Chapter 16 #2
After rubbing the back of her hand across her lips, she cautiously threw me a quick look.
“Her name is… Her name was Lily. She was even younger that I was at the time, fifteen or so. She was so scared. We’d befriended each other.
We’d been the last two survivors, alone for almost three days. The bastard had left us all alone.”
“For three days.” She seemed surprised I remembered. “I remember what you said when you were rescued.”
Another nod. “And nights. Maybe in his real job he went away for business.”
I moved closer to the computer, flipping through a couple of files until I found what I was looking for. “Samuel Wells was a computer geek. I assure you he didn’t take business trips.” When I looked over my shoulder, I could tell she was intrigued. “Was that his first disappearance?”
“No. Third or fourth.”
With my fingers flying, I moved through my files. Fortunately, I was highly organized and always had been. Everything was categorized, which allowed me to find my notes on timing quickly. “You didn’t mention the absences to anyone.”
“Because I only remembered a couple days ago. The more I’m involved, the more I can remember.” Her consternation was no longer surprising.
“Maybe, but we still need to be careful we don’t crush your psyche.”
“Since when did you obtain a psychology degree?” She pulled away.
“He was cagey back then, careful not to say too much, but I was observant. At least I tried to be. The two of us could tell he was getting ready for an entire new crop of people. That’s why Lily was so terrified.
Out with the old to make room for the new. ”
“How could you tell?”
She laughed, brushing hair from her face, which allowed me to notice her eyes were unfocused.
“When new girls were about to arrive, he cleaned the blood from the shackles. He noticed me watching him one time and do you know what he told me about the reason he was bothering?” She tilted her head in my direction.
“What?” My anger was right below the surface all over again. Just as had occurred before. All the nights I’d used sketches of him as a dartboard seemed as if nothing but a bad dream at this point. And certainly without satisfaction.
“That he didn’t want what he called his family members to be unduly uncomfortable. Can you believe that shit?” This time as she laughed, a cold chill drifted down my spine. It would seem my instincts were working overtime. “Do you want to know the ugly little reason without all his bullshit?”
The haunted appearance of her eyes kept my rage increasing. “Tell me.”
“Because the blood rusted the mechanisms and made it easier to escape. Do you know how I was painfully aware of the reasons for what he was doing?” The sound of her voice was almost maniacal.
“How?”
“Because that’s why I was able to break free from the chains.
His cleaning frenzy was the only reason I was able to get away from that…
fucking bastard.” Her entire face twisted in a horrific bout of fury.
“If only I’d stayed. Maybe I could have avoided all this by slaughtering him just as I’d intended. ”
While there was nothing that could cause her beauty to diminish, what she’d endured and had yet to come to terms with had changed her personality forever.
Unless I could gift her the very elimination she wished had occurred thirteen years before. I gripped both her arms, pulling her close. Now was the right time to disclose what few truths had already been discovered. “It’s quite possible our instincts were correct and Samuel has a brother.”
“I thought that’s what we’d already determined was the only possibility of how Samuel could be innocent.”
“Some paperwork mentioned baby number one.”
She didn’t seem as bothered by the idea as I’d thought she’d be. “Then we need to find baby number two. Don’t we?”
Nodding several times, I was beginning to realize just how strong the woman truly was. “I promise you I will discover whether or not Samuel is the killer.”
“We. I will help you and there is nothing you can do or say that will stop me. Nothing. We have a deal. A handshake. Remember?”
“How could I forget? I’m headed to the penitentiary where Samuel is being held.”
She clawed my arms, more excited than when we’d shared passion. “Then I’m going with you.” After she managed to get away, I remained where I was. Fidgeting, she acted as if she was already gathering her things for the trip.
“If you’re there, it’s doubtful he’ll talk and that’s what we both want, a confession that he had nothing to do with the murders.”
“I disagree. If rattling Samuel is the objective, then by all means, let’s do everything we can. I can provide details no one else can. Including you.”
Whether or not we were playing a game of cat and mouse or simply one of who would take control of this investigation, the posturing was both endearing and annoying to a man like me.
One used to being the one in charge. But she had a point, although her appearance would be a clear indication that we were working together.
Although the plan wouldn’t matter if Samuel was the killer.
Why did it appear as if the Python Killer had been even more cunning than originally believed?
There was no pouting or begging on her part. She was simply telling me with every aspect of her body language that she was going with me whether I liked it or not. “Fine. But we do this my way. Let’s get ready. We have a four-hour drive ahead of us.”
“Fair enough. Now you can call off your buddy from the Justice Served group.” She swayed her hips as she walked away.
“For what reason?”
Stopping short on purpose, when she tipped her head over her shoulder, she gave me one hell of a salacious look. “To tell him there’s no need to babysit me any longer. Yes, I’m telepathic.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“We’ll discuss that on our trip. Then you’ll still have plenty of time to tell me all about your secret group. And on the way back, we’ll stop and purchase you a suit.”
“A suit?”
“For our date?” she cooed.
“Oh, that. I own a suit.” I shut down the computers, grabbing my phone. This was going to be a fascinating day trip.
“Not one crafted any later than the nineteen-nineties. I already checked. Change that. You need a tuxedo.”
“What? I don’t want to look like a penguin.”
“Tough.”
When she disappeared from the room, I stared at the empty doorway, chuckling under my breath. What in the hell was I going to do with her?
Almost immediately, I pulled out my phone.
It was early, but if I knew anything about my old partner, she’d already gotten in her run for the morning.
The only issue with making contact was that she was a team player.
There was no way Agent Carrie Tappers would keep our conversation private.
Then again, maybe pushing the envelope was exactly what I needed to do.
“Agent Tappers.”
“Finished with your daily run?”
She didn’t react at first. Then she didn’t bother trying to hide a bitter laugh. “Look what the cat dragged in. How are you, Maverick? Rich, I see.”
“And your contempt is still intact.”
“Touché. To what do I owe this… pleasure?”
“My guess is you figured out I might contact you.”
“Wells’ execution. I thought by now you’d be over the case,” she said, half laughing.
“I’m curious. What do you know about me being denied access to the main system?” The slight catch in her breathing meant I was right.
“You don’t work with the FBI any longer. You should have no need to gain access to your old cases.”
“That I could understand except for one small issue. The only limitation is on the Wells case. I find that fascinating given the date of his execution was pushed up by what, a year? Two?”
“Nothing our office has anything to do with.”
“Why do I get the distinct feeling everyone involved with this case is eager for the man to be six feet under?”
“Let me offer you a piece of advice, Maverick. You did your job with the case. You put the right man behind bars. Let it go. Whatever reason both you and Ms. Martino are so interested is beyond me. The man is guilty. Everyone knows that and those same people want the situation done with. Do you understand what I’m saying? Some things are better left alone.”
The contentiousness of our relationship had been a thorn in my side, but she’d always been a straight shooter. She was issuing a warning. “Yeah, loud and clear.”
“Do me a favor. Don’t call me again.”
With that she ended the call.
What in the fuck was going on?
I flexed my fingers several times before fisting my hand. Whatever we’d stepped in the middle of was about to be driven underground. Literally.
The need to protect Alexia was stronger than ever. I didn’t need to wear my FBI hat to realize she was the missing piece within the Python Killer’s fragmented brain. He wanted her back, a prized possession.
To hell with him. No matter the lengths I’d need to go to, I’d hunt him down the way I’d wanted to all those years ago.
And when he was captured, there would be no further hesitation because there was no rule book to follow.
He would face the punishment he deserved.