Before she even had time to focus, she got a hit on one of Samantha’s cards. “Pax, take a look at this.”
Pax came around to lean over her shoulder, staring down at the screen in front of her. “Well, would you look at that.”
“I’m going to Seattle.”
“The field office there can take care of it.”
“Pax, I’m the one who wrote the profile. This is my case. I want to go to Seattle.”
He pursed his lips as he sat back in his chair. “You’re going to have to convince Taylor. I can handle Mr. Jimmy easily enough without you, but you’re going to have to talk to the boss.”
Morgan grinned. She knew Taylor would let her go. She was one of his best agents, and certainly his best profiler. She had the pull to get him to let her go, especially if she promised to check in daily with him about her findings. Picking up her phone and standing up, she paced back and forth in the corner of the room as she called her boss, ready to make the argument.
“What you got for me, Stone?”
“I have a location.”
“Where?”
“Seattle. Well, SeaTac. She’s just outside the airport, getting coffee at Starbucks.”
“The victim?”
Morgan sent a glance to Pax. “Our victim is Samantha Gideon. She was thirty-eight years old, a retail store manager. There is evidence of a sexual activity like the others. She was stabbed five times to the heart post-mortem. She was handcuffed to the bed before she was murdered. This crime was a lot more violent than the others. I believe, sir, that our killer is escalating her behaviors. The timeline is shortening between kills. Rather than months or weeks, she is down to days between. I fully expect another victim to surface in the next two weeks if we don’t find her before then.”
“Has there been a statement released about the victim there?”
“No. I’ve held the press off so far.”
Silence permeated over the phone. Pax sent her a look with his hands out, mouthing “and?” as he waited for her response. Morgan shrugged and frowned at him, not quite sure what Taylor was thinking.
“You may go, if that’s what you’re not asking.”
She grinned. “Thank you, sir! Pax will be back tonight to interview Mr. Jimmy in the morning.”
Taylor grunted. “You make sure to keep apprised of the other case and don’t go losing yourself in this one. You hear me, Stone?”
“Loud and clear, sir. I’ll send you my flight information as soon as I’ve made it.”
“You better.” Taylor hung up.
Morgan fisted her hand and jerked it down with a shout of joy before she wiggled her hips and a happy dance. When she looked at Pax, he sat in his chair and shook his head side to side with his arms folded over his broad chest. “You are such a teacher’s pet.”
“Oh, you’re just jealous.”
He flicked his eyebrows up and down at her. Morgan laughed and went to her seat to make her flight arrangements. After she was done, she made a call to internal affairs at the St. Louis Police Department to lodge a formal complaint against Detective Hadley. Pax remained silent through that phone call but nodded his approval when she was done.
Both of them packed up their stuff and headed out of the building. They shared a ride to the airport, checked in for their flights and went opposite directions. Morgan stopped to get herself another dose of coffee before she settled down in her terminal to await her flight.
Chapter Fifteen
She’d talked to Pax at every layover, and they’d updated each other on their cases. As soon as she got to SeaTac, she was ready for a break. Traveling that much in such a short period wore on her. She had a two hour time zone difference to contend with, so while it was only just past afternoon in Washington, her body thought it was far closer to dinner time.
It didn’t take her long to collect her luggage, grab her rental, and head for her hotel. So far none of the cards they were tracking had popped back up in the area, but Morgan knew her killer would slip up again. It was only a matter of time. And she knew she was close.
After stashing her crap in her hotel room, Morgan walked out and across the street to get herself some coffee. She’d worked in the Seattle office at one point over a decade ago. She’d been decently green then, but Seattle had been closer to home and she’d wanted to stay nearby in case her family needed her. That had lasted all of two years before she jumped ship and ran even farther from her family—though, their drama always seemed to follow.
She felt like she was coming home. Pax had followed her to Houston a year later, and together they’d made the leap to try out Chicago when Mel had also expressed her dissatisfaction at living in Texas. Oddly enough, after her divorce in her marriage that had barely lasted a year because of the length it took for the divorce to happen, her ex had moved to Tacoma. They had kept in touch, since the marriage had been a drunken mistake they had attempted to make work before giving up and going back to being friends. She’d already contacted Barbie to let her know she’d be in town and inquire about a short meal before she dove straight into the case.
The coffee shop was three blocks down and two blocks over from her hotel, and she knew she’d find the best coffee in town there. It was a little hole in the wall place that had been her one saving grace when she’d had to trudge into work in the middle of the night or even in the middle of the day. She’d lived in the high rise two buildings down from it and had probably spent over half her paycheck there each month.
She grinned at Jaelynn who was still behind the counter. She looked older, wiser even. Her hair was still some fabulous color that she made sure to dye fresh every month, piercings littering her face, ears, chest, and forearms. Tattoos also beautifully inked across her once pale skin.
As soon as Morgan walked in and Jaelynn saw her, her face lit up and she ran around the corner of her counter and held her arms out, jumping into Morgan’s waiting embrace. “Girl, what the hell you doing here?”
Morgan chuckled. “I’ve got a case, surprisingly enough.”
“It has been too fucking long.” Jaelynn stepped back and slapped Morgan hard on the shoulder.
Shyly, Morgan nodded. “It has. Thought I could get some work done here and away from the distractions of an empty hotel room.”
“You didn’t have to stay in a sterile place like that. You know my place is always open for you.”
Morgan grinned. “I wasn’t sure you were even still here.”
“Like you couldn’t look that up.” Jaelynn sent her a sly look and wrinkled her nose. “Sit down and I’ll get you a drink. Jeez, a little warning next time.”
“I promise.” Morgan glanced around. There was little changed about the coffee shop except the placement of the tables and chairs. Spying an outlet, Morgan claimed her spot and opened up her computer. She’d be spending most of her time running through plane manifests, video footage, and the preliminary autopsy reports on Samantha Gideon and Pepper Caldwell, her second murder victim she hadn’t spent nearly enough time with.
She must have been there near an hour because Jaelynn had refilled her coffee twice and tsked at her even more for working too hard. Morgan had just sent her a grin and nodded. Sometimes she hated not being able to share what she was working on with friends or family, and other times, she was glad she didn’t have to ruin their perfect assumption of what life was. No one wanted to see what she had seen or know what she knew.
When the petite brunette sat at the table next to her, Morgan couldn’t help herself but glance over. Something about her was adorable. She was tiny, almost abnormally so, but she was lean and muscular and clearly took care of her physique, much like Morgan had to for work. Her eyes were a deep hazel-brown, and when she smiled in her direction, shivers ran through Morgan’s chest.
They made eye contact a few times before Morgan’s cup was refilled and Jaelynn took the new girl’s order. Morgan focused in on her work, the case file littering her screen. She turned it so her new neighbor w
ouldn’t see the photos of the crime scene and be offended. Rolling her eyes and thinking twice, Morgan opted to change to look over flight manifests again. It would be easier if someone accidentally caught whiff of what she was doing.
She was halfway through her fourth cup of coffee when the petite brunette next to her leaned over and smiled to get her attention. “I’m sorry, I’m new here, but I just can’t get over your eyes.”
“I…well, thank you,” Morgan answered, a blush forming on her cheeks.
The woman was easily half her age or close to it, but she seemed genuine enough. Jaelynn caught Morgan’s gaze and wiggled her eyebrows at her. Morgan resisted the urge to roll her eyes and shake her head. She was in Seattle for work and work alone. If she wanted a romp in the sheets, Jaelynn would no doubt accommodate if asked.
Not quite sure what else to say, Morgan turned back to her computer. She checked the time. She’d have to leave soon if she was going to make it south to Tacoma to meet up with Barbie for dinner, and she remembered how much Barbie hated when she was late. It had been a serious issue in not only their short marriage but their friendship.
“Do you come to this place often? I really like the aesthetic.”
Turning to her neighbor, Morgan licked her lips. Starting up a conversation had not been where her mind was going, but she was willing to play the game. Perhaps if she practiced flirting, when she returned to Chicago she would actually be able to talk to Wexford in a manner that would achieve some semblance of interest in a relationship.
“I used to. I don’t live around here anymore but thought I’d stop in to visit Jaelynn. She’s an old friend of mine.” Morgan nodded toward the counter. “Where are you coming from?”
“Oh, I just moved here from out east. Ready for some big and new changes in my life.”
“Take the bull by the horns?”
“Yeah, you could say that.” Her smiles were gracious and plenty.
Morgan closed the top of her laptop and leaned into the wooden chair she was perched on. “There are some great places around here to hang out. Perfect for starting fresh and new. A lot of people move to Seattle for that same reason.”
“I certainly hope so. I just got out of a not-so-great relationship, and I need the fresh start.”
“I hear you, sister.”
Morgan shoved her computer in her bag and unplugged the cord from the wall, wrapping it around her hand before adding it to her pack. When she straightened up, the woman stared at her oddly with her head carded to one side. The curls in her hair brushed her shoulders but barely.
“Am I disturbing you?”
“No. I was just heading out. I have to meet my good friend for dinner. I haven’t seen her in years.”
“I bet you miss her.”
“I do, sometimes. It’s not often that we get together, but it’s worth it every time.”
“Friends and family are so important.”
Morgan glanced at the watch on her right wrist and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I really have to get going if I don’t want to be late.”
“It was nice chatting with you! I’d love to maybe get together again. I don’t know if that’s too forward for you. I’m not looking for anything. It’s just…it’s hard to move to a new place and not know anyone.”
“It is.” Glancing at Jaelynn, Morgan let out a breath. She could take the risk this once and see if it went anywhere. If anything, she at least had the fall out that she most likely wouldn’t be back to Seattle in the next decade. “Here.”
Grabbing the napkin off the brunette’s table, Morgan scribbled her name and her personal cell number on it. She handed it over. “I have to work tomorrow, but I’m sure I could find some time to show you some of the cool niche places around town.”
“I’d love that.” She fingered the napkin. “Thank you. Morgan, that’s such a pretty name.”
“Thank you. I’ve really got to run.”
Grabbing her bag, Morgan booked it out of the coffee shop after waving at Jaelynn. She speed walked her way to her hotel, got her rental, and shoved her bag into the trunk. Pulling out of the underground garage, she headed south for Tacoma and her ex. It would be an interesting reunion as it always was.
###
Morgan was late. She knew she was. When she pulled up outside the small pizza joint, she saw Barbie’s slim figure through the big glass window. After parking, Morgan headed inside and ignored the rain that drizzled down on her head. As soon as she opened the door, Barbie grinned and enveloped her in a hug.
Morgan embraced her tightly. She rubbed her hand up and down Barbie’s back and kissed her cheek. Glancing to the side, she saw a strange woman standing stiffly off to the side, staring the two of them down. When Barbie pulled back, she stepped away and gripped the stranger’s hand.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“When are you not late?” Barbie giggled. “Seriously, though, it’s just good to see you.”
“I have your table ready,” the hostess interrupted them. The stranger led the way, followed by Barbie as Morgan picked up the rear.
“Oh! This is Sue,” Barbie grinned over her shoulder at Morgan, who raised a single eyebrow at her. “She’s my girlfriend.”
“Ah,” Morgan answered with a nod. That had been why the odd look. It wasn’t every day someone brought their girlfriend to meet up with their ex-wife.
As soon as they were seated, Morgan looked around the room to get their surroundings. Barbie rolled her eyes, put a hand on Morgan’s, and whispered, “Relax. Seriously.”
Morgan grunted. “What have you two been up to?”
Barbie answered, Sue still remaining awkwardly silent. “Nothing unusual.”
“What you working on?” Barbie asked, turning to Morgan. “You’ve always got some interesting case up your sleeve.”
“I’ve got two cases, right now. Tug of war between them as they’re both picking up steam at the same time. Pax is back continuing our other case. I’m out here working on a time sensitive one.”
“Sensitive?” Barbie asked point blank, her eyes wide.
Morgan nodded and took a sip of the water in front of her, wishing it was coffee instead. “Been following this one halfway across the country.”
“Crazy.”
“Not so much. It happens.”
They made their orders, Morgan remembering to add in the request for coffee, and turned back to the two love birds across from her. It was odd in one way to see her ex-wife in a committed relationship when she could barely even handle a one-night stand or one kiss with someone she’d had a crush on for years. Neither of them had ever truly been interested in anything long term, until now, apparently.
“What are you thinking?” Barbie asked, her gaze narrowing. “You’ve got that far-away gaze on your face.”
“Nothing.” Morgan wished the pizza were there already so she would have a distraction. “Just the case.”
Her phone buzzing in her pocket distracted her. Morgan shifted her body so she could grab it. It was her personal cell, but she didn’t recognize the number. Furrowing her brow, Morgan held up a finger to Barbie and Sue, answering the call.
“This is Morgan.”
“Hey, hi. I’m sorry. I know it’s probably too soon to call, but I couldn’t stop thinking about our conversation earlier.”
“Oh. Oh!” Morgan bit her lip. Barbie gave her a curious look, and she shook her head to brush her off. “Yeah.”
“Would you have time tomorrow maybe to show me around a bit?”
“Umm…I think I could find some time after seven? Does that work for you?”
“It does.”
“Okay, I’ll give you a call then.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Morgan’s belly flopped, but before she hung up she pulled the phone back to her ear. “Oh! What’s your name? I forgot to get it earlier.”
“My name is Lollie.”
“Nice to meet you, Lollie. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Hanging up, Mo
rgan slid the phone into her pocket. Both Barbie and Sue stared at her with wide eyes. “What?”
“Did you just set up a date?” Barbie asked, curiosity lacing her tone.
“No. That wasn’t a date.”
“Sounds like a date,” Sue added.
“It’s not a date. I just met her at the coffee shop. She’s new to town. I used to live here, figured I could show her around a bit.”
“That sounds like a date.”
Sighing, Morgan blushed. “It’s not a date.”
Barbie and Sue shared a look, and Morgan knew she’d lost whatever battle they were waging. “It’s a date.”
The rest of their night passed quickly, and before she knew it, Morgan was headed to Seattle to sleep. She’d have to check in with the office in the morning and set up her plans for how she was going to go about finding her suspect. Her thoughts turned briefly to Lollie as she settled under the covers in her bed. Maybe it was a date, but it wasn’t such a bad thing if it was. She certainly deserved to enjoy her free time. And the Lord knew she hadn’t been on a proper date in a long time. With a deep breath, Morgan turned on her side and smiled. Maybe she wasn’t completely out of the dating game just yet.
Chapter Sixteen
Lollie headed to the bar across the road from the coffee shop that sported a rainbow flag in its window. A search on her phone had told her it was the perfect place for her to meet other women and potentially find a soul mate. However, she couldn’t stop thinking about the woman she’d met at the coffee shop earlier that day.
She’d been sweet, kind, and damn hot, and she didn’t even know it. Morgan was certainly not her normal venture in terms of a relationship, but she could see how the differences in her might lead to a longer lasting relationship than the others. It was something she was willing to explore at the very least.
Stepping into the bar, Lollie glanced around. She felt slightly out of place, but it would do for what she was looking for. With her head held high, she glanced around at those who were in there with her. It was a weekday, so the crowd was light, but there were people dancing, others who were sitting at the bar top, and still more scattered around at the tables along the back wall.
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