Josh studied Skye’s face. “You’ve done your research.” He picked up a snapshot of Lisa, one of Bianca. “What are the odds that two beautiful women living four streets from each other would end up murdered? And I never suggested that Seattle was his first and only hunting ground. Mainly because his methods indicate his trail goes back several years. No doubt, he’s perfected his craft and will continue to get better at it. But let me ask you something. If he started out in Portland with Bianca and Lisa, how is it when Harry put this guy’s DNA from Seattle into CODIS he didn’t get a hit there?”
Skye frowned and grabbed the files, started thumbing through them. “That’s a very good question and one I hadn’t considered.” Scanning the info she’d compiled from the Internet, she was stunned. “There’s no indication he raped these women according to the articles online. I’d have to have the police reports from Portland to know that for certain though.”
“Remember when Harry told us different jurisdictions don’t always share info, even some go so far as to refuse outright to divulge stats on their homicide cases?”
“I do. But the cops down in Portland would still put the DNA into CODIS if they had it,” Skye insisted. “Right?”
“If they had DNA? Sure.”
“You think they don’t.”
“There has to be a reason his DNA isn’t in CODIS before Seattle. He either didn’t rape his first victims or didn’t leave enough for analysis. But there’s a third possibility.”
“They didn’t submit the DNA they had,” Skye determined.
“That’s why I have an idea. I’ve decided to do something about the lack of cohesive info.”
Skye shot him a dimpled smile. “Really? Why does that not surprise me? You’re really getting into this investigating thing, aren’t you?”
“I guess I am. I put together a team, one dedicated to cracking into various police department databases. For starters, a six-state area, including Vancouver, British Columbia.”
Skye shot him a surprised look. “You think he’d go as far north as Canada to find victims?”
“Why not? It’s less than three hours from here, Skye. When you think about it, if he’s desperate to fly under the radar, he might end up there trolling for vulnerable women, upscale neighborhoods.”
“What exactly are you suggesting this team do?”
“They start by looking for similar homicides, especially any up and down the West Coast. You’ve already found those two in Portland. I bet there are more. After they scour police departments from Vancouver to San Diego, they branch out from there to surrounding states, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, see what they can find there.”
Impressed, she all but shouted, “That’s brilliant! Illegal but a great way to see for ourselves what kinds of cases are out there and use the info to our advantage. If you should get caught though—”
Josh sent Skye a questioning stare and shook his head. “Oh ye of little faith. We won’t get caught.”
“Who exactly is we?”
“The less you know…”
“Oh no you don’t. We’re in this together, all the way up to our necks.”
“I have several programmers, three to be exact, Leo, Winston, and Reggie. They contract with Ander All Games on a regular basis. We use them when we’re on overload and down to crunch time. None of them like holding regular nine-to-five jobs which makes them, shall we say, ideal and flexible in the assignments they take on. But trust me, all three are exceptional at what they do.”
“Can they be trusted?”
“I trust them with our upgrades four times a year, Skye.”
“If you’d show me, I’d be happy to help these guys out. I’m a fast learner, remember?”
He stepped to her and whispered in her ear, “Don’t I know it. More like insatiable.”
She jabbed him playfully in the ribs with her index finger. “I’m fairly certain insatiable refers to you, Mr. Ander.”
“Who me?” he asked all innocent. “Ever do it in an empty office?” Josh asked, wiggling his brows up and down. He noted the flustered look flash in her eyes. Even with her cinnamon skin, he could tell her cheeks pinkened. He reveled that he could still make her blush when it came to the mere suggestion of sex. He took her chin, looked into those violet eyes. “Skye?”
“What?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. But sometimes you exasperate me.”
“I know. That’s the bonus. Well, that and incredibly hot sex.”
Skye glanced back at the closed door, turned the lock. “I think today I’ll call your bluff, Mr. Ander.”
Patting her fanny before lifting her up off the floor so their eyes were level, he whispered, “That’s my girl. And I think today I’ll see your raise and go all in.”
Frank’s skills and success as a killer were due largely to the hours and hours of meticulous preparation he put into his craft. “Death night” as he referred to the actual event, didn’t just happen. Cautious planning, surveillance that would make any Navy SEAL proud along with a dedicated work ethic and a mission-oriented mindset were what separated Frank from all the rest. It wasn’t ego. He knew he was, in fact, better at killing than others who’d been caught. He didn’t intend to get caught.
When he wasn’t spending time training at the gym, his thorough stakeout of victims made up his daylight hours. Frank neither counted on luck nor gave a thought to chance. Everything he did had to be strategized down to the last detail. He didn’t do anything without devising the best plan and calculating all his options.
The cops were convinced he’d gone into a cooling off period or worse, moved on. They didn’t have a clue. Frank De Palo didn’t cool off and he didn’t quit.
He scoured the paper every day for updates, always looking out for any little tidbits that hinted what the cops might be organizing because of him. He knew Seattle’s women were panicking. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t maintain the same level of kills.
From the Internet, Frank had already learned the identity of the consultants law enforcement had added to their task force in hopes of catching him. One of his adversaries was a tall, gorgeous Native American female, known statewide as Skye Cree.
To Frank, her name conjured up images of a female warrior. This one happened to be physically fit with a toned body even some of the fighters he knew would envy. If he’d chosen a competitor to go up against himself, he couldn’t have done better. Knowing your opponent was always a plus. Knowing his foe was a woman and an athletic one at that gave him extra incentive.
Articles on the Internet confirmed that Skye was a kick-ass urban warrior. Seattle was her hunting ground. Her prey, sexual deviants.
Frank hoped that was true. But time would tell.
Because at some point, Frank intended to find out the woman’s secrets, her strengths, her weaknesses. Everyone had them. He would get to know her intimately, even her thought process. And by doing so, he would determine many aspects about the many sides to Skye Cree. He would make his assessment using the skills he’d honed with each of his victims. He’d find out just how good she was at martial arts. He’d learn her habits, her routines. In other words, he would invade her inner sanctum, her refuge. He would violate the place where she felt the safest.
Getting inside her home would tell him everything he needed to know about his very beautiful and somewhat legendary adversary, Skye Cree.
Chapter Ten
Summer came to a close with a cloudburst and a twenty-degree drop in temperature. The mild sunny days gave way to drizzle and the chilly nights of fall.
Zoe entered eighth grade and was, for the first time, actually enjoying school. With some legal maneuvering and clever words, Doug Jenkins had been able to persuade a family court judge to sign papers making sure Lena Bowers officially became the teen’s foster mother. Zoe’s real mother had bypassed showing up for the hearing.
Annabelle’s little brother, Tate Brock, quit school before beginning his junior ye
ar at UDub. Over the summer, Tate had taken on source code all the while still trying to get the hang of 3D graphics. But when the guy had come knocking at Josh’s door for a job, Josh hadn’t had the heart to turn Tate away. So Josh had found a position for Tate in testing. It wasn’t much in the way of salary but for a college-aged kid with roommates, it would allow Tate to pay his rent.
When Josh’s mother called out of the blue and requested he come home to Laurelhurst for a Saturday night dinner, he had to explain he’d be bringing his…what was Skye anyway? Certainly he should introduce his girlfriend to his family. But he would love to have told his mom that he’d met the woman he intended to make his wife. It was a little hard to do that when the potential wife-to-be kept dodging the issue as cleverly as a politician.
And it didn’t get any better when Josh told Skye about the invitation that night over steak fajitas. Hearing the news, he thought she might choke on her mouthful of red peppers and rice.
“You want me to meet your family?” Clearly agitated at the idea of that, Skye tried to think of a reason not to make the trip with him.
Her demeanor didn’t go unnoticed by Josh.
“But…we’d probably have to leave around nine or so—”
“So we can go out on our rounds,” Josh finished. “I didn’t forget. It won’t hurt this one time to leave an hour later.” He picked up his glass of white wine, doing his best not to get irritated with her. “It’s time for you to meet my family, Skye.”
“I know it is. But…what if they don’t like me?”
“That isn’t possible.”
“Sure it is. I bet they’ll ask a ton of questions about…questions…I don’t want to answer. They’ll recognize my name.”
“They won’t ask questions.”
Her brow creased. “Did you tell them not to?”
He sipped his wine then set down his glass with all the patience of a man in love. “Skye, I accepted the invitation, made small talk with my mother, asked about the health of my dad and then wanted to say, ‘oh by the way, I’m bringing the woman I’m in love with,’ but I didn’t say that because of this prickly-pear reaction I’m getting right this minute.”
Across the table, Josh heard the sigh long before she finally said, “You’re right. I’m being ridiculous. Of course, we’ll have dinner with your parents.”
Phyllis and Douglas Ander’s stately Tudor-style house in the section of Seattle known as Laurelhurst—the neighborhood once home to Bill Gates—came with its own private jetty on Lake Washington and a stunning view of the Cascades to the east.
Skye gawked when Josh pulled his Fusion up to a set of iron gates and watched as he punched in a code allowing them entry onto a circular driveway.
They drove around a manicured front yard ringed by soaring evergreens, neatly trimmed hedges and a water fountain lit up like a tower hugging the Seattle skyline.
“You might’ve mentioned you came from money.”
“This? It represents their money, Skye. I had to make mine on my own. And I did. So relax, will you?”
She did her best as she threw open the door and crawled out of the Ford. Smoothing out the vanilla and mint-green dress she’d worn with the kick of lace and tulle overlay, she asked, “How do I look? Do I look like I’m sweating? Because I think my deodorant gave out about halfway here.”
Josh stared at the strapless outfit with its belted waist and flared skirt, the silk wrap she’d draped around her shoulders. It wasn’t the clothes but her cinnamon skin and exotic violet eyes that took his breath away. But knowing she needed a boost to her confidence, he gave it all he had. “Beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning.” And just to make sure she didn’t panic, he added, “You really rock those spring colors. It’s not the image of the warrior I wanted on my game packages, but I could always stop the presses and get marketing to go another route. Do you want me to go on?” Before she could answer, he nipped her around the waist. His mouth fused to hers in a heated swap of lips and tongues.
They were still going at each other when the door flew open. They popped apart as Phyllis Ander stood on the other side of a tiled floor, a curved staircase at her back. A fifty-something woman with stylish, short-cropped, graying hair, stared at them with hazel eyes, looking intrigued. “Did it ever occur to my handsome son to call once in a while to let me know he was still alive and kicking?”
“Hi Mom,” Josh said easily as he cocked his head and leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Skye Cree.” He tugged Skye forward as they stepped inside the entryway. “Skye, my mother, Phyllis Ander.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Ander,” Skye managed to breath out as she stuck out a hand in greeting and got a hug instead.
“Now none of that. You call me Phyllis. Everyone does. You are as lovely as your name. Why don’t I take your wrap? Unless of course, you’re cold.”
“I am a little chilly,” Skye told her as she nervously bunched the shawl around her middle. Just then, an older version of Josh appeared beside his wife. He had his son’s same black hair but graying at the temples, and the same silver eyes.
“And this is Doug, Josh’s father,” Phyllis pointed out.
“Nice of you to finally drop by and see your parents,” Doug Ander told his son with a slap on the back before he put his arms around him for a bear hug. Doug lifted a few strands of Josh’s long locks and said, “You really need a haircut.”
“Not gonna happen,” Josh returned evenly with a grin.
“It’s so very nice to meet both of you,” Skye repeated, glancing around to take in the arched passageways, the gleaming wide-planked floors, and the vaulted ceilings.
Phyllis put an arm around her son’s waist on one side and Skye’s on the other, neatly ushering them both into a den tastefully decorated in what Skye termed modern with classic black-and-white lines.
A cozy fire burned in the massive stone fireplace that took up an entire wall. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the end of the room offered up a tropical terrace with a shimmering lighted pool beyond.
“Sit down and get comfortable. What are you drinking, Skye? Josh, you will play bartender while Doug and I get to know Skye here.”
“Chardonnay’s fine,” Skye answered, sending Josh an I-told-you-so look. But Josh simply smiled back at her.
“I’ll take the same,” Phyllis echoed.
“Dad, what can I get you?” Josh asked.
“Whiskey. Neat,” Doug replied with a grin. “There’s a reason Skye’s still wearing her wrap. There’s a nip in the air tonight.”
While Josh dutifully went over to a built-in, well-stocked bar, Phyllis settled in and leaned over, patted Skye on the knee. “Okay, I’m going to get nosy right off the bat. How long have you and my son known each other? And before you answer, realize that this is only so I can yell at Joshua for not bringing you around before tonight.”
“Uh, since last spring. I met him last spring.”
Phyllis shook her head and turned to Doug. “Didn’t I tell you so?” The woman sighed. “Well, it’s a pleasure to finally meet the famous Skye Cree. You’re doing such marvelous work with The Artemis Foundation.”
“And now that you’re no longer a secret from us, we’ll be making regular contributions to your cause,” Doug added.
Skye’s mouth dropped open slightly. Nervously she flicked her tongue around to wet her lips. So they had recognized the name, if not the face.
When Josh returned with two white wines, his mother gave him a mocking glare. “Joshua Sebastian Ander, I’m very disappointed in you.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Josh sang out as he went back to pour the other drinks.
“At least Skye finally explains the reason you’ve ignored your family over the entire summer. It’s abominable behavior and you know it.”
Doug chuckled at his wife. “But what a reason for staying away,” Doug imparted as he raised his glass to Skye in salute. “Here’s to you for getting our Josh back
on track. We’re indebted to you for that.”
At the man’s words, Skye felt a measure of guilt and sympathy for the Anders. She would love to have told them they were lucky to have Josh here at all tonight to be able to pour drinks and sit down to a nice meal. But that would require a replay of what had happened to their son last spring with Kiya merging wolf instincts into him to assure his survival.
Skye knew she couldn’t take credit for getting Josh “back on track” at all. Sure, she’d fallen in love with the guy. But if his parents knew the truth about their activity from last spring, she doubted Doug and Phyllis Ander would be toasting her at all.
In fact, she was sure they would consider escorting her to the gates of the estate with a stern warning to get out and stay out and keep away from their son for good.
As she sat there listening to the banter between the son in question and his parents, it occurred to her she’d have trouble staying away from Josh Ander if they ever decided to issue an edict like that.
He wanted to marry her. Why was she dragging her feet about that?
But one glance around the room had her wondering what kind of base the two of them could ever build for a marriage. Skye had never considered the belief that opposites attract. She’d never had a reason to before. But now, did she really know Josh Ander, the man she slept beside every night? After all, she hadn’t even known he came from this kind of money.
When a maid interrupted her train of thought with the pronouncement about dinner, Skye got to her feet on automatic, followed them into a dining room with a crystal chandelier over the huge mahogany table.
At the time she’d made that statement about Cinderella it had been nothing more than a bit of a drama moment on her part. But now she realized that’s how she felt sitting down to dinner with the Anders.
Skye Cree 02: The Bones Will Tell Page 10
