Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
ASHER
I really hope I don’t get fired for that. But if I do, what a way to go. I’ll never be able to question a killer in there again without thinking of how amazing Spencer sounds. I could listen to her come every day, and it would never be enough.
I was supposed to remain the impartial one—the distant one—so I could have a level head when all of this inevitably goes to shit.
It always goes to shit.
Good things don’t last for men like us.
But what we just did, I’ll hold on with both hands until this thing we have going on turns to dust.
I run the back of my index finger down the side of Spencer’s face as she lies blissed out on the table. “I have a few things to wrap up, and then we can head home.”
Spencer smiles up at me. “Okay, sounds good. But is there a more comfortable place to relax? This table sucks.”
Rio chuckles. “Asher has a couch in his office. You can lie there.”
Zane and Rio walk Spencer in the direction of my office while I head the opposite way to Marreli’s office. I knock twice on the closed door.
“Come in!”
When I enter, he’s typing away at his computer with his glasses resting on the end of his nose. Aaron Marreli is a hardworking agent who, unfortunately, gets stuck with a lot of paperwork. He’d be more useful in the field, but after he was shot in the leg by a bank robber, he rides the desk. He’s in his late fifties and probably not retiring anytime soon. His dark hair is peppered with gray, and his face has minute traces of smile lines and crow’s feet. He’s not a cheery man, but he’s fair.
I take a seat in one of the two barely padded chairs in front of his desk. “I just finished my interview with Spencer Gray. I’m pretty sure her ex, Anthony Cole, is our guy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to take her again soon. DNA still hasn’t been run yet. The lab is backed up. But I’m sure the DNA Ms. Gray got from her attacker will match the DNA from our latest crime scene.”
“How did you make the connection?” He pauses typing and looks up from the screen.
“The flowers. Purple hyacinths aren’t that common.”
He rests his elbows on his desk and steeples his fingers. “Good work. Stay on Gray. You are to be her shadow. I don’t want her to so much as sneeze without you knowing. I agree that Anthony will try for her again. I want you there with her when he does.”
Fuck, he’s right.
Back to babysitting duty.
“If you need a team or to rotate watch, you have the green light.”
My head snaps up. “Not necessary, sir. I got it.”
Over my fucking dead body will someone else protect what’s mine.
Marreli’s eyes widen slightly, letting me know I’ve possibly given away too much.
“Ms. Gray can stay at my house. Kingston lives with me, so between the two of us, we’ll have eyes on her twenty-four-seven.”
He doesn’t need to know that Spencer has already been living with me for the last several days, and that there are multiple reasons why she’s safest with us.
He nods and waves a hand in dismissal. “Update your teammates and get back to Ms. Gray. I have a feeling you won’t be waiting long for Cole to make his move.”
Not liking the truth in his prediction, I rush back to Spencer and my friends, sending a text to Berkowitz and Kowalski on the way.
Rio, Zane, Spencer, and I are all crossing the lobby before long. Spencer was passed out when I got to my office, but she woke right up when I informed them of my conversation with Marreli.
As we approach the exterior glass doors, I spot multiple camera crews lying in wait outside.
“Zane, run ahead and get your car. I don’t care who you have to cut off or what laws you have to break. Be fast,” I instruct. He gives me a single nod and bolts out the doors. “I don’t like this,” I mutter.
Spencer’s unease rolls off of her as her eyes dart between the news crews and me. I don’t offer any empty reassurances—that’s not who I am—and I need her on her toes. If she’s alert, then she’s more likely to stay safe.
After only a couple minutes of waiting, Zane’s car pulls up to the curb. “Stay behind me, Princess. No matter what, don’t let go of my shirt until we’re in the car.”
She pushes out a short laugh. “I really wish you’d stop calling me that.”
I grin. “I don’t believe that.” I turn to Rio and switch. “You take up the rear when we exit, then get in the front seat after we enter the car. Are you packing?”
Rio lifts his shirt to reveal a Glock and a couple of knives. “Always. Which, by the way, I’m missing a few knives. Did you take them?”
How he got those through security, I don’t want to know.
“No, I didn’t touch your goddamn knives. And that’s not important right now.” I tilt my head towards the crowd outside. “I don’t think they’re here for us, but . . .”
“Hope for the best but expect the worst,” Rio finishes for me. “But really, if you took my knives, just tell me. I won’t be mad . . . Maybe.”
“Oh my God.” I roll my eyes and ignore Rio as he babbles on.
Zane exits the car and stands by the back door, waiting for us to come to him. He eyes each of the people with cameras and microphones with skepticism. He gives me a nod, and we rush out into the noisy New York air.
As soon as we step outside, to my left, Sherry Jenkins steps out from behind a cameraman and gives me a vindictive smile. Her pristine, bright yellow top makes her stand out in the crowd. She taps the cameraman, gestures to me, and struts right to us. As she walks, her greedy gaze zeroes in on Spencer.
Ah shit.
Sherry and her cameraman stop us in our path. “I’m Sherry Jenkins with Channel Nine News. Ms. Gray, how does it feel to be the fixation of the serial killer, the Bride Butcher?”
Spencer’s mouth opens and closes in shock, and I step to the side to block Spencer from the camera.
“Out of the way Sherry,” I snap. My comment comes out of my mouth a little too loudly, catching the attention of the newscasters and camera crews. They rush over immediately, but Sherry doesn’t pay them any attention.
Instead, Sherry’s focus turns to me. “Agent Dawson, you have yet to catch the killer terrorizing our city. Do you have any comment on that?” She shoves her microphone in my face.
I push the mic away. “My only comment is that you need to get out of the way. You’re crossing a line.”
Sherry smiles and drags a finger down my arm. My skin crawls. “I’m just doing what any good investigative reporter would do.”
“Harassing kind, innocent people?” I bite.
“Giving the citizens of New York the truth.” Her smile is sinister.
“By endangering the lives of others. Sounds just like the leech you are. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have real investigative work to do.”
Zane finally reaches us and moves people aside. I grab his hand and he pulls us through the crowd. Camera shutters click and flashes litter the atmosphere as we cross the sidewalk. Reporters shout more questions at us, but none of us answer.
Zane shoves Spencer and I into the backseat while he and Rio jump into the passenger and driver seats.
“Go!” I shout, and Zane burns rubber as he peels away from the curb.
“How the hell did they find out so fast?” Rio questions as he pounds his fist on the dashboard in front of him.
Turning in my seat, I watch the crowd behind us disappear. “I don’t know, but I plan on finding out.”
Only three people knew about Spencer’s connection to the case. Once I find out which one it was, they’ll meet the devil inside when he comes out to play.