Chapter 12
“Hold on,” Malcolm said as Jane sat with him Saturday afternoon at the family ranch on Bainbridge Island. She’d been telling him about meeting up with Christian. “You’re corrupting kids now? You bribed a minor with food? You federal agents know no shame.”
“Oh please. At least I’m not shooting at them like some people I know.”
“Nineteen-year-olds with AKs don’t count.” Malcolm winked.
He appeared worlds better than he had weeks ago. He’d put on some weight and no longer had shadows under his eyes. His leg seemed to have healed. Seemed being the key word.
She had a feeling he’d pushed himself harder than he should have to get back to full-time duty. Sitting for a few days would normally make Malcolm stir-crazy. The guy had been on light duty for six weeks.
“Why have you been avoiding me?” he complained. “I leave tomorrow.”
“I’ve been slammed at work. And I know you leave tomorrow. That’s why I stopped by this weekend, even though I’m in the middle of a mess of a case.”
“Sounds deep. But hey, even though I won’t be here to help if you need me—” he ignored the look she shot him, as Jane didn’t need help to do her job, though she appreciated her family’s skills— “Chris will be here.”
She sighed.
Malcolm shot her an evil grin. “You think Sven and I were bad? You know your uncle is going to be all up in your business.” He jumped to his feet as if he’d been sitting on a coiled spring. “But better you than me, Janey. Now how about we talk about this date you have tomorrow night?”
Jane wasn’t often blindsided, but his knowledge of her pending dinner with Matthew broadsided her. “What?”
“I know people, who know other people. And guess what? We talk. So what’s the deal with the ex-boss? Is he harassing you? Want me to make him disappear?” He settled back in his chair and studied her.
By the look in his eye, she’d swear he was teasing. But with any of Team Ten, teasing could become reality way too easily.
“First of all, it’s not a date, exactly.”
“Then why are you so red?” Malcolm’s smirk annoyed the crap out of her.
She cleared her throat. “We were supposed to meet a few weeks ago so he could ask me about the Poulsbo RA. He’s the new ASAC in charge of the Washington satellite offices.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But something came up, and the discussion didn’t happen. So we rescheduled. End of story.”
“Is that so?”
She frowned. “How the heck did you know about my dinner tomorrow, anyway?” She thought about it and groaned. “Please tell me Hal didn’t leave any bugs at Matthew’s home. Is he keeping tabs on my ex-boss?”
“Didn’t know your voice could get that high.”
“Malcolm.”
Months ago, when Team Ten’s resident hacker, Hal, had been in the States, he’d helped her by providing some unauthorized surveillance devices at Matthew’s house. He’d supposedly taken them all down before he’d left for his next gig overseas. The big liar.
“I can neither confirm nor deny Hal’s involvement.
” The bright enjoyment on Malcolm’s face was blinding.
“However, I will say that your ex-boss is still in the clear of any criminal activity. Come on, girl. You can’t be surprised we keep tabs on anyone who might be a threat to the family.
” Malcolm’s expression turned serious. “We don’t play with threats, Jane. We eliminate them.”
She was reminded yet again of the Red Ribbon Killer she’d investigated—who was no longer among the living. Jane let out a loud breath. “Whatever. Just keep out of my private life.”
He leaned forward, his elbows on the table, chin in hands, all innocence. “So this isn’t just a dinner, is it?”
Jane yanked him close and put him in a headlock, which had him laughing.
“Back off, buddy. Or I’ll let slip to a certain someone you’ve been dating a certain someone else.
” He wasn’t the only one keeping tabs on family.
For all that Malcolm insisted all his girlfriends in Bainbridge knew about each other, she had her doubts.
Especially when he gave in so suddenly.
“Fine, fine. Play house with the FBI guy. What do I care?” He managed to slide free from her grip with ease.
“But if you want me or any of the other guys to pull your not-a-date’s arms or legs off, just let us know.
” He kissed her on the cheek. “Now tell me about your current case. Anything interesting?”
“I’ve got a killer who likes to terminate rich families and pose them around the dinner table. Oh, and he spares the dogs.”
Malcolm considered that. “Well, you have to hand it to him. He might be crazy, but he can’t be all bad if he’s leaving the dogs alive.”
“It’s bizarre.”
“No kidding. What’s his MO?”
“It changes. He targets the wealthy, yes. But he’s suffocated a few, stabbed others, removed appendages… Oh, and he dismembered a maid into cubes.”
“Yikes. How many dead?”
“Thirteen people so far. He kills about every two weeks.”
“And you just found another one when?”
Jane scowled. “This past Wednesday, but it seems like he kills them forty-eight hours before. I think I’ve got another ten days before he strikes again.”
Malcolm patted her on the shoulder. “You have that look in your eyes.”
“What look?”
“The one that says you’re on the hunt. I like it. You’ll nail him.”
“With any luck before he strikes again.” But she didn’t think so. She had a feeling the killer knew exactly what he was doing. Organized, thoughtful, and with a mission in mind. “But that’s work. Tell me what you’re up to.”
Malcolm smiled. “No good, that’s what.”
She laughed, as he’d intended. Then he filled her in on an upcoming mission in Africa that should take most of the team. Surveillance and planning for a few months before they executed the job.
“Chris needs the break,” he added. “So we’ll run the forward op and get it all ready for him to come back. He misses you guys.”
“We just saw him at Christmas.” Technically after the holiday, but still, she’d finally had all of Team Ten in the same place and had enjoyed them immensely.
“True. But I think he’s worried about Raine.”
“I am too. She’s been really secretive lately.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s going on?” Jane knew Malcolm and her cousin had spent time together. Doing what, she didn’t know.
“She’s not happy with civilian life, I can tell you that,” he said bluntly. “But more than that, you’ll have to ask her. Now let’s go have some fun. How about a ride on the Sound?”
“I didn’t know you had a boat.”
“I don’t. But a friend of mine has a cruiser she said we could use.” He glared at her. “That’s if a certain someone keeps her trap shut about the company I’m keeping.”
“Oh, Malcolm. If you’d keep it in your pants, there would be no issue.”
“And no fun.”
She rolled her eyes.
He chuckled. “I leave them wanting more. Is that so wrong?”
“Not if they know what they’re signing up for.”
“They know. They just think the love of a good woman can change me. That’s on them.”
He had a point.
So she enjoyed her time out on the Sound and did her best to forget about the families who would no longer experience the sun in their hair and the wind on their faces.
On the way home, a crow streaked by, cawing as it flew.
Jane made a mental note to talk to Matthew about the possibility of a rook taking roost in her investigation on her date that wasn’t a date.
Tomorrow.