“Caucasian male. Thirty to thirty-five years old.” Linc wrapped one hand around his coffee, clearly preferring to wait until it had cooled down to drink it. “Mother was widowed, presumably while the unsub was under the age of eight. His parents had a traditional marriage. It’s my belief that the mother received a lot of help from friends and neighbors after the passing of his father, but she moved him out of Winter Heights. Shortly after that, he suffered either verbal or physical abuse from someone in his daily life. Whatever event occurred in his life, it molded him to believe that taking the lives of widows who had trouble adjusting to their loss was a crusade that only he was willing to take on. He felt himself freed of social norms by some higher power in order to eliminate their suffering.”
Ridge had grown up a town over from Winter Heights, though his parents had moved to their current place after Ridge and his brother had left home many years ago. It was highly doubtful that they would personally know of such a family.
“Evidence?” Ridge inquired, resting an elbow on the table. “DNA?”
“DNA was left at each scene, confirming that we’re dealing with the same unsub,” Dean responded, scanning the cafeteria for the fourth time since they’d taken their seats. All three of them had kept the chair with its back to the entrance empty, allowing each of them to have a full view of the cafeteria. “Unfortunately, the unsub isn’t in any database that we have access to.”
“Do you have any viable suspects?” Ridge highly doubted that these gentlemen would reveal a list of names to him, but it was worth a shot. “Maybe one in particular?”
“You’re going to be a major pain in my ass, aren’t you?”
Linc coughed when the coffee that he just drank got stuck in his throat from Dean’s observation. The two men seemed to have a good working relationship, and it wouldn’t surprise Ridge to find out that they were friends off the clock. Dean sighed in resignation when Ridge remained silent, all but confirming the agent’s initial assessment.
“I’m going to do what is necessary to keep Lily Hudson safe,” Ridge stated, meeting the agent’s gaze. “I don’t know her personally, but she ended up in my house, bleeding out and needing my help. I know of her past circumstances, and I’m not willing to let her take this on herself. If this guy is not in the system, he is unlikely to have any special training, which means all he has is the advantage is his anonymity.”
Ridge certainly hadn’t planned on being her advocate. From what he could gather, she’d managed pretty damn well on her own since the arrest and subsequent death of her husband. She could clearly take care of herself, but she was currently injured and at a disadvantage.
He couldn’t bring himself to walk away when this piece of garbage was hunting her.
“Whether you are by Ms. Hudson’s side or not, she’ll have a protective detail for as long as I’m able to give it to her.” Dean tapped the table with his index finger a couple of times. “Linc and I have been on this case for months. There was a wrongful arrest and some political barriers, but I’m running this investigation. We’ll see it through to the end.”
Ridge could only take the agent at his word.
“You left the hospital for a couple of hours last night,” Ridge noted, figuring Dean had gone to Lily’s residence. “Did you find anything?”
“Traces of blood.” Dean shared a look with Linc. “From the reconstructed crime scene, the unsub followed Ms. Hudson out the back door. He was limping, according to the footprints. The sheriff and a few state police detectives are helping us check the hospitals, clinics, and even veterinarian offices within a thirty-miles radius. We’re also still investigating leads generated by the murder of an employee at the pub. The staff member didn’t fit the unsub’s criteria, which is most likely why he made a mistake when attacking Ms. Hudson. He must have been dealing with the psychological effects of targeting someone outside of his purview.”
Ridge didn’t reply that he believed Lily’s escape had to do with her quick thinking and will to live. She was a fighter, and she’d more than proven that over the last year. Unfortunately, her name was once again in the headlines and gaining more interest by the second.
“We need to discuss another protective detail,” Dean said, alerting Ridge to why the agent had issued the coffee invitation. “As I said before, I know that you’re capable of taking care of yourself, but—”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Ridge, the unsub is cornered,” Roche stressed, as if Ridge hadn’t seen his fair share of cornered combatants who were much more capable than an untrained civilian. “There’s no telling how he’s going to react to—”
“An additional protective detail won’t be necessary, because I’m taking Lily Hudson home with me upon her discharge from the hospital.” Ridge’s decision hadn’t been made lightly, especially since he’d planned all along to distance himself from the situation. He’d only been keeping his promise, but it had now turned into so much more. “I’d appreciate it if the two of you would keep me apprised of any relevant details.”
Ridge stood after having sensed that the reporter and her cameraman were done patiently waiting for an opening. He didn’t want to be here when they descended, because another news crew had just walked into the cafeteria. The events from last night had drawn the attention of the nation, but it wasn’t his job to feed the vultures.
“Ridge?”
He stopped midstride and turned around to receive Agent Malone’s warning.
“The unsub has been very adept at blending in with the residents of this town,” Dean warned as he stood and reached for his dress coat. “He’s gone into hiding for now, but all he’s doing is assessing the situation and preparing for another way to carry out his mission.”
Ridge was prevented from responding when the reporter finally came to an abrupt stop, her bright smile slipping when he stared at her in warning. The brief pause gave him enough time to turn and walk away, leaving the two agents to deal with the press. He thought he’d managed to avoid the spotlight, but the other reporter who had been waiting in the wings was definitely more seasoned. She managed to physically bar his exit before he could walk out of the cafeteria.
“Master Sergeant Killian, your heroic actions from last night—”
“No comment.”
“Did Ms. Hudson say anything about what she saw when—”
“No comment.”
“How does Ms. Hudson feel about being in the same hospital where her husband killed a—”
Ridge had been attempting to walk around the woman and her cameraman when he purposefully came to a complete stop. He’d had every intention of ignoring the clear violation of his privacy, but the line that had been crossed over into Lily’s personal life was off limits.
“I said,” Ridge began, leveling his tone in a way that he hadn’t done since his retirement, “no comment. Do you understand?”
The reporter seemed to be at a loss for words, but her colleague seemed to have more common sense as he lowered his camera and carefully motioned for her to focus on the two agents who were now answering a few questions for the other crew. The cameraman seemed to have enough wisdom to know when to back off out of self-preservation.
Ridge didn’t kid himself that this would be his last run-in with the press. Far from it, but he would do everything in his power to ensure the safety of Lily Hudson. He’d given his word, and he couldn’t walk away now.
He finally turned and made his way out of the cafeteria. There was a small alcove off to the side of the elevator banks, and he took advantage of the privacy to make an important phone call. He was still owed a few favors, and he intended to collect on one or two.
The line was answered on the first ring.
“Townes Calvert.” Ridge didn’t bother to wait for the man to confirm. There was no mistaking the man’s voice on the other end of the line. “I’m collecting on that debt. Today.”
Chapter Six
Ridge Killian was still sitting
in her hospital room.
Lily wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep, but it had to have been most of the day. She was afraid to shift her body for fear the pain would return. Turning her head ever so slightly, she noticed that there was no sun shining in from the window.
Only darkness.
The bright overhead lights had been turned off in exchange for the softer recessed lights on the far side of the room. There was more than enough illumination to watch Ridge as he slept in the high-back chair in the corner.
What on earth was he still doing at the hospital?
Lily must have made the right assumption about him being with the task force to hunt down The Widow Taker. What were the odds that she would have ended up on his doorstep immediately after she’d been attacked? Had he rented the cabin during his stay in town? She could only assume his close proximity to her home had been nothing more than a coincidence.
“It’s going on nineteen hundred hours.”
Lily had been studying him intently, which was how she’d known that his eyes were still closed when he mysteriously answered her unspoken question. He hadn’t even unlaced his fingers, which were still entwined and resting over his abdomen. She inhaled swiftly when pain shot through her side at her small start at the sound of his rich voice.
“How did you even know that I was awake?” Lily asked, holding herself still so that the discomfort didn’t mount and become too unbearable. She absolutely hated the way pain medication made her mouth feel as if it was stuffed with cotton and how it made it difficult to stay awake for more than a few moments in time. “Your eyes are still closed.”
Ridge slowly lifted his lashes, his dark gaze meeting hers.
Only one thought came to mind—he was dangerous in more ways than one.
Why that gave her comfort, she really didn’t know.
“Your breathing changed.” Ridge slowly unfolded his large frame and stood. He wasn’t much of a talker, was he? “I’ll let the nurse know that you’re awake.”
“Don’t,” Lily replied quickly, biting the inside of her lip to keep from moaning at the burning sensation her denial had caused. “Please. I’m fine. I just need a moment to collect myself.”
Ridge remained quiet, as if he were weighing his options. Technically, she couldn’t have stopped him from leaving the room and seeking out the nurse on duty. He continued to regard her closely before clearly reaching a decision.
Lily waited to ask the question that she wanted answered until he’d brought over the single chair that had been up against the wall. It wasn’t as comfortable as the padded one, but maybe that meant he would ask his questions and then leave.
“Did you catch him?”
Ridge mulled over her question, though she wasn’t sure how tough it could be to answer. Either the federal agents had arrested The Widow Taker or not.
“An arrest hasn’t been made, but I can see you’re making the assumption that I’m with the police. I’m not.”
Ridge leaned back in the chair, and she didn’t miss the way his gaze took in her hand, which was currently balled into a fist from the dull ache that never seemed to want to dissipate from her right side.
She willed herself to release her hold of the thin blanket.
“Wait a second,” Lily said hesitantly, slivers of memories returning about him saying that he was a good shot. “You’re not with the police? Or the federal agents?”
“No. I’m no longer employed by the federal government.”
Their attention swung to the closed door of her hospital room when the low murmur of two men began speaking. She waited for the door to open, but eventually all that remained was the annoying beeps of her machines. She expelled a sigh of relief when no one walked into her room, not really looking forward to the inevitable conversations with the hospital staff.
“If you’re not with the police, why are you still here?”
Lily bit the inside of her lip a little harder to fend off the burning sensation as she inclined the bed using the control. She was able to stem the nausea so she didn’t embarrass herself like earlier.
“I gave you my word.”
Ridge made it sound so simple, but this situation was anything but.
Guilt and mortification flooded her system in unison at the plea she’d verbalized last night. No one should have to be where they didn’t want to be, and Ridge certainly hadn’t asked to spend the last twenty-four hours at the hospital.
“I’m sorry,” Lily apologized, setting the record straight. There’d clearly been a misunderstanding of some sort. “I’ll be fine. Really. I’m sure they’ll discharge me soon. I shouldn’t have asked that you stay with me. I’m a grown woman, and I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. I’m going to chalk it up to the shock of…well, I’m sure you understand. Anyway, you should go home and get some rest. I truly appreciate everything you did to help me. You basically saved my life, and I—”
“Here.” Ridge appeared to have heard her, but she wasn’t sure her words registered as he reached for the small plastic pitcher and poured her some water. She took it, mostly because he hadn’t given her a choice. “Drink. Your throat must be dry.”
Lily did as he requested, hoping that one more good deed would fill his quota. He settled back into his chair, though. His presence had suddenly become very disconcerting. They continued to sit in silence until she couldn’t take it anymore.
“Really, you can leave. I’m okay and—”
“Don’t.” Ridge had a way of saying things with as few words as possible, and she found that it was causing the tension to rise in her shoulders. She did her best to relax, but she wasn’t successful. There was no possible way that he was aware that she’d been going to fabricate a story to get him to leave. “Don’t lie about having family, hazelnut. I’m well aware of your situation. As for the nurse on duty tonight, I made sure that she didn’t have any preconceived attitude about your care. You have nothing to worry about right now but getting better.”
Humiliation that Ridge had been told all about her past pushed the pain away, giving her something else to focus on. She instantly wished he’d kept with the one-word replies. He thought that she didn’t have anything to worry about. She would have laughed at the sentiment, but she would have only ended up crying over the absurdity of her situation.
“I’d really prefer it if you left.” Lily refused to look at him, not wanting to see the pity in his dark eyes. She was certain it would either be pity or something worse…accusation. “I’m tired, anyway. I wouldn’t want to—”
The warmth of Ridge’s hand enveloped hers, stunning her into abject silence.
“Lily, you’re under protective custody. Your attacker is still at large, and the national media is basically covering every exit of this hospital. I’m involved whether I want to be or not,” Ridge said, brushing his thumb over her wrist in what she assumed was meant to comfort her. His words had the opposite effect. “And what I want is to make sure that a new friend and neighbor of mine is safe. Besides, I needed something to do, seeing as I’m retired.”
It took a moment for Ridge’s words to register. By that time, he’d taken the cup of water from her and set it back on the rolling table. He wasn’t nearly old enough to be retired. He had to still be south of forty or damn close to it.
“You were in the Marines,” Lily murmured, struggling to remember the bits and pieces of her memory that were finally coming back to her. “A sharpshooter.”
“Near enough.”
Lily had been about to tell him that he could return home, that it was better for him if they weren’t friends. He would definitely thank her later. Unfortunately, the door to her room opened and revealed one of the agents who’d paid her a visit this morning.
“Ms. Hudson, I see that you’re awake,” Agent Malone greeted while giving Ridge a sidelong glance. The agent closed the distance until he was standing beside her bed. Apparently, Ridge had ignored some directive. She assumed maybe a request to let
the agent know when she was awake. She’d pulled away from Ridge a bit too abruptly, causing her to wish that she’d taken her time. The throbbing that had temporarily dulled came back full force. “How are you feeling?”
“Good,” Lily said, clearing her throat so that he wouldn’t hear the lie coating her answer. She found if she stayed still the pain was bearable. “Are you here with good news?”
She’d been so caught up with the fact that she was in the same hospital as the one her husband had killed a patient that she hadn’t really thought much about her attack. Having been through the subsequent trial while at the same time trying to divorce Parker, she’d gotten pretty damn good at compartmentalizing matters of consequence. She’d deal with the ramifications that she’d probably never again feel safe in the place that she’d called home for close to a year. The realization washed over her all at once at the massive loss of invested time and effort.
Maybe it was finally time for Lily to move out of state.
“I’m afraid not, although Agent Roche and Sheriff Hopkins are following up on a few leads as I speak with you.” Agent Malone nodded toward Ridge in greeting before continuing. “I take it that Ridge explained that you’ll have a protective detail in close proximity for the foreseeable future. That means you’ll go nowhere without someone by your side. Upon your discharge, we’ll take you somewhere safe until—”
“Wait a second.” Lily wanted more than anything to sit up a bit more in bed, but she needed to keep her complete attention on Agent Malone. She was careful to lay her right hand on the bedrail and not near her wounded side. “Someplace safe?”
“Ms. Hudson, the man who attacked you is still at large. Frankly, we believe that he’ll attempt to finish what he started,” Agent Malone explained, the reassurance in his tone not achieving its intended purpose. “I’m aware that Ridge has offered to stay with you, but I believe a safehouse is the best option we have on the table right now.”
The Reclusive Widow (The Widow Taker Book 3) Page 6
