Hell Is Burning

by Morgan Kelley

  He was touched and relieved that he didn't say something to get him in trouble. Yeah, he was attracted to Emma, but he wasn’t going to ever cross that line. He respected Greyson too much.

  “I appreciate that, but I’ll be crashing in my office tonight. I have a lot of work to do, and we have that charity thing tomorrow.”

  She was well aware. “Well, watch your ass, Chris. This is getting ugly.”

  “I think I can babysit myself. You’re the one getting drive-bys in the middle of the day.”

  Before walking away, he recalled something he had for her. Reaching into his pocket, Chris pulled out a zip drive. “Here.”

  “What’s this?” she asked.

  “That’s the interview with Detective Greg McGuire. Captain Sherwood handled it. He’s in the clear. On it, he admits that he and Brynn were hot and heavy, and that they’d just had sex before she went missing.”

  Emma made the mental switch to the other case. She was juggling all kinds of crazy in her head. She really needed a vacation, and soon.

  “Is he off our suspect list?”

  “He has an alibi. After the hook up, he stopped on his way home at a convenient store. He’s on security footage getting a forty of beer and some chips. He chats it up with the clerk, like he always does, and then heads to his car. Once there, he sends some texts.”

  “Did we pull them?” Emma asked.

  “Yeah, we did. He willingly gave up his phone so we could check them out. They were to his mother. He was bailing on Sunday dinner at her house. He was planning on spending some time in bed.”

  “With Brynn.”

  “Yep.”

  “Damn it,” she muttered. “I was hoping we would have an easy case.” Why was she not surprised?

  “He knew about the divorce, Emma. He came right out and admitted to being privy. In fact, according to him, he’s the one who told her to come clean. There were a few texts from him to Brynn, and they openly discussed it. He’s playing this off as some random sex, but I don’t doubt that he and Brynn were going to shack up post-divorce.”

  “Did he say that?”

  “Let’s call it a gut feeling. I’ve been in Curtis’s position. Women don’t just sleep around multiple times and not get attached.”

  Emma didn't doubt that Brynn’s killer was the same person trying to get to her husband.

  What a freaking mess.

  “Vice is willing to help out if you need it, but I have to warn you.”

  “About what now?” she asked.

  “IAB is sniffing around too. They want to know why you’re running this investigation, since you were her partner. They’re breathing down my freaking neck on this one. One of the weasels is digging for dirt.”

  “Great. My spotless record is about to get dirty now too. Can this day get any worse?”

  Dimitri pointed to the wall with all the bullets.

  “Gee. Thanks.”

  He simply shrugged.

  “Emma, if they find out that Greyson’s agent is living with you, we’re talking all kinds of trouble headed your way. Close this, and maybe they’ll back off. Someone called the rat squad in, and you have too many people who hate your guts.” Chris motioned to the cops outside the café.

  She was well aware.

  This was getting uglier and uglier.

  Yet, Emma wasn’t shocked by any of this. “Once Internal Affairs get a load of my tail, the talk is going to blow up. I have no doubt that they’re going to pull this case. We have to find this asshole. I’m running out of time.”

  Dimitri laughed. “Should I be insulted? Honestly, Mrs. Croft, are you suggesting that I’m not on the up and up and without proof? How incredibly uncop-like of you.”

  Chris glared at him. “Are you suggesting you are?”

  “Run me.”

  “Yeah, give me your DNA.”

  The man grinned. “Get a warrant.”

  Emma stopped them. This was getting out of hand. Chris wanted to protect her from her protector. How had her life spiraled out of control?

  Oh, yeah, that’s right.

  Vegas and Randall Mason.

  “Chris, I’ll be fine. Just run that car and see what you can get.”

  Her phone chimed.

  “It’s Greyson. He is heading back to the FBI building to handle some things. Curtis is safe.”

  Dimitri spoke, “We should meet him there. I don’t doubt that the shooter will be watching you two. They won’t give up.”

  Emma patted Chris on the arm. “Stay inside until tomorrow when we send the limo to pick you up.”

  “Just watch your back, Emma.”

  She slapped him on the chest, checking for Kevlar under his clothes. Her hand hit muscle. “Suit up, Captain. They’re playing for keeps. Whether you like it or not, you’re now on team Croft. If this killer has his way, we have a rapidly approaching expiry date.”

  Pointing at the wall, Emma let that punctuate her suggestion. Chris was a smart man, and he’d do it. This killer was playing for keeps, and if they were being watched, he’d just marked himself.

  The mess kept growing.

  Now Emma had to hope to stay ahead of it.

  Just for a little longer.

  Chapter Eleven

  FBI Las Vegas

  Friday Afternoon

  The media was already surrounding the building. It was proof that they had tailed Greyson to his place of work. It was like a feeding frenzy, once the reporters following her were added to the bedlam.

  Well, at least Emma could relax.

  Her husband was safe.

  As soon as the black Lincoln pulled up, they started their approach. Inside, Dimitri was behind the wheel, and he was trying to figure out a way through the mess.

  “You need to leave,” she stated. “I can handle them. I’m used to it. I’ll tell them what I’m wearing tomorrow night, smile a little, and kiss a whole lot of ass.”

  That made her angry, but if it meant mollifying them, so be it. Honestly, she didn't see why they were so absorbed with their life. It was befuddling.

  “That’s not happening, Mrs. Croft. I’m your security, and they’re going to find out about me eventually,” he stated. “Let me play watchdog, and you worry about your case. From the sounds of it, you have enough on your plate.”

  She didn't have a choice. “Okay, but I warned you. Whenever someone tries to get me through the crowd, they get tagged as a ‘person of media interest’.”

  “I’ll be fine. Your concern is not warranted. They won’t dig anything up on me. If you’re worried about looking bad…”

  She cut him off. “Dimitri, I’m worried about you being a bull’s-eye too.”

  He grinned. “I don’t go down easy.”

  “Yeah, I said that too, and fate keeps trying to see if my luck holds up.”

  He patted her arm. “I’ve got your back, Mrs. Croft.” With that, he got out of his car. As he moved around to the passenger side, the media went silent.

  It was the calm before the storm.

  As soon as the door was open, and they saw her, the media swarmed.

  Emma could feel her husband’s eyes on her from the window above. She also knew he had to be feeling helpless. This was normally his role, and he’d been relegated to bystander.

  It had to frustrate him.

  Dimitri navigated her through the crowd, pushing reporters out of their way when they got too close. He didn't offer any apologies, only dirty looks to the reporters who dared make a comment.

  It only stirred them up even more. They began snapping his picture and directing questions at him.

  Dimitri simply ignored them. At the door, he pushed some man out of the way and hustled Emma past building security. Once safe, she finally took a breath.

  “Thank you.”

  He smiled. “I told you that we’d get through it. You need to relax, Mrs. Croft.”

  “Emma. If you’re going to do that every day, then it’s the least I can do. I’m pretty laid ba
ck.”

  “Then Emma it is.”

  Dimitri waited for her to clear them with security. The second they saw her coming, they opened up the elevator for her. It wasn’t lost on him that while her husband was the most powerful man in the city, she had a considerable amount of power too. When Emma spoke, people moved.

  “This is some building,” he stated, as the doors closed behind them.

  She glanced over. “Do I have to tell you not to break into it in your down time? Or is that a given?”

  He laughed. “I like you, Emma, but you realize that I’m not doing illegal things all the time, right? I have hobbies.”

  “Like?”

  He lowered his voice to whisper in her ear in case the elevator was recorded. “Espionage.”

  She gasped, just as the doors opened.

  Her timing was impeccable. There stood her husband, and he didn't look happy.

  Not at all.

  “Back away from my wife,” he said, keeping his voice low.

  Dimitri grinned, his aqua eyes flashing. “I’m just guarding her assets, Director.”

  Greyson wanted to punch the man in the face. Only, he couldn’t. His job would end immediately, and they’d lose their security. He’d gotten out of the frying pan with Mason, and was now in the fire with the Russian killer.

  Great.

  He really hated Vegas.

  Emma didn't hesitate. As soon as she was out of the elevator, she was against his body. Greyson wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. The scent of her shampoo helped him relax.

  “Oh, Grey, I’m glad you’re safe.”

  He lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. “Honey, I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”

  She gave him a kiss. It was soft, full of love, and showed everything she felt for her husband.

  Immediately, he was relaxed. Greyson wasn’t good with men being around his wife. His past made him edgy, but he couldn’t worry about it. Emma wasn’t Brynn.

  She wouldn’t do that to him.

  Glancing up, he found their security guy watching them. “Thank you for getting her here.”

  “Mr. Croft, it’s my pleasure. You both need to relax and have a little faith in me. This isn’t my first job. Not to brag, but I’ve protected presidents, dignitaries, and dictators. This is a cake walk.”

  They didn't want to know.

  “Let’s get caught up,” Greyson stated, leading them down a hall to the private offices. He debated on leaving the man in his office, but then again…that seemed like a bad idea.

  It was like letting the fox into the henhouse, and he wasn’t big on having to explain this one to the Blackhawks.

  The jury was out on Dimitri Gideon.

  As they entered Paris’s workspace, both Feds looked up. They weren’t surprised to see the bosses, but the stranger with them definitely had their attention.

  “What do you have?” Emma asked.

  They hesitated, looking over at Greyson for the go ahead to speak freely.

  She tried to be patient. This was a learning curve for all of them.

  Greyson reassured them. “I should make the introductions. Dimitri Gideon, this is Doctor Paris Archer, and his fiancée, Special Agent Tessa Brass. They’re part of the team.”

  He shook their hands.

  Croft was focused on the man. “Dimitri is head of our security at the house. We’ve opted to move in today, and he’s going to be watching our backs.”

  Tessa immediately began running him. Old habits die hard.

  Dimitri laughed. “She’s searching me, isn't she?” he asked, as her fingers effortlessly moved across the tablet. “You didn't even have to tell her. That’s priceless.”

  “My team is the best there is,” Greyson stated. “They know me.”

  He grinned. “I like suspicion in a woman. It’s always an appealing characteristic.”

  Paris cleared his throat. “I suggest you focus your attention elsewhere. The only one admiring her ‘suspicion’ is me.”

  He laughed even more. “Yes, Doctor. I see your point. I need you to just pretend I’m not here. I’m very trustworthy, and I’ll stay out of your way.”

  Greyson wasn’t sure about that. Instead of arguing, he and Emma took a seat on Paris’s couch. Immediately, Gideon moved to stand behind them.

  Tessa was amused. She never thought she’d see this day coming. The boss had a bodyguard.

  “Agent Brass, do you want me to remove the smile?” Greyson asked, getting her attention.

  “No, sir.”

  Emma took that as her cue. “What did you find?”

  Paris excitedly grinned. He wheeled closer to them and handed them the tablet. “We found you the link to tie all the victims together.”

  Emma sat forward. “If you’re serious, Paris, I’ll be so happy I might just kiss you!”

  Tessa laughed. “I’m pretty sure the boss has told us that there’s no kissing in the office.”

  Greyson laughed. “And I’m pretty sure you’ve ignored me, but that’s not what we want to discuss.”

  “Let me have it,” Emma stated, flipping through the financials on the tablet. While she looked through them, Paris broke it down for her.

  “We started by running Shirley Golden’s financials. She may have worked at a school, but we found her second home. It’s a gym.”

  Emma made notes so she could share it with the rest of her team.

  “We know she was meeting her girlfriend after work, and we ran a cross comparison on ‘Body and Soul’ to tie all the victims to that one location.”

  She glanced up. “And?”

  Tessa continued, “We were able to do it, but it wasn’t as easy as you’d think. We pulled Blanca Reilly’s financials, and she doesn’t belong to the gym.”

  “Any more,” Paris added. “I found a refund for a month’s membership a couple of weeks ago. She used to belong to that gym, but she quit right about the time she got ‘engaged’.”

  Greyson was proud of his team. “Keep going.”

  “Kelly Granger was no stranger to the place either. She took a yoga class there. She wasn’t a member of the gym, but she paid per class. We found debits to her account each week for three classes.”

  “Add that to her boyfriend teaching there, and you have a pretty well connected web of gym rats.”

  Emma was proud of them. “Did Brynn ever go there?” She was hoping they were wrong, and maybe this killer just screwed up. She didn't want Brynn’s death on her shoulders. They were already overburdened.

  “We pulled up Brynn’s financials, thanks to Curtis releasing them, and we didn't find any gym memberships. She must have used the police station to get her workout in.”

  Yeah, or Detective McGuire was making her sweat.

  Emma glanced over at the screen on the wall. It had Brynn’s financials there. “Wait, they had separate accounts?”

  “Yes. Detective Westmore-Briggs was keeping quite a few secrets. The numbers don’t lie.”

  She could see the repeated notation of sleazy hotels. There were even a few sex shops.

  WOW!

  She was putting a lot of time into cheating. Too bad she couldn’t spend an iota of that taking care of her marriage. It might not have ended like this had she.

  Paris spoke up, “This proves that the killer didn't take Brynn. In my opinion, this is proof that there is a second killer. He’s targeting you both.”

  They were well aware.

  Greyson told them what just happened.

  Paris added that to his mental file. “Taking a shot at Curtis and Brynn could only mean a couple things. This person wants to hurt you, or he wants to divide the team. By making you watch the people around you die, that’s going to force you to push people away. You’ll be alone.”

  Dimitri raised his hand. “Not quite.”

  Greyson thought about it. “Tell me about this person.”

  “We’re talking smart. This killer has managed to hide in plain
sight. It’s going to be someone you’ve met, talked to, and seen. This killer will want to study you. That’s the whole point. By being able to get to your circle, they can break you apart from the inside out.”

  He really hated this asshole.

  “You have to keep the team intact,” Paris offered. “That’s going to frustrate the killer, and hopefully he’ll make a mistake.”

  Emma hoped.

  “Is this going to be Dominic Marianna?” Croft asked. He had the opinion of his security guy, but now he needed his profiler’s thoughts.

  “No. He’s not focused enough. Look at when he attacked Emma. He tried to get you to share her, and when you didn't, what happened?”

  “He got pissed.”

  “You called him on it, and he immediately went after her. There was no plotting or planning. He’s not smart enough to pull this off. This person killed Lana Dumas, a cop, Thomas Booker, and who knows who else. No, it’s not going to be him.”

  Well, that was good enough for Greyson. He was two for two on this one. It was time to let Marianna drop from his focus for a little while. He needed to worry about this killer now.

  “What else?”

  “If you’re looking for an age, I’d venture to say that we’re talking an older person. Typically, with age comes patience and skill. This person is focused on the prize. If you need an example, look at Randall Mason. He was a master at screwing with people.”

  Dimitri laughed. “Sorry, but he really was. Look at this mess. He made the highest ranking cop in the city the most powerful person in Vegas. He loved screwing with people.”

  They couldn’t disagree there.

  “If this person just took a shot and failed, he’s going to reevaluate before moving in again. You’ll have time. Not much, but enough to regroup,” Paris offered.

  “So tomorrow’s party?”

  He thought about it. “The person will want to watch you, and that’s going to be how. You’ll be out of your element, and that’s something he’ll enjoy. Watch your back, and study everyone. As long as you’re cautious, you should be good. Stick together.”