Cold Threat

by Mary Stone

  “People often mix up causation and correlation.”

  The part of the dream she hadn’t been able to hold on to last night struck her. She leaned forward, meeting his gaze. “I’m not sure of much, but I know that I could wiggle my finger.”

  “Okay.” More writing. “Moving on.”

  She forced herself back to that scene once again, trying to see it without feeling the sheer terror. “He was hunting for someone when he found me, then once he had me, he searched for a second woman.”

  “Was there anything specific that made you come to this conclusion?”

  “He said it outright. And he kept talking about how spunky I was. It was almost like he chose the next woman based on me.”

  “That’s a disturbing thought.” He noted that on his pad.

  “It also proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he didn’t know me beforehand.”

  “True. How does that make you feel?”

  Like hunting him down, making him pay. “Better and worse, all at the same time.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he didn’t come after me for my parents’ money. So now I know for sure that if I hadn’t snuck out to go to that party, the kidnapping never would’ve happened. And that woman wouldn’t be dead.”

  “You don’t know that she was killed. Unless you’ve managed to ID her.”

  “I don’t have to. I watched her die with my own eyes.”

  Notepad forgotten, Powell leaned forward until he was halfway out of the chair. “You remember her death? Ellie, that’s excellent progress.”

  “Not my memories. I haven’t managed to remember anything of substance besides what happened in the back of the car. This was on a video we discovered when we were investigating Arthur Fink for kidnapping.”

  Dr. Powell’s smile slipped. “I’m not sure I understand. What video? And what kidnapping?”

  “The kidnapping is a current case.” In her dread to hash over the dream, she’d forgotten to update him.

  “Oh? Have you moved from Cold Cases?”

  “No. In the course of investigating a two-year-old case, I stumbled upon a woman who was being held captive by a wealthy man.”

  “Wow. What a relief for her to be released.”

  Ellie snorted. She wished. “We didn’t find her. We’re still investigating at this point, but she was moved before we got there.”

  “And this man, Fink, is connected to your own kidnapping case somehow?”

  “No. He’s only a few years older than me, for starters. And he’s not a killer. A pervert and a monster, but definitely not a killer.”

  “Hmm. I guess I’m still not understanding how this relates to your case and your recovered memories.”

  Ellie’s smile was apologetic. “I’m kind of all over the place. Sorry about that. It’s been an eventful few days.”

  “It sounds like it. So, break it down for me and take your time.” Powell crossed his legs, getting comfortable before gesturing at the clock. “I know it’s late, but I’m in no hurry.”

  “Fink purchased the woman from a website. It took some time for the tech department to gain access to the website, but once in, they found featured videos for sale.”

  Powell’s jaw clenched, and he tapped the pencil on the pad of paper. “Videos?”

  She nodded, grimacing a little. “I haven’t looked at them all, but some of my cold case victims are in the videos.”

  “That’s horrifying.”

  “That’s not the worst part. Fink was a top-tier client.”

  “Meaning?”

  “He had access to all the content on this site.”

  He blinked, pausing, and noting something down. “You’ve lost me again.”

  “The video of my captivity was there.”

  Powell held up his hand. “You don’t mean—”

  She pressed her lips into a grim line and nodded. “Everything was there. He interviewed me, and he tortured her until I begged him to kill her so she wouldn’t suffer anymore.” She inhaled sharply after getting all the words out in a rush.

  “Ellie, as a mental health professional, I wouldn’t advise you to watch that video again, let alone the first time. The damage it can do to your psyche is tremendous.”

  “I’m fine.” It was a lie, but she wasn’t about to tell him that she couldn’t close her eyes without seeing the woman’s face.

  “You could be fine today, but don’t be surprised if you have more nightmares. As much human suffering as you see in your profession, it’s a far cry from witnessing your own victimization play out.”

  “I understand.”

  “Did the video jog any memories?”

  The fact that it hadn’t still made anger burn in her chest. Why couldn’t she remember even when it was played right in front of her eyes?

  “Not really, but I did learn some things that I didn’t know before.”

  “Such as?”

  “For starters, the man in the video is not Steve Garret or Eddie Bower. Which means that the person who kidnapped me is still out there, maybe watching and waiting for me to slip up so he can come after me again.”

  “You can’t live your life under that kind of assumption. It’s unhealthy.”

  “It’s not an assumption.” Aggravation slipped into her voice. “I know for a fact that he can’t be either man because I saw him.”

  Powell’s pen froze on the paper midsentence. “You saw him?”

  She nodded, leaning back into the couch and shaking her head. “Not his face, but his shadow, and the way he moved. And his height and body type. I did see part of his face in my dreams.”

  When their eyes met, he glanced at the clock and shook his head. “I hate to cut this short, but I must get going.”

  Ellie frowned. “I thought you weren’t in a hurry.”

  “I must’ve let time slip away. We’ll speak more in two weeks, but in the meantime, write down everything you remember.”

  Didn’t he mean next week? “Won’t you be in next week?”

  “No.”

  “Why?” It was ridiculous, but now that she’d gotten used to talking to him, it kind of felt good. And she didn’t want to skip a week.

  He hesitated, smiling as he gathered his things. “I don’t usually talk about these things, but you’re more of a colleague than a patient. There’s a conference for mental health professionals I’ll be attending. It runs all week, but I may tack a few vacation days on at the end.”

  “I don’t blame you.”

  He zipped up his briefcase and ushered her out the door. “I hate to be rude, but I’ve got quite a bit to do before I catch my plane. Take care of yourself.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Goodbye, now.” He locked his office door, hooking his keys through his belt loop. They clanged against him as he raced down the hall, walking so fast he was almost running. Shoving the stairwell door open, the heels of his wingtips echoed in the corridor before the door closed, and the hallway was silent again.

  “He’s such an odd man,” Ellie said to herself, chuckling as she turned, heading for the elevator. She was still dragging from her restless night.

  Jillian was at her desk when Ellie walked through the door. “That was quick.”

  “He’s going to a conference or something. It was enough time to tell him everything I could.” She snapped her fingers. “I remembered the thing I was trying to tell you last night. It wasn’t just my eyes. I could move my fingers. Maybe that study about redheads is right?”

  “Could be.”

  “Being able to move my fingers doesn’t explain much else, but it’s something.” She flicked her gaze toward the clock. “Any chance you want to call it a day a little early?”

  Jillian nodded and started gathering her things as if she’d had the same thought already. “I’m exhausted too.”

  “I’m sorry I woke you up like that. Must’ve scared the crap out of you.”

  “No need to apologize. I enjoyed camping out in the l
iving room.”

  Ellie held up her crossed fingers, but she couldn’t help feeling like she should be doing more than making a wish. Like sleeping with her gun. “Hoping tonight is less eventful than last night.”

  “The bar is set pretty high after dealing with my landlord in the middle of the night. The chances of having a more peaceful night are good.”

  A laugh burst from Ellie. “What a relief.”

  Jillian grabbed her car keys. “Should I follow you?”

  Liking the sound of that, it made Ellie feel better. “Keep your eyes open.”

  “I will.”

  Ellie paused, running her tongue over her teeth. “You don’t think I’m being too paranoid, do you?”

  “What? No. If it were me, I’d have a full-time guard detail.”

  Another surprised laugh escaped her lips. “Let’s not go too overboard.”

  “I’m only half joking.” Jillian shook her head. “Not even close to overreacting.”

  “The thought of him out there freaks me out, even though he has been all this time. Forget mentioning that he could be watching my every move.” She shivered, going to her desk and shutting down her computer for the day. The feeling was ridiculous. She knew they were alone and safe. They were in a police department for god’s sake.

  “It’s enough to put anyone on edge. There’s no shame in that.”

  “Thanks.” Ellie raised her eyebrows and smiled. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying this. Let’s go home, Jillian.”

  “I know I’ll never get tired of hearing it, and I think it’s a good thing for me to stay until we catch this guy. We’re safer together.”

  Ellie nodded and let Jillian lead the way out the door, but her smile disappeared as soon as Jillian’s back was turned. If he was out there somewhere, plotting his revenge, the man had waited twelve years while Ellie went on with her life, completely unaware of the danger she faced. How much longer would he wait?

  And was she putting Jillian in danger by trying to protect her?

  As she peered into every dark corner she could see, Ellie wondered if she would ever feel safe again.

  24

  The shrill sound of the office phone splitting the quiet morning had Ellie dashing through the door and to her desk. She hissed when hot coffee sloshed onto her hand but managed to catch the phone by the fourth ring.

  “Kline here.” She shifted the receiver and held it to her ear with her shoulder while she wiped away the coffee with a handful of tissues from the box on her desk.

  “It’s Fortis. The D.A. needs to see you in interview room two.”

  Her stomach knotted immediately. “Is something wrong?”

  “Just relaying the message. Fink wants to speak with you, and only you. He says he has information on the boyfriend, Ben Brooks.”

  “Got it.” Suddenly, she no longer needed the coffee as the blood in her veins picked up speed.

  “This isn’t an interrogation, Kline. You’re not to question him about anything else. That’s the D.A.’s job. Get what you can about the Brooks case and get out of there.”

  “Understood.”

  The line went dead in her ear an instant before she dropped the receiver into the cradle and gathered her notepad.

  Jillian stopped in the doorway, eyes narrowed in confusion as Ellie rushed about. “What’s going on?”

  “Fink is talking.”

  “I thought the case was turned over to the district attorney.”

  “It was, but now he wants to talk to me.” Ellie breezed through the narrow opening and flashed a smile at her friend before rushing down the hallway. She shoved her notepad, pens, and cell phone under one arm and fumbled with the elevator call button with a shaking hand.

  This is it. This was her chance to get into a room with Fink, see what she could get out of him.

  You’re not there to interrogate him. Fortis’s words echoed in her head, but Ellie pushed them away as she hurried to interview room two. A couple of questions about Valerie wouldn’t hurt.

  A man met her at the door, his wide smile warm and friendly. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. I’m the assistant D.A., Terrence Vaughn.” He stuck out his hand, and she shook it.

  “Detective Kline.”

  The man frowned as he turned his attention to Arthur Fink through the one-way glass. “Normally, I would go in with you, but he’s made it clear that he will only speak with you. He’s shackled to the floor and cuffed, but if you’d like someone to go in with you, I can arrange it.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Vaughn tipped an invisible hat. “I never doubted that.”

  Ellie narrowed her eyes slightly and almost asked him what he meant, but she was too eager to talk to Fink. Shrugging, she made her way through the first of two doors.

  Fink raised his head when she stepped into the room and quickly lowered it. Chin propped on his arm, he looked more like a student trapped in detention than a man facing serious charges for holding a woman captive for nearly two years. And from the evidence Carl had uncovered so far, there was ample proof that Valerie hadn’t been the first. If they hadn’t caught him, Valerie wouldn’t have been the last, either.

  The fact that Fink appeared to be completely unaware of the gravity of his situation had Ellie’s blood boiling, but she knew he would get what was coming to him in prison. Her only concern was finding Valerie. Alive.

  Fink muttered something under his breath, but it was nothing more than a whisper.

  “What?” Ellie took the chair across the table from him and leaned across the smooth surface. “Speak up, I couldn’t hear you.”

  “I said, I’m not a monster.”

  “You’re entitled to your opinion.”

  He cringed, lacing his fingers together and squeezing his thumbs against each other until his knuckles bent backward, and his skin turned a mottled pink and white.

  Impatience gripped her, but she forced her voice to sound calm. “You said you had some information for me?”

  He nodded, still focused on his hands. “I need you to know that I loved her. I bought her because I loved her, and I knew what they would do to her if I didn’t keep her safe.”

  Ellie bit her tongue, heat growing in her chest. “Of course, I know that,” she lied. “If you really love her, Arthur, then I need you to tell me where she is so I can protect her for you.” She kept her voice low, so the overhead mic didn’t pick up what she was saying. Vaughn probably didn’t care if she pushed Fink about Valerie, but she didn’t want to get shut down before she got what she needed. Valerie’s life depended on it.

  Arthur glanced up. Light brown eyes met hers for an instant and looked away. “I knew you would understand.”

  “You were protecting her.”

  Arthur nodded, looking like a boy caught with his sister’s precious dolly. “She was safe with me.”

  “Who took her from you, Arthur?”

  His lips moved, but no sound escaped.

  Ellie waited, stomach churning. “I’m listening, Arthur.” She spoke gently, even though the urge to throttle him was strong. How could someone so evil be such a wuss? “It’s just you and me in here.”

  “I know that.” He stuck his lower lip out, and she wanted to smack the pout from his face.

  “If you really care about her, you’ll tell me how to find her.”

  “They’ll kill me if they find out I told you.”

  “I won’t tell a soul.” She gave him her best reassuring smile, calling up the decorum she’d been taught at the bosom of one of the finest ladies of Charleston. “Anything you say in this room stays here.”

  His gaze moved around the room, landing on the camera. “I want to believe that.”

  “I always keep my promises, Arthur. The only thing I care about is saving her. You took really good care of her, and I know you loved her.”

  Ellie held her breath, but Arthur wouldn’t look her in the eye. He was a shell of the haughty man who’d boldly invit
ed them into his home. She was certain that this bastard had been intent on taking Jillian as a replacement for Valerie. That was why he’d been so enraptured with her at his home.

  That arrogance was gone, and all that was left in its place was a man who knew that his days were numbered. No amount of money could save him now.

  When he sighed, she knew she had him.

  “I’m not a pervert. I can’t do hard time. If it gets out that I kept her in my basement and just watched her, the types there won’t understand why I never hurt her.”

  “By the ‘types,’ do you mean the people in prison?” When he only stared at her, she said, “Why would they? You only wanted to protect her.”

  “Yes, yes. That’s all.” Arthur Fink nodded vigorously, biting his lower lip. “That’s all. When I saw her, I knew it was Taryn coming back to me again.” He shuddered and took another long, trembling breath. “She’s been like that since I lost her. Coming back to me in different forms. When I see her eyes, I just know it’s her. She never remembers me, but that doesn’t matter. That’s part of my punishment. She forgets and fights, but eventually, she remembers that she belongs with me, and stays. She knows I’ll never hurt her. Not again.”

  The hair stood up on the back of Ellie’s neck.

  “Again?”

  He nodded, lip quivering in misery. “It was a mistake, and I couldn’t fix it. I held her in my arms and promised I wouldn’t kill her again if she just came back to me. And I keep that promise every time.”

  It took everything inside Ellie to stop herself from reacting to this bit of news. How many women had he kidnapped?

  “Keeping your word is the most important thing,” she said softly, “and you promised to protect her, didn’t you?”

  He gave a slow nod. “That’s why I have to tell you. If there’s a chance you can save her before he takes her to the buyer…” He paused and glanced up at the camera nervously. He lowered his voice. “They made me sell her. I didn’t want to do it, but they made me because I broke the rules.”

  “Who?”

  “The master.”