect us to be there?”
Steve looked from Mark to Lindsey. “Will he, Lindsey?”
Lindsey thought a minute. “If he’s been watching me, which we have to assume he has, then yes. He knows I have been there and that I know it’s his place.” She paused. “He knows I know.”
Mark shook his head. “It’s going to be impossible to catch the guy. He probably picked the victim weeks ago. I can’t believe he will grab her at the Pink Panther.”
Steve replied, “He might. These guys get bolder and bolder.”
Lindsey tapped her fingers on the desk. “We need to throw him a curve ball.”
The room fell silent while everyone fell seemed to consider her words. “Me,” Lindsey said, unable to think of anything else. “I’m the curve ball. The last thing he will expect is for me to come walking into the Pink Panther. His attention will turn.”
“Oh, no, forget it!” Mark declared, his face etched with tension. “You are not going to be the lure for some psychotic killer.”
Lindsey bit back the nasty retort that formed on her lips. He was just worried. “Mark,” she said. “We’re talking about stopping this guy once and for all. I’m trained to deal with this kind of thing. That other woman he plans to kill isn’t.”
Garth’s eyes were alert but he kept quiet. Steve exchanged a glance with him and then gave Mark a level stare. “Look, I know how worried you are, but Lindsey is a trained professional.”
Mark started to protest, but Steve held his hands up stop-sign fashion. “Wait,” he said. “Hear me out.” Mark exhaled, his eyes hot with anger. Steve continued, “Lindsey is more to me than a job. She’s a friend. I don’t like this one bit, but it makes sense. We need to save lives.”
Mark practically yelled his response. “She’s a damn target for a serial killer.” He walked to the window, giving them all his back. As if he needed distance to calm himself.
Lindsey and Steve stared at one another. “Why don’t I go back to my office and give you two time to talk.” Steve pushed to his feet, followed by Garth. “Call me when you make a decision, but we don’t have much time.”
Lindsey nodded. “We’ll call you soon.”
The two men left without another word, pulling the door shut behind them. Mark kept his back to the room. Lindsey approached him and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his back. “Thanks for worrying about me.”
Mark turned to face her, his hands on her waist. “Please don’t do this.”
She cupped his face with her palm and he rubbed his jaw against her hand. “Mark—”
“You’re going to, aren’t you,” he said, taking her hand in his.
She gave him an understanding look. “I have to. Other people could die if I don’t.”
“There has to be another way.”
She tried to make him feel better. “I’m a trained professional, and if it will make you feel better, I will tell them if you aren’t in the observation van I won’t do it.”
He nodded. “I definitely want to be with you.”
Lindsey gave him an understanding smile. “We better go to Steve’s office.”
Mark cursed. “I have to be in court in an hour. It won’t take long, but nevertheless, I have to go.” He paused. “I don’t like the idea of you going anywhere alone right now.”
“Mark—”
He raised a staying hand. “I know,” he said. “You can protect yourself. You’re a trained professional.”
“I’ll meet you at Steve’s. Call me when you get out of court.”
* * * * *
As soon as Mark was gone, Lindsey grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
She needed to go by her apartment and grab a few things. It had been days since she had restocked. She needed clothes desperately. Digging her cell out of her purse, she dialed Steve’s desk, figuring he was already back in his office. “Bryant here.”
“Oh, Garth, hey. Is Steve around?”
“I’m not sure where he went. He was just here.”
“Oh,” she said. “Then will you tell him I am stopping by my apartment and then I’ll be there. Mark is in court, so he may or may not join us.”
“Not a problem. I’ll pass things along. Be careful out there on your own.”
Lindsey grunted. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m a trained professional, remember?”
He laughed. “Yeah, I know. We all know, but this guy is good at what he does too,” he reminded her. “Just keep that in mind.”
Seconds later she ended the call and the coddling which seemed to be coming at her from all directions. Deciding against a cab, she took off walking. It would clear her head and give her time to think. Mulling over the investigation made the walk go by quickly. Before she knew it, she was hitting the elevator button to her floor. A few minutes later she entered her apartment, tossed her purse on the entrance table, and headed to the refrigerator. No way was she going to think about him being here. She refused to be intimidated. A cool drink was in order after her brisk walk. Grabbing a bottle of water, she tipped her head back, letting the cool liquid soothe her throat and body.
Stepping into her bedroom, she began pulling items out of her drawer, her eyes avoiding the bed. Suddenly, this didn’t seem like such a great idea. She wanted to get out of there and fast. She started to turn, eager to grab a suitcase and go.
All the sudden she was off balance, pulled backwards as a large hand closed over her mouth. This was it, here and now; she was the next chosen victim. The note had been about her. Panic seized her, as she felt something slip over her head, covering her face, a sweater cap perhaps. She didn’t want to die. She didn’t. Willing herself to calm, to remember her training, she forced herself to take even breaths but the cloth over her face took all the air. The hot breath of her attacker was on her face, his mouth so near, his hands on her body.
Her skin crawled with his touch, her stomach twisting. He hadn’t spoken . . . she wanted to hear his voice, to know if she knew this person. He tugged her against his body with such force, she grunted from the impact. A second later, she felt her back hit the mattress.
No! She squirmed, not wanting to be trapped, kicking and punching. But then he was on her, one of his long legs wrapped around her left leg, his hands holding her hands over her head. Before he could trap her second leg, she brought her knee up and rammed it into his groin. He gasped, and for a split second he let her hands go, and that was all the time she needed. She reached for the nightstand, grabbing the phone and smashing it into his head. He hollered out and she rolled off the bed, frantically yanking the cap off her head.
Her only thought was to get to her gun, no looking back, no worry about his identity. She needed her gun. She made it to the bedroom door before her feet came out from under her. His grip on her ankle so tight it made her cry out. But then she hit the floor, palms flat, her body feeling the jolt from head to toe. Twisting around, she intended to kick him in the face, but she momentarily froze.
It was Garth.
He laughed, clearly enjoying her shock, his hand inching up her leg. The pure evil in his eyes brought her back to reality. She kicked him in the face as hard as she could, high heels and all. “Bitch,” he yelled, blood gushing from his forehead. He reached for her free foot, trying to get it before she kicked him again.
She reached for a corner lamp and pulled it on top of him, kicking at the same time. His hand slipped off her leg, and she scrambled forward in a crawl. But he was fast. He shoved the lamp aside, and grabbed
hold of her shoulders. “I like it when you fight, Lindsey.” She felt his body press into hers, his hips against her backside. She wanted to throw up. “We’re going to have fun, you and I.”
She shook her head, fighting her emotions, her fear. “Why? Why are you doing this?” she whispered through trembling lips.
“Because I want you,” he said in a taunt, his lips by her ear. “And I am going to have you. I’ve waited forever for you. I even tried to replace you, but those other woman just weren’t good enough.” He licked the side of her face. She was trembling, and she tried to stop. Something told her he got off on her fear.
“You’re sick,” she whispered.
“No, I’m smart. I kept you guessing. Admit it.” His words were filled with pride so sickening Lindsey felt her head spinning. “You connected the murders, but never to me.”
She wanted to know the truth.. “Vegas? How did you manage those killings when you were here?”
He smile s000ht="d. “Ah, but I wasn’t. I took a leave of absence to care for my poor, sick grandma in Texas.”
Lindsey shut her eyes tightly. “And Hudson, you planted the DNA evidence.”
“Yep, nice inside track I have, don’t you think?”
Her palms pressed into the floor. She had to get away. “You’ll never get away with this.”
“I have so far.” He moved, rising to his feet, and she thanked the good lord to have him off her. He yanked her to her feet and pushed her back against the wall, hands over her head.
“I hope you burn in hell,” she spat as she struggled against his legs, trying to keep hers free.
He laughed. “You wound me, Lindsey. I think you should kiss me and make me feel better.”
No matter how hard she tried to fight the panic that was welling up inside, or the nausea at the thought of his lips on hers, she couldn’t. She twisted her head to the side and he moved his hand into her hair and yanked her head backwards. “Uh-uh, I want my kiss.”
Tears welled in her eyes as his mouth came towards her. She wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. Why hadn’t she listened to Mark when he warned her about going out alone? And then his mouth was on hers, and her fighting instincts kicked in. The instant his tongue passed her teeth, she bit down as hard as she could.