Matt marveled at her stamina. How could she not be exhausted? She worked nonstop, dealt with the stalker, constantly worried about her car, and now had a coworker missing. Not to mention the fact neither of them slept much last night. Yet when she stood to leave, she looked like she’d spent the weekend at a spa instead of an emotional rollercoaster.
Catherine brushed past him on her way to the door. Her nearness set off an involuntary chain reaction in his body. Instantly blood surged and rushed through his veins. He had to consciously pull his hands back and make himself not touch her. Shit. He was at work. He had to step away from the situation, analyze what was happening to him. How the hell would he pull that trick off when he’d moved in with her yesterday? He’d lost his edge once. Was the same thing happening again?
“I’ll walk her out, Jake.”
“Okay.” Jake grasped her hand and pumped it up and down. Tan and weathered, his big paw made hers look smaller. “Thanks for coming in.”
“Nice man,” she commented after Jake left the room. “Come on, Matt. You’ve got to see my new ride.”
Matt couldn’t resist gripping her shoulder in a silent ‘atta girl.’ He paused at the top of the steps. “Have I told you how proud I am of you for coming in today?”
“You did. We erased another Never off the list, but don’t expect me to pop in and out.” She stopped half way and looked up at him. “What?”
He closed the distance between them and stood looking down at her. “Law enforcement let you down in a big way. Will you tell me how?”
“You don’t want to hear all that, and I don’t have time.”
“Sure I do.” His hand caught hers, and they walked to the bottom of the steps. “He abused you, and the law didn’t stop him. Right?”
He thought for a second she would run. Her gaze shifted everywhere but at him. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. He’d hit a hot button, and she was sorting through her fight or flight response. Did she expect him to defend a police department that hadn’t stood up for her?
“Right.”
She’d pushed the word out as if it caused great pain. The honesty closed the last gap in Matt’s feelings for her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her. But he didn’t want her to feel like he was restraining her.
“I’m sorry, Catherine. Sorry for every woman who didn’t get the help she needed. I’m especially sorry we let you down. It sets my gut on fire to think anybody put a hand on you and got away with it.”
Her breathing slowed, and her gaze rested on his face. “He didn’t. We’ve got to have a serious talk. And soon.” She placed her hand on his chest over his heart. “Thank you for apologizing. You proved my theory about your soul, John Wayne. Now come see my new ride. Emma talked me into using her car.”
She jogged across the parking lot and stopped next to a white four door Lincoln Continental Town Coupe. Polished to a high sheen the big, long, luxurious car swallowed its parking space.
“How do you like me now?” she announced with a Vanna White wave of her arms. “Best part? The air-conditioner will freeze your buns off.”
“Outstanding.” Matt moved around the antique car, trailing his fingers across the metal. “This must be a—”
“Nineteen seventy-nine.” Ash said from behind Matt. “This baby is worth a fortune.” He lovingly ran his hand across the hood. “Hello, beautiful.” He glanced up. “Oh. Hello, Catherine.”
“Don’t tell me it’s worth a lot of money. I’m scared to drive it already. No way can I parallel park.” She unlocked and swung the heavy door open. “Emma’s kept it in mint condition. Has it serviced regularly but seldom drives it anywhere.”
Matt leaned over and studied the information on the windshield. “Plates and inspection are up to date. You’re good to go.”
“First stop is to check on my car. Before they fix whatever’s wrong, I want a price.”
Matt held up one finger. “Regardless of what it costs, have your AC repaired.” He ignored the don’t-tell-me-what-to-do look she sent him.
Ash pulled himself away from inspecting the interior. “Want me to go with you?”
“Thanks anyway. The mechanic may be a friend of JC’s, but I want details before they work on my car.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Monday, September 4th, 11:00 a.m.
The day seemed to drag on forever. Concentrating was damn near impossible. His mind wandered. Fuckin’ nerves wouldn’t let him eat. And then he’d downed coffee all morning, which made it worse. Now acid from his gut rose to the back of his throat and burned. Maybe he should go home. No, keep your head and leave at the regular time. Tonight would be a big night.
Keeping his doll chained was a snap, but figuring out a way to keep JC subdued had been tricky. He’d ground up enough of Mama’s tranquilizers to knock a horse out. What if it had been too much and the stupid fucker died? Wouldn’t that be a kick in the ass?
Taking JC had been easy. The fool would lend a hand to anybody who asked. JC had followed him out the highway like a lamb to slaughter. He was probably uncomfortable trussed up like a chicken with a hood over his head, but that was too damn bad. Hiding JC’s fancy red pickup was harder than knocking him out.
Not killing him had been hard. The original plan to beat the stupid sonofabitch to death in his bed with a bat was a sweet one. But the hornets had settled, and like a miracle, a new plan came out of the blue. JC would be the main player in the scenario that was about to unfold.
“You working today? Or standing around staring into space?” the boss griped.
“Ease up, man. I finished replacing the alternator.” How sweet was it? He was working on his next doll’s car.
****
Monday, September 4th, 4:00 p.m.
“Stand up and let me check for you,” Sue said from the doorway.
“Check what?” Matt swallowed the last of his cold coffee. Humor danced in her eyes, she was up to something.
“I could hear them griping from my desk. Figured the mayors chewed most of your ass clean off.” She did her usual eyebrow wiggle. “Want me to check for you?”
“Your heart couldn’t stand it.”
“Both looked pretty upset when they stormed by me.”
“They felt compelled to repeat the concerns of their constituents. What you got there?” He reached for the thick envelope in Sue’s hand.
“Afternoon delivery. From the FBI.”
“Already? It’s barely been a week.”
“They’re obviously not as busy as you.” She stopped at the door. “You want me to send Ash or Jake in?”
He considered her question for a full heartbeat. “Not yet.”
Sue nodded and closed the door behind her.
Matt read the profile and reviews of similar cases the BAU team provided. The Special Agent in Charge had included a personal letter, making himself available for phone conferences and extended the use of any resource his division had to offer.
The feds concurred with Matt’s original opinion. The common eye color, gluing the eyes open, along with the bow around the neck, indicated the killer targeted a particular look. He could be replacing someone he lost recently. A wife or lover who’d been taken from him through divorce, death, or separation. When his victim disappointed or didn’t live up to expectations, he killed and started his hunt again.
Matt headed down the hall to the small conference room where Ash and Jake had set up shop. Six weeks ago, the room was barren except for the table, chairs, and a blank white board. Now a bustling city about to overflow had been born. The murder-book and phone sat in the middle of the conference table surrounded by stacks of files, disks, notes, a coffee pot, and at least a dozen markers. The board had ‘before’ pictures of two healthy and alive women on one end. A picture of Jessie—because she was considered missing—was taped to the other. In the middle were the ‘after’ snapshots of two green-eyed women who stared out into space. Together they waited for justice.
Matt ha
nded the package to Jake then kicked back in his chair. “I’m going home in a few minutes to catch a few hours sleep. This killer works under the cover of darkness, which means I’m working the late shift for a while.”
“Adding another patrol car to nights is a good idea. But I’ll do it,” Jake said without a hint of displeasure at changing his hours.
“No. You have a family. I don’t. There’s no reason I can’t work the—” Matt stopped in mid-sentence. For her safety, he’d moved his stuff to Catherine’s house. Shit. How’d he get into this situation? All the women in Crest County were his responsibility. He should’ve insisted she stay at his place. He could’ve at least protected her when he was home. Insisted? With Catherine, insisting was the equivalent of a matador waving his red cape at a bull.
“The answer is obvious,” Ash chimed in. “I’ll do it.”
“You can’t. I’m sure you’ve noticed we don’t have street lamps and all night gas stations at every corner for you to stop and get directions. You’d get out there and get lost.”
“And you’d be worried about me.” Ash laid his hand over his heart. “I’m touched.”
“No, I’d be short one patrol car, because you’d have wandered down some back road, never to be seen again.”
“Let’s do this.” Jake stood and scowled at Matt and Ash. “I’ll take weeknights. You work the weekend shift. I’ll be back later.”
Matt stared at the closed door for a second before turning to Ash. Apparently, the discussion was over. “You told him I’d moved some stuff to Catherine’s?”
Ash shifted in his chair. “It might’ve come up in conversation. But things worked out. You’ll be on patrol while she’s at work. I’ll hang out at the Saddleback and keep an eye on her from inside.”
“How thoughtful of you,” Matt said over his shoulder when he rose to leave. He studied the crime scene shots for a minute before walking out of the room.
“Want to see the front page?” Sue caught his attention with a wave. “You made the headlines.”
“More good news.” He snapped the paper open. Sure enough, the County Record had a picture of him looking down at someone from the top of the courthouse steps. In the bottom corner of the shot, Catherine faced him with a big smile. Matt leaned a hip on Sue’s desk and read the article on the front page. “I see the newspaper decided to join Sylvia Horning in questioning my ability as sheriff.”
“The paper is repeating the same crap she said on the noon news.”
Sue’s disgusted tone left little doubt she was displeased with the article. The pat of her hand on his back made reading about his ineptitude easier. “She said I left Houston because I couldn’t cut it? Out loud?” His jaw tightened.
“She mostly insinuates and suggests. She’s too smart to outright accuse you or make firm statements. She’s hashed the failure of your undercover operation in Houston until no one knows the real story. I hate to admit it, but maybe you should let her interview you. Put a stop to the rumors.”
He dropped the paper on her desk. “She’ll stop when I catch the killer. As will the rest of the media.”
****
Tuesday, September 5th, 7:00 a.m.
Steam clouded the bathroom mirror. Catherine wasn’t sure if the hot water or the incredible sex she and Matt had during their shower caused the fog. She leaned across the counter to rub a spot dry with her towel. The handsome reflection behind her sent her heart into freefall. Having Matt all to herself Monday night had been wonderful. Sex, a quiet supper, and more sex. A woman couldn’t ask for anything more.
She’d planned on having a long truthful talk with him. She’d rehearsed in her head all day. The belief he’d listen to her and not judge gave her courage. Her good intentions had fallen by the wayside when he’d carried her to bed and made slow, leisurely love to her. His incredible mouth had driven her to the brink of insanity then gently pushed her over the edge.
Strong hands slid up her back to her shoulders and massaged deep. He wouldn’t find any knots or tension in her muscles. If she were more relaxed, her already weak legs would fold up like venetian blinds.
“God. You’re beautiful.” Matt’s voice was thick and husky. “You wanted to talk to me last night.” He turned her around and kissed her lightly. “But I sidetracked us.”
“We sidetracked each other.”
“A couple of times.” His gaze slid across her chest, down to the red tuft of hair between her legs, and back up to her face. He ran one finger down her belly. “I can do two things at once. Can you talk and come?”
“No,” she said on a chuckle. “And I don’t want to be rushed when we talk.”
“Sounds serious.” One hand closed over her nipple, and his lips pulled the other into his mouth.
“I’ll tell you at supper tonight.”
He swept her into his arms, carried her to the kitchen, and sat down. He lifted her, swung her around in one motion, and held her above his erection. Catherine seated herself, burying him deep inside.
A faint buzzing disrupted her attention. She tried to block out the distraction. The damn thing was relentless. Matt’s cell was about to bounce off the nightstand in the bedroom.
Sighing, she kissed his forehead. “Your phone’s vibrating.”
“You can hear it in here?”
“Yes. And it might be important.”
Deep blue eyes filled with passion shifted to serious mode. His crooked smile evaporated, and his mouth turned down at the corners in disappointment. “You make me a better sheriff.”
Her cell rang out her favorite Elvis tune. Something important had happened. Catherine reluctantly stood and stepped back. “If mine’s ringing this early, they’re hunting you.” She rushed back, grabbed both phones, answered hers as she handed Matt his.
“Hello,” she said.
Ash launched into an apology.
She interrupted. “He’s on his cell. Do you want to hold?”
“No. He’s probably talking to Rey. He’ll bring Matt up to speed. Tell him I’ll meet him at the courthouse.”
“Okay.” She was speaking to dead air.
Ash was a different man when things were all business. His persona changed like Matt’s when he received news of a crime. Stoic, rigid, and all cop. Her heart broke at the pain in his eyes.
Matt disconnected. His expression was the picture of doom. No doubt, someone had found Jessie. He shook his head before heading for the bedroom. She repeated the message from Ash while they dressed.
The sight of Matt in full uniform sliding his gun in place sent shivers of pride over her body. His belief in right and wrong was strong. His face was heavy with the strain of losing another person he’d sworn to protect. A narrowed gaze filled with tornadoes and dark thunderheads met hers. Anger altered his beautiful face into that of a stone cold hunter. “Matt.” She went to him, stood toe to toe, and cupped his face in her hands. He’d delayed shaving to engage in morning sex, and stubble scratched the inside of her palms as she held him. He lowered his forehead to hers, inhaled and exhaled a couple of times, before kissing the tip of her nose.
“They found Jessie leaning against an old Civil War marker out on county road thirteen fifty-seven. I don’t know what time I’ll be back tonight.”
“Go. I’ll be careful. And I’ll put Emma on high alert.” Her heart clenched when he managed a slight smile.
She watched from the porch as he covered his jet-back hair with his hat and then slid behind the wheel of the jet-black pickup. He’d backed to the end of the driveway when he stopped, drove forward, put the gearshift in park, and stared at her for a long minute.
Barefoot and curious, she stepped off the tiny porch. Matt got out and in ground-covering strides came back to her. He put his hands under her arms, lifted her to eye level, and let her dangle for a second. Laser blue eyes seemed to probe deep into her soul. He put her down. The hunter’s gaze tempered with softness melted her heart.
“I think I’m in love with you.” Witho
ut waiting for a response, he spun on his heel and left.
****
Tuesday, September 5th, 9:00 a.m.
Matt parked the cruiser, and he and Ash walked to Jessie’s body. She’d been propped upright against the cement base of the marker.
“Jesus H. Christ,” Ash muttered.
“It’s a fucking wonder she was ever found. Who puts a historical monument in the middle of nowhere?” Ash spoke directly to Rey Santos, who was waiting at the scene.
“It wasn’t ‘nowhere’ a hundred years ago. But you’re right, old man Forrester came out to hay his cattle. With the drought, there’s no pasture to graze, only thing they’re eating is what he feeds them. Otherwise, it might’ve been days,” Rey answered.
“We’ll be here a while.” Matt carefully moved around the scene. “Sue contacted the ME’s office for me and then lined up a deputy to lead the forensic team out here.”
“Our forensic guys will be here shortly. Not much for them to do,” Rey commented. “Look around. They won’t find useable tracks or footprints, not on this hard red clay.” The murders had pushed his frustration level to high.
Matt squatted then rolled back on his boot heels. He studied the body. He was aware of Rey taking pictures and Ash moving around with his notepad in hand, but he tuned out all external sights and sounds. Jessie deserved his full, undivided attention, exactly like Julia and Annie.
Like the two previous victims, her hair had been pulled back in a ponytail. Her face appeared to be heavily powered with a color much lighter than her natural tone. No amount of makeup could hide the purple bruises covering her face. Whoever this bastard was, he liked that crimson lipstick, because Jessie’s lips were smeared with the stuff. Why the red ribbon around the neck? Matt stood and walked behind the body. No doubt, he’d find the same kind of raw streaks on her as Julia and Annie.
Ash joined him. “Jessie wasn’t whipped like the first two.”
“Doesn’t appear to be as many welts across her back and legs,” Matt agreed.
“That bastard used her face for a punching bag. My guess is she fought back, and he lost his temper. Why else would he change his pattern?”
The Green-Eyed Doll Page 24
