by Geri Foster
“My foot is practically through the floorboard now,” he ground out, fighting the steering wheel. “That’s no regular engine in the car.”
“I can tell,” she said. “But we can’t afford to let him get away.” She picked up the radio and put out a call on their location and that they were in pursuit of the person suspected in multiple murders.
In no time, sirens filled the air and police marked and unmarked vehicles came from every direction. Still, the Malibu stayed in the lead, but Lincoln was gaining. Slowly, but he just might make it. Another hairpin turn, then down a bumpy back alley, only to merge back into oncoming traffic. Lincoln slowed and pulled over. He wasn’t going to take that kind of chance on a busy freeway.
The man was out of sight in a matter of seconds. Everyone had decided not to chase him because, any minute, school buses would be picking up children from school to return home and they never risked that.
He slammed his palm on the steering wheel. “You didn’t happen to get a look at that guy, did you?”
“No. The windows were tinted too dark I’m afraid.”
He glanced over at her. “How are we ever going to catch him? He murders little girls, steals cars, shoots you, and challenges us to a car chase. This man is crazy.”
“Let’s get back to the office. I want to check something out,” Mia said.
“What?”
“I’ve missed something, somewhere. This isn’t even close to his normal behavior.”
“How are you going to solve that?”
“I’ll go back to the beginning. I’ll have to factor in everything again and see what happens.”
“Sounds like a big job. Need help?”
She glanced over at him. “Are you going to be nicer?”
“Yes,” he promised with a smile. “Let’s grab a late lunch and get to the office. Once there, we’ll pull out all the stops. Maybe we can work at the hotel tonight.” He shrugged. “Nothing better to do.”
She gave him a sideways glance. “I’m meeting someone at Frankie’s tonight. Count me out.”
“Oh, you have a date?” He straightened his shoulders nonchalantly. This had nothing to do with him. Not his business. As a young, beautiful woman, why wouldn’t some guy jump at the chance to spend time with her? Hell, he would... Or would he?
He shook his head at the thought. “Okay, we’ll work today and tomorrow. Again, we’re lucky. No reports of dead little girls today.”
They arrived at the office, and Lincoln tried to not think about Mia going on a date. That didn’t bother him one bit. If he grew uncomfortable about her being in his home, how could he justify the thought that her being out with another man would bother him?
As it turned out, helping her do a behavioral analysis on the murderer was useless. Not a word she said made sense, and when she tried to explain, he simply didn’t get it. But he could figure out the shooter and the car.
“For him to take a stolen car out of a chop shop and go driving around Denton tells me he’s pretty careless and not into his regular habits. Also, he wanted you dead today. That’s not his MO, either. He wasn’t hunting you today. He hijacked you when you showed up at the office. Completely different MOs,” Lincoln said. “It’s like we have two different people here. One who’s methodical and takes care of business. Then another who’s reckless and out of control.”
“The Wise County Child Killer is way off his game,” Mia said, then turned to gaze at him. “This is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. He started out like his old self, but he’s morphed into something I don’t recognize any longer.”
“Still keeping copy-cat off the table?”
Lincoln saw Mia was deep in thought. She strongly believed in behavioral science, and now that was becoming a conflict for her. She had studied the guy for years, and it wasn’t paying off. That had to bother her; Lincoln knew it would him.
Mia nibbled her bottom lip. “As we’ve said so many times before, there were things never reported to the public. So how did someone find out about those things?”
“Could have been someone in prison with him? He could’ve told him how he did everything.”
“Killers don’t work like that. Few serial killers give up all their secrets to anyone. That’s part of the mystery of them. They share so little of what they did. Besides, the first murder was exactly like all the rest. Right down to the weapon used.”
Lincoln shook his head as he popped several Tums in his mouth. “Yeah, that makes it tough.”
“The last two kidnappings are way off. Not just a little, but completely out of our guy’s realm. He’d never just dump a body. His ritual is his trademark. His signature.”
“I’m still baffled about why he went into hiding for twenty years, only to show up and start killing all over again.”
She stared out the side window. “And him stealing a car.” Her brows wrinkled, and she shook her head. “That’s not our guy.”
“You think he might have had a partner?”
She blew out a tired breath. “That’s not likely. Serial killers usually like to hunt and kill alone.” She turned to him. “And we’ve gotten no intel that would suggest he had help or a partner.”
Lincoln scratched his head. “We might as well call it a day. We’ve lost the guy and I can’t see any reason to continue the search today.”
“You’re right, and I’m exhausted.”
“I thought you had a date tonight?”
“I’m meeting a colleague from work.” She leaned her head back against the head rest. “It’s not a date.”
He didn’t know if he believed that or not, but he wasn’t going to try to figure it out. Besides, it was none of his business. She was free to do as she pleased.
They pulled into the parking lot of the agency and went inside to check on any recent updates about the case. The local police hadn’t seen the Malibu since earlier in the day. Austin hadn’t been too happy with their results and went home.
Lincoln and Mia went to their cars, and Lincoln opened his door. He looked across the top of his car at her. “You going to be late?” That was a dumb question, but he couldn’t help himself. “I mean, I don’t want you out there alone in the dark.”
“I’m an FBI agent. The dark doesn’t scare me.” She slid into her car and drove away.
He stood in the parking lot, unsure what to do. He knew he had to pick up a few items from his house to take to the motel, but that certainly wouldn’t take all evening.
* * *
Mia arrived at her motel room and sprawled out across the bed. She felt like she could sleep for a week, but she’d agreed to meet Agent William Hern, and that meeting could mean a lot to her case. But not before a short nap.
She woke more tired than when she fell asleep. After a shower and slipping on a pair of jeans and a warm top, she stomped on her boots and headed out. The weather had worsened and she considered taking a coat then declined at the last minute. She didn’t see Lincoln’s car in the motel parking lot, making her assume he’d gone for something to eat and would be back later to sit up waiting for her.
Her arm throbbed in perfect timing with her heart beat and she decided not to drink that much at Frankie’s Bar because, when she came back to her room, she planned to down two of those pain pills.
Lincoln worrying about her getting hurt gnawed on her nerves. She could take care of herself, and he had to know that. If she weren’t capable, the FBI wouldn’t have had her as an agent. She’d have been sitting behind a desk, pushing papers.
She got into her car and turned on the heater to warm the interior. As she rubbed her palms together and blew her warm breath on them, she noticed a car at the far end of the lot. A man sat inside, staring at her.
At least she thought he stared at her. With the distance between them, she couldn’t tell, but if the hairs standing up on the back of her neck were any indication, he was watching her.
She considered getting out of her car and approaching the vehicle, but she wasn’t that fooli
sh. Even with her weapon securely encased in her waist holster. No, that would be too dangerous.
Putting the car in gear, she slammed on the brakes when Lincoln pulled up beside her, got out, and came around to the driver’s side of her car.
“You heading out?” he asked, resting his forearms on the window ledge. “Be careful.”
“I am.” She glanced around him at the car at the end of the lot. “Don’t look now, but did you notice a late model car when you came into the parking lot?”
He straightened and stole a quick glance over his shoulder. “Yeah, I saw it. I know there’s a guy inside, but I figured he was maybe spying on his wife or something.” He leaned closer, his face inches from hers. “You think he’s here for you?”
She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know.”
“Maybe I better go with you tonight. If he follows you, we might get an opportunity to catch him.”
“I’m just going to Frankie’s Bar.”
“Yeah, and what happens when you get out of your car and walk toward the entrance?”
She knew he was right, and she was smart enough to accept that her going out alone might be foolish. She’d never been accused of that and didn’t want to start now. She glanced up at him. “Do you mind?”
“Not a bit.” He looked relieved, as if he’d been waiting for an invitation.
He opened the door and she stepped out. “Aren’t we taking this car?”
“Mine’s already warmed up.” He took her hand and helped her to his vehicle where he securely shut the door, again glancing at the mysterious vehicle parked away from the motel.
Lincoln got behind the wheel and pulled out of the parking lot. He deliberately drove toward the car and tried to get a look at the person in the driver’s seat, but the stranger turned away at the last minute.
Mia worried Lincoln would stop and call the guy out, but he didn’t. Instead, he hit the main road and headed straight for Frankie’s Bar.
“I’m glad you didn’t confront the guy.”
“I have no idea if he’s armed or not. I learned as a cop in Houston to never walk up cold to a driver in a car unless you can see their hands.”
“Good idea. If he’s our killer, he probably would have had a gun pointed right at you.”
Lincoln checked the rearview mirror. “Let’s see if he follows.”
After traveling through town, Mia looked back and saw two headlights about two blocks away. “He’s staying right with us, isn’t he?”
“Looks that way.” He glanced over at her. “Do you have your weapon?”
She felt behind her waistband. “Yes. I don’t leave home without it.”
“Smart.”
“What do you suggest we do when we get to Frankie’s Bar? I hate getting out of the car and becoming a target for the guy.”
“I don’t understand why, if this is our child killer, he’s following us?” Lincoln shook his head. “It makes no sense.”
“You still think he wants to kill me?” she asked. “You think I’m the mark?”
“I can’t imagine it being me. I was only recently assigned the case. If my guess is right, you’ve been studying it for years.”
“I have, but I can’t say it did me any good. After he took my sister, he dropped out of sight. I could never figure out why.”
They pulled into the gravel parking lot of the bar. Lincoln killed the motor and waited. A few minutes later, several people he knew drove up. “When they get out of their vehicle, fall in with them. That makes it difficult for him to make us out.”
She opened the door then quickly joined Lincoln as he spoke to the other people. Mia held her breath, knowing any minute a bullet might slam into her back.
They made it safely inside, and she slumped against the wall and took a deep breath. “That was scary.”
Lincoln took out his phone. “Hey, Lucas. Mia and I were followed from the motel tonight by a guy in a late model Ford Focus. He’s sitting out in the parking lot of Frankie’s Bar right now. I’d like to know who he is.” He put away his phone.
“Is he coming?”
“He’s going to take care of it.” Lincoln took her arm. “Let’s go get a beer and meet your mysterious man.”
They moved toward two stools at the bar just as Agent Hern turned. Mia and he hugged briefly then she introduced Lincoln. After ordering beers, they moved to a more secluded table.
“I’m glad to meet you,” Hern said. “Mia and I have been working on the Wise County Child Killer for years. We’re practically family. At least my wife thinks we are.”
Michael had long retired from the FBI, but he’d been the lead investigator in the WCCK case. White-haired, still nice and trim, with a build like a runner, he always kept himself active and fit. His only regret was not being able to catch the man responsible for so many young girls dying.
“Did you guys ever come up with anything useful?” Lincoln asked. “Something that might help us today?”
“No.” Michael shook his head then glanced up at Lincoln. “But not from lack of trying. I swear I never worked so hard in my whole career. The guy is crafty and cunning. And no matter how many times we felt we were about to close in on him, he’d strike where we least expected.”
“Right now,” Lincoln said, “I think he’s outside in a car, waiting for us to leave.”
“Really?” Michael asked, his gaze falling on Mia. “That’s not his MO?”
She cleared her throat. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but our guy has gone off the rails.”
Michael blinked several times and leaned back in his chair. “How so?”
“The last two bodies were just dumped on the side of the road. No pose, no clothes. Nothing.”
Michael shot forward. “You’re kidding. Then that couldn’t be our guy. He would never vary how he does things that much.”
“Our thoughts exactly,” Mia said, glancing around. “Also…” She nodded her head toward Lincoln. “… he thinks the guy is after me.”
“He shot her,” Lincoln said, justifying his opinion quickly. “She only had a few stitches, but he was aiming for her.”
The stunned look on Michael’s face didn’t surprise Mia. He prided himself on knowing the serial killer like he knew his own name. Now, all that had changed.
“He had a gun and shot you?” Michael’s voice lowered to a hush. “You’re sure it’s him?”
“We are,” Lincoln confirmed. “We’ve been on his tail after we found the one girl he’d buried. Then, the next thing we know, there are two more dead girls that he just abandoned on the road.”
Mia leaned closer. “That’s not all. Today he stole a car and we had a serious car chase. And unless we’re way off base, he’s in the parking lot waiting for us to leave so he can take a shot at us.”
“You,” Lincoln corrected. “It’s not me he’s after.”
Michael shook his head. “Why would he suddenly take an interest in you? As far as we know, he’s only gone after little girls.”
“And we had a theory why. He doesn’t want the struggle. But, with me, he has to know I’d fight for my life.”
“Yes, but since he took your sister,” Michael said, his eyes tenderly touching Mia, “maybe it has something to do with that.”
“What?” Lincoln asked, raising his hands. “She was at the drugstore with me.” Lincoln raked his fingers through his hair. “I honestly don’t think he saw us.”
Michael’s eyes turned sharp. “And you’re sure it’s the WCCK? No doubt about that?”
“According to the ME,” Mia confirmed. “The same garrote was used from the first to the last killing. And that includes the two bodies alongside of the road.”
Michael rubbed his chin. “None of this is making any sense. I’m totally confused. He’s changed so much about the way he does things, I’m beginning to doubt it’s really him.”
“Well, the first one we’re positive about. The ME said the markings, the rape, sodomy, the time he kept her, the
burial, how she was posed, and redressed was the same.”
“Then you say the other two were different?”
Mia folded her hands on the table. “The girls had everything up to the point of what he did once they were dead. He also didn’t keep the last one more than a few hours.”
Michael looked at Lincoln. “Have you considered the fact that you might be dealing with two murderers?”
Chapter 10
Lincoln didn’t know what to say as he and Mia shared a look of suspicion. While he’d considered a copy-cat or it being someone else, he’d didn’t want to think there were two crazy people out there. However, it would explain a lot.
“Let’s just say for a moment you’re correct,” Lincoln suggested, not sure exactly where he was going. “Have there always been two?”
Michael thought for a few seconds then shrugged. “Maybe.”
Lincoln’s gaze slipped to Mia. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know if he’s always hunted with someone else, or if this is something new. But I do believe he is now.”
Lincoln took a sip of beer then put his bottle down. “What changed?”
Mia nibbled her bottom lip. “I don’t know. But something did. He’s killed for years. We’re not even sure how many little girls he’s murdered. Then he stops suddenly for twenty years.” Her brow wrinkled. “Only to come back with a new bag of tricks.”
“So,” Michael said, deep in thought. “Everything we’ve learned is of no value now.”
“I think we might’ve been wrong all along,” Mia said. Her voice held a hint of sorrow. “What if, from the very beginning, he’s had a helper? Someone else who likes to kill as much as he does.”
“Where’s he been for twenty years?” Lincoln asked. “He had to go somewhere. Live in a neighborhood. People must know this man. Unless he crawled off the grid completely, there’s no way he could have left no trail left behind.”
Mia leaned forward. “We need to go back over the entire case and see if there is any hint he had a partner. Someone who helped him. If that’s the case then that changes everything. Especially the way we go after him and how to catch him.”
