by Kris Norris
Cole exhaled a loud breath, scraping his chair forward. “So how is this kid walking the streets of Seattle once again?”
She seemed to shake off her thoughts and handed Cole the sheet. “Several months ago, Thomas’ lawyer gets an anonymous phone call. The caller tells the man to check the blood samples but doesn’t give any further details. The lawyer decides to get the samples retested out of curiosity and they discover a very subtle incongruity. Seems all of the blood smears found at the scenes had traces of CPDA in them.”
Cole snorted as he crossed his arms on his chest. “You do know Sawyer just called me a gorilla, right? I have no fucking clue what CPDA is.”
She smiled, giving Sawyer a wink. “It stands for citrate phosphate dextrose adenine. It’s a fancy compound they use to help preserve the viability of whole blood for transfusions and the like. It extends the shelf life.”
The crease on Cole’s forehead deepened. “So?”
“So, if the kid left his blood at the scene because he was the perp, why the hell did it have a preserving agent in it?”
Sawyer cursed. “Someone planted the kid’s blood at the crime scenes.”
“Oh, it gets better.” Mallory shuffled through some more papers. “Turns out, the kid was an occasional blood donor. Liked the extra cash—probably helped fund some of his questionable habits. Anyway, it also happens that he’d donated blood a few days before his arrest. Coincidentally, that same clinic had a break-in the night Thomas was there. Doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots here, boys.”
Sawyer nodded. “So someone frames Arthur Thomas and basically guarantees the kid a short stay on death row. The question is—why? Some kind of vendetta against the kid? Maybe payback for his first acquittal?”
Cole waved his hand. “But by framing Thomas, they let the real killer go free. Doesn’t make much sense if you’re playing the part of a vigilante.”
Mallory’s face sobered. “Maybe the perp’s motivation wasn’t so pure?”
Cole sat back. “How so?”
“What better way to guarantee your own innocence than to solve the case?”
Sawyer frowned. “So you think whoever’s behind this wears a badge? That was a federal case. That would make the bad guy one of us.”
She shrugged. “Or maybe it’s just someone who has access to the evidence. Either way, someone tampered with it. And it was enough to get Thomas a full pardon.”
Cole tapped a finger on his lips. “So how does this tie in to Davies, other than the fact they were side by side for a while?”
“There’s a chance Davies told Thomas all about his killings, as in every detail. That could make this kid our copycat. And he had access to Davies.”
Cole frowned. “But I thought the kid was framed?”
“Guess there’s always a chance Thomas really is some sick pyschopath and his acquittal was just a fluke. He could have gotten released and done this to mess with us.” She held up another sheet. “But there’s another possibility we might want to consider. I did a search of unsolved murders during the time both Davies and Thomas were incarcerated. Guess what turned up?”
Cole groaned. “I don’t think I want to know.”
“There are another dozen victims with MO’s that seem to be a disturbing mix of the two men, but with just enough differences not to set off any red flags unless you’re looking for them.” She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It’s all speculation. I mean…if you tear Davies’ technique apart, I’m sure it’d match a number of other serial killers.”
Sawyer shook his head. “Or maybe, the guy behind those other murders is Davies’ partner and Thomas was telling the truth.”
Cole shifted in his chair. “These are all great theories, but…it doesn’t seem to give us any leads, other than Thomas. And if the guy really was framed, he likely won’t be much help.”
Mallory shook the folder. “There was another coincidence, though it’s even more transparent. I checked through the names of the agents who’d worked Thomas’ case. One name did pop up.” She released a weary breath. “Derek Carter.”
Cole scrambled to his feet, grabbing the sheet out of her hand. “Carter? As in, asshole who worked the Davies case with us Carter? The same guy who cried foul if anyone beat him to the evidence and attempted to ‘steal his thunder’ as he put it?”
“The very same.” She nodded at Don’s closed office door. “I wondered why Don hadn’t gone into any details about Carter’s abrupt change in status. I guess Don was trying to save face for the Bureau. Let’s face it. It makes us all look bad when one of our group gets pegged with possible evidence tampering. And it was obviously stressful enough to make Carter quit.”
Sawyer motioned to the folder. “So you think Carter is connected?”
Mallory sighed and shifted so she could sink down in her chair. Wisps of hair framed her face as she pushed a weary hand through the thick mass. “I don’t know. He had access to the evidence.” She snorted. “Along with a dozen other agents and a handful of forensic technicians. Shit. I told you this was a stretch. Maybe I’m just chasing another ghost. Maybe Davies got to me more than I thought and my subconscious turned that guy’s face in the alley into the very thing I fear the most. Either way, I don’t have the answers.” She nodded at Cole. “I don’t suppose we could get the coroner to take some more samples for us…just to be sure. I’d like Fisher to rerun some of the blood tests. Ensure nothing in the Davies case was tampered with. Who knows? Maybe this was all an elaborate plan to get Davies pardoned too, only it backfired. After all, if Davies had managed that, he never could have been tried for the same set of murders.”
Cole shrugged. “It’s not like they need the creep’s permission anymore. I’ll call over. Get them to send a bunch of samples to the lab. But I can assure you Fisher isn’t going to be pleased you’re adding to his workload.”
“Fisher can kiss my ass.”
Cole chuckled. “Right. I’ll tell him to get in line behind lover boy, here.”
Cole dodged her slap as he darted over to his desk, giving her a wink before picking up the phone. Sawyer didn’t hold back his grin as she turned to face him, a light flush colouring her cheeks.
She glared at him. “What are you smiling at? He insulted you, too.”
“I’d be more put out if it wasn’t true.” He moved in closer, levelling his face even with hers. “And for the record. I’ll be the only one kissing any part of your delicious body.”
Mallory groaned and shoved him away, leaning back in her chair. “So what’s your take on Carter and Thomas?”
Sawyer shrugged. “I agree with Cole. Carter was an insecure little runt, who liked to flaunt his power, but I’m not sure he had the balls to do something this involved. He didn’t come across as a risk-taker.” He glanced away for a moment. “But I also think it’s worth investigating. And there’s no harm in having a chat with Mr Thomas. Maybe Davies let something slip during his stay.”
Mallory nodded, but her eyes still seemed distant. She looked around the room before settling on his face again. “And if these new samples don’t match up? Then what?”
He rubbed her shoulder, trying to keep the contact light. “Darling. We made our decisions based on the evidence on hand. If Carter or someone else tampered with that evidence, it wasn’t our fault. Besides, not once did Davies cry foul or contest his guilt. If you were innocent, wouldn’t you let a few folks in on the secret?”
“You’re right. Why confess when you know you’ll be sentenced to death? It doesn’t make sense.”
She smiled up at him, a hint of the tension leaving her expression when Cole slammed the phone down and marched over, his lips pulled tight, his hands balled into fists at his side. He didn’t speak, just stood there, shifting his feet as he grumbled under his breath.
Sawyer cringed inwardly, knowing they were in for more bad news. He gave Mallory a pat on the shoulder as he motioned to Cole. “Just tell us the bad news before you make a hole in th
e floor.”
Cole grunted, shoving his fists into his pockets. “All I have to say is this case is fucked up. Seriously, screwed.”
Sawyer scoffed. “So it is bad news.”
Cole rolled his eyes as he continued to kick at the floor. “The gist of it is, we won’t be getting any more samples.”
Mallory frowned, pushing to her feet. “Why not? Did Davies refuse?”
“Funny, Mal. Real funny.” Cole clenched his jaw. “Actually, the problem is, the morgue no longer has Davies’ body.”
Mallory cursed. “What the hell? How did the morgue lose a body?”
“They didn’t lose it. They released it.”
Sawyer knew his mouth gaped open as he stared at Cole. “Dead or not, John Davies was part of a current, multiple murder investigation. How the hell did the morgue get permission to release the body?”
“I’m not sure. They said they got the proper forms faxed to them shortly after I called that first night to confirm Davies was there. They’re faxing a copy over as we speak.”
Sawyer snorted, following Cole and Mallory over to the fax machine. “This is insane. Who would release a body when there’s an active investigation? No one is that stupid.”
“Well, apparently someone is.” Cole crossed his arms on his chest as the machine beeped. “Let’s face it. It’s not like they needed an autopsy to confirm cause of death. The guy was executed. They only brought his body here because there wasn’t any next of kin available to collect it from the prison. That being said, there had better be a damn good explanation behind this.”
Sawyer glanced at Mallory, knowing this new development was the last thing she needed. Hell, she still hadn’t come to terms with the stabbing, or the execution. To think someone had taken the body… He forced in a calming breath. Cole was right. There’d better be a damn good reason behind this.
Cole snatched the papers as they slid out, shuffling through them without doing more than scanning his gaze down the pages. Mallory shouldered up beside him, looking at them over his shoulder when he stopped, his eyes bulging wide.
“No fucking way!” Cole slammed his hand on the top of the machine, nearly knocking it off the desk. “This is bullshit!”
He didn’t resist when Mallory eased the sheet from his grasp, holding it so Sawyer could read the words. Sawyer skipped down the page, skimming the information as he searched for the identity of the person who’d signed the release. He’d reached the bottom of the page before the name glared off the paper, the black letters mocking him.
Mallory inhaled roughly beside him, her head tilting to the side before she dropped the page and ran a weary hand down her face. “Son of a bitch.”
Cole rounded on them, his eyes narrowed, his hands balled into fists. “That’s wrong. You know that’s a forgery!”
Her lips quirked as she met his stare. “It looks like your signature, Cole.”
“You think I don’t know that! But I didn’t sign any fucking release form. Hell, Mal, I was here, with you, the entire night. Just when do you think I had the time or the inclination to let that bastard go? Dead or not.”
Sawyer cringed as he glanced around. Cole’s outburst had received more than a few stares directed their way. He moved forward, but Cole stopped him with a hardened stare.
Cole looked pleadingly at Mallory. “Mallory…”
She sighed and smiled, her eyes soft and reassuring. “Do you seriously think I believe that?” She pointed to the paper lying on the floor. “I gave you a key to my house! I think that means I trust you.”
Cole’s face scrunched up as he swung his gaze between them. “But I thought—”
“You thought what? That I’d toss years of friendship down the toilet because of one fucking piece of paper?” She snorted. “It’ll take more than some random act to make me lose my faith in you. But the paper does leave us with a disturbing thought—whoever’s behind this knows enough about the system to manipulate it. And if the bastard can pull this off…”
Sawyer nodded. “Then our perp has more resources than we thought. Which means we need to look at this case from an entirely new perspective. One that’s far more personal than we’d like.”
Cole’s expression eased slightly as he relaxed back against a nearby chair. “So you think this was a ploy to cause dissension in the ranks?”
“Doubt, dissension. They both work. After all, what better way to ruin an investigation than from the inside out. If we’re too busy fighting among ourselves, we might miss something.” Sawyer tapped his finger on his lips. “Fuck, at this point, I’m only guessing. But I think we should pursue the new information. Let’s track down Mr Thomas and see if we can get some updated specs on Carter, just in case. If nothing else, he might be able to shed more light on the Thomas case.”
Cole pulled out his cell. “I’ll call a friend of mine over at the precinct. See if she can get us an address for Thomas. But it might be best to head for the prison. Maybe Thomas had some visitors we can link back to Davies.”
“Sounds like a place to start.” Sawyer watched Cole walk off before turning to Mallory. “You okay?”
She shrugged. “I don’t like being played with. It’s like trying to follow someone in the fog.”
He moved closer, glancing around before giving her shoulders a quick squeeze. “That’s not what’s really bothering you, is it?”
She sighed. “Have I ever told you that you’re a real pain in the ass?”
“Multiple times.”
Mallory groaned and looked skyward as if searching for some form of intervention. But her smile faded as she met his gaze. “Doesn’t it bother you just a bit that not only does the doctor, who pronounced Davies dead, apparently kill himself just days after the execution, but Davies’ body goes missing after only a few hours in the morgue?”
“You mean, do I believe that somehow the bastard is still alive?”
Her mouth turned down in defeat. “Do you?”
“It’s doubtful. Do you have any idea the lengths someone would have to go to just to fool everyone, never mind the access and resources they’d need to pull something like that off? I mean, there’s the prison, the medical staff, us… It’s a tall order to fill. It’d take more than one man to make that happen.”
“But not impossible.”
He released a slow breath. “No. Not impossible.”
“Fuck.”
Sawyer grabbed her hand, not caring if anyone saw. “If he is somehow still alive, I won’t let that monster hurt you again. Period.”
She smiled, patting his cheek before pulling away. “It’s not me I’m afraid for.”
Sawyer cursed as she moved past him, her shoulders slightly hunched. Damn Davies. The bastard had already broken them up once. There was no chance in hell that Sawyer was going to let the creep hurt them again.
He followed her back to her desk, watching as she shuffled papers around the top. He could tell by the way she slammed stuff down a bit too hard that she wasn’t happy with the new twist, but shit, neither was he. She was right. They were being played and by someone who had intimate knowledge of the system.
Cole marched up beside him, his face a grim mirror of Mallory’s. “My friend’s trying to find a current address for Thomas. Until then, let’s head over to the prison. If nothing else, we might get a handle on who visited the guy and if there’s any kind of connection we didn’t see before.” He held up his keys. “I’ll drive.”
Mallory shook her head as she grabbed her jacket off the back of her chair, giving Sawyer a fleeting smile. “Fine, but we’re stopping for coffee on the way. Hell, make it whisky.”
“Coffee. And lover boy’s buying.”
Cole winked at Sawyer as he darted away, a deep chuckle drifting across the space. Sawyer smiled and motioned Mallory ahead. At least Cole seemed more relaxed, which was more than he could say about Mallory. And he had a bad feeling the tension was just beginning.
Chapter Eight
Sawyer sat i
n the car, listening to the steady drone of the tyres along the pavement as Cole wove his way through a tangle of residential streets. They’d grabbed a coffee, but the incessant ringing of Cole’s phone had meant a change of course. Sawyer had asked the man where they were headed, but Cole had simply mumbled something about them seeing when they got there and had left it at that. Now Sawyer was forced to stare out the window, watching the cookie-cutter houses pass as a brown blur outside the truck. Even the hint of sunshine wasn’t enough to brighten his mood.
He glanced in the rearview mirror at Mallory, but she’d fallen asleep with her forehead resting on the glass, her long lashes dark against her pale skin. He frowned. He wasn’t sure how much more she could take. Though she put up a good façade, he knew it was only a matter of time before the walls crumbled, and she’d be forced to face the full impact John Davies’ actions had inflicted on her. God help them if Davies turned up alive.
He shook the thought away. It was a pipe dream at best. Faking one’s death was the stuff of Hollywood, and Davies was a B-movie actor at best. More than likely the real creep behind the deaths was using Davies as a means to get to them—to Mallory. Unfortunately, it was working.
He sighed, making a mental note to talk to her later, only this time he wouldn’t let his dick lead the conversation. She needed to come to terms with the stabbing, with their renewed relationship. Hell, he needed her to know he was in this for the long run—and not just to share her bed. He wanted to share her life.
The squeal of brakes shook him from his thoughts and he turned towards Cole as the man shoved the truck into park. Sawyer glanced at the area. More of the same houses lined the street, with the exception of a school at the end of the block. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and he couldn’t help but wonder why Cole had stopped here.
