Well, finally this killer got it right.
It took five victims, but it was likely placed out of necessity. With the heat, it would have burned up.
“What else?”
“That’s about all we have so far on Cyra’s murder. The killer could have licked her for all we know,” Zane stated. “All trace burned up.”
“Not all,” stated Merry, picking up a baggie. “Our killer touched Chris’s child. She left transfer on her, or Bethe grabbed her hair. You know how she…”
Merry got silent and tears filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I just keep thinking about that little girl losing her mother. It makes me really sad.”
“Don’t apologize, Merry. If this didn't make you want to cry, hate people, or break something, then you’re heartless. I personally want to find this bitch, rip her face off, and then feed her to a pack of wild dogs.”
“Can we watch?” Merry asked. “Chris has to be…”
“Broken?”
She nodded.
“Yeah, he is. That’s why I need the best team in the world to do their thing. I need to know who did this.”
Merry pushed a clicker and pictures showed up on the screen. “I think I know.”
“If you do, you get a big fat raise when you move to DC with us.”
Everyone looked around.
There were murmurs.
“Yes, we’re heading out. You’ll have new bosses here to replace us. Ethan has been promoted.”
She told them about it.
Then, she dropped the good news. “Anyone who wishes to transfer, can do so. I’ll be forming my new team there.”
They all started raising their hands.
This was the true testament of her team. While she rode them hard, they still loved their jobs. That’s why they were the best.
Ethan smiled. “We’ll work on it after you tell us who killed Cyra.”
Merry jumped back into the rhythm. “I found fingerprints on the bill, and the hair on Bethe. I ran them both, expecting nothing, only that’s not what I got.”
“What did you get?”
“This.”
She pulled the face up.
Immediately, Elizabeth was filled with rage. “I should have killed her when I had the chance. This one is on me.”
Ethan was shocked at the picture on the screen. He never even thought that his ex-partner would do something like this. They didn't part on good terms, but this? “Really?”
“Yes, sir. She’s definitely the killer. She touched the bill, and left the hair on Bethe.”
She needed to make a call.
As she was dialing, Callen didn't get it. He’d never seen her before. “Who is she?”
“That’s Lily Sanderson. She was my partner at one time. When that case ended, she was transferred. She hated us for that. I’d heard through the grapevine that she told everyone we ruined her career. More or less, she always said she’d get even for having her moved across the country. Gabe yanked her out of the DC office as punishment.”
If he’d never saw the woman again, it would have been fine with him. Their parting moments had been her slapping him, and Elizabeth breaking her nose.
Elizabeth stood there, waiting for her first partner to answer. When she did, she put her on speaker.
“Livy, you’re on speaker in the lab. Where’s Gabe?”
“He’s right here. We have news for you. I was just going to call and let you know.”
She rolled her neck, trying to alleviate the tension. This was a long time coming, and this sick bitch had crossed one hell of a line.
“Gabe, it’s Lily Sanderson. We have forensic evidence tying her to Cyra Leonard’s murder.”
“Yeah, we just figured it out. She was Tristan Case’s partner, and we think she used his password to get the case information. He pulled every electronic file with your name on it. There are hundreds. She was studying you.”
Well, that explained it.
“I need to find her.”
“We have a BOLO out on her, and we’re searching for her. Lily’s last address is across the country. She quit the FBI almost a year ago. She’s been working on this for a while.”
Yeah, she was dead when Elizabeth found her. There was no way she’d let a court handle this.
Livy spoke up, “We also have forensic evidence. The tech team here just sent the trace report. They found DNA on Carol Spade. She killed her too, likely stole her phone, and turned it on near your location to screw with you.”
“Well, she did. I didn't see this one coming.”
“I’ll contact all the airports, bus terminals, and ports. I’ll have Homeland put a hold on her passport,” stated Gabe. “Now you just have to find her and bring her in.”
She wanted to laugh. Oh, she’d find her, but there was no way she was coming in. Lily was a dead woman.
“Where would she go, Elizabeth?”
She was targeting the people in Elizabeth’s life, and this was supposed to be seven of seven. Who would be next?”
Ethan was watching her. His face said it all. He knew she was going to be the next target. Before she could reassure him, the mother of all contractions hit.
It nearly took her to her knees.
Callen was at her side and holding her up. “Angel, are you okay?”
“Contraction.”
Immediately, Zane was by her side. His stethoscope was out, and he was checking on her. “How often are they happening?” he asked.
“I’m good. I swear,” she said.
“Elizabeth, go home. Get your feet up, and stay out of the open. She’s gunning for you,” Gabe stated. “She doesn’t know we’re onto her, so we have the advantage.”
“Gabe…”
“That was an order. Ethan, get her out of there. We don’t need her giving birth in a morgue. She still has seven weeks until her due date.”
“More like six and a half,” she said, trying to plead her case. Only, both men were staring at her.
“Okay! I’ll go home—UNTIL you get a lead on her. Then I’m back in the game. She’s mine, Gabe. I don’t care what you say. I get to bring her in.” She nearly choked on those words.
“Thank you,” Gabe said. “We’ll find her. You just go home and relax. When I find her, you’ll be the first to know.”
Already, her mind was going a mile a minute. Elizabeth was trying to figure out who would be next.
Elizabeth knew that Lily was going to be hard to catch. She had a head start. Not to mention that she had been a Fed. She knew how to lay low. If she’d driven, she’d steal cars. If she flew, she’d have bogus ID. This was going to take a while.
Unless something popped, they were waiting.
So, Elizabeth decided not to fight. She wanted to be home, where the people she loved were hiding out. If Lily wanted to hurt her, she’d strike at her family.
They were all in one place.
“Ethan, can you do me a favor?” she asked.
“Yes, what?”
“Call Julian and Tori Littlemoon. Give them the description of our killer. If she’s studied our cases, she knows that I have a fondness for both of them.”
He agreed.
“Tori is pregnant. I don’t need this one on my shoulders too.”
His face softened. At first, he really believed that she was going to fight. “Sure thing, baby. I can do that.”
Elizabeth crossed the room and kissed Merry on the forehead. “You’re the best. I think you may be better than Christina.”
She grinned.
“Anyone abandoning ship, get your transfer papers to Ginny ASAP.”
She stopped at Zane. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. “Yes, Director. I’m assuming Doctor Leonard is going with you.”
“He is.”
“Then you’ll need this place to stay on its feet. I’ll keep it running for the new director.”
She gave him a hug. “If you change your mind, I’ll make room for you on my
team.”
He was shocked, and Zane wasn’t sure if it was from the hug or her willingness to include him.
“Thank you for all you do,” she said. “You’re a damn good ME.”
He grinned. “Thank you, Director.”
Then she turned.
“All of you watch your backs. She’s a bitch, and she wants to make me bleed. She’s watched us in the field, and she knows how to take a person down. I don’t want to see your body on this table.”
They saluted.
Elizabeth smiled and headed out.
She needed to get home.
There was no doubt in her mind that the war was coming. They needed to be ready. Lily Sanderson would come out of her hole soon.
It was only a matter of time.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Salem
Saturday Mid-Morning
When he rolled out of bed, he planned on heading to the lake to take a break. He and Chris Santana were taking a well-deserved day off. They were going to catch up on guy talk, do a little fishing, and chill.
He needed it.
All week, Tony Morel and the rest of the deputies in Salem upheld the law. It wasn’t exactly hard work. Salem was quiet. Nothing major ever happened there.
Well, they had two serial killers once, but that was solved. Now, he wanted to solve the mystery of how many fish could he catch.
Since giving up drinking, and getting out of rehab, Tony had to fill his time with anything that wouldn’t remind him of Elizabeth or beer.
It was better this way.
He was trying to move on, but life wasn’t easy when you loved someone you couldn’t have.
It was a bitch.
As he headed out of his small house in the woods, he immediately noticed something out of place. On the windshield of his truck, there appeared to be some sort of note.
It was tucked beneath the one blade.
He was confused. It wasn’t there when he got home from work last night.
Who could have left it?
Crossing toward his ride, he cautiously picked it up. When he opened it, his heart skipped.
‘Tony,
I’ve left Ethan for reasons I’ll explain later. I need you to meet me tonight. Don’t tell anyone. Ethan will have people looking for me. Please meet me at ‘The Wayfarer’. Come alone. I really need your help. I’ll explain later.
Don’t tell anyone. I need you to hide me out.
Elizabeth.’
He had to read it twice.
Elizabeth was here? Looking around, he scanned the area to find her. There was no trace.
This was odd.
Then again, she left her husbands. Maybe she was scared and on the run.
As he read it a final time, one thing came to mind.
Callen.
What about him?
The note didn't say anything about him, and the last time they were in town, she’d told him they were a threesome.
She had also signed it with her full name. That never happened. In the birthday cards, notes to say hello, and any correspondence, she always signed it ‘Lyzee’.
Why the change?
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Something didn't feel right. He needed to think about this. Pulling out his phone, he called his buddy, the mayor.
“Hello?”
“Chris, it’s me. I’m taking a raincheck. I have something I need to do today.”
“Are you sure?” Chris Santana asked. “It’s good fishin’ weather.”
Tony Morel thought about it. “Yeah, I am. I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised.
Then he hung up.
Going back into the house, he opted to shower and get ready. He was going to see what was going on.
If Elizabeth needed him, he had to go.
Only…
She didn't give him a time.
Yeah, something was up.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Lily watched from the trees.
When he came out, there was a wicked grin on her face. The plan was working. This man was just as stupid as she recalled.
He was the epitome of Podunk.
Killing him was going to be simple. If Elizabeth had a clue, she’d already be onto this part of the plan. Lily had left enough hints along the way. If that shot to the light above her head didn't scream ‘showdown in Salem’, nothing did.
After all, this was where it all started.
This was where it would end.
This backwoods hick was just more collateral damage in the war against Elizabeth.
Tony Morel would bleed for her, and then he would be victim number seven. He was the last pawn in the game. After he was dead, Elizabeth would follow.
Then, Ethan Blackhawk would suffer. He’d be a shell of a man, and he’d want to die.
Problem solved.
They’d both be dead, and that was a beautiful thing.
She mentally crossed another person off the list. Lily almost wished she could have added Doctor Pressman and that lab twit, Carol Spade, to the body count. Elizabeth was definitely responsible for their deaths, but they didn't work into the plan.
They were research and nothing more.
If she didn't have to pump them for information, they might still be alive. Oh, the ME had been useful. The tech…she was a waste of time. The only thing she knew was that Chris Leonard was still in love with Elizabeth.
Any idiot could figure that out.
Alas, she needed someone on the inside, and Carol was someone she knew from years ago.
Epic fail on her behalf.
Well, except for the cell phone. That was genius on her behalf.
Lily laughed.
She bet the Blackhawks were scrambling to find the woman. That was priceless.
Lily focused on the man reading the note. He looked like he was happy. Oh, she knew how to lure the bait into the trap. This man was madly in love with Elizabeth Blackhawk.
The dangled prize of her was more than enough to make him fall for it.
Then he pulled out his phone.
She froze, ready to kill him now if need be. As she listened to the conversation, she relaxed.
He’d bought it.
Hook.
Line.
Sinker.
That was perfect.
When he headed into his place, she knew she needed to get to the location where she would be hiding.
It was perfect.
No one would look there.
As she walked back to her hidden vehicle, Lily was thinking only one thing.
This was going to be perfect.
She was going to end that bitch’s life.
Painfully.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Fort Whitefox-Blackhawk
When they arrived back at the house, the men weren’t taking any chances. They were both in Kevlar and waiting for the worst-case scenario.
They knew that Elizabeth was the end game, and neither man was willing to take that chance. While they normally parked their work ride outside the garage, they instead pulled in.
When the door was safely closed, Ethan still pulled his gun.
It made Elizabeth laugh.
“I’m not taking any chances. If she jumps out, I’m going to shoot her.”
Callen had been sitting in the back with Elizabeth the entire ride. His hand was soothingly moving back and forth across her belly while she had more contractions.
While she didn't react, trying not to worry him, he could feel it.
His son was getting squished in her womb.
“You look freaked out,” she said, running her hand up his thigh. When she went all the way up, his body reacted.
“Angel,” he murmured while his brother cleared the garage. “I feel like it’s been days since you put your hands all over me.”
She grinned. “Well, Gabe said to rest. He didn't say we couldn’t go upstairs, get naked, and have some fu
n. Technically, resting is done in a bed. Horizontally.”
He started laughing. “Oh, that sounds perfect to me. You know how I love to follow Gabe’s orders. I’ll be a good soldier.”
As his mouth met hers, their tongues tangled in a kiss. When the woman who owned his heart let her hands wander up, and into his hair, Callen was in heaven.
He actually forgot he was sitting in the backseat of the Denali until his brother opened the back door.
“Uh, we’re home. You could have helped clear the garage,” Ethan teased.
“She’s horny. I was getting her warmed up so we could sneak upstairs and have sex.”
She laughed. “I’m glad you two have your priorities straight. First, I have to check on our house guests.”
“We can do it here.”
She smiled. “No, we can’t. I need to tell Chris about the ID on his wife, and we need to prep everyone with pictures of Lily. If she comes here, we need them all to know her face.”
He got it.
“Then I’m going to molest my woman.”
“Our,” Ethan corrected, offering her a hand out of the back of the vehicle.
Elizabeth took it, and when she was out, Ethan swept her up in his arms. “Hello, baby. This is nice.”
She smiled. “Yeah, it is, Deputy Director Blackhawk. I love a man with a title. It makes me all hot and bothered for the obvious reason.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Later I’ll let you be my minion. I’m sure you can find ways to make me happy.”
“Seriously?” Callen asked. “I got you warmed up, and he’s getting the sexy looks?”
She laughed.
There was no doubt in her mind what they were doing. Both men were trying to distract her from what was coming. She was about to destroy Chris’s heart a little more.
“You can take turns. He carries me in, and you carry me upstairs. I’m sick of carrying babies in my belly. I can’t wait until I have my little love muffin.”
Callen grinned as his woman crooned to their unborn baby. It made him want to giggle like an idiot.
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