Inside The Storm (Storm Warning Series Book 7)

by Geri Foster

  “Any evidence she was in a house or a car? Maybe a van?”

  “So far, I haven’t found one fiber.” The doctor seemed surprised by the findings. “It’s like the man vacuumed her. I’m going over the report from Ft. Worth and I’ll compare everything against their victim there. I can let you know tomorrow.”

  Mia and Lincoln decided to call it a day and headed back to the office. Austin had already left by the time they pulled into the parking lot, and Mia was relieved. Inside, she dropped into her chair and propped her head on her open palms. “This is a tough job. Two dead girls in one day.”

  Lincoln put his elbows on his desk and ran his fingers through his hair. He probably didn’t look at her for fear he might burst into tears. “What kind of sick son of a bitch kills like that?”

  Mia stared at him. He must’ve felt her eyes on him, for he turned and met her gaze. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, I’m going to kill this fucker if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Chapter 4

  Lincoln felt like he’d been run through an old ringer washing machine then tossed into a bucket of mud. It frightened the hell out of him to know that some asshole was out there killing kids. What he wouldn’t give to blow that bastard to hell and back.

  He glanced over at Mia who looked as exhausted as he was, and he knew she only had a tacky hotel room to return to. “Hey. Want to go out for dinner?”

  She sent him a questioning glance.

  He held up his hands. “Just as friends. I thought since you’re going to a hotel with nothing to do, we might as well eat together. Beats the hell out of being alone.”

  She scooted her chair back. “Sure. Sounds good to me. I’m starving.”

  “Even after that big barbecue lunch we had?”

  “Absolutely. This girl eats like a truck driver.”

  He reared back. She didn’t weigh a hundred pounds. “You sure don’t look like it”

  “Genetics.” She powered down her computer. “My mom was small too. We used to have eating contests in my family. I usually won.”

  She smiled, making him wonder how difficult that memory was for her. He knew her youth had been a living hell. The Alverez family seemed to fall apart so quickly that no one had time to notice or even offer to help.

  After suffering his own tragedy, Lincoln had times he’d hide out from people, afraid he didn’t have the strength to be decent. His blue moods often turned black, and when that happened, he couldn’t be saved.

  He couldn’t remember how many times he’d put the barrel of his gun in his mouth and waited for the courage to pull the trigger. Only the love of his mom, Amelia, and Leah kept him on this earth. He couldn’t leave them to suffer like he did.

  “There a place not far from here,” Lincoln said, relieved to have some company and, from what he could tell, Mia was a nice person to be around. Her good looks didn’t hurt either. “They make regular Texas food. Want to go?”

  “Sure. Like you said, it beats the Wayward Inn.” She tilted her head. “But I’m worried about the way you pop those heartburn pills. You eat them like candy. Shouldn’t you see a doctor or something?”

  “Nope. Me and doctors don’t get along.”

  “You might have acid reflux. That can be treated, you know.”

  Lincoln waved his hand, closed his eyes, and shook his head. “Not interested. You follow me to the restaurant in your car. This way we can both head from there to Rainwater. It isn’t far.”

  She sighed. “Okay.”

  They left the office and went to a roadhouse place where the food smelled delicious and the jukebox blared as loud as a live band.

  “My, this sure has that familiar Texas flavor to it,” she said, taking in the sights. The interior decorator must’ve been a cowboy who’d spent too much time on the range. “Nothing like chicken fried steak, Boot Scootin’ Boogie, and cold beer. All in the one place.”

  “Hey, stick with me.” Lincoln winked. “I know where all the high-class places are.”

  The waitress came to their table with laminated menus and they ordered a cold beer, both declining a glass. Lincoln loved the meatloaf there and the mashed potatoes were real, not instant. “I know what I’m getting.”

  “Me too. I’ll stick with my favorite. Chicken fried steak.”

  “That a girl. Don’t be shy.”

  “I’ve never been accused of that at a table.”

  He leaned back and swallowed a quarter of his beer. “Tell me what happened after your family left Rainwater?”

  Mia’s face paled and she studied her bottle of beer. “My mom fell apart and went to live with her sister. My dad took off for parts unknown, and still to this day, I don’t even know if he’s alive. My brother, Jose, lives somewhere on the West Coast. That’s all I know.”

  “What happened to you?”

  “They sent me to live with my grandmother. She took me in on one agreement. Anita’s name could never be mentioned.”

  Lincoln didn’t like that kind of therapy. “That had to be a bad situation. So, you weren’t allowed to let out your grief?”

  Mia shook her head. “It was horrible, but I adjusted. And by that time, I was glad to have a roof over my head. With my family deserting me, I could’ve ended up on the streets and no one would’ve cared.”

  He didn’t realize she’d had it so rough. Heavy load to shoulder for such a young girl. “I’m sorry, Mia. That’s a real bitch. What made you go into the FBI?”

  “I graduated high school in Dallas, got a scholarship, and went to college and studied criminal law. When I graduated, I applied to the bureau. They took me and have been my family ever since.” She stared him straight in the eyes, conviction that she’d made the right choice.

  “So, no husband, kids, or family of your own?”

  A tall, skinny waitress with long black hair delivered their food. Mia picked up her fork. “No, nothing like that. I was in Iraq for a while, but when I came back, I’d qualified as a profiler and that’s been my position ever since.”

  “And you did that in hopes of finding your sister’s killer?”

  She nodded. “That’s defined my life ever since I can remember. I feel responsible, so I have to make it right.”

  He felt bad for her and the sadness in her eyes touched his heart. “You know if we never find the killer, that doesn’t mean you failed.”

  She put her fork down and crossed her arms on the table. “While you were searching for the people who killed Marilyn, would you have been satisfied if you’d never found them?”

  “No. I’d have searched the ends of the Earth.”

  “That exactly how I feel. Nothing can stop me from bringing that monster to justice.”

  He leaned back and took another swig of his beer. “Let me warn you, Mia. It doesn’t bring you the reprieve you think. Oh, it ties up the loose ends and it provides a little closure. But there’s no liberation. None whatsoever. You still cry, and the pain remains.”

  “I know you’re right. I can take one look at your eyes and see your pain is still alive and real, but what would you be if you never learned who killed your wife and unborn child? Anger and determination would be replaced with the comfort of knowing you sought the justice Marilyn deserved. Because as long as you’re breathing, you want that person who hurt the one you love to pay.”

  “You’re right, but what does that say about us, Mia? You and I have wallowed around in this mire of pain for so long, I wonder if it hasn’t robbed us of any chance of happiness we can ever hope to gain.”

  Mia lowered her head. “I know. I often feel more the victim than my sister. It’s as if it happened to me personally. She’s dead, yet it’s me who suffers.”

  He stared down at his untouched food. “That’s the way it is.”

  “Have you ever tried to change your life, Lincoln? Find another woman and fall in love?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I could never betray Marilyn like that. She was everything to me.”


  “If it were different, and you’d died, would you want her to suffer like you are?”

  “Oh, hell, no. I’d want her to go on living. Find someone to love and have another family.”

  “That why can’t you give yourself that?”

  “Because I’m not worthy of that kind of happiness.”

  They both finished and paid their bill. On their way out of the restaurant, they observed two cowboys getting into a confrontation.

  “Should we interfere?” Mia asked, not putting on her jacket just yet. “Tell them to cut it out?”

  Lincoln took her by the arm and they left. “No. They have a bouncer on staff. Let him do his job.”

  “Okay.” She smiled. When she did, Lincoln felt a little lighter and Mia looked prettier. “I’m not in the mood for the paperwork, anyway.”

  “Yeah, that’s the real pain in the ass.” He opened the door for her. “I hate that.”

  “So, how was it with the Houston PD?”

  “I loved my job. Did a lot of good work, then I broke up a racketeering gang of illegals with the Mexican mafia, and after several went to jail, they all wanted me dead. I got offered a job with the FBI. After training, I was lucky enough to come here and work with Austin.”

  “He seems fair.”

  “He’s a decent person. He’ll always have your back and never ask you to go where he’s afraid to. He’s great for covering our asses when we need it and chewing them when it’s called for.”

  She snuggled deeper into her jacket. “Good. I like that.”

  “Well, it’s off to the fancy hotel, and a lousy TV show for you.”

  She studied him for a few seconds. “I can’t imagine it’s much better for you.”

  “No. The only good thing is I’ll check on Amelia and Leah before I go home. It’s a habit I’ve picked up. David often works long hours and has a lot of responsibilities.”

  Mia hugged herself. “I remember your sister. She was always so pretty.”

  He cocked his head in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding. I never saw that. I spent too much time making her life miserable.”

  “I think since she and I were so opposite, I couldn’t help myself. Her with her blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. Me with black hair and eyes, and brown skin. She was everything this girl wanted to be.”

  He laughed and escorted her to her car. “She’s still beautiful today, but so are you. You’re different, but that’s what makes the world go around.”

  They parted ways and Lincoln took off for Amelia’s as Mia took the turn off toward Main Street.

  He liked her much more than he expected. She was smart, pretty, polite, and she knew her job. He admired that about anyone. It was a shame, like him, she’d suffered such a loss. At times, life just didn’t seem fair. Still, there was a quiet confidence about her that he inwardly admired. She knew the score and didn’t play games. He imagined she could be a tough interrogator or as gentle as an angel, like with the Miller’s in Denton.

  He pulled to a stop in front of Amelia and David’s house, got out, then went to the door. Leah opened it and squealed as she jumped into his open arms.

  “How’s my little girl?” he asked, kissing her cheek. “Have you been good today?”

  “No,” Leah admitted with a sly smile. “Mom said I’m just like you. Stubborn and bullheaded.”

  He set her down until her feet touched the floor and faked a mad glare at his sister, “Oh, did she now?”

  Amelia stood on the opposite side of the counter with her arms crossed and her lips in a straight line. “I swear she’s more your child than mine.”

  He laughed. “I’ll gladly take her off your hands.”

  “Well, you’ll have to arm wrestle her daddy for that.”

  “Oh, then I don’t stand chance. How did your day go?”

  Leah had run outside to play with her two little wiener dogs in the fenced backyard.

  “Busy, and normal,” Amelia said. “Leah likes her pre-school classes.”

  “Don’t leave her alone outside. There’s a killer on the loose,” he warned.

  “I know. David told me.” His sister appeared apprehensive and scared. “I’m surprised David hasn’t locked us up in jail to keep us safe.” She glanced away. “I’m not so sure I wouldn’t like that.”

  “Another little girl was found today, so this is real and dangerous.”

  Amelia’s hand flew to cover her mouth. “Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry. Did she live in Rainwater?”

  “No, but not far. He’s back to his old hunting grounds.”

  “The killer? You mean the Wise County Child Killer?”

  Lincoln nodded. “This time we’re going to get him. He won’t escape us now.”

  Amelia bent down and checked the oven. “I heard Mia Alverez is with the FBI now. That’s surprising.”

  “She’s dedicated her life to finding the person who murdered her sister. She’s darn good at what she does.”

  Amelia threw the mittens on the counter. “I always thought she was so beautiful and exotic with her mysterious brown eyes and midnight black hair.”

  He laughed. “She admitted to admiring you when the two of you were in school.” He waved his hand. “Women are so crazy.”

  His sister put her hand on her hip. “Oh, and you guys weren’t?”

  “Yes, we were, but I can’t remember thinking another guy was beautiful and exotic.”

  She slapped him on the shoulder. “Stop teasing.”

  The door opened and David walked in. He nodded to Lincoln then walked around and encased Amelia in his arms and squeezed. “I love you,” he said. Then he kissed her soundly. “I’ve missed seeing you today.”

  Amelia stared into her husband’s loving eyes. “You didn’t make it home for lunch.”

  “We were busy.” David looked around. “Where’s Leah?”

  “In the backyard with the dogs.”

  He opened the door and called his little girl. She came running and he gave her a tight hug. “Daddy, I’m so glad you’re home.” She pointed to the fridge. “Look at what I drew today. Isn’t it pretty?”

  “It’s absolutely beautiful, sweetheart. We should put it in a museum somewhere so the whole world can see it.”

  Amelia scoffed and rolled her eyes. “And I wonder why she’s so spoiled.”

  Lincoln shook his head and laughed. “We love spoiling her. That’s what kids are for.”

  “Did you have dinner, Lincoln?” Amelia asked. “We’re having roast and there’s plenty.”

  “Thanks, but Mia and I stopped at Mama Ruth’s for dinner.”

  “I love that place,” David said, looking at Amelia. “We never go there anymore.”

  “I know,” she added, her brows wrinkled. “Let’s do it this weekend.”

  “You’re on,” David agreed.

  Watching Amelia and David with Leah pulled at Lincoln’s heart strings. He’d have given anything to have what they had. But he was happy for them, and he’d never begrudged their happiness.

  “So, you and your partner went to dinner together?” Amelia asked slyly.

  “Don’t make anything of it. She’s staying at the Wayward Inn. So, she’d probably go to dinner with the devil himself to slow the process of having to go back there.”

  “Then invite her to dinner here tomorrow night.” Amelia removed the roast from the oven. “I want to see her. And it will allow her an opportunity to get out of that dump for a few hours.”

  “I’ll see if she’s up for it. If so, I’ll call. But for now, I have to go. Laundry is waiting.”

  “Oh, those wonderful days as a bachelor,” David said dramatically.

  Amelia frowned. “You saying you liked being single?”

  David pulled her into his arms. “Absolutely not for one stinking minute would I change what I have for what I had. No siree. I love coming home to you and Leah.”

  “Trust me,” Lincoln said. “As a man living alone, I can testify to the fact that it’s
boring and lonely.”

  “Go out on a date,” his sister advised. “There’s nothing stopping you. I know you miss Marilyn, but it’s been almost two years now. You deserve to be happy.”

  “If it were only that easy.” He turned to leave. “I’ll see you guys.”

  * * *

  Mia was bored out of her mind. The TV in her room was on the blink and Opal, the woman who ran the hotel, didn’t seem all that anxious to fix it. Mia slipped into a pair of jeans and headed out. She stopped at the desk and asked where Frankie’s Bar was. After a very disapproving look from Opal, she was finally on her way.

  She’d never been there before because she was just a kid while living in Rainwater. However, everyone in town talked about the place. Now, she had the opportunity to check it out.

  She planned to have a beer, listen to a little music then come back to the hotel and sleep. After all that had happened that day, she needed to unwind. Also, she and Lincoln had talked too much about their pasts. That never put her in a good mood.

  In Dallas, no one knew about Anita except her supervisor, and she’d asked her to keep it quiet. The less people knew, the better. This way, if she spent a little too much time checking out the Wise County Child Killer, no one would say anything because they were unaware of the link she had with that crime.

  She entered Frankie’s and was greeted by loud country music and people talking and dancing. There weren’t that many people, but enough to make her feel comfortable. She took a stool at the bar and ordered a beer.

  “Hey, aren’t you Mia Alvarez?” the bartender asked.

  “Yes, I am. Who are you?”

  “Frankie Monahan. Remember your family lived across the street from mine.”

  That surprised her. She remembered him like it was yesterday. “I recall you and your family. You had two or three brothers, didn’t you?”

  “There were four boys and two girls.”

  She nodded with a smile of remembrance. “It’s all coming back. You had quite a house full.”