Web of Secrets

by Susan Sleeman

  He tipped his head at the bag. “Whoever you were trying to pummel, you succeeded.”

  As usual, he avoided her question and went off on his own tangent while he let his gaze take her in from head to toe.

  Fine. Let him look. She would too. She ran her gaze over his six-foot-two body, lingering on his shirt molded to hard pecs and biceps. His auburn hair was more red than brown and cut short. His jaw was square, and his eyes, when he wasn’t smiling, held an intensity she understood all too well.

  His grin widened. He got that she was into him. He’d have to be blind not to see it, but then, he probably had women taking a second and third look all the time. Shoot, she’d taken a whole lot more than a second look over the years, much to her annoyance. And it had to stop now.

  “So, are you here to join the gym?” she asked, hoping the answer was a big fat no. She didn’t want him here. She found her relaxation at the gym the way many women found it in a spa. The words relaxation and Connor had nothing in common.

  He shook his head and lifted a folder clutched in his hand. “I have information on a case Sam said you were taking lead on.”

  “Oh?” She made sure to play down her interest to keep him from wanting to stay.

  “He said you’ve been working a credit card fraud ring in the area.”

  Right. The investigation that Sulyard just shut down.

  “I think I can help you with it,” he said.

  “Oh, yeah? How?”

  He looked around, then lowered his voice. “I’m working a homicide where a man was murdered for his credit cards. At least, that’s our theory right now. I tailed a suspect to an apartment in the northeast and watched the place for a few days. Struck out on finding anything that could give me probable cause to enter, but it looks like I stumbled on your theft ring’s base of operation. I took some photos you might want to see.”

  Pulling off her gloves and tucking them under her arm, she stepped closer. She took the folder, making sure to avoid touching him. She started flipping through the photos of teenagers carrying shopping bags taken outside a rundown apartment complex. “Did these kids all go to the same apartment?”

  He nodded. “We checked the lease, but as you might expect, the ID was bogus. The manager said the rent was paid in cash three months in advance, which for that neighborhood, is a great deal for the manager, so he didn’t ask any questions. He did describe the guy who rented it. Five-ten. Dark hair. Late forties.”

  “Seriously? It could be just about anyone with that description.”

  Connor gestured at the folder. “You won’t find him in the pictures. No one over the age of twenty ever showed up at the apartment.”

  “Not surprising. Credit card fraud crews are often recruited from runaways and homeless teens, and it’s rare to find the mastermind behind the operation.” Which was why Sulyard had shut down her investigation. It was going nowhere.

  “Exactly how do they work this scam?” Connor asked.

  She might not want to talk to him, but she was always happy to explain how this kind of fraud worked. “It starts with a ringleader who obtains stolen credit card information from the Internet. He then uses an embossing machine to make new cards, and recruits runaways to make fraudulent purchases at local retailers. These groups have been moving up and down the I-5 corridor and we’ve really been trying to bust one of them. If we catch the kids, we’re hoping they’ll flip on their ringleader. Did you get any of their license plates?”

  “They took the bus. TriMet and street cams didn’t help ID them either.”

  Becca went back to the photos to withdraw five pictures for Connor. “I can ID these five right now. If we combine your information with mine, I should have enough to get a search warrant.”

  “Exactly what I was hoping for. We can work together. If we give you the ID ring’s evidence you’re after, you can probably get us in there. Then, hopefully, I’ll find something related to the homicide.”

  Right, they’d have to work together. Her heart dropped.

  “It’ll be a win/win.” His eyes, bright with enthusiasm, locked on her, daring her to say no. She didn’t flinch under his gaze, but she was just a moment away from turning tail and running. She didn’t like what he could do to her insides. Didn’t like it at all. And working with him on an investigation? What would happen then?

  No, she didn’t need that. She didn’t need him.

  “I have all my information in the car.” He gestured outside, but kept those steely blue eyes locked on her. “We could head to your office to iron out details for the warrant.”

  She swallowed hard under his continued gaze. “How about you give me the files, and I let you know when the warrant has been approved?”

  “Yeah, right.” He rolled his eyes and widened his stance. “Either we collaborate on getting the warrant and serve it together, or you keep punching that bag, because your case is going nowhere.”

  She gaped at him. “You’d give up a lead on a homicide case, just like that?”

  “Nah,” he said with a half-smile that crooked up in the corner. “Just like I know you would never turn your back on a lead for your investigation. Which means you’ll end up working with me. So, why fight it?”

  He had her, right where he wanted her, and she felt herself caving. If they went straight to her office, she could get the information to Sulyard before he left for the day, and her case would be back on track.

  “Okay, we’ll do it,” she agreed, hoping they might actually be able to handle a professional relationship. “But I need to take a quick shower.”

  “I wasn’t planning to say anything, but since you brought it up, you are a mess.” He let that gaze trail over her again, his eyes heating up. “Not that I mind a woman all sweaty from taking her frustration out on a bag. I find it kind of hot, actually.”

  Her heart gave a rebellious flutter. So much for the professional. One second, and it was gone. She shoved the folder into his chest and grabbed her gloves, thinking for a moment of wiping the look from his face with a well-placed punch.

  She took a breath instead. “You can wait for me in the coffee shop across the street.”

  She wouldn’t hang around for his rebuttal. Why bother? It would be a smart-aleck quip that she didn’t need to hear. She headed for the locker room. She felt his eyes on her as she walked.

  Fine. Let him look. She hoped he enjoyed what he was seeing. He needed to get it out of his system so they could collaborate on this investigation as professionals.

  “Yeah, right,” she muttered under her breath as she swung into the locker room. “Maybe you should listen to your own advice for once.”

  Chapter Two

  IN THE FBI’S WAR room, Connor swirled the last dregs of his coffee in the paper cup and didn’t try to hide his study of Becca as she presented her warrant request to her supervisor, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Roland Sulyard. They’d been talking for fifteen minutes, and Connor thought she was making progress.

  Talking, shoot. They’d been arguing in the hallway, but Becca didn’t back down. She’d changed into a boring navy business suit with a tailored white blouse. Her eyes were wide, her stance firm, and she wore her usual fierce “defender of the downtrodden” expression. Some might think she was haughty. He knew she was simply passionate about her work.

  He’d seen that expression often enough—showing her need to help those who couldn’t help themselves. That was her motto. And she wasn’t straying from it today.

  Sulyard took a step closer to her. He was six-four, wore a black power suit, and his bald head gleamed in the light. His voice was low and controlled. “This is it, Lange. You fail to develop any solid evidence, and I won’t hesitate to shut down the investigation like I did this morning.”

  So that was why Becca had been beating the bag in the gym. He could
still see her—her body-hugging tank top plastered to curves she usually hid under one of her infernal suits, and faded blue shorts revealing legs as long as he’d imagined them to be. Man, she was all curves and silky skin. He tried to sound like he was kidding when he told her it was hot, but he was deadly serious. He did find it hot. Maybe not with other women, but everything Becca did got his blood boiling.

  “Don’t let me down,” Sulyard said. After a long look, he turned and walked away.

  Becca slipped back into the room, her eyes alive with their upcoming challenge. “We’re a go. Judge Obrien is already on standby for a different warrant, so Sulyard will submit this one along with it.”

  Connor fixed what he hoped was a casual gaze on her. “Sulyard shut down your investigation, huh?”

  She lifted her shoulders and stared at him. “We’re back on track. As long as your lead isn’t a wild goose chase. If it is . . .” The blue in her eyes darkened, her expression judging his merit.

  He sat forward. “You doubt my intel?”

  “No, but the crew could have made you and moved on.”

  “They didn’t make me,” he said, irritated that she thought him incompetent enough to let some pimply-faced teenager catch his surveillance.

  “We still need to act fast. This group never stays in one place long, and could be on the move soon.”

  “Then let me map out the location for you, and we can form a plan.” He grabbed a legal pad to start sketching the apartment complex, parking lots, and adjoining roads. She bent over him, her clean, fresh scent from the shower instantly grabbing his attention.

  He didn’t need to be thinking about her like this. Didn’t need to keep flirting with her when she wasn’t interested. She was into him, that was patently clear, but she didn’t have time for a man in her life. She was too busy saving the world all on her own. And he was a fool for trying anything when he didn’t really want to get involved with a woman again either.

  He sat up and she took a quick step back. He slid the drawing over in front of the next chair, forcing her to move even farther away so he could concentrate.

  He tapped the drawing while she took a seat. “Apartment’s on the second floor here. Patio slider on the back here. We’ll need someone to cover the rear exit.”

  She nodded. “You can do that while I take the front.”

  He gave her an as-if look. “I’ll call in reinforcements, and we’ll go in together.”

  She appraised him for a moment. “Who did you have in mind?”

  “Sam.”

  “I’m good with Sam joining us.” She sounded amenable, but suspicion was lodged in her eyes. “I’ve asked our intern to tag along.”

  “You’re kidding, right? An intern?” He dropped the pencil on the table. “This is important, Becca. We don’t want a green-behind-the-ears recruit screwing this up.”

  She eyed him. “Taylor may be fresh out of Quantico, but she’s far from a green recruit. She’s served on an FBI Evidence Recovery Team for years, and has seen more than most law enforcement professionals.”

  “So she’s seen the aftermath of man’s inhumanity to man. That still doesn’t mean she isn’t green as far as serving a warrant goes.”

  She planted her hands on her hips. “We may not make nearly as many arrests as you do, but we’ve been around the block a few times. We can both handle this.”

  “I was kidding.” He wished they could just relax around each other. This tension between them, hanging just below the surface, ready to erupt at any time, sapped all of his energy.

  She didn’t return his smile. “You won’t terrorize Taylor, then? Because we need her. With the rise in cyber intrusions, we’ve added a slot on our Cyber Action Team. After shadowing me for a few weeks, she’ll take that job.”

  “Another geek in town. Just what we need.” He laughed again, but he had to force it out this time.

  She stared at him. “I need you to take this seriously.”

  Right. Serious. Her middle name.

  He stood and looked into her eyes for a moment, something he’d much rather do than go serve a warrant, even if it was for one of his investigations. But she was right. He had a job to do, and despite her considering him too laid-back at times, he never shirked his responsibilities. He wouldn’t start now.

  RESTRAINT. REGINALD Zwicky needed to learn restraint. Restraint would have kept Molly alive until she gave up Lauren’s address. He paced the basement, his mood as dark as the dank space. Even that earthy, metallic scent of blood couldn’t erase his black mood.

  He’d screwed up. Let his emotions get the best of him. How? He’d learned patience, or at least he thought he had. He’d practiced restraint all these years, honoring Mother’s request to stop cleansing girls in the nineties with the taste of blood fresh in his mouth. He’d wanted to continue, but no, she’d seen the news report that he’d failed and a girl had gotten away. She’d beaten him until he’d told her about both Lauren and Molly escaping from him and admitted that Molly had attempted to seduce him. He’d fallen prey to it and they’d struggled. She’d caught him off guard, and managed to get away. Then Mother had nagged and nagged him to find them until his ears nearly bled with her harping. At least it was a change. Usually, her sharp fingernails would pierce the tender cartridge, dragging him across the room to his closet.

  “Don’t you see, Mother?” he said, her spirit still living with him though she had passed away six months ago. He pointed at Molly’s virginal body in her gown. “I found her. For you. Cleansed her. She’ll lead us to Lauren. Then you can truly rest.”

  He waited for his mother to answer, but the building was quiet, save for the rats running in the rafters above.

  He kicked an empty oil can across the room, the sound ringing through the space.

  What a despicable place. He couldn’t even leave a body here overnight. Not with the rats. He’d had to construct a wire mesh cage to keep them from tearing apart the bodies. It was especially needed for Molly. The police had to see her peaceful repose to understand his mission.

  He went to the stained porcelain sink, took the Lava soap his mother insisted he use, and scrubbed his hands. Waves of red swirled from his fingers and down the drain.

  “Are they clean, Reginald?” Mother had always asked before inspection. If he’d failed to meet her expectations, she’d scoured his hands with the pumice soap, leaving his skin raw.

  “You’ll be proud of me, Mother. The police will be in awe of everything you have trained me to do.”

  He imagined them finding Molly and being impressed with his ability to cleanse. He wanted to do more. His body fairly vibrated with the need to continue his life’s work. To rush right out and find another girl and offer her the same purification. But he couldn’t. Not yet. He had to lie low until Lauren showed up for Molly’s funeral. Then he’d follow her. Take her. Evaluate her. If she was still pure, he’d make her his for life. If not, he’d cleanse her. It all depended on how she’d lived these past sixteen years.

  Until then, he’d have to forget the lingering taste of blood, forget that nothing could assuage the desire for more. He’d gone nearly sixteen years without killing. Years without ever laying a hand on another young girl. Years of listening to his mother’s teachings. Enduring her discipline so he could achieve nirvana. She’d been his guide and spiritual leader until her sudden death from a heart attack six months ago.

  Now he was a man, on his own. A disciple. Ready to save the girls.

  “A man or a loser?” Billy’s voice whispered through Reginald’s mind.

  “Be quiet,” Reginald told his childhood friend.

  Billy was everything an imaginary friend needed to be. He’d gotten Reginald through many terrifying incidents, but he’d turned into a nagging voice that never left Reginald’s head for long.

  “You’re
a loser.” Billy’s tone was now high and nasally, mixed with irritation and judgment. “A madman like the news media claimed in the nineties. Sick and depraved.”

  “No.” Reginald clamped his hands over his ears. “I’m not. I’m their savior. The one who cleanses. I saved their souls. I gave them the peace they need.”

  “Then why hide it? Why not proclaim it to the world?”

  “Humility, you fool. Didn’t you listen to Mother all these years? We must be humble.”

  Billy started lecturing him, and Reginald tightened his hands over his ears until Billy went silent the way he always did when Reginald spoke unadulterated truths. But he’d be back. He always came back. Questioning. Pressuring. Trying to get Reginald to ignore his mother’s teachings.

  Except during the ritual. Then there was peace. Blessed peace. Like the girls must feel. A release to a higher place.

  Like Molly. At rest. He lifted her jar. Admired the curve of her ears and the glow of the pearls. “Perfect, Mother. Just like you taught me.”

  He placed the jar on the shelf, then ran his fingers along the others. There. Excellent. Number four, filled and in place where it belonged, at last. No longer would Molly suffer in this world from the base physical longings she couldn’t control. He was glad for the simple way to help her. A pair of earrings. The symbol of purity and chastity. Of humility and innocence as his mother had first told him, her switch following each word, after she caught him with one of the fast girls at school who would sleep with anyone. Even him, with the twisted trail of scars running over his body.

  Mother had been furious.

  “Purity, Reginald,” she had snapped, dragging him by the ear and forcing him to the floor in the closet. “It’s a virtue you must learn, must keep, until you find the equally pure woman you will marry. I know it’s hard. Especially at fifteen with all those hormones rushing through your body. Let me help you learn control as my father taught me. Your father could never grasp the concept of control. It was the reason he had to leave us.”