No Ordinary Killer

by Rita Karnopp

  “What if I can’t get ahold of him before that? Lawyers are busy people.”

  “You’ll find a way. You always know how to get what you want.”

  “Maybe I should pray you have an accident on your way to the interview.”

  “I doubt you know how to pray.”

  Megan turned and slammed the door behind her. She stood staring at it, frustrated and furious. Where had the plan gone wrong? Oh, the girlfriend. Damn, a girlfriend? Really? The night couldn’t have gone worse. Megan stomped her foot and headed down the long hallway. All she’d accomplished tonight was allowing Cooper to negotiate the one trump card she had from under her. He’d regret this night. Paybacks were a bitch.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “My, isn’t she a breath of fresh air?” Dallas asked, staring at the door.

  “Sometimes I wonder what I ever saw in her.” He studied the sparkling green eyes and wondered how he could feel more comfortable with this stranger than he did with a woman he’d been married to for four years. “She had her moments,” he added, sliding a shoe back on Dallas’s foot. “Sorry you had to witness it.”

  “She always that … abrupt?”

  “I think she was rather charming just now. She’s usually such a bitch.” Dallas’s laughter pulled him into joining her.

  “I’d say you handled her very well, Coop?”

  “It’s Cooper. Megan called me Coop and most of the time it sounded like a dirty word. Coming from a woman, it just sets me off. I’m sorry, Megan has a way of putting me in a foul mood.”

  “No apology needed, Cooper.” She slid her legs to the floor and slipped the other shoe on. “You weren’t really going to appear on Winslow’s show, were you?”

  “To be honest, I never agreed to be a guest on that show. I don’t want anything distracting or screwing up this case. The killer wants attention and my being on TV is the kind of exposure a nut case like this wants. Miss Winslow had no right to announce I’d be there tomorrow. She thought I wouldn’t have the cojones to say no once it was announced.”

  “And I’ll bet she thought you’d just love to pay back your ex-wife. I don’t think she expected you to say no either. Your decision affirms what I believe about you.”

  “And what exactly do you believe about me, Dallas?” A slight flush on her cheeks revealed she’d given him some thought.

  “You might say I’m one of the few who believes you never gave Megan information for her book. Having said that, I need to find out who did. There is always the question of who informed the media that her book is based on actual events. Publicity would be my first guess. It sells more books. If anything, you wouldn’t want more sales so the evidence doesn’t point to you. So, where does that leave us?”

  “I think Megan could have stolen my notes, but I don’t think she did.” Cooper wondered how much he could trust Dallas. Was she being friendly to get him to open up or did she really believe his innocence?

  “What makes you think she didn’t steal your notebook? She had opportunity, didn’t she?” Dallas leaned forward and tied her shoes.

  The view caught Cooper off-guard. He sucked in a deep breath. “Damn, you are one beautiful woman.” The words came out in a rushed whisper and he hadn’t meant to voice them at all.

  “I find you a very … handsome and even sexy man, Cooper. But … keep in mind, you won’t gain my support by taking me to bed. I don’t play games and I don’t sleep around.”

  “I wasn’t … I didn’t mean to insinuate … I wasn’t trying to take you to bed. I see how wrong this looks and sounds.” Cooper stood and walked across the room. He pulled his fingers through his hair and turned back toward Dallas. “I apologize for giving you the wrong impression here, but I won’t apologize for saying you’re a beautiful woman … because you are.”

  “Apology accepted. Now let me get your word that you are not appearing on Kari Winslow’s show tomorrow.”

  “If I get a certain phone call from Megan, you have my word.”

  “You serious?”

  “Of course I’m serious. Megan is a manipulator. She took my kids from me because she could. I’ll use any weapon to get them back. If I have to give up this case and even my badge, hell, I will. There are other jobs, there just aren’t any other kids.”

  “I understand what you’re saying, but you have to get a grip. Kari Winslow is a master at making people say things they don’t mean to say. She can twist and turn a conversation her way. You could reveal evidence without meaning to. It’s a risk you shouldn’t take.”

  “I’ve thought about that and I’ll handle it by insisting I can’t talk about any cases with her. If she wants to sensationalize about Megan and the book, that’s another story. Maybe the world should know that Malicious Intent was my idea from the start. She stole everything … right down to the title.”

  “Really? But why would you put yourself in such a position?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, the plot was mine, but I would never have gone into such detail. I wouldn’t have revealed anything more than what was revealed in court. Megan didn’t know where to stop and that’s why she’s in trouble.”

  “And that’s what Megan is afraid of, isn’t it? They get wind the book idea was all yours and her sales and support goes down as fast as it went up. You do realize this situation could be misconstrued as blackmail, don’t you?” Dallas took a sip of wine and leaned back against the cushion.

  “Come on, the truth isn’t blackmail. If I get that call before nine tomorrow morning, you’ll know I’m telling the truth and she’s scared that truth will get out.”

  “Maybe by morning Megan will have decided you’d be in more trouble by appearing on Winslow’s show. She might decide the risk is worth it. If people believe her over you, she will increase her sales even more. Who doesn’t enjoy a good fight between a divorced couple?”

  Cooper walked back over to the couch and sat facing Dallas. A quick glance at her full lips and he nearly forgot what he was going to say. “I don’t have anything to hide. I’m telling the truth. She wouldn’t have come here tonight if she wasn’t scared of what I’d say on that show.” Silence filled the room; he waited for her response.

  “I can’t put my finger on it, but I believe you, Cooper.”

  Closing his eyes, he pressed his right shoulder into the cushion. “Damn long day, Dallas. One thing for sure, I needed to hear that from someone. I’m not even sure Josh believes me a hundred percent. He’s been acting odd. It’s either the rebirth of this damn case … or he knows something he’s not telling me. I think he knows something about Megan he’s not telling me. Either way, it’s a first in our partnership.”

  “The fact is, if Megan didn’t get her information from you, then we have to figure out where she got it. We find out who she had an affair with just might be the man she got her information from. You sure you don’t have any suspicions?”

  “Until today, I thought she got it all from my case file without my knowing it. The notes for my book weren’t all that detailed.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Cooper rolled to his back and propped his feet on the coffee table. He grabbed his wine glass and swallowed a healthy sip. “Nice.” He glanced at Dallas then back to the glass. “Megan’s book is detailed, graphic, and tasteless. She mentions things I hadn’t written down in my notes. She has another source. My case file was locked in my briefcase and I don’t think she could have opened it without my knowing. So, that means she got her information somewhere else.”

  “What did you mean by not until today?

  “I’m trusting you now, Dallas. Don’t you fucking screw me over.”

  “I get it, Cooper. You have my word, I only want the truth.”

  “As you know, Josh and I walked the grid at the Haffer scene. There are some differences between the original case and this one. Things such as two arrows drawn in blood, instead of one. Such as both eyes floating in the toilet, instead of one on the floor and one in the toilet. That�
�s just on the surface. I know there are more and we’ll find them when all the evidence and crime scene pictures are compared.”

  “How about Malicious Intent?”

  “She has told about some details I never had in my notes, of course that could be considered writer’s rights. It’s a novel after all. My notes mentioned Josh slipped on wet blood and fell into the bath tub, we sequestered he stepped on an eyeball and that’s why he slipped. How would she know that?”

  “Maybe she knows the killer. The real killer. Her life could be in grave danger.”

  “One thing I know about Megan, she can take care of herself.” Dallas yawned and rubbed her eyes.

  “Shit, it’s nearly three in the morning. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable on the couch—”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. My room is two blocks away.” She pulled herself up and reached for her coat.

  “This isn’t the type of neighborhood a woman should be out walking out alone. Car or the couch, which one?”

  “Get your keys, I’m dead tired.”

  Cooper grabbed his leather jacket and slid into it. Retrieving his keys from the floor, he couldn’t help chuckling. “Shall we go?” Did he sense her hesitating, or was it wishful thinking?

  The damp morning air took seconds to chill him to the bone. “I take it you’re staying at the Sagebrush Bed and Breakfast? What will Bicsak think when he sees me dropping you off at three in the morning? Conflict of interest and all that.” He opened the car door for her and didn’t hesitate to catch a glimpse of silky legs as she swung them in.

  “First, I’m the only one staying there. I think Bicsak has a sister living here in Great Falls so he made his own arrangements. Second, I don’t have to justify myself to anyone but me. Remember that.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He chuckled, then closed the door with respect.

  “You have a thing for old Mustangs?”

  “A beauty, isn’t she.” He patted the dash before snapping the seatbelt. “My dad bought her in seventy-four. Car of the year. Has kept her in perfect shape and I’m continuing the tradition.” Carefully, Cooper backed out of the parking space and swung onto the one-way.

  “Wow, I’m impressed.”

  Cooper smiled, then pressed the brakes. He gave Dallas a quick glance, then tried again. “We have a problem.”

  “Problem?”

  He pumped the brakes again and again. “Brakes are not working.”

  “What do you mean … not working. You just said you keep her in perfect shape.”

  “I do … and the brakes were fine all day.” They passed the Sagebrush Bed and Breakfast going at least forty-five. “She is … I … if we get a chance to check it out I’ll bet we’ll find the brake line has been cut. Damn, we would be heading down the highest hill in town.”

  “You’re joking, right, Cooper? A little drama to impress the IA lady? Take me back, now. I’m too tired for this high school crap.”

  They ran a red light as Cooper continued to pump the brakes. He glanced both ways, then pressed the horn as they raced through another. “We’re bound not to be this lucky at every intersection.”

  “You’re not joking, are you?”

  “This is no joke. We’re in for a roller-coaster ride. Fasten your seatbelt.”

  “It’s fastened. What are you going to do?”

  He didn’t miss the fear in her tone. “Well,” he paused to take a squealing right corner. “Let’s see if we can make it to Great Falls High. I’m thinking the chain link fence around the football field might stop us.”

  “Good idea. How far … oh, shit … is that it? You sure this will—“

  “Hang on, we’re going to hit.” The impact jarred them like a brick wall. The sound of scraping metal screamed into the quiet night. A stopping jolt snapped his head forward hard against the steering wheel before whipping it back against the headrest. Damn, it hurt. Silence settled around them. Cooper shook off the heaviness that engulfed him. “Dallas,” he called out, aware his voice was deep and sounded far off in the distance somewhere. “Dallas, you okay?” He focused on the limp form in the passenger seat.

  “What … have we stopped?

  “Worked like a charm. Are you hurt?” With effort, he shrugged off a wave of nausea.

  “I don’t think so. I closed my eyes and held my breath. I think the jolt knocked the wind out of me for a second, that’s all.”

  “Good. Let’s get out of here in case we have a gas leak.”

  “Lord, I never thought of that.”

  He unsnapped the seatbelt with his left hand and quickly pulled on the door knob with his right. It didn’t bulge. “My sides crushed in and the door won’t open. I’m going to have to crawl out your side.” He wished the piercing headache would subside enough to think clearly. Her scream of pain halted his thoughts. “What’s wrong?”

  “Believe it or not, I think I might have broken my right arm. Funny, I don’t remember hitting it.”

  “I’m sorry. Do you think you can open the door and get out? I hate to suggest we hurry, but I think I smell gas.”

  “I smell it, too.”

  Within seconds she had opened her door and got out of the vehicle. “Smells strong of gasoline out here. You’d better swing your butt over that gear shift and get the hell out of there.”

  “Start running … I’ll catch up.” Cooper pulled his butt over the console and tucked his legs over and around as fast as he could move. He bolted from the car and without missing a beat he was at a fast run the minute his feet hit the ground. Dallas wasn’t that far ahead of him when the Mustang exploded. He dived for her, pulling her against him as they propelled through the air. He turned, pulling her on top of him. He didn’t miss her cries of pain when they landed on the cold, hard ground.

  Paralyzed, he lay watching flames engulf his father’s Mustang like a giant bonfire. It was all he had left from a father that died too soon. “I have a hard time believing this was just a coincidence. Any evidence we might have gotten from the vehicle are gone quicker than a fart in the wind.”

  “I guess that’s one way of putting it.”

  “Do you get the feeling that someone is watching us?” Dallas stiffened in his arms.

  “You … think so?”

  He glanced around them. Even in the light cast by the burning car, nothing seemed to move beyond them. “I think we should get you to a hospital. I left my phone in the apartment.”

  “My cell burned up in your car … along with my purse. Damn it … there goes my driver’s license, credit cards, badge, and … damn it!”

  “I’m sorry. You feel like walking?”

  “I thought this wasn’t the time of morning for a lady to be out walking.”

  He smiled as she rolled off him and struggled to her feet. “I said any woman by herself. You’ve got me to protect you.”

  “Oh, yeah, right. If experience serves me, you couldn’t take me two blocks without getting your car blown up. Can’t tell you how safe and reassuring you make me feel.”

  “You’re exaggerating, besides this could have happened to anyone whose brake line was cut.” He slid his palm across her back and pulled her shoulder against him.

  “Exaggerating … I think not.”

  “Maybe someone is nervous about my appearing on Kari’s show?”

  “Remember Megan’s comment about you having an accident on your way to the interview?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think she could have done this. She’s more of the threatening kind. She likes to be heard. I doubt if she would know a gas line from a fan belt. No, someone else is responsible for this.”

  “Megan’s lover? I’d say someone close who knows that car meant something to you.”

  Dallas shivered against him and he pulled her close. “Maybe the killer.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The coffee was hot and black; it matched Megan’s mood. She hadn’t got any sleep until late morning. Flashbacks of the past evening, that had mushroomed into a nightmare
, gave her a feeling of doom. She pulled the newspaper toward her and gasped. The picture of a Mustang in flames captured the spotlight news. God, it was Cooper’s car.

  She reached for the phone and pressed speed-dial one. It rang … and rang … and rang. She slammed it down hard.

  What could have happened? She thought for a moment, then pressed speed-dial two and waited.

  “Great Falls Police Department, how may I direct your call?”

  “I want Josh Arnott, please.”

  “One moment, ma’am, I’ll transfer you.”

  Megan tapped her long nail on the table. A funky Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” played in the background.

  “Arnott.”

  “Josh, this is Megan.”

  “What the shit you calling here for?”

  “I saw the paper … and … well, I called Coop’s apartment and got no answer. You know anything?”

  “Gee, Megan, one would think you cared.”

  Gritting her teeth, she took a deep breath to calm herself. “Do you know anything? Was Coop hurt?”

  “Don’t know shit, Megan. Haven’t seen him since yesterday. You’ll have to get your info somewhere else.”

  “You know when he’ll be in?” She hoped for an answer without sarcasm.

  “Don’t think he’ll be in until he finishes his interview on the Kari Winslow show. You know about that, don’t you?”

  Oh shit! She’d forgotten to call James Airhart. “He say he was going to be there?” She held her breath, afraid to hear the answer.

  “Sure, why not? You have reason to believe he won’t?”

  “No, I … you have a cell number I can reach him at?” His long pause wore on her patience.

  “Well, now, I’m not so sure Cooper wants you to have that number. Is this an emergency? I could forward any message you have, but I can’t in good conscience give you that number.”

  Josh spoke loud and she had no doubt he meant to share their conversation with everyone around him. “Christ, Josh, I just want his stupid cell phone number, not his damn investment portfolio.”