He shrugged. “No, he didn’t give me a name. He only told me where he buried her.”
Feeling as if she was getting nowhere, she pleaded, “Please, tell me where the body is buried.”
“What no pillow talk.”
Her teeth gnashed together. “I’m not here to pass pleasantries with you. I don’t want to be here. You are the last person on my list to spend a beautiful summer day with. The sun is shining and I wish to continue my day outside away from this dreary room.” She wanted him to know she would be going back to her happy life, while the rest of his would be spent behind bars. His uncontrollable desires had ended his freedom. She liked to believe she was responsible for his incarceration. Eventually, he would be a bitter memory fading with time.
Lacy held onto her composure. “I was told by the District Attorney that you would tell me where Chad Grey buried one of his victims. That is the only conversation we will have.”
“I beg to differ.” He reached across the table as far as the chains would allow and held out his hand. “I wanted to explain why I told Chad to kill you. I need to ask your forgiveness.”
Anger hit her swift and hard. “Forgiveness? How in the hell do you think I could forgive you? You drugged me, you almost raped me, and then you told Chad Grey to kill me. You are deranged.”
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do to survive.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.
“You’ve been in prison too long. You sound like a dimwit.”
He cocked his head, smiled a little. “Anger looks good on you. I’m getting turned on.”
The urge to get up and walk out the door was strong. Just knowing Megan Cooper was on the other side waiting for information that would lead to her daughter’s body was the only thing keeping her in the room with Bret. Failure was not an option. Determination had her gripping her hands together under the table. Anger would get her nowhere. She took several deep breaths to calm down. “I’m sorry. We got off on the wrong foot. Now, will you please tell me what you know?” The silence was stretching her nerves to the breaking point. She wished the floor would open and swallow her as he sat there staring at her.
“I guess you’re no longer a virgin. I saw the way Bauer protected you, hovered over you as if you were his possession. Is he your lover?”
Shocked, Lacy hissed, “That is none of your business.”
“I had no idea he was FBI. I suspect Bauer is the one that placed the drugs in my car.” He leaned in and glared at her. “Did you know he framed me?”
“I know nothing of the sort.”
“You don’t lie well, Lacy.” His voice hardened, edged with challenge. “Dylan Bauer planted drugs in my car so I would be arrested. You know what he did to me.” The strong accusation caused the color to leave her face. She wondered who was on the other side of the two-way mirror besides Dylan and the Coopers. Hopefully, no one that would ask questions about the drugs the police found in Bret’s car. She would hate to see Dylan lose his position at the bureau.
To change the subject she asked, “Were you with Chad when he murdered the woman in question?”
Obvious distaste showed on his face. “No, murder is not my style. I am many things, but I’m not a murderer.”
“Do you know any details? Where did he abduct her? Did he describe her? Can you tell me anything to help us identify her?”
“No, no, and no. As I told you before, I only know where he buried her. Grey was stoned out of his mind when he told me he abducted a woman, raped her, and then strangled her. The only detail he confided in me is where he buried her. ”
“Why should I believe you?”
“I’m being honest. I have no reason to lie.”
Taking a deep breath, she rubbed a hand over the tense spot in the back of her neck. “Tell me where she is buried or I’m walking out that door.”
“In due time. Bear with me a little longer.” He shifted in his chair. “I have few female visitors and crave feminine conversation.” He rolled his eyes. “You can imagine what men behind bars talk about.”
Lacy didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to sit there and listen to Bret talk. Obviously, he was trying to stall to keep her with him as long as possible. He was running the show, so she had no other alternative but to let him keep chattering. The strange attraction he felt for her was unnerving. She had to remind herself she was there for the Coopers.
He reached out as if to take her hand, but his restraints kept him from touching her. Reflexes caused her to lean back in her chair. “I won’t hurt you, Lacy.”
When she sat there staring at him, he continued, “When Grey murdered Tiffany, I swear I tried to stop him.” He gave a nervous laugh. “I drugged her and had sex with her, but I had no part in killing her.”
Her stomach sizzled with nerves. “Against her will, I’m sure.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he stated, “I have a thing for virgins. Chad showed up and threatened to tell if I didn’t let him have sex with Tiffany. I promised I’d share after I busted her cherry.”
His crude remarks were almost more than she could tolerate. She steeled herself. “Did it ever occur to you that you would eventually get caught? You’re just as guilty as he is of murder. You are the one that drugged her. You could have just as easily lost control and killed her.”
He slammed his fist on the table causing her to jump. “I should not be held responsible for Grey’s actions. I’m not a murderer!” His face turned purple with rage. “You have no idea how much I hate Chad Grey for putting me in this hellhole. If he would have kept his mouth shut about me being with him when he strangled Tiffany Swift to death, I wouldn’t be in prison charged with murder.” His hands clenched into fists. “I tried to pull him away from Tiffany when I realized he was choking her to death. His eyes were wild and fierce with lust. He was a lunatic that had lost all control.” His eyes closed as if he were remembering Chad murdering Tiffany. He scrubbed his fists over his eyes as if trying to get the image out of his mind. Again he shouted, “I’m not a murderer.”
“No, but you’d be in here for attempting to rape me.” In a voice brooking no argument, she shouted, “You’re just as sick as Grey.” Her breath eased out but it did little to appease her anger. “Stop wasting my time! Tell me where to find the body of the woman Chad Grey murdered!”
His demeanor changed and he seemed calm again. “Patience, Lacy. I’m not ready to go back to my cell. Prison is a dangerous place and I may not live to ever see you again.”
She raised an eyebrow. “One can only hope.”
“That sharp tongue stings like a whip. What happened to that timid little mouse that I found so attractive?”
“Is that what you desire? Weak women that you think will not tell what you did to them. Women too timid to tell you raped them.” She stood and leaned over the table. “Well, listen to this. I would have gone straight to the authorities and reported every sordid, disgusting thing you did to me.”
“Would you have, Lacy? If Bauer and Michelle would not have intervened, would you have disgraced yourself by letting the world know you had been drugged and raped?” A sick little smile appeared on his lips. “I don’t think you would have told a soul. You would have gone to your grave with the secret that I made you a woman.”
Lacy thought about his question. Would she have pressed charges? Leaning in, he whispered so only she could hear. “Look at the many times I got away with rape. You saw my mementos.” Lust filled his eyes. His dark stare raked over her body making her feel dirty and cheap. “I wish you would have worn your cameo for me today.”
Too weak to stand, she dropped into the chair and took deep gulps of air. Along with her ivory cameo that had once belonged to Hilda, Bret had collected other pieces of jewelry from women he had drugged and raped. Dylan had found his stash of mementos as he called them in Bret’s bathroom. The only problem was no one knew the other women’s identities. No one had come forward claiming Bret had raped them. It was as he described. The
women he chose were too timid and ashamed to go to the authorities.
“Did I say something wrong?” He tilted his head and poked out his lip like a small child. “I said something wrong.” Her blood turned to ice.
His expression changed. “I walked right into your dorm room and watched you sleep. I could have taken you then.” Again he shrugged his shoulders. “You were so beautiful with your golden hair draped over the pillow. Your luscious, pink lips parted as if you wanted me to kiss them. Every night I held your cameo and thought about our night together. I still want you now even though you are no longer pure.”
“This is not a conversation we are going to have. You are a disgusting, miserable human being!”
The door burst open and Dylan filled the doorway. The look of violence on his face scared her. “That’s enough. Your time is up, Robertson.”
“Please tell me where her body is hidden, Bret. Her family needs to know. Don’t you have a conscience?” She jumped to her feet, skirted around the table and peered into his face. Only inches from him, she asked, “What happened to your honor?” Her voice rose with her panic. “You promised on your honor. Is there anything I can say to persuade you?”
“Let’s go, Lacy. He had no intention of telling you where the body is when he requested to see you. This is part of his sick, perverted plan to get you alone. He is playing you.”
On shaky legs, Lacy moved toward the door. Before she crossed the threshold, Bret shouted, “I do love you, Lacy. I’ll always love you.”
Dylan’s hands fisted at his side. Lacy feared he would attack Bret. “Please, Dylan. Let’s go.” She took his arm and tugged him toward the door. It was like trying to move an elephant. “Please, Dylan, he’s not worth it.” With one hard yank, she felt him relent. The anger was still there, but he let her lead him through the door.
Waiting in the hall, Megan looked as if she would faint. “What have you done?” She balled her hands into fists as tears cascaded over her cheeks. “You ruined everything.” She fell to the floor on her knees. “I’ll never find Elizabeth.” Her loud wails filled the hall of the prison as her husband dropped to the floor and held her.
Nausea roiled in Lacy’s stomach. She was going to be sick. She turned and ran down the hall in search of a bathroom. Her visit with Bret had been for naught. His whole plan had been to torment her. It was just as Dylan said. From the beginning, Bret had no intention of telling her where Elizabeth was buried.
Chapter Four
Sunset over the treetops was a magnificent moment as Dylan drove Lacy’s vehicle the last leg of the journey to Twelve Oaks. Thrilled to be away from the city, she leaned back in the seat and enjoyed the view. Grand old oaks rose high, six on each side of the paved driveway. She smiled until she thought about what she had to do tonight. She had to tell her family she was living with Dylan before they heard it from someone else.
Dylan squeezed her hand. “Are you nervous?”
“A little.” He was so handsome her heart stopped beating for a second. The attraction she felt for him still amazed her. When she wasn’t with him, she counted the minutes until they were together again. She couldn’t imagine spending the rest of her life with anyone but Dylan.
“Why do you think Bret didn’t tell where Elizabeth’s body is buried?”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. “You don’t know it is Elizabeth Cooper’s body. Mrs. Cooper has convinced you it is her. She wants to have a funeral so she’ll have an ending. She may be in for a huge disappointment when Robertson finally divulges where the body is buried. It’s possible another young woman was murdered by Grey. Five women have gone missing since Chad Grey arrived in the Raleigh-Durham area.”
“So you think he will tell the authorities where the body is buried?”
“Oh, yes.” After considerable thought, he explained, “Unfortunately, Robertson is postponing telling the authorities because he is hoping to receive a get out of jail free card.”
She looked at him in bewilderment. “I find it difficult to believe Bret will get out of prison after the crimes he has committed. Maybe he will get a reduced sentence, but no way will they let him go free. He is a criminal.”
“Sorry, baby. That is exactly what I think is his intent.”
“That’s not fair.” She said with genuine anger in her voice. She threw up her hands in frustration. “Can’t you do something? Maybe you can talk to the District Attorney. It’s possible he will listen to you.”
“I’m sorry, Lacy. It is not up to me, or Robertson would never get out of prison. It is up to the District Attorney. Right now Robertson holds all the cards. The Coopers will do anything to find their daughter’s remains. They are putting the pressure on the DA to make a deal.”
She looked at him in disbelief. “Even if it means a rapist goes free.”
His mouth twisted bitterly. “Chad Grey is the only person the Coopers are concerned about. Robertson had nothing to do with the death of their daughter. He is of no significance to them. They have one objective, finding Elizabeth.”
Fear took over and she trembled at the thought of Bret back on the streets. Knowing he would be in prison for life had given her a sense of peace. Now that peace was in jeopardy. “What if Bret is released?” Her voice came out in a strained whisper.
He looked off into the distance for a few seconds. Several emotions crossed his face. “He will never hurt you again.”
Too afraid to ask what he meant, she remained silent. Maybe it was best she didn’t know how much violence he was capable of to protect her. From the time she fell in love with him, she knew he was different. Sometimes he took matters into his own hands. When Bret was stalking her, it was Dylan who hid drugs in Bret’s car so he would be arrested. It was Dylan who tipped off the authorities that Bret had drugs in his car.
Shadow wiggled all over when he saw them cruise into the yard. His loud barks alerted everyone in the house that they were there. Lacy dropped down on her knees and hugged her dog. “You just saw me Saturday, Shadow. You act like you haven’t seen me in weeks.”
Dylan crouched low then scratched Shadow between the ears. It was after seven o’clock and her family was probably finished with dinner. Josh appeared on the porch and waved to them. “This is a surprise. We don’t usually see you two except on the weekend.” Lacy tried to hide her apprehension but failed badly. “Is something wrong?”
“No, everything is fine.” Dylan joined Josh on the porch. “After Lacy’s visit with Robertson, I felt she needed some fresh air in the country.”
“Yea, I heard you met with him. How’d it go?”
She fell into Josh’s open arms. God he smelled good. It was a comfort to take refuge in his arms. “It was terrible. I went through all that agony and he didn’t even divulge where Elizabeth’s body is buried.”
“We’re not sure it is Elizabeth Cooper’s body. Several young women have gone missing since Chad Grey arrived in Durham. We suspect he is responsible for each and every one. The body could be one of his other victims” He pushed her at arm’s length. “He is a very sick young man.”
Nina and Beth stepped out onto the porch. “Hey, what are you two doing here?” Nina asked, “Is something wrong?”
“No, everything is fine. We just wanted to get out of the city.” Lacy placed her hand on Nina’s stomach. “How’s my niece doing?”
Grant came up behind them. He must have been at the barn. “Your nephew is doing well.” He placed his arm around Lacy and kissed her on the cheek. “Are you okay?”
“It’s been a long, eventful day.” She had called after her visit with Bret and informed her family of what happened.
Grant replied, “We know you are under a great deal of strain. Life never delivers anything we can’t handle.”
“Words of encouragement from a big, tough Marine.” Everyone laughed easing some of her tension. She might as well do what she came to do. “May we sit and talk?”
“Sounds ominous.” Grant pi
nned Dylan with a stare causing him to squirm.
Lacy sat in the porch rocker and began to rock. Like the day hadn’t been bad enough. Now here she was sweating bullets once again. She blurted out, “Michelle and I have moved in with Dylan,” before she lost her courage.
Grant asked, “Since when?”
She braced herself. On the drive over she had rehearsed in her mind her reasons for moving in with Dylan. “We-moved in-Saturday.” She stuttered, losing what she’d planned to say. Grant was just too intimidating when he was angry.
“It better not interfere with your studies.”
Nina slapped Grant on the arm. “Please, Grant. Lacy doesn’t even need to study. She is brilliant.” Nina wrapped her arms around Lacy. “I’m happy for you.” Lacy could see the worry in her face. Her body expressed her reservations. It never bothered her when Beth was having the time of her life with several different men. It was obvious she wasn’t too thrilled with the news even though she pretended she was okay with the situation. Could be she didn’t trust Dylan. His background would always keep people from trusting him.
Beth kissed Dylan on the cheek. “He’s quite a catch.”
Juan, Maria, and Grace appeared. Everyone was talking at once as they were told why Lacy and Dylan were at Twelve Oaks on a Monday night.
“I have a peach cobbler ready to come out of the oven. Let’s all go in and have a piece to celebrate.”
Dylan asked Maria, “Do you have ice cream?”
“Have you ever known me not to have ice cream?” Maria opened the door and Lacy stepped into the living room.
That wasn’t so bad thought Lacy. Even though Grant didn’t seem overjoyed with the news she and Dylan were living together, he hadn’t objected either. It didn’t matter how he felt, she was old enough to make her own decisions. Funny, a few months ago she wouldn’t have even considered living with a man. Love changed a person’s prospective. While she wasn’t ready to marry, she wanted to go to sleep and wake in Dylan’s arms the rest of her life.
Blood of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 4) Page 5
