“Emphasis on ‘little.'” Joe leaned back in the chair. “If it's our man, he wasn't choosy this time. How soon can you have the fingerprint match?”
“A few hours. It will take longer to get a report from Vice but we'll—” Probst's cell phone rang. “Probst.” He listened. “Okay, I'm on it.” He looked at Joe as he hung up. “We may have another set of prints to match up. There's a report in from Richmond PD. Some hikers found the body of a woman near a lake outside of town.”
Joe stiffened. “Same MO?”
Probst nodded. “Far as we can tell. No face.”
Richmond, Virginia,” Eve repeated. “That's not far from Washington. He's moving up the coast.” And away from Atlanta, she added thankfully to herself. “When was she killed?”
“Within the last twenty-four hours.”
“You're going there?”
“I have to follow the trail. There are indications that he may be getting reckless. He wasn't careful when he picked Janis Decker and he left us fingerprints to work with. Reckless men make mistakes. They stumble and if you're there you can reel them in.” He paused. “Unless you'd rather I come home. If you're nervous, say the word.”
“Of course I'm nervous. That doesn't mean you have to come running back here. I can take care of Jane.” She added fiercely, “You get that bastard.”
“I'll get him. I'll call you when I find out more after I get to Richmond.”
She drew a deep breath as she hung up the phone. Charlotte and now Richmond. Each city was a giant step away from Atlanta, away from Jane. She moved out onto the porch and sat down on the porch swing beside Jane. “Nice night.”
“You're in a good mood.”
“I shouldn't be. There was another killing in Richmond. Same MO. Joe's on his way there now. He thinks Aldo may be getting careless.”
“I hope he's right.” Jane looked out at the lake. “He's crazy, you know. I could see it that night. I know most serial killers have a screw loose, but they have a sense of self-preservation. I don't believe Aldo does.”
“Then he should be easier to catch.”
“I said crazy, not stupid.” She patted Eve's hand. “But Joe will get him either way. He's not about to let that twerp get the—”
The phone rang.
“Dammit, I was just getting comfortable.” Eve groaned. “What do you bet it's our lady looking for Susie?”
“No bet.” Jane chuckled. “How many times has she called?”
“Four times this afternoon.” She sighed. “I shouldn't be so impatient. I'm sure it's not her fault and she's always very nice.”
“Sit still. I'll get it.” Jane jumped up and headed for the door. “Be right back.”
Eve leaned back. It was good to sit here with the cool wind brushing her face and the harvest moon shedding a glow over the lake. It brought back memories of other nights when she and Joe and Jane had sat here and talked and laughed before they went to bed. She had never taken that precious intimacy for granted, but perhaps she'd not valued it as much as she should have. Dear God, she wanted those times back. She closed her eyes and listened to the night sounds.
She heard Jane come back a few minutes later and opened her eyes to see her sit down in the porch swing beside her. “Susie's mama?”
Jane nodded, her gaze fixed on the lake. “Who else?”
EIGHT
Be casual. Stroll at a leisurely pace, Jane told herself.
Eve was working on a new reconstruction this morning, but that didn't mean she might not be watching Jane out the window. The early stages of reconstruction weren't nearly as demanding as the final ones and Eve was feeling as fiercely protective of Jane as a lioness with her cub. Jane moved at a lazy pace to the thick thatch of trees a few hundred yards beyond the log where she usually sat, sank down, and leaned her head back against an oak tree. She knew she was in full view of Mac and Brian in the squad car and Eve in the cottage as she lifted her face to the sun. Leisurely. Do everything with deliberation and leisure.
She felt about as leisurely as if she were sitting on a live grenade.
“Talk fast.” She tried to keep her lips from moving. “I'll give you five minutes before I start screaming.”
“You're bluffing.” Trevor chuckled from the depths of the shelter of shrubbery behind her. “You wouldn't have told me about the drainage pipe if you'd wanted me caught. You just want to get the upper hand. I understand. I knew you'd be a superb poker player.”
“I don't play poker.”
“It doesn't matter. The concept is the same. But you really should learn it. I'll teach you.”
“I don't want you to teach me anything. And you don't know zilch about me.”
“Yes, I do. Even if I hadn't had the opportunity of studying you long range, I'd know you. Some people you just have instincts about.”
She couldn't deny that truth since she'd had that same feeling when she'd first met Trevor. “Why did you call me?”
“The same reason you didn't tell Eve that I was the one on the phone. I thought it was time we got together. It was too dangerous to wait any longer. He's going to pounce anytime.”
“He killed a woman in Charlotte and another in Richmond. Eve thinks he may have crossed me off his list.”
“No, she doesn't. She's too wary. Wishful thinking. He's not giving up on you. He used the killings to draw Quinn away and convince the ATLPD that maximum surveillance for you isn't necessary.”
“Joe didn't leave me without protection.”
“I got to you.”
“Because I chose to let you. How much did you pay that woman to make those phone calls for you?”
“Not much. She only had to keep calling until you answered instead of Eve. I told her it was a Romeo-Juliet thing and she had a romantic heart. It's always safer to rely on emotion rather than bribery.”
“And what do you want from me?”
“I want you to go to Quinn and tell him I want to make a deal. If he'll let me work with him on catching Aldo, I'll turn myself in afterward.”
“Why go through me? A con man like you should be able to handle his own deals.”
“I agree. In fact, it goes against the grain for me to rely on anyone else. But time is of the essence and Quinn's instinct is to resist anything I say. You're smart and you can do the groundwork for me. I'll take over from there.”
“Joe doesn't make deals.”
“Try him. This isn't his usual case. He has a vested interest in keeping you alive. I'd bet he'd be willing to overlook a small fish like me to get Aldo.”
“He's not sure you are a small fish. You may be a barracuda.”
“If I am, I don't go around killing helpless women or torturing dogs. But just in case I'm wrong, do you have a cell phone?”
“Yes. Eve gave me one for my birthday.”
“You've got my cell phone number. Program it in your phone so that you can reach me by speed dial. I'll never be very far from you.”
“You're offering to protect me? I don't want your protection. I want information. That's all I ever wanted from you.”
“And if I tell you what you want to know, you'll walk away and close me out. That's not going to happen.”
“Then if you don't give me what I want, why shouldn't I yell and have them throw you in jail?”
“I didn't say I wouldn't give you information. I'll tell you enough to help you without making my presence superfluous.” He was silent a moment. “But as a gesture of good faith, I'll let you ask me two questions right now.”
“You want a question? Tell me why Aldo is killing all these women who look like me.”
He hesitated. “To go into that right now wouldn't be to my advantage. Ask something else.”
“Well, you struck out on that one. Okay, if you want to catch Aldo, why didn't you cooperate with Joe instead of trying to con him?”
“Quinn wants to nab Aldo and then put him behind bars.”
“And you?”
“I want thirty minu
tes alone with him.”
“And then you'll turn him over to Joe?”
He was silent. “Quinn will get him . . . eventually.”
“Dead.” His intent couldn't be more clear but it didn't shock her. “You want to kill him.”
“He'll have to die. I can't risk him getting free. Neither can Quinn. He'll come after you again. He'll never stop.”
“And you're so concerned about me.” Her tone was skeptical. “Bull.”
“I've no desire to have you murdered.”
“But I'd be a fool not to realize you're willing to use me to get Aldo. You consider me expendable, don't you?”
He didn't answer directly. “I've had you watched for weeks. I've had reports on every move you've made. I know how special you are, Jane.”
His voice was soft, persuasive, almost seductive, and it was having an odd mesmerizing effect on her. Even though she couldn't see him, it was as if he were standing before her. She could sense the intensity, the charisma, the intelligence that was more attractive to her than those wonderful good looks. “Stop conning me. How much could you know from a report?”
“Enough. I would have come and done the surveillance myself but I didn't dare. I had to maintain perspective. I knew I wouldn't have a chance.”
She felt heat touch her cheeks that had nothing to do with the sunlight. Jesus, he was good. He was playing on her emotions like a master musician, moving her, stirring her, making her believe every word. Put a stop to it. “You didn't answer me. You consider me expendable.”
He didn't answer immediately. “I'd deeply regret anything happening to you.”
That was what she needed. The answer furnished a cool splash of reality to temper her physical response to him. “Not enough to give up your agenda and dive in and help Joe.”
“It will help Quinn to work with me. No one can help him more. I know Aldo inside out. Sometimes I think I can read the bastard's mind. I've almost caught him twice. I would have gotten him the other night if I hadn't had to worry about your blasted dog.” He paused. “I have to leave now. These woods are crawling with Quinn's police buddies. I took a big chance coming back here.”
“Wait. You said I could ask two questions.”
“You've already asked more than two.”
“Not really. They were all related.”
He chuckled. “You're quibbling. I should have known. Okay, ask your question.”
“The ashes. Joe said the lab couldn't identify where they originated. You know, don't you?”
“Yes. But I believe I should keep that as an ace in the hole.”
She made a rude sound. “You seem to be stalling on all fronts. Maybe you're bluffing. Maybe you don't have anything to barter.”
He was silent. “Vesuvius. Satisfied?”
Her heart leaped. “Then Aldo's from Italy?”
“The ashes are from Vesuvius,” he repeated.
“The lab said they could be from either Montserrat or Indonesia.”
“Aldo mixed the ashes from the three volcanoes to throw off the investigators but the majority of the shards are from Vesuvius. Call me after you've talked to Quinn.”
“He said that sometimes scientists could tell in which hole particular ashes originated. Do you know that location?”
No answer.
He was gone.
She waited a few moments and then rose to her feet. She could feel the excitement surge through her as she started back toward the cottage. She had to talk to Eve and then call Joe. It was clear why Trevor had chosen to go through her to get to Joe. He'd known she'd try to convince him. He was right. For the first time in days she felt as if things were going to happen, that she could reach out and do something, accomplish something. All she had to do was bring Trevor into the picture and it would start a chain reaction.
Vesuvius . . .
Vesuvius?” Joe repeated. “It could be another con. Dangling a carrot to make us think he knows more than he does.”
“Suppose we assume he's telling the truth and have Interpol explore the possibility that Aldo's career began in Italy,” Eve said. “It couldn't hurt.”
“The hell it couldn't. It would waste time we don't have. That bastard is running around killing women and we can't lay a finger on him.”
“No clues in the Richmond murder either?”
“Ashes.”
“Then it is him,” Eve whispered. “Maybe Trevor is wrong. Maybe he's forgotten about Jane.”
“And maybe he's right. The captain is already making noise about cutting down the security around Jane since the threat to her seems to be lessening.”
“You can't have it both ways.”
“I know that, dammit.” He was silent a moment. “Tell Jane to pick up on the extension.”
Eve motioned to Jane, who was sitting on the couch across the room. She nodded and picked up the receiver. “I don't think Trevor's lying, Joe. I wouldn't have told you about his offer if I hadn't believed him.”
“He's proved he's an expert at deception.”
“I thought it was worth a shot. Now stop growling at me and tell me what you're going to do.”
“I don't make deals with crooks.”
“That's what I told him. He said he thought you might make an exception to get Aldo. Naturally, he expected me to try to persuade you.” She paused. “I was going to do it. I decided that I had to leave it up to you.”
“How generous.”
“But, if it means anything, I think Trevor could be the key to getting Aldo. And I think you believe that too.”
Joe was silent a moment. “And what would you do if I said no deal? If Trevor called you, would you go running?”
“I wouldn't run. I'd think about it.”
“And then you'd go.”
She didn't answer for a moment. “Aldo hurt Toby, Joe. He hurt him. And it was my fault.”
“God in heaven.”
“I'm sorry if it makes you angry, but I'm not going to lie to you again.”
“It does make me angry. I'm mad and frustrated and I want to kick someone.”
“What are you going to do, Joe?” Eve asked quietly.
“I'll let you know when I do.” He hung up.
Jane made a face as she replaced the receiver. “What do you think the chances are that he'll deal with Trevor?”
Eve hung up. “How do I know? It's his decision, but you did everything you could to influence it.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean? You heard me. I left it entirely up to him.”
“Supposedly. But you put the threat of danger to you very cleverly into the mix. You pushed all the right buttons.” She met her gaze. “You handled him with the skill of Henry Kissinger. I was surprised.”
“I'd never ‘handle' Joe.” Jane was genuinely upset. “I'd think you'd know that, Eve.”
“Maybe not intentionally. But when I was studying your face while you were talking to him, it was almost like watching a stranger.” She shrugged wearily. “Or maybe it's my imagination. You said all the right things. Perhaps I'm seeing things that aren't there.” She got to her feet. “I'm going to bed. If Joe calls back, I'll let you know what he decides.”
“Thanks.” Jane was still gazing at her with a troubled expression. “I'd never do that to Joe. I hate being finessed myself. I was just being honest.”
“Then forget I said anything. I'm so tired and stressed right now I'm probably seeing little green monkeys.” Eve started toward her bedroom. “Good night, Jane.”
It was like watching someone else.”
Jane shivered as she went out on the porch after Eve disappeared into her room. Her conversation with Joe, the words she'd chosen had been spoken totally without conscious thought. It was as if she'd been on automatic.
Yet she'd known at the time that they were exactly the right words to lead him down the path she wanted him to follow. It was as if she'd been doing it all her life. It had seemed perfectly natural and she hadn't even realized she was doin
g it until Eve had confronted her with it. Her first instinct had been rejection and denial, but now she wasn't so sure she hadn't tried to manipulate Joe. And what kind of person did that make her?
Toby whined and pawed at her leg.
She bent down and patted his head. “It's okay, boy.”
He sensed she was disturbed and was trying to comfort her. She needed comforting. She hated lies and deceptions and she'd been dealing in both of them lately.
Jesus, and they'd come so easily. . . .
Then accept that she was imperfect and capable of manipulation and be on the alert. She was the one in control of her actions and she must be careful never to hurt Joe or Eve. It was scary to know that she'd not even realized what she was doing.
Forget it. It wouldn't happen again.
But damn Aldo for placing her in this position where she'd had to admit to herself that she was capable of trying to twist even these people she loved into the way she wanted them to go.
Annapolis, Maryland
The bar was crowded but that was good for him. It lessened the chances of anyone remembering one man sitting by himself at the bar. He'd made sure his facial disguise and clothes were nondescript but the key was always to blend into the crowd.
Though it was difficult to blend into a crowd consisting mainly of Annapolis cadets, Aldo thought. He'd have to make sure no one saw him watching the girl playing darts across the room. Although it was difficult not to watch her when she was doing her best to attract attention. In her cadet uniform and short haircut, Carrie Brockman appeared both mannish and loud. Laughing, whistling, kidding the other players. A noisy, boisterous extrovert.
Not like Cira, who need only walk silently into a room to rivet everyone's eyes on her.
It seemed almost sacrilegious that this woman possessed a few of Cira's features and yet none of her charisma.
Not like Jane MacGuire.
Don't think about Jane MacGuire. He mustn't compare her to this woman or he wouldn't be able to do what was necessary. The act with the woman in Richmond had made him feel like a cheat and that mustn't happen here.
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