Malice

by Anne Patrick

  "More than anything, Jo."

  "You understand we don't know his whereabouts, he could already be here."

  "There will be cops at the prom, there always are, and your friends could go, and you and Dad. Surely he isn't stupid enough to try anything with a bunch of cops and FBI agents around."

  She made a good argument. Jo knew Briggs wasn't that stupid. In fact, none of this made much sense. "I'll talk to your dad, but I'm not sure he'll go for it."

  *****

  "That's insane, Jo. No way am I letting her go to that prom."

  "Aside from Isaac and Agent Ryan, there are a half dozen field agents at our disposal, and you could call in a couple of extra deputies if you want."

  He shook his head, seemingly unmoved by her plea.

  "Briggs won't try anything at the prom. He's smarter than that. We can have dinner here and then go to the school. It would just be a couple of hours, and it would mean so much to Bailey."

  "What do you think, Isaac?" Austin asked, looking past Jo to the senior agent lurking in the background.

  He looked at Jo then Austin. "Jo's right. He wouldn't risk it."

  "If I had any doubts, I wouldn't have suggested it, Austin. I love Bailey. I would never put her in harm's way."

  "All right. Let me make some phone calls and see if I can round up some more deputies."

  "I'll call and make the reservations at the lodge. You two can leave first thing in the morning," Jo said.

  She knew from his expression he still wasn't comfortable with the thought of leaving without her, suspecting, like her, his feelings were torn between duty and family.

  Jo turned to Isaac. "We need a plan."

  "Agent Ryan and I have been working on a couple. We'll be staying with you after Austin and Bailey leave tomorrow, and we've secured the house across the street so agents Farrell, Rifkin, and Milano can keep an eye on your place. The porch light will be a signal if anything goes wrong."

  Jo walked to the window and glanced across the street to the Martin's house, which had sat vacant since it'd gone on the market three weeks ago. It allowed her colleagues full view of both floors of her house.

  "You'll need to call your mom and brother. Tell them you're going out of town for a few days so they won't show up unexpected."

  She turned at his suggestion. "My mother isn't stupid. No doubt, the whole town knows the FBI is camping at my doorstep. We aren't going to catch Briggs this way."

  "Tell them whatever you have to, Jo. Just keep them away from here. After tonight your neighbors won't even know we're here."

  Placing her hands at the small of her back, she stretched its screaming muscles, releasing a deep sigh as she did. She'd known this day would come eventually. That Harland Briggs would resurface someday and she would be forced to finish what she started. She just hadn't counted on being eight months pregnant at the time.

  "How close do you figure he is?" Jo finally asked, focusing her energy on the task that lay ahead.

  "He was caught on video tape the day before yesterday at a convenience store west of Sioux Falls," Agent Ryan informed.

  "Was the clerk abducted?"

  "No. He only purchased fuel. The clerk recognized him though and called the local PD after he left," Isaac answered.

  "Are you sure it was Briggs?"

  "He matched the description Debra Dewitt gave."

  "Why me and not you, Isaac? It's like you said in Minnesota, you are as much a part of this as I am."

  "Your profile convinced the Attorney General to consider Briggs a suspect," Agent Ryan reminded.

  "She's right, Jo. Without it he never would have ordered the investigation reopened."

  The irony of it all was since Briggs had chosen to make it personal they had never been closer to catching him.

  "If we're going to do this prom thing, we need to get over to the auditorium and get set up before people start arriving," Isaac suggested.

  "Yeah, okay."

  "It's going to be all right, Jo. We're going to catch him," Isaac said as he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

  "I know," she replied, attempting to dispel the growing uneasiness. She couldn’t help but wonder if they weren’t playing right into Briggs' hands. Lord, please watch over Bailey and Austin. I couldn't bear to lose either one of them. Give Isaac, me, and the other agents strength and wisdom in the course of our duties and help us to finally capture Briggs. Protect us, and those around us, from any harm. Amen.

  ****

  "This stupid thing won't stay put."

  Jo glanced over at her stepdaughter, watching with amusement as she struggled to refasten the corsage her date had given her to the spaghetti strap of her prom dress. After setting down her binoculars, Jo stepped out from her obscured position on the stage. "Let me help you." Jo took the arrangement of carnations and secured it with a pin. "Have you seen your father lately?"

  "I saw him heading outside with Agent Washington about thirty minutes ago."

  She wished now she had remembered to grab her cellphone from the car. Since they were using portable radios, she didn't think she would need it.

  "You want me to go see if I can find him?"

  "No. I was just curious as to how he was holding up."

  "Because of the prom or the other?""

  "Both."

  Bailey seemed about to speak when her date joined them. "This is so cool," Tommy said, glancing at Bailey then Jo. "I've never seen the FBI in action except on television."

  "Well, as I said before, we need you to keep our presence here quiet," Jo reminded him of their talk during dinner.

  Both Jo and Austin had been impressed with his obvious concern over Bailey's welfare. His suggestion they skip the prom and hang out at the house had surprised everyone, but in the end he'd gone along with Bailey's desire, and Jo was glad he had.

  "I won't say anything," the young man promised. Then turning to Bailey, he asked, "How come you never told me your mom was an FBI agent?"

  "She probably didn't want to scare you off," Jo spoke before Bailey had the chance.

  "Yeah, it's bad enough my dad's the sheriff."

  "Well, I think they're both pretty awesome."

  "I agree," Bailey said, before slipping her arm through Tommy's. "We’d better get out of here before we blow her cover."

  Jo took Bailey's hand before she managed to take a step. "I just want you to know, you look beautiful, and well…I wouldn't trade being a part of tonight for anything in the world."

  "Thanks, and I'm glad you're here."

  Jo watched as the teenagers made their way to the dance floor. A good two inches taller than Bailey, with gorgeous locks of brown hair, Tommy looked every bit the teenage heartthrob. Jo wasn't surprised by her stepdaughter's obvious attraction.

  As she watched the young couple dance to a slow number, their happiness reflected through their smiles, she couldn't help but think of the circumstances that placed her here tonight. She thought of all the young girls who had lost their lives in the last three years and how they would never have the chance to enjoy their first prom. Their aspirations and dreams cut short at the hands of a sadistic killer.

  Jo eased away from the sadness created by her musings and stretched, leaning from side to side, to ease some of the back pain she had been experiencing most of the day.

  "I'm afraid we have a problem, Jo."

  She turned at her husband's voice. He didn't look very pleased. "What's wrong?"

  He pointed to the large group of teenagers dancing in the middle of the auditorium. "Look at them."

  Jo's eyes immediately fixed on the problem: Bailey with her arms draped around Tommy's neck. Dancing close by were a male and female agent. Several more agents, along with plain clothed deputies were scattered throughout the crowd posing as parents. Jo smiled and took Austin's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze of support. "Tommy seems like a very nice young man."

  "They usually are in the beginning, until they get what they want. I know because
I was just like him once."

  "You're right, all men are cads," she said before leaning in to snatch a kiss. He pulled her into the fold of his arms and she leaned against his solid chest, the steady beat of his heart filling a familiar comfort deep inside. "Short of locking her in her room, I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about this."

  "We could always move to Virginia."

  She stepped back, meeting his gaze.

  He tossed her a lazy smile. "How come you didn't tell me you were being considered for a promotion?"

  Isaac! She shook her head and then met his gaze. "Because there's nothing to consider. I'm where I want to be."

  "Are you sure, Jo?" he asked softly. "You do know I'd support you if you wanted to do it. It would mean heading up your own unit, something I'm sure you've dreamed of doing."

  She smiled and took his hands into hers. "I've had many dreams over the years, including having a family with a man who understands me better than I understand myself sometimes."

  He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. "I wish you'd reconsider coming with Bailey and me tomorrow."

  "I'll be okay, Austin. I have more federal agents on me than the president. Besides, I doubt he’s anywhere near here.”

  "You think they’re wrong?"

  With a heavy sigh, Jo turned loose of his hands and stepped back. "I can’t explain it. It just doesn’t feel right to me. I’ve been in this guy's head, Austin. His rage is focused, specific. If it was me or Bailey he was coming for, I think I would have felt it."

  "The way you did with Brad Cartwright?"

  She thought of the case that had brought them together almost a year ago and how she had almost died at the hands of another serial killer. "That’s right. When Brad had targeted me, though, I didn’t know his identity, I knew he had chosen me as his next victim because of the vision I had."

  "But what about the notes he's left you?"

  "Honestly, I think he’s just trying to manipulate us. He was a cop for twenty-five years. He thinks everything through, leaves nothing to chance."

  "Manipulate...to what end?"

  Jo shrugged. "That, I don't know, but if he wanted to come after me or Bailey, I think he would have done it long before now."

  "I pray you're right. Just in case you're not, I'm gonna go radio my dispatcher and see if she's had any luck rounding up some more reserves. Isaac wants to place some at the after prom party out at the Dennison's lake house."

  "You told him Bailey and Tommy weren't going, right?"

  "He wants to place some men there anyway, just in case Briggs shows up."

  "That's probably a good idea." If Briggs did show up in Claremont tonight, it would be his last taste of freedom.

  "I'll check back with you after a while," Austin said with a quick kiss.

  Agent Ryan, who had been shadowing Jo from the opposite side of the stage, gave a low whistle and Jo glanced her way. Dressed to blend with the other chaperones, the young agent wore her hair loose about her shoulders. It took Jo a second to register who she was seeing. Ryan pointed to the side of her head and Jo plugged in her earpiece. "There are some chairs over here. You might be more comfortable."

  Jo moved her way behind the curtains. By the time she reached her, the young agent had pulled up a chair for her to sit. "Thanks. My back is killing me." Jo sat down, stretching out her legs.

  "We shouldn't have much longer."

  Jo checked her watch. It was shortly after nine. "About another forty-five minutes. I saw them collecting ballots for king and queen a few minutes ago."

  "Bailey and her date seem to be having a good time. I'm glad she was able to come."

  "Yeah, me too." Jo peered out into the crowd and after a few seconds spotted the young couple dancing. She shifted her gaze back to the agent. "Isaac told me it was you who figured out Briggs was heading this way."

  "I only pointed out his pattern. Agent Washington is the one who figured out he was coming after Bailey. How does Briggs know where you live? It wasn't in the article that reporter wrote about you in the Washington Post."

  Jo was taken aback by her question, and the uneasiness she felt earlier returned. She thought of the note Briggs left for her on the calendar. Glad to see you're part of the manhunt, Agent McDaniels. I'm honored. As if he weren’t expecting her to be there. Before, she hadn't given it much thought because she was so focused on the victims. Could it be he didn't send those articles after all?

  "Agent McDaniels?"

  Jo's eyes narrowed on the young profiler. They had only been in Minnesota a couple of days before she showed up connecting her case to theirs. It didn't seem so much a coincidence now. She recalled the conversation she had with Lindsey about the new team member and it all started to make sense.

  "You were the one who sent the news articles to Isaac."

  "Excuse me?" Agent Ryan crossed her arms and stared at Jo.

  Jo wasn't buying her act. "You've been after Briggs almost as long as I have."

  "I don't know what you're talking about. I wasn't sure it was Briggs I was after until you confirmed it after seeing the tapes."

  "I don't believe you. I know about your sister, Agent Ryan…and I suspect Briggs is the one who killed her. Am I right?"

  She slowly nodded as she turned and looked out at the crowd. "I sent the articles hoping you and Agent Washington would go after him again. When he took those girls in Louke, I knew he was escalating and had to be stopped."

  A sharp pain seared through Jo's lower abdomen and she stood, hoping to ease the discomfort. "When was your sister killed?"

  "Two months after the murders in Maine." Animosity filled her voice as she spoke, her gaze still fastened on the crowd. "Amber lived with my parents in Nebraska but was spending the summer with my aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania. She was abducted from a park two blocks from their home. She was only fourteen."

  "I'm guessing your ASAC doesn't know your personal involvement with Briggs."

  "No." Ryan turned and looked at Jo. "If I told him, he never would have let me stay on the case. As it was, I was only able to work on it in between other cases, which is why I needed your help. I knew I couldn't catch him alone."

  Jo really couldn't blame her for her actions. Had she been in her shoes, she would have done the same thing. "Isaac needs to know."

  "Can't we just wait until…?"

  "No, he needs to know now, because it's not me or Bailey who's in danger. It's you."

  "What?" Her arms lowered to her sides and she grew pale.

  Jo braced her back with her hands as another bolt of pain shot through her midsection. "Think about it, Agent Ryan. You've been tracking him almost nonstop for a year and a half. You came close to apprehending him in Ohio. Who's more threatening to him, me, or you?"

  Agent Ryan shook her head, narrowing her eyes. "But that's not how he works."

  Jo gritted her teeth. Ryan was right; Briggs wasn't driven by fear. Yet, Jo knew with absolute certainty Ryan was his target. What was she missing? How did going after Ryan satisfy Briggs' need for revenge?

  Jo met Ryan's gaze just as Ryan tucked a fallen strand of hair behind her ear. An image from Lynnette's photo album flashed in Jo's mind, and in the blink of an eye, it became crystal clear. Agent Ryan's tenacity wasn't the reason Briggs' targeted her, but it sure caught his attention. Attractive, an overachiever doted-upon daughter...resemblance.

  He's escalating again.

  Torturing young girls no longer satisfied his rage. He wanted vengeance against everyone who'd hurt him. His family...Ryan's family. He'd already killed her younger sister. He intended to finish it.

  The color drained from Ryan's face and Jo suspected the young profiler had drawn the same conclusion. The pain in Jo's abdomen intensified and she grabbed the back of the chair and leaned forward, cupping her belly.

  "Are you okay?"

  "I don't think so…I think I'm going into labor."

  Agent Ryan helped Jo into the chair. "I'll go get help."
/>   "Just use your headset."

  "I doubt they'll hear me over the music," she said before disappearing around the corner.

  Jo had heard her fine a few moments ago. She plugged her earpiece back in and clicked the mike button. "Austin, Isaac, can you hear me? I need some help in here."

  Complete silence.

  Jo reached for the portable walkie-talkie fastened to her slacks. It was gone.

  *****

  Austin went back inside and saw the dancing had stopped and Principal Barton was at the Microphone on stage. Searching the crowd, he spotted Bailey and Tommy Jackson standing at their table, and they were holding hands. This day just keeps getting better and better. Glancing back toward the side stage, he didn't see Jo. He headed that direction.

  Principal Barton announced Bailey and Tommy as the prom's king and queen and the crowd cheered. Austin paused, his attention now focused on his daughter kissing her date. The crowd parted for the young couple as they made their way to the stage. Bailey reached the top of the stairs then ran toward left stage. Austin saw Jo clutching the curtains with one hand, her belly with the other. He tore through the crowd, reaching the stairs just as Bailey and Tommy helped Jo onto the stage.

  "Jo, what's wrong?" He took Tommy's place next to her.

  Jo's fingernails dug into his side. "What's it look like? I'm going into labor."

  "What? But you can't be…I mean, it's not time yet. Are you sure it's not those…whatever they're called…false labor pains?"

  "My water broke, Austin."

  "I'll call an ambulance." Tommy reached into his front pant pocket and produced his cellphone.

  "I don't need an ambulance; the contractions aren't that close together. Just help me to the car."

  "We can use the side exit," Tommy suggested. "It'll be quicker."

  They guided her in that direction as the crowd made way for them.

  Austin handed Tommy his keys. "Go get my car and meet us. It's the black Jeep Cherokee parked on the other side of the building."

  "I know the one." Tommy took off in a sprint.

  Principle Barton came forward. "Is there anything I can do to help?"