QR Code Killer

by Shanna Hatfield

  “I know that, but what else, Tom? Just get it over with,” Maddie said, leaning back in the chair and rubbing her hand up and down her arm, fighting off the gooseflesh that rippled over her. She felt defiled, tainted.

  “Files filled with every detail anyone could ever want to know about you. He knows everything from your favorite flavor of coffee and your birth date to your dislike of asparagus to the birthmark on your…”

  Air whooshed out of Maddie’s lungs. If she hadn’t already been sitting, she might have sunk to the floor. This was worse than she had imagined, even in her worst nightmares.

  “How would he know… how could he know… Tom, I…” Maddie couldn’t even form coherent thoughts at this point. He had watched her sleep. He had seen her naked, or nearly so, to know about her birthmark. He’d been close enough to know what she was eating and drinking. What else had he seen? What else did he know?

  Maddie had never felt so vulnerable and exposed in her entire life. Mortified, she wanted to crawl in a hole and pull it in after herself, shutting out everyone and everything.

  “Calm down, Maddie. Take a deep breath. There’s more, but you’ll like this part,” Tom said, hoping she would keep herself together. Mad Dog hadn’t ever let him down yet. “We found a box full of passports and photos. Our Mr. Zeus has no less than a dozen disguises including that of Jude Johnson and an elderly gentleman named Martin Ross. I’m guessing Martin is the one who spied on your dinner with Erik. I’m going to put together copies of all this info and have it couriered to you today. It will be hand-delivered by someone you recognize, so expect to have it this evening.”

  “Okay, Tom,” Maddie said, her mind racing. “I’ll be watching for the info.”

  “Don’t let this get to you, Mad Dog. Remember this isn’t about you or anything you’ve done. It’s about catching a psychopath that just happened to choose you as his personal target.”

  “Right,” Maddie said. “Hey, Tom, can you send copies of the photos, too? At least the ones he took while I was sleeping?”

  “Are you sure you want them?” Tom asked, not sure it was a great idea.

  “Yeah, I do. I’ve got a few ideas and I want to see if they hold water. I can handle it. Just make sure you send them.”

  “Will do, boss,” Tom teased. “Lena says to tell you she misses you terribly and she hopes the guys aren’t starving to death.”

  Maddie laughed. “Tell her I bought an industrial sized jar of peanut butter and they found her stash of strawberry jam. They’ll survive.”

  “Bye, Mad Dog.”

  Maddie’s mind wouldn’t stop spinning around the information Tom had shared. Her hands practically itched to dig into the files.

  The evening sun was nearly setting when she heard a car coming up the drive. Looking out the window, she smiled and turned to Danny. “Why don’t you get the door, Danny Boy?”

  “Why?” Danny said, getting up from the table where he, Erik and Zach were looking through the daily paper.

  “I think you’ll want to, that’s why.” Maddie couldn’t keep from smiling when Danny opened the door to find his fiancée standing there.

  Letting out a whoop, he swung her up into his arms and kissed her soundly, the file of paperwork crushed between them.

  “Aubrey, you are a sight for sore eyes,” Danny said as he finally set her down in the kitchen and pulled her close to his side. Turning to Zach and Erik, Danny couldn’t wipe the huge grin off his face. “This is my fiancée Aubrey. Aubrey, you know Maddie. This is her brother, Zach, and her boyfriend, Erik.”

  Aubrey made the appropriate comments when Zach and Erik both rose and shook her hand. She was a lovely woman with long, mahogany colored hair, a willowy figure and wide almond-shaped gray eyes.

  Maddie mulled over the title Danny gave Erik. Boyfriend? Was that what he was to her? While it was simple enough to use for introduction purposes, Maddie knew Erik was much, much more to her than just a boyfriend. He reached places in her soul that had never been touched. She felt a connection to him that twined their hearts together so closely, sometimes the very joy of it made her ache with pleasure and longing.

  Pouring Aubrey a glass of tea and scooping her a bowl of the ice cream they were all eating, Maddie took the file and started pulling out papers and photos. She hadn’t told Zach or Erik about the details, although she did go over what she knew from the call with Danny. As they spread everything out on the table, Erik grew quiet and distant. At one point he got up and walked around the kitchen, hands splayed through his hair before drawing in several deep breaths and sitting back down.

  Aubrey, who hadn’t seen Danny all summer, sat close to him, her hand looped through his arm and her head on his shoulder. She worked in the homicide division of the police department and Maddie knew she could be trusted with the information they were carefully going through.

  Tom must have known Danny needed a little break from the monotony of playing cowboy, farmer and chief babysitter.

  With Ethan gone and Lena in Seattle, Maddie insisted Danny and Erik move into the house. She felt safer with them all under one roof. The old farmhouse had plenty of extra rooms, although she would give Aubrey Aunt Lena’s big bedroom, just off the kitchen. She’d have a bit more privacy that way.

  “How long can you stay, Aubrey?” Maddie asked as she got up to refill all their glasses with more tea.

  “Unfortunately, I’m heading back tomorrow. I can stay through the morning, but I’ll have to leave right after lunch.”

  “Well, maybe we better order something for takeout,” Zach said, waggling his eyebrows at Maddie. “Our head cook is still learning how not to burn everything.”

  Maddie threw a dish towel at her brother and gave him an annoyed glare. “At least I’m trying to learn. That’s more than I see you doing.”

  “I’ve got a farm to take care of Little Miss Maddie-Pants,” Zach teased, using his childhood nickname for Maddie, causing her to narrow her eyes and look at him like she would take him out right then and there. That caused the rest of them to break out in laughter. Maddie was pleased to see even Erik laugh, his somber expression fading momentarily.

  Maddie showed Aubrey to her room so she could get settled in. Danny was following her around like a puppy on a leash so Maddie soon returned to the kitchen where Erik sat studying the photos spread out on the table. Zach disappeared into the office to finish some paperwork.

  Maddie put the few dirty dishes into the dishwasher then sat down next to Erik. Watching him for a moment, she placed her hand on his and he looked up at her, worry etching lines across his tanned forehead.

  “Talk to me, Erik” Maddie said, wanting to know what was bothering him.

  “This is… Maddie, this... I never imagined…” Erik said, running his hands across his eyes, like he was trying to blot out the images before him. “Maddie, this is so personal, so invasive. I feel like you’ve been violated. I feel like I should be doing something to protect and shelter you, yet I know there is nothing I can do.”

  Reaching out to him, Maddie pulled Erik’s hand from his face and held it between her own. “Erik, it is personal. It is invasive. I do feel violated. Some sacred line has been crossed and things won’t ever be the same again.”

  “I know, Maddie, and I’m powerless to help you. Powerless to change it. Nothing I can do will make it better.”

  “That’s not entirely true,” Maddie said, looking at Erik with love and longing in her eyes.

  Erik, glad to see Maddie had removed the unreadable mask she so often wore, watched emotions cross her face and settle in her blue eyes. “What can I possibly do to make this better?”

  “Hold me,” Maddie said on a whisper.

  Erik sighed and pulled her onto his lap, cradling her tenderly against his chest. Maddie rested in the secure comfort of his arms, relishing the feel of being surrounded by his love. Erik hadn’t said the words, but she knew he loved her. Deeply. Without reserve. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be sitting here in this
kitchen holding her while a maniac plotted the best way to kill them all.

  Opening her eyes, Maddie looked at the photos scattered across the table and began to truly study them. Sitting up, she picked up one, then another, then another.

  “What is it, Maddie?” Erik asked, feeling the excitement racing through her as her body tensed.

  “These photos. The ones he took of me in my apartment, while I was sleeping, these were taken before Devin died.” Maddie picked up a photo of her asleep in her bed. “See this comforter. I bought a new one the week that Devin died. I was redoing my bedroom then. I painted the walls and bought all new bedding. These photos were taken before then.”

  “So what does that mean?” Erik asked, still holding her on his lap while she quickly sorted through the photos, making piles.

  “I’m not sure yet, but there is something here I’m missing.”

  “Well, let’s study them until we figure it out.” Erik said, watching her sort through the stack of images.

  “I’m glad you said we,” Maddie said, looking over her shoulder and leaning back to kiss Erik. “I’m really glad there is a we.”

  “Me, too, Mad Dog,” Erik teased. “Now, let’s see what we can find.”

  Maddie and Erik sorted through the photos by the type of shot - work, apartment, shopping, eating, farm and other. When they had them sorted into piles, they began to piece them together, like parts of a puzzle. All the photos of Maddie in her apartment, at restaurants and shopping were before Devin died. All the photos of her working and at the farm were after. Some of them were a year or so old. Some taken as recently as a few weeks ago.

  The recent shots let them know that Zeus had either been commuting between his apartment and Walla Walla or he had someone in town staking out the farm.

  “What am I missing?” Maddie said, staring at the photos again.

  “Your rest,” Erik said, standing up and setting Maddie on her feet. “It’s late and you’re as tired as I am. Let this go for the night and come back with a fresh start in the morning.”

  “But I could just…” Maddie said, starting to sit back down.

  Erik swooped her up in his arms. “Yep, you could just, but you won’t. Go to bed, Maddie. Get some rest.”

  Maddie rested in his arms, thrilling at being held to his chest while his warm, manly scent filled her senses. While Erik carried her up the stairs to her bedroom, she rubbed her hands lightly up and down his shoulders. As they neared the top of the stairs, Maddie pressed a hot, wet kiss to his neck, making him nearly stumble on the top step.

  “That wasn’t exactly fair,” Erik growled. “You could have made me drop you and that would have been unthinkable.”

  “Sorry,” Maddie said, without a single note of apology in her voice.

  “I don’t think you are sorry at all,” Erik said, letting her slowly slide down to touch her feet to the carpet in the hall outside her bedroom door.

  “Maybe,” Maddie said with a flirty grin. “Maybe not.”

  “Goodnight, Maddie,” he whispered, leaning down to warm her lips with his in a passionate kiss that drove all thoughts of photos and files from her head. When Erik lifted his head, Maddie grasped it and pulled his lips back to her eager ones, kissing him every bit as thoroughly as he had kissed her.

  “Maddie,” Erik groaned, tugging her flush against him. Desires he had long buried flooded over him with such force, he felt tremors start at his feet and work their way up through his chest. He couldn’t get enough of her lips, of her scent. He couldn’t pull her close enough. He wanted so much more than to just kiss her goodnight, but for now, it would have to be enough.

  “Erik, I...” Maddie started to say, but her words were lost in the kiss Erik pressed to her, his lips needy, hungry.

  “Maddie, I think I better say goodnight.” Erik took a step away from her and they both felt a sudden coolness where seconds before heat surrounded them.

  “That’s probably a wise idea,” Maddie said, stepping back into her bedroom. “Thanks, Farmer Man. I don’t think I’ve ever been swept off my feet and carried to my room before.”

  Erik winked at her. “Anytime, Madelyn.”

  Chapter Twelve

  When Erik wandered into the kitchen early the next morning, Maddie was already sitting at the table studying the photos.

  Nuzzling her neck, his breath was warm on her ear and she visibly softened to his touch. “Did you not follow orders and go to bed?”

  “Yes, I did,” Maddie said, kissing his cheek. “But I woke up a couple of hours ago and couldn’t sleep, so I came down to see if I could figure anything out and start breakfast.”

  Erik quirked an eyebrow and looked around the kitchen. He didn’t see any smoke boiling out of anything and he could smell the scent of ham on the air.

  “What, exactly, are you making?”

  “A breakfast casserole. I think even I can make it without setting anything aflame.” Maddie looked up from the table and smiled at Erik, her heart warmed by his presence and the admiring glow in his honey-colored eyes.

  “You continue to amaze me, Maddie,” Erik said, pulling her into his embrace. “I think you can do anything you set your mind to, even learning to cook.”

  Maddie didn’t put up any resistance to his arms around her. Instead she breathed in his unique scent of soap, shaving lotion and all man. Sliding her arms around his back, she rejoiced in quiet, pleasant moments like this that kept her from being consumed by the dark and twisted world her job pulled her into.

  “Did you make any progress with the photos or the information?” Erik asked as held Maddie close, enjoying their few moments alone before everyone else wandered into the kitchen.

  “No, I didn’t, but something keeps niggling at the back of my mind. There is something here I’m missing. I just don’t know what it could be.”

  “You’ll figure it out. That’s why they call you Mad Dog isn’t it? You never let go of the bone until you’ve gnawed it completely.”

  “Well, that paints quite a pretty and flattering picture of me, Mr. Moore,” Maddie said, slapping playfully at Erik.

  He laughed and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Do you need a pretty picture?”

  “Maybe I do,” Maddie said, trying to look indignant.

  “When I think of you as Madelyn, your hair falls in soft golden waves around your lovely face, your cheeks are kissed by pink summer roses and your eyes, those big beautiful blue orbs, are warm and inviting. They make me want to dive right in and spend forever there. Your lips are rosy and enticing, your laughter stirs my heart and the sound of you saying my name makes me want to hold you in my arms and kiss you until there is nothing except the two of us. How’s that? Is that a better picture?”

  “That was wonderful, Farmer Man,” Maddie said, her eyes soft as her love for Erik flooded her being. “I think you might have a poet’s heart beating beneath that John Deere T-shirt you’re wearing.”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know,” Erik teased. Putting a hand to her head, he let it linger in a gentle caress before looking around the kitchen. “So what else do we need to make to go with your casserole?”

  “I could make muffins,” Maddie said. When Erik looked at her doubtfully, she held up a boxed mix.

  “Sounds good. I can help.”

  By the time the casserole and muffins were done, Zach, Danny and Aubrey wandered into the kitchen. After breakfast was over, they all sat looking at the photos. Danny agreed there was something they were missing, but they couldn’t quite grasp the elusive thought that would bring them clarity.

  “Let’s take a break and come back to these,” Aubrey suggested. “I’d love to see the farm. I don’t get to spend much time in the country and it is absolutely beautiful here.”

  “Go on and show her around, Danny,” Maddie urged. “Take one of the four-wheelers.”

  “Thanks. We won’t be gone too long,” Danny said, leading Aubrey outside.

  Zach and Erik went out to do
the morning irrigating while Maddie cleaned up the breakfast dishes. She was just putting the last dish in the dishwasher when her old cell phone rang. Snatching it off the table, she steeled herself for whatever was going to happen next.

  “Maddie, dear, up and about early this morning, aren’t we? Such a beautiful day, too. Looks like you’ve got company. And here I thought you might have a thing for the cowboy and he’s had a girl all along. Hope she isn’t too jealous of all the time you fawned over him this summer. I didn’t realize you were such a playful flirt.”

  Maddie interrupted him. “What do you want, Zeus? Why don’t you quit playing games and cut to the chase.”

  “You want to cut to the chase, Maddie, dear? You mean you don’t like conversing with me?”

  “Not particularly,” Maddie said, trying to sound bored.

  “You wound me deeply, Maddie, dear,” Zeus’ voice took on a hard edge and his accent slowly faded. “I don’t like people snooping in my belongings. That’s why they are mine. That’s why I go to great lengths to keep them private.”

  “If you want to keep things private, maybe you shouldn’t create a need for them to become the subject of speculation,” Maddie suggested. “Besides, you don’t seem to have a problem snooping through other people’s belongings, do you? How dare you invade my privacy like that? What gives you the right to be so intrusive in my private life?”

  “Because I’m Zeus, that’s what,” he said, growing agitated.

  “You are a little man with a very large ego, not a god,” Maddie said, trying to goad him.

  “I’ve warned you plenty of times to back off, hon, and you seem to have a problem listening,” Zeus growled into the phone, his irritation had completely obliterated his accent and something triggered in Maddie’s mind. That voice was one she knew, one that tickled the edges of her memory, but she couldn’t at that moment figure out why. “Just to make it perfectly clear, I’m sending you another reminder. Hope you said bye-bye to brother dearest this morning.”