Hell's Highway

by Gerri Hill

  Cameron’s eyes flew to hers. “What?”

  “I’ll go undercover as a hooker. We can—”

  “No,” she said forcefully. “Absolutely not.”

  “I agree with Cameron,” Carina said. “It would hardly be believable. There is nothing,” she said, pointing at Andrea, “that says hooker here. You couldn’t pull it off.”

  “I have experience,” Andrea said, glancing at Cameron. “I could pull it off. I just don’t have the outfit.”

  Cameron felt panic tighten her chest. She knew that determined look in Andrea’s eyes. And here, in front of everyone, was not the time for Cameron to plead her case.

  “Okay. So you go under. We wire you. We follow you.” She shrugged. “Is that the plan?”

  “Yes.”

  “And so what happens when you have the wrong guy? How do you get out of it?”

  “Not tonight honey,” Eric said as he rubbed his temples. “I have a terrible headache.”

  They all laughed, even Reynolds. But Cameron still didn’t like it.

  “I think our guy travels,” Andrea said. “I don’t think he’s one who parks for the night. I think he picks up our girls, maybe with a promise to take them to the next stop.”

  “Maybe he offers them more money if they’ll go with him,” Eric suggested.

  “He could use that as a ruse for company,” Jack said.

  “Grasping at straws again, people,” Reynolds said.

  “I think our guy does the soliciting,” Andrea said. “I think he approaches the ladies first.”

  “Why do you think that?” Carina asked.

  “Because if your intent is to kill, do you chance waiting to be approached? What if it’s a busy night? One of the ladies that works the stop might not ever come to your truck. So you’re all geared up to kill but you have no victim.”

  “Makes sense,” Eric said. “But how do we target him when we don’t even know who he is?”

  Andrea glanced at Rowan. “He’ll give us a name with the highest probability.”

  “And how will he do that?” Reynolds asked.

  “Look, Reynolds, do you really need to know how algorithms work?” Cameron asked. “Once he finds the names of the twelve, he’ll dump that in along with their traveling history.” She raised an eyebrow at Rowan. “Right?”

  “Right. I’ll be able to trace their movements using the receipts. The algorithm will tell us who is most likely our guy.”

  “And that’s how you want to work this?” Reynolds asked.

  “I’m not crazy about having Andrea be the target, no,” she said, glancing at her. “But we don’t have a lot of options.”

  “I can be the target,” Carina said, giving her a flirtatious smile. “I can pull off the hooker act.”

  Cameron shook her head. “No offense, Carina, but I haven’t worked with you in a lot of years. I trust Andrea with this. Not you.”

  “Well, she is your...partner,” Carina said. “No offense taken.”

  “Okay, let’s let Rowan get to work,” she said. “Reynolds, divide your team. We need the post and tox reports on Monica Riddle. We also need to get with San Bernardino’s crime lab and see if DNA is back on Susie Bell. We need this today so push them if you have to.”

  “What will you do?”

  “Andrea needs an outfit for tomorrow. We’ll be shopping. We need to test out her wire and bug too. I’ll need Rowan for that. Then we’ll have to put together a plan for how we’re going to make sure Andrea has eyes on her at all times.” She looked at her watch. “Let’s meet up at your hotel at seven. We’ll order in. Chinese or something. Then we’ll go over everything again.”

  Eric put his arm about Andrea and pulled her close. “I think your name should be Cherry Ann,” he said. “How about it?”

  “Cherry? Really?” Andrea shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  “No? It’s perfect.”

  “No.”

  “Then how about Candy?”

  Andrea laughed. “I like Candy better than Cherry. But I think I’ll just stick with Andrea.”

  “Not nearly as much fun,” Eric said and kissed her cheek quickly before following the others out.

  With a slight blush on her face Andrea looked at Cameron, who raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

  “Well, I guess I’ll get to it,” Rowan said.

  Cameron took Andrea’s hand and led her back into the bedroom, closing the door again behind them. Lola was curled on the pillows and didn’t even bother to lift her head.

  “Can we talk about it now?”

  “There’s nothing to talk about,” Andrea said.

  “I don’t like it.”

  “You don’t get to make that decision.”

  “The hell I don’t. This man is a monster. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

  Andrea put her hands on her hips and stared at her. “Do you think I can’t handle it?”

  “That’s not it and you know it.”

  Andrea sighed, then moved closer, letting her hands roam up Cameron’s arms. “Why are we bothering with this conversation? We both know it’s a done deal, Cameron.”

  Cameron pulled her into an embrace. “I know, Andi. I just don’t like it.”

  Andrea kissed her, letting her lips linger. “I think I fell asleep on you last night,” she said.

  “Yes, you did.”

  “Well, we’ll have to take care of that tonight, won’t we?”

  Cameron closed her eyes and just held her tightly for a long minute, wishing they could spend a lazy day together. She finally released her.

  “Shopping?”

  “Yes. I’ll even let you buy me lunch.”

  “It’s a date.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “This egg roll is fantastic,” Eric said as he licked the corners of his mouth. “Good choice, Ross.”

  Andrea had to agree, and she wished she’d ordered more than two. She looked at Cameron who had yet to touch hers. She was busy reading the coroner’s report on Monica Riddle.

  “No drugs in her system other than ketamine and phenobarbital. Yet according to everyone, she was a user. Even her sister said as much.”

  “So unlike Jane Doe 23, she didn’t have anything on her. Any drugs in her system were out by the time she was killed.”

  “Rowan, you get a video match?” Cameron asked as she picked up her carton of kung pao chicken.

  “The last footage of Monica was six days before her body was found. It was at six twenty-three p.m. as she left the convenience store.”

  “And Linda Blake?”

  “So far nothing.”

  “What about Susie Bell?”

  He shook his head. “No. They only keep surveillance footage for two weeks.”

  “Okay.” She rubbed her eyes, and Andrea could tell how tired she was. “So no new data to enter other than we have confirmation on Susie Bell?”

  “No. And I put in the date and time for Monica but it didn’t change the results.”

  “What time are we going out?” Jack asked.

  “As soon as it’s dark, I want Andrea in place,” Cameron said. She put her Chinese food aside and reached for her bottle of water. “Rowan, let’s go over the logistics.”

  Rowan wiped his hands on a napkin then pulled his laptop closer. Andrea, too, put her food aside. As good as it was, she’d suddenly lost her appetite. Talking and planning was one thing. But laying it all out, going over the procedures, brought it closer to home. Tomorrow night, she’d be putting herself out there, hoping their guy took the bait. And hoping in all of their planning they didn’t leave the smallest thing out.

  “We’ve got a tracking device that Andrea will attach to the truck.” He glanced at her. “Stick it on the door, under the cab, inside or out. Doesn’t matter. It’s magnetic, so anything you can find. I’ve implanted a microphone in these earrings,” he said, holding up a small gold loop. He then held up a gaudy yellow plastic watch. “I’ve also put a tracking device in
the watch, just in case Andrea is separated from the truck.”

  “Will she have an earpiece too?” Carina asked.

  “No. We didn’t want to take the chance he might spot it,” Rowan said.

  “A weapon?”

  “Not on her,” Cameron said. “She’ll conceal one in her purse. Reynolds, did you let Barstow PD know what we’re doing?”

  “Yeah. I spoke to the chief. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea but said they’ll be ready to assist if need be.”

  “Good.” Cameron turned to Eric. “You, Jack and Carina will be in one vehicle. Reynolds will ride with me. Rowan will rig up our communication where we can all be on—listen and talk—at the same time. You’ll also have a feed of Andrea’s mic. Once she’s in the truck, we follow.”

  “And you think he’s going to just take her to where he does his killing?” Jack asked.

  “Yeah, that’s the plan.”

  Andrea saw them all looking at her, perhaps because she’d been quiet through it all. She and Cameron and Rowan had been over it several times already, so she didn’t feel the need to say anything. She’d been undercover several times in LA, usually for a drug sting, but she knew how to play it. The worst part would be maneuvering in heels. She calmly looked back at them as she picked up her last egg roll and took a bite.

  “So did you get a sexy outfit?” Eric asked, his eyebrows wiggling teasingly.

  “Strapless,” she said after she swallowed. “You’ll love it.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I will,” he said with a grin.

  “Did Cameron pick it out?” Carina asked with a sly smile.

  “Actually, she did,” Andrea said. She’d spent very little time around Carina, thankfully, but she had a strong dislike for the woman. Andrea had a hard time believing that she and Cameron were once lovers.

  “Well, she does have excellent taste. Or rather she did.” Carina rolled her eyes to Cameron. “Remember that black, sleek dress you got for me in Rome?”

  Cameron frowned. “No. I don’t recall,” she said with a shake of her head. “But I think that’s all we have for today. Unless some new developments occur, let’s take it easy tomorrow. We might be up all night. I want to be in Barstow by six so let’s meet back here at three tomorrow.” She glanced at Rowan. “You’ll have a name?”

  “Yes. It’s running now. Jason is awesome, by the way. I’ve never seen such a complicated program. It’s using data from like ten different sources and is sorting—”

  “Yeah. Right.” Cameron smiled. “He’s a genius.”

  “I’ll come over in the morning and compile it all.”

  “Wonderful. Can’t wait.”

  Andrea hid her smile as Cameron’s gaze landed on her. She knew Cameron didn’t like the plan they had set up, but someone had to be the bait. She wasn’t really crazy about the idea herself. Getting inside a truck and driving away with a man who could possibly be a serial killer didn’t exactly thrill her. Cameron raised her eyebrows in a silent question and Andrea nodded.

  “See you guys tomorrow,” she said.

  Their short drive to the rig was made silently and they both went about their nighttime routines, sidestepping each other in the small bathroom. Andrea didn’t need an explanation from Cameron. She knew Cameron was worried and this was her way of dealing. She found Cameron in bed, cuddling the purring Lola who was stretched out in her arms.

  “She misses us,” Cameron said.

  “When this is over, let’s ask Murdock for some down time,” Andrea suggested as she pulled the covers back on the bed. “I miss us too.”

  Cameron put Lola down at the end of the bed and rolled over, pulling Andrea closer to her. “Me too. I don’t like this whole team stuff.” Her hand slid under Andrea’s T-shirt, boldly cupping her breast. “You’re not going to do anything stupid, right?”

  Andrea smiled. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

  “There aren’t any cliffs around. I think I’m safe.”

  Andrea rolled toward her, entwining their legs together. “Please don’t worry about this so much. Nothing’s going to happen. Besides, you’ll be following right behind me.”

  “I know. I just have a bad feeling about this.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She nuzzled Cameron’s neck, inhaling her unique scent. While she would have been content just to snuggle, her hands slid across Cameron’s soft skin, making their way to her breasts. Cameron’s breath hitched and Andrea’s lips found their way to Cameron’s mouth. “I love you,” she murmured.

  Cameron rolled them over, settling her weight on top of her. Their eyes met and held, then Cameron lowered her head, kissing Andrea softly.

  “I love you too.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The smell of diesel fuel and the constant rumbling of engines permeated the air. Cameron tapped her foot nervously, her eyes jumping from one truck to another, wondering how they were going to find their guy in this crowded lot.

  “You really think Rowan’s on target with this guy?”

  Cameron flicked her gaze at Reynolds, then back to the trucks. “It’s not just Rowan, it’s the algorithm. You put in the data, it gives you a probability.”

  “Sixty-eight percent? Is that high?”

  “The more data you have, the higher the accuracy,” she said. “It’s all we have. If he’s not our guy, we go on to the next one.” She eyed his clothes with a raised eyebrow. “Really Reynolds? We’re on a stakeout and you’re in a suit? Couldn’t you have dressed down a little to fit in with our surroundings?”

  “This is what I wear.”

  “At least take your tie off. Jesus, even an idiot could make you for a cop.”

  He sighed but finally loosened his tie before removing it. Her gaze went back to the trucks. It was full dark now, only a sliver of a moon visible in the sky. She could see people moving in the shadows, walking between the parked trucks. Some stopped to talk, others kept moving, heading to the convenience store or the showers. The name Hank Waters popped up with a sixty-eight percent rating. The troubling part was that he didn’t register in the system. Not anywhere. Rowan had pulled his name from the credit card receipts for the small trucking company he works for, based out of Riverside. No hits in the system meant he was using a false identity, probably driver’s license as well. Her gut told her he was their guy, but it seemed too easy.

  “Cameron, his card’s been used. Bay Four,” Rowan said, his voice loud and clear over the console speaker.

  “Copy that.” Andrea was in Eric’s car, parked in the back and out of sight. “Show time.” She heard a car door open and close, assuming Andrea was on the move.

  “We’re going to swing around, see if we have a visual,” Eric said.

  “Slow and easy, Eric,” she murmured. She took a deep breath, trying to quell the tightness in her chest. She had a bad feeling that she couldn’t shake. She’d learned over the years to trust that feeling, but there was nothing she could do about it now. The plan was in motion.

  Andrea thought the chewing gum was a bit much but Eric had insisted. She chewed deliberately, concentrating on walking in heels, something she was not used to at all. She swung her hips, smiling as a trucker gave an exaggerated whistle.

  “Like what you see, sugar?” she asked as she kept moving. The tight strapless dress hugged her body, so short it barely covered her ass. She’d added black fishnet hose and a garter belt that peeked out enticingly. When she’d modeled it for Cameron her jaw had dropped open, and she’d pushed Andrea back into the dressing room, taking several minutes to let her know just how enticing it was. She smiled at the memory of their quick make-out session, still picturing Cameron’s flushed face as the saleswoman had knocked on the door, asking if they were okay.

  She clutched her purse tighter as she approached Bay Four. Her only means of defense was a small caliber handgun hiding inside along with a phone. The phone was an afterthought, but Cameron wanted her to take it. Just in case.

  She slowed her walk, wish
ing she knew who their target was, other than the truck in Bay Four. She turned her head, trying to see if anyone was about when she walked right into the solid chest of a man. She instinctively held her hand out to steady herself, trying to remain in character.

  “Hey, big fella. You startled me.”

  “You lookin’ to play?”

  “That depends.” She took a step back, sizing up the man. He was tall, easily over six feet, his frame muscular. A stubby beard indicated he hadn’t shaved in several days. He was close enough to smell tobacco on his breath and she had to stop herself from turning away. When she finally met his eyes, she saw a soulless man in front of her and the tiny hairs at the back of her neck stood out. She knew instantly he was their guy.

  “I’m lookin’ to take a drive,” he said.

  “And you want company?” She tilted her head. “It’ll cost you more.”

  He smiled, a smile that never reached his eyes. “I can pay.”

  “Two hundred,” she said.

  “That’s it?”

  She took the gum out of her mouth and tossed it aside. “Two hundred to get in your truck. And then another two hundred when I get out.”

  He pushed aside a well-worn NASCAR cap and scratched his head, seeming to contemplate her offer. She was worried that perhaps she’d shot too high but he nodded. “Deal.”

  She glanced at the dusty red rig in the bay, the trucking company’s logo just a faded puzzle of letters on the door. “That yours?”

  He nodded. “Give me just a second to finish up.”

  “Sure, honey. You take your time,” she said, giving him a flirty smile. When he walked around the truck, her smile faded. “I hope you guys can hear me. I’m in. I’m putting the tracker on the truck now,” she said quietly as she walked into the bay. Diesel engines rumbled loudly under the cover of the bays, and she doubted they would be able to hear her any longer. She looked about, making sure he was still tending to the fuel. His back was to her and she slipped the small magnetic box from under her garter belt and nonchalantly attached it to the fender of the truck.

  She was about to make her way out of the bay when he turned around, looking past her. She turned, surprised to find another man walking toward her.