Deadly Reckoning

by Elle James

  She’d kept the secret from the media in case something went wrong during the first trimester and she lost the baby. The end of the trimester coincided with the attack in Seattle, and Kayla hadn’t thought of sharing the news since. Who would she share it with?

  A nurse who had introduced herself earlier as Emma Jenkins powered into room one, carrying a clipboard and a pen. “Oh, good, Gabe’s here to take you home.”

  Gabe grinned. “Hey, Emma, how’s it going? Much scuba diving lately?”

  She shrugged, her sandy-brown ponytail bobbing. “Not lately. But I hope to next week. I’m off for four days straight.”

  “Do you know everyone?” Kayla asked Gabe.

  His grin widened. “Just the full-time residents. Emma was the little scamp who dogged me whenever I went to the marina. Now she’s old enough to go on her own.” He rubbed his knuckles on her head.

  Emma ran a hand across her hair, a wry twist to her lips. “You’ll never let me live that down, will you?”

  Kayla envied the easy camaraderie of people who’d known each other for a long time. This was the kind of community she’d like to belong to, to raise her baby in. Nurturing, loving and sometimes nosy. Pushing aside her longing, she asked, “If I’m being released, do I need someone to drive me?”

  Emma planted a hand on her hip. “It’s always a good idea to have someone else drive after you’ve been knocked unconscious. Besides, Gabe brought you, so your car is still back at the cottage. You’re stuck with him, though he’s a good guy to get stuck with.” She glanced at the paper on her clipboard. “The doctor said he didn’t see any signs of concussion, but he wants someone to keep an eye on you through the night.”

  “Through the night?” Kayla frowned.

  “I’ll be there.” Gabe nodded to Emma. “Go on.”

  The nurse cast a glance at Kayla. “You really need someone with you. Hopefully for just the night.”

  “I hate to be a bother,” Kayla said. Though the truth was that she was glad Gabe would stay. With a killer leaving messages on her bathroom mirror… A shiver shook her frame.

  Emma continued reading from her list. “Call the doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms—weakness, numbness, decreased coordination or balance, confusion, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting.” She glanced across at Kayla with a stern look. “Any bleeding, return to the emergency room immediately.”

  Kayla darted a glance at Gabe. She raised her hand to her head where the wound to her scalp had been cleaned and stitched. Maybe he’d think the bleeding part was due to the head injury. At least she hoped so. Having kept the news of her baby from the public for so long, she wasn’t quite sure how to break it to anyone. Including the man who’d come to her rescue.

  Emma handed the clipboard to Kayla. “Sign here and you’re free to go.”

  Kayla scribbled her name on the paper.

  The nurse gave her the instructions sheet and smiled. “Don’t lift anything over ten pounds and take it easy for the next couple days.” She nodded to Kayla. “I’ll get a wheelchair.”

  “I don’t need one,” Kayla insisted.

  “Sorry. Hospital policy. We wheel you to the door and you’re on your own from there.” Emma winked. “Really, though, you know where to find us if you need us. Our doors are open 24/7.” She slipped out the door, the squeak of her shoes fading down the hallway.

  “No excitement?” Kayla snorted. “I wish.”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I had the chief dust your house for prints while we’ve been here.”

  “I’m okay with whatever it takes to catch this guy.” She scooted to the edge of the gurney and slipped off to stand on her own two feet. Her head swam and her knees trembled.

  Gabe’s arm slipped around her waist. “You should wait for the wheelchair.”

  “That’ll only get me to the door. I have to be able to walk to my house.”

  “I can carry you.”

  Her skin warmed all over at the thought of Gabe carrying her, but she didn’t want to get too used to having him around. She lived alone and she had to be able to get around by herself.

  Gathering her strength, Kayla straightened, her legs holding steady. “I’m okay, really.” She pushed away from him and stood on her own. “See?”

  “Here we are.” Emma cruised into the examination room, ponytail bouncing, pushing a standard-issue wheelchair. “If you’ll take a seat, we’ll get you out of here so that you might actually get some sleep in what’s left of the night.”

  “Thanks, Emma,” Gabe said. “You’ve been very helpful.”

  “Just don’t go skating on wet tile in the near future.” She shook a finger at Kayla. “Bad idea, especially for someone—”

  “Gotcha,” Kayla said, afraid Emma would say too much before she was ready to reveal her secret. “I’ll be sure to dry off before I jump out of the tub from now on.”

  Emma pushed the wheelchair to the exit and waited with Kayla while Gabe retrieved his SUV.

  “He doesn’t know?” Emma stood beside her, her gaze on the SUV pulling out of the parking lot.

  “No. Nobody knows around here.”

  “It’s none of my business, but why?” She glanced down at Kayla, her hazel eyes open and friendly.

  Kayla smiled. “I don’t know. At first, I wanted to get past my first trimester without miscarriage, now…with all that’s happened…I could still lose this baby. I don’t want anyone to treat me any differently, either way.”

  “You sound like you could use a friend.” Emma pushed a loose strand of straight hair behind her ear. Kayla nodded. Emma was right. Since Tony’s death, she hadn’t wanted to invest her emotions in anyone except her baby, afraid of the pain of loss. It was time she got over that. “Got anyone in mind?”

  “I’m off the day after tomorrow. Would you like to come have lunch with me at the marina? I’m getting my gear ready for a dive and they make a decent cup of joe.”

  Warmth spread through Kayla and she nodded. “I’d like that. What time?”

  “Make it noon. I like to sleep in a little.” Emma stepped forward as Gabe’s truck pulled up next to the curb. While she opened the door to the SUV, Gabe rounded the front and reached out to help Kayla stand.

  “Really, I’m quite capable,” she said.

  “Let him play the knight in shining armor, it makes him feel like a man,” Emma teased.

  Gabe frowned at her. “You’re not helping my ego, little girl.”

  She batted a hand at his back. “I’m not a little girl.”

  Kayla laughed. “If you two could quit playing…”

  “She started it.” Gabe reached out and hugged Emma. “Good to see ya, kid.”

  “You, too. Stay out of trouble, I don’t like seeing my friends here.” Emma nodded to Kayla. “Day after tomorrow.”

  Kayla smiled and nodded.

  The drive to the lighthouse cottage was accomplished in silence. When Gabe pulled into the driveway and parked, Kayla hurried to get out of the vehicle before Gabe could get around to help her.

  Which was probably just as well. The more he touched her, the more he wanted to.

  Gabe rounded the SUV and held out his hand. “Just hang on to me. It makes me feel more of a man.” He winked.

  Kayla hooked her arm through his and walked with him to the door of the cottage. Lights blazed from every room, the front door hung open, the splintered frame a painful reminder of what had happened.

  Kayla waited while Gabe went in first.

  Gabe glanced around, taking in the traces of black dust, barely noticeable. He checked all the corners and ducked in and out of the rooms and closets. When he was satisfied, he returned to the living area and Kayla. “Looks like they cleaned up after they dusted fo
r prints. Otherwise, you’d have black powder everywhere.”

  “Remind me to thank the chief.” Kayla plunked her purse on the kitchen counter and stood for a long moment, her gaze on everything but him. “Look, Gabe, you don’t have to stay. I’m fine.”

  Gabe closed the distance between them. “You heard Emma. You need someone to keep an eye on you. Do you know anyone here in Cape Churn?”

  Kayla shook her head. “Only the people I met today.”

  “Then you’re stuck with me. Even if you hadn’t bumped your head, I’d want to stay. I’m not taking that message lightly.”

  Kayla slumped against the counter, still avoiding his eyes. “Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?”

  Calling himself every kind of fool, he—gently, tentatively—pulled her into his arms. When she made no effort to move away, he tightened his hold, nestling her close against him. Somehow he had to protect this woman. She wouldn’t make it on her own. Not with a killer bent on torturing her. “You didn’t do anything to deserve this, any more than that girl who died on the beach.”

  Knowing that she didn’t need any more excitement for the night, yet realizing she’d want to know, he made the decision. “When I arrived here earlier tonight, I was on my way back from the police department to tell you what we found.”

  Kayla’s head jerked up and she stared at him. “What is it?”

  He hauled in another breath before launching into it. “We might have a serial killer on our hands.”

  Her face grew frighteningly pale.

  Gabe could have kicked himself for saying anything, especially following the message on the mirror and the trip to the hospital.

  “We ran Rachel Kendrick’s murder stats through the ViCAP database and found some matches. Same victim description and all strangled. The only difference between our girl on the beach and the others was the amount of tormenting the killer did to the others before he murdered them.”

  Kayla’s hand went to her throat, her body trembling in Gabe’s arms. “I need to sit.”

  He led her to the sofa in the living room and sat, pulling her into his lap.

  She didn’t argue, curling against him, her cheek resting in the curve of his neck. “What torment?”

  Her whisper blew warm against his neck, making him far more aware of her than he should be. “The killer planted things for the victims to find. Items that belonged to them that they kept in their locked homes.”

  “Like?” she prompted him. Her hand lay flat against his chest. She held her breath, waiting for his response.

  “Favorite trinkets, photographs and…jewelry.”

  Kayla’s fingers convulsed, bunching the fabric of Gabe’s shirt. “It’s him.”

  “I’m sorry, Kayla, but all the women had red hair and green eyes.”

  “Like Rachel and me.…” Her voice ended on a sob. “Her name was Rachel—I didn’t even know. How very tragic.”

  Gabe held her while she cried quietly. What else could he do? They didn’t need him down at the station. The FBI would be called in, the chief would be required to hand over the case to them since they were dealing with a serial killer and the crime crossed state lines. No, all he could do was be here for this woman.

  When Kayla had spent her tears, she sat up and grimaced, eyes red and puffy, hair a mass of tangles, beautiful beneath it all. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He helped her to her feet and stood beside her, wishing he could hold her until all the bad in her life went away.

  He knew without asking that Kayla wouldn’t appreciate his overprotectiveness.

  She glanced around the living area, her gaze straying, as if she was looking for something to hold on to. Finally, she spoke. “Since you’re staying, do you mind sleeping on the couch?”

  “Not at all.”

  “I’m going to get a shower and wash the blood out of my hair.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “I don’t care if it is or not.” She touched a hand to her head and winced. “I can’t stand feeling this dirty and matted.”

  “Need help?”

  Kayla blushed. “I’ll yell if I do.” She hesitated. “Do you mind…”

  “Checking out the bathroom? Not at all.” First, he shoved a chair beneath the door handle of the damaged door, then he hurried through her bedroom and into the bathroom. Water still stood in a puddle on the tile. He grabbed the towel on the side of the bath and paused in front of the mirror. Without the steam to reveal the writing, he couldn’t see the message. He didn’t need to. The words had been etched in his subconscious. With the towel, he scrubbed the mirror, wiping away whatever the killer had used to write the message. Then he went to work sopping up the water on the floor. Before he left the bathroom, he pulled the plug on the tub full of cold water and laid out a fresh towel.

  “That’s above and beyond.” Kayla stood in the doorway, a smile lighting the shadows in her eyes. She’d shed her clothes and wrapped a terry-cloth robe around her body.

  His heart thudding, Gabe forced a causal shrug and tossed the used towel in the laundry basket. “Be careful.”

  He moved to exit the bathroom, willing himself to keep his hands off her, but she stopped him before he could go.

  “Thank you, Officer McGregor.” She stepped toward him and slid her arms around his waist, pulling him into a hug. He couldn’t help but wrap his arms around her in return.

  She let out a sigh and nestled closer. “It’s as if you make it all go away,” she murmured. “As if even after everything that’s happened today, I know that I’m safe with you. How do you do that?”

  Gabe smiled. “Just doing my duty.”

  “You do it very well.” She lifted a hand to his cheek and rose onto her toes. Her lips brushed lightly across his, as soft as a butterfly’s wing.

  For a moment, Gabe froze in shock. “Kayla, is this… Do you…”

  “I want this,” she answered. “Please I—I want you to make it go away.” Her lips brushed his again. “Please, Gabe. I need something to feel good today.”

  He’d had all good intentions of playing the part of the good cop, there to protect and defend. But the kiss crashed through his defenses, laying him bare and aching.

  With a groan, he pulled her to him. Careful not to touch her injury, his hands cupped her cheeks, drawing her face close, deepening the kiss.

  Kayla melted against him, her hands lying flat against his chest.

  His tongue thrust between her teeth, sliding along hers.

  Kayla’s fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, pushing buttons free one at a time, all the way down to where the shirt disappeared into the waistband of his jeans.

  He gripped her arms and held her away from him. “Are you sure this is what you want?” He stared into her glazed green eyes, his groin tight, every cell in his body on alert.

  “I’m sure,” she whispered. “But if you don’t…” She pulled back.

  Gabe drew her close. “Oh, God, yes.”

  With deft hands, she pulled his belt free of the buckle, flipped the rivet and slid the zipper down on his jeans.

  Blood pounding, Gabe untied the belt around her waist, pushed the robe open and groaned. Firm breasts rose to greet him, taut nipples peaked to hardened points. The gentle curve of her waistline swelled out to perfectly rounded hips.

  Kayla dragged his shirt down his arms, flinging it aside as her robe fell to the floor. “You have the advantage over me.”

  “I think you have that backward.” He cupped the back of her head and claimed her lips once more.

  Her hands slid down the back of his jeans and over his bottom.

  Gabe dragged his mouth from hers. “We shouldn’t. You’ve
had a head injury. You should take it easy.”

  “That would rule out this.” Kayla pushed the jeans down his hips, allowing his erection to spring free.

  “Kayla…”

  “I didn’t plan for this to happen. And I know we probably shouldn’t. But I can’t help it. I need this too badly.” Her lips pressed to his chest, finding the hard brown nipples, tonguing them while her hand circled his member. She paused, glancing up at him. “Tell me you don’t want this and I’ll stop. Otherwise, let me feel. Just for tonight. I need you.”

  “I might just regret this…but what the hell.” He scooped his arms behind her legs and set her carefully in the tub. Then he shucked his jeans and climbed in with her, tugging the shower curtain in place and twisting on the water. With his back to the spray, he welcomed the cold water, chilling his desire long enough to slow him down.

  Once the water heated, he wrapped his arms around Kayla and turned slowly until she stood under the nozzle, water running over her shoulders, dripping from her breasts and trailing down to the thatch of curls at the juncture of her thighs.

  She reached for the bottle of shampoo.

  Gabe intercepted. “Let me.” Squeezing a generous amount of gel into his palm, he lathered then smoothed it into her tangled hair, careful not to touch the stitches.

  Kayla stepped back, allowing the water to run across her scalp, wincing as it hit her injury.

  For several minutes Gabe scrubbed her beautiful soft curls, letting the water rinse the suds clean. When her hair was free of blood and soap, he reached for the bodywash, squirting a portion into his hand.

  Kayla held her hand out, palm up, and he doused it with the liquid soap.

  In unison, they smeared suds over each other’s bodies.

  Gabe ran his hands across her shoulders and down over the swells of her breasts.

  Kayla inhaled, her chest pushing into his palms, her rosy nipples tightly beaded. Her fingers laced in the hairs on his chest, following his ribs down to his waist and lower.

  His shaft thickened, jutting forward into her palm. Gabe squeezed shut his eyes and gritted his teeth. “At this rate, I won’t last long.” He pushed her hand away. “Let me please you.”