All eyes turned on Alex as she looked down at the bloody mutilated body of Carissa Anders. Scrawled across the top in what appeared to be blood was a message: “This one is for you, Foxy.”
Chief Brown continued, passing out a typed report. “I don’t think any of us will lose any sleep over Carissa Anders, but this man is still a vicious killer, and we need to find him. This is everything we know about him. Read it, memorize it, and stay vigilant. You’ll have the full cooperation of the NYPD behind you, so if you need help, ask. Detective Fox may also be able to answer your questions. She led the investigation on his killings back in England.”
Alex nodded solemnly as Chief Brown’s assistant walked into the room, carrying a tray of glasses and a bottle of wine. Chief Brown filled each glass and passed them around the table. Warden Sams moved in beside Morgan, holding two glasses. “We’re going to toast our new group, and then I want you all to get out of here and take the rest of the day off. I’ll expect you here at eight o’clock sharp in the morning. Detective Fox, if you’d lead us in a toast, please?”
Alex met his gaze, and he nodded. She raised her glass. “To Scarlet.”
“To Scarlet.” The group chorused.
Alex suffered through hugs from Tamara and Reefer, and congrats from Nobby.
“We’re headed out for a beer,” Reefer said. “Anybody want to join us?”
Nobby shook his head. “Promised Emma I’d watch the baby while she moved some things into an apartment.”
“Alex, Crimshaw?”
“I’ve neglected Dixie and Cinders long enough. I think I’m just going to spend a quiet day at home,” Alex said.
“Promised my wife I’d come home as soon as I could.” Crimshaw grinned sheepishly. “Her mother is leaving today. Seems I missed the whole visit.”
“See you tomorrow then,” Tamara said. “Bright and early, at eight o’clock.”
“You need a ride home?” Crimshaw asked.
“Nobby?”
Nobby winked at her. “Go on. Spent enough time with you two over the past week.”
“I guess I need a ride home then,” Alex said.
They walked toward the parking lot, eyes alert for any lingering press. “I got a question, Fox.”
“Shoot,” Alex said.
“What the bloody hell is the bee’s knees?”
EPILOGUE
True to her word, Alex spent the remainder of the day watching Dixie run at the dog park as she and Cinders enjoyed a blanket on the grass. She was going to miss working with Frost. He was blunt and could be a real arse when he wanted to be, but he’d helped her a lot in the last week. Not just with the case, but with getting back to living. Up until then, she’d only been existing to find the Escape Artist and kill him. It should have concerned her that no one had asked whether she wanted to be part of the team, but she knew every member of that team deserved the praise, and in some cases, their promotion, for a job well done. The only downside was that Blake Morgan was still locked up in a prison cell in Attica. If anyone deserved a break, it was him. Without his significant input into the case, they would never have made the connections between the three families. Surely there must be something we can do to get him off these ridiculous charges, especially as there were extenuating circumstances behind his murderous deeds. She would have to remember to ask the chief if there was anything she could do to help with the pardon.
Her cell rang, and she reached for it. “Hello?”
“Congratulations, Foxy. I hope you liked my present. We’ll consider it sort of a graduation present.”
Alex’s stomach churned as the Escape Artist’s voice filled her ear. “I don’t need any presents from you.” She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. She wouldn’t let him pull her back into the same hell she’d just climbed out of. No more flippant comments. If he wanted to play games, she would play games with him. “There is one thing I’d like, though. My birthday is coming up in a few days, and I’m looking forward to the day we finally come face to face. That would be a lovely present.”
He laughed. “I see you’ve dreamed a dream as I suggested, but I’m not quite ready to make that one come true.”
“Then perhaps another present. Either stop calling me or give me a name to call you.”
“When exactly is your birthday, Foxy?”
“It’s this Wednesday,” Alex said.
“Watch your text messages.”
“Why not just give it to me now?” Alex asked. “I may be busy on Wednesday and miss your message.”
“Patience, Detective. I’m looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead of us, because at the end of the day, we’re not all that different, really. I’m going to enjoy working with you.”
Alex bit down hard on her lip to control the stream of profanity she wanted to shout at the bastard as he ended the call. She threw her phone down in disgust then shuddered as his final words ran through her mind. I’m going to enjoy working with you.
THE END
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Tragic Deception (Deception Series Book 1) Page 18
