The Steve Williams Series Boxed Set

by J. E. Taylor

Mind reader?

  Ayup. His voice echoed in her mind loud enough for her to wince. He not only could read minds, he obviously could broadcast his thoughts. This new development stoked her nerves as much as his telling smile and her thoughts drifted to Randy and the blood soaked slicker.

  The smile on his face disappeared. “Tell me about that night.”

  Carolyn knew he wasn’t talking about her dream, but she wasn’t ready to put Randy in the line of this unique federal agent. “I had a dream…”

  “No, about the night your boyfriend came home covered in blood.”

  Carolyn’s jaw fell, floundering, she started, “Wha…” She cleared her throat, trying to calm her racing pulse and wondered just how deep this man could go into her psyche. “What?” she asked, stalling any response as her mind shuffled through the events and situations leading to this bizarre conversation.

  The air shifted imperceptibly around Agent Williams, intimidating, equaling his manner. His eyes narrowed to thin slits as he challenged her with silence.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Carolyn stood.

  “Sit down.”

  His command was undeniable and her body folded back into the chair.

  “You are going to tell me everything.”

  Again a command, and again she was unable to refuse. The words tumbled from her mouth with lightning speed, even as her mind screamed for her to shut up. What is this man sitting across from me? An FBI agent or some sort of demi-god? Both heat and a chilling cold hit her at once and she shook, the words still coming, her doubts, her accusations and finally her conclusion. “He didn’t do it.”

  Steve straightened up with a nod. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because, I know.” Tears of fear and betrayal clouded her vision and she blinked them back, refusing to allow herself to crumble in front of this man. Instead, she let her irritation take control over her emotions. “What are you doing to me? Is this some form of hypnosis?”

  “Let’s just say I’m special.” He leaned back in the chair crossing his arms. “Just like you are.”

  Carolyn raised an eyebrow.

  “Psychic.”

  Carolyn laughed in response. “Bullshit.”

  He shrugged. “Believe what you want, but you’re actually a bit like my wife. She’s clairvoyant, has visions, dreams that come true.”

  Carolyn’s brow creased. This conversation was taking an unwanted turn into the surreal. “I’m not psychic.”

  Agent Williams flashed a grin that both annoyed and turned her on in succession. “Yes, you are. You have low-level mind reading abilities and have visions as well. How far in advance do you see the murders?”

  Carolyn stared at him, dumbfounded and blinked rapidly.

  “How far in advance do you see the murders?” Agent Williams asked, enunciating each word slowly, like he knew her mind was misfiring as it attempted to wrap around the conversation.

  “Um,” Carolyn started and her voice cracked and she tried again, “I, ah, I assume I’m seeing them when they’re happening based on the coroner’s reports.”

  He sucked in his breath and exhaled, nodding acknowledgement. “What can you tell me about the killer?”

  “In my dreams he’s a beast with a bowed claw.”

  Agent Williams leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “What else?”

  Carolyn looked at her hands. “I see through his eyes. At first it was only at the time of the murders, but a couple of times, I’ve seen myself.”

  His brow furrowed, creases breaking the perfect smooth skin of his forehead. “You saw yourself where?”

  “Here. Well, outside, on the steps and this morning I saw myself in front of Starbucks. He was watching me.” The shiver culminated in her shoulders and she stood up, crossing to the window to squash it.

  “Is that what happened?” He pointed toward her foot.

  She turned and nodded. “Yes, it threw me enough that I dropped my coffee.”

  He leaned back in the chair, tapping his index finger against his lips for a couple of beats. “When did they start?”

  “The visions or the seeing myself through the eyes of the killer?”

  “Both.”

  “It started with the first murder. I swear, I thought it was just a nightmare until I saw the front page of the paper the next morning,” she said and let out a shrill laugh exposing her jumbled nerves. “I should have known better, but you know how easy it is to deny your abilities, to talk yourself into believing it’s only a nightmare.”

  He gave a slight nod and she didn’t know if it was an agreement or signal for her to continue.

  “As far as seeing myself, the first time that happened was yesterday.”

  “Did you recognize anyone in the crowd?”

  Randy, Trent, Jim, all flashed through her mind and she met Agent Williams stare. “Yes, but not the same person both times.”

  Agent Williams rubbed his chin, studying her again. “You keep referring to the killer as a male. Why?”

  Carolyn turned. “I guess I figure only a man would have the strength to sever a head clean off. And he’s targeting women.” She bit her lip, pressing them together in a thin line as she shrugged. “Why?”

  “No reason, I just wanted to hear your take.”

  Carolyn tilted her head. “You don’t think it’s a man?”

  “Historically, serial killers are men, but I know from experience not to rule anything out. I’m not discounting anything at this point.” He smiled and stood. “I’ve taken enough of your time.”

  “Am I a suspect?” Carolyn asked as he reached the door.

  Agent Williams turned, his hand resting on the doorknob. “You were, but after this conversation, I can cross you off the list.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve been in your head and seen what you’ve seen. I know where you were for each vision and who to interview to validate your whereabouts.”

  His explanation was not what she expected, nor was it something she could fully grasp. “What do you mean in my head?”

  “I’m more than a human lie detector, Ms. Hastings. And to be honest, your mind is open to anyone who has this ability.” He tapped his temple. “You haven’t mastered the art of static, which is a good thing at this moment, because, if I couldn’t read you, you would be my number one suspect. You’re an open book, unlike most psychopaths out there and when this is all wrapped up, I’ll have to teach you to veil your thoughts.”

  Carolyn digested his explanation, biting on her lower lip. “What’s so different about psychopaths?”

  His hand dropped off the doorknob. “True psychopaths naturally generate static or worse—silence. Nothing. No thoughts filter through and I’ve learned to take notice of the complete absence of thought. It’s unnatural.”

  She turned over his explanation in her head. “If I’m not a suspect anymore, who is?”

  He reached for the door.

  “Is it Randy?” The question was barely a whisper.

  Agent Williams said nothing, just turned, and left, leaving her gawking after him.

  “Shit.” Carolyn tumbled into the seat behind her desk, staring at the open door as his echoing footfalls faded.

  Chapter 30

  Steve waited until he was halfway through the park across the street from City Hall before he dialed the familiar number.

  “The assistant D.A. was the one who made that call, but she isn’t involved. She’s got the same type abilities as Jen, but she doesn’t have any padding on time between the visions and deaths.”

  “Did you get anything from her?” Assistant Director Ronald Cleary asked.

  “Nothing as far as the killer goes. In her visions, she’s seeing a monster with a claw and she’s convinced it’s a man.”

  “Why?”

  “She believes only a man has the strength to decapitate another human with one swing.”

  “Do you agree?”

  “No. I’m not convinc
ed either way. This is a personal vendetta and our unsub is using an extremely sharp weapon. It isn’t as much a matter of strength as it is the speed and angle of the swing, so in my mind, unless we get evidence otherwise, it could go either way.”

  “What else?”

  “I think Carolyn Hastings might be the real target. There’s a connection beyond the fact she fits the victim profile, at least that’s how Jennifer’s visions work.”

  “You’re making an assumption?”

  “Assumption, educated guess, whatever. In the meantime, I’m going to keep an eye on Ms. Hastings and see if she can lead us to the killer.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Yes, her boyfriend. She said he came home covered in blood the other night. Gave her a song and dance about a fight, but she isn’t one hundred percent sure. I’m going to check it out right now.”

  “Don’t do anything that would compromise the case.”

  Steve closed his eyes and bit his tongue, staunching the snide remark that almost leapt out. “I won’t,” he said.

  “Good, let me know what you find.”

  “Will do.” Steve pocketed the phone and scanned the building in front of him until he stopped at her form in the window. He lifted his hand in a wave and turned, heading to the subway and his next lead.

  Chapter 31

  The door slammed open, pulling Carolyn out of the case she was reviewing. She caught the glare in Jim Britt’s eyes as he marched into her office and towered over her desk. “Trent tells me the FBI was here this morning.”

  Carolyn leaned back, pursing her lips, nodding. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “My midnight nine-one-one call.”

  Jim’s chest deflated and he took a seat in the chair opposite her. “And?”

  “And what?”

  “What did you tell him?” His voice carried the weight of his thoughts and they weren’t centered on Carolyn’s wellbeing.

  Tapping her pencil eraser to the increased beat of her pulse, she met his questioning stare, swallowing the anger that threatened. “The truth.”

  He shot from the chair. “Jesus, Carolyn! Why the hell didn’t you call me?”

  “And what would you have done? Come to my defense or cover your ass?” She leaned forward on the desk, her words laced with venom.

  Jim’s face, already pale pink with aggravation, turned crimson, almost glowing. He glowered at her, clenching his teeth and his fists. He opened his mouth. “You should have had a lawyer present.”

  “Why? I can take care of myself.”

  “In light of all this, I think you should resign your post.”

  She shot to her feet, tossing the pencil into the middle of the collection of papers. “You want me to resign?”

  “I think that would be best.”

  “For whom, you, or me?”

  “For you.”

  “Bullshit!” Her finger shot in his direction. “This is all about you and what this could do to your career. What about my career? What happened to innocent until proven guilty?”

  “This could undermine the integrity of the district attorney’s office.”

  “That is such crap and you know it. I’m not handing in my resignation and if you think you can coerce me by making my life here unbearable until I give in and resign, think again because I’ll slap a harassment lawsuit against you so fast your head will spin.” Her eyes blurred with rage. “What would that do to your career?” She tilted her head in a silent challenge.

  They glared at each other over the desk, anger sparking the air between them, thickening to the point of an electrical current. Neither spoke, nor did they break eye contact. The friendship they’d cultivated for the past five years torched to nothing but ashes in that split second.

  “You’re fired.” Jim straightened his back, his eyes dark and wary.

  Carolyn laughed. “Excuse me?”

  “You just threatened me. Pack your things and get out.” He pointed toward the door. “Now.”

  Carolyn’s jaw dropped. “You can’t fire me.”

  Jim nodded. “Yes, I can.”

  “For what?”

  “Insubordination.”

  Carolyn sat down hard in the chair staring at him. “You aren’t kidding, are you?”

  “No. I’m not. No one talks to me the way you just did, not even my wife. Now pack your personal items and make sure you drop off your ID badge at the door. You’re finished here.”

  She stabbed the speaker on her phone. “Jason, please bring me a box, I need some help packing my things.” She hung up and glared at Jim.

  “If you make waves, Carolyn, you can kiss your career goodbye.” He turned as the door opened. Jim stormed by a flustered Jason as he left the office.

  Carolyn caught Jason’s gaze and glanced at the mementos on her desk. Her mind triggered with adrenaline, anger overtook all her senses, and she had to ball her hands into fists and count to ten before she swept the contents of her desk across the room. Calmer, she unclenched her fists and took a deep breath. “I need a box.”

  Jason raised the empty paper box. “Is this okay?”

  “That’s perfect,” she said and the reality of the situation hit like Armageddon.

  She no longer had a job. Her anger dissolved into a river of threatening tears that burned her nose and throat. She blinked them back, steeling herself to be strong until she was alone at home.

  Packing the contents of her desk didn’t take long. Pictures, knickknacks, brushes, make-up, a sewing kit, and first aid kit all fit neatly into the box. The only folder from within the desk that meant anything to her contained thank you letters from her clients and she pulled it out, scanning the contents before she dropped the folder into the box. The rest of the folders contained case files, reminders of her perfect record.

  The last folder on her desk was the case Jim tried to pass off on her. A thought formed, bringing a bitter smile to her lips. She held the file, weighed her options and she met Jason’s inquisitive stare. “Can you get me copies of this while I pack my law books?”

  Jason looked between the wall of books and the file in Carolyn’s hand. After a moment, he nodded and took the file, leaving her with another paper box to house her books. With each manual packed, she became more determined in her quest. The boy had a lousy public defender and he’d need much better to take on Jim Britt.

  Jason came back, handing her the copies and she slid them between her books with a smile. Standing opposite Jim in a court of law would be very interesting.

  Her perfect record against his bravado.

  “What are you going to do?” Jason asked, pulling her from her thought process.

  “It’s time I started my own law firm.”

  Jason’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Do you need an assistant?”

  With a sigh, she glanced at her collection of boxes and then the empty shelves, before she returned her gaze to his. “I’m not sure I can afford you.”

  He laughed. “You know I’m an intern, right?”

  “So?”

  “This isn’t a paid internship, so I think anything you can afford is better than what I’m getting paid now.”

  “You have a point, but aren’t you graduating soon?”

  “Yes.”

  “Won’t leaving this office impact your internship grade?”

  Justin shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “You need to find out, because if it does, I don’t want to be the one to screw up your graduation.”

  Jason looked at the floor and shifted his weight, looking more like a lost puppy to Carolyn than a law student.

  “Think you can help me with these boxes?”

  He perked up. “Sure, I’ll help.” Jason picked up the box of law books. “How far are you going?”

  “I moved in with Randy, so it’s just a few blocks downtown. I can grab a taxi.”

  “I’ll take the ride with you and help you bring this up. Okay?”

  “Thank you.” Caroly
n smiled, dumping her badge on the desk and scanned the room one last time before taking her walk of shame through the office. Her heart thundered with each step and she stared ahead, marching with her head held high and not meeting anyone’s inquisitive gaze.

  In the safety of the elevator, she pushed the button and waited, praying that she and Jason would be the only passengers. The doors started to close, but a hand interrupted the path and they popped back open. Trent stepped inside looking between the boxes and Carolyn, his brow creased with a hundred questions.

  “I’m sorry. I never would have said anything about that FBI agent if I had known,” Trent said.

  “If you had known what?” Carolyn asked and received the memory of the conversation Trent had with Jim. She clenched her teeth waiting for Trent to sum it up in a sentence or two, but it still burned.

  “Jim said he let you go because of your possible involvement in the Scarlet Psychopath case.”

  “I’m not involved in the case.”

  “He said you were a suspect.”

  Carolyn sent a glare in Trent’s direction. “Jim’s full of shit. I’m not a suspect, I just happened to look like the victims,” she said, throwing a different slant on the conversation. She could tell by the way Trent cocked his head to the side, that she just added a layer of complexity to his already confused brain.

  Jason sat in the cab with the box on his lap, staring at the passing scenery. Carolyn couldn’t ignore the tension any longer. “I’m not involved,” she said answering some of the questions fluttering in his head.

  “I didn’t say you were,” Jason said, swinging his gaze to hers. “But you do look like all the victims.” Worry pinched the skin between his eyes.

  “Don’t give me those worried puppy dog eyes. I already get that from Randy.”

  “Good. I’m glad he’s looking out for you.”

  Carolyn rolled her eyes and the cab pulled to the curb. After peeling off the fare and tip, she trudged into the apartment building and up to Randy’s apartment with Jason in tow.

  Jason put the box on the coffee table and glanced around the apartment before meeting her gaze. “I was serious about working for you, Ms. Hastings.”

  “I know. If it won’t screw up your internship, I’d love to have you on my team,” Carolyn said, leading him to the door.