No Ordinary Killer (23 page)

“You wearing any other gadgets Joshua gave you?”

“Brilliant. You’re relying on a ten-year-old to get …
wait … that’s it.”

“What’s it?”

“Well you won’t belie—“

“Skip the I won’t believe. I’ll believe! Just tell
me.”

“Okay. I love dogs, so don’t get me wrong. But
sometimes when I’m jogging and a stray dog comes up on me, well it scares the
hell out of me. I would guess wolves are no different than dogs.”

“And this little story is leading us where?”

“Cooper, just shut up and listen. I … well … the
batteries might be low … but … at the end of the dangle chains on my belt—“

“We’re really back to the belt?”

“Well, it’s our torch now. But you see the silver
ball? Squeeze it hard and hold it down.”

“You’re serious? And why should I do this, or are you
just trying to distracted me from the cold and the wolves scratching at my
door?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding? Joshua found out that
there is one sound that scares cats and dogs. Just push the damn thing.” She
waited, staring at Cooper. She could tell he really didn’t believe her, and she
was damned if she would do more than watch. He made his move and she braced
herself before an echo of striking lightning and the loud roll of thunder
rumbled into the night.

Several wolves yipped and the digging ceased. As the
second blast of thunder and lightning boomed into the darkness, the yelps and
scurrying of the wolves all but confirmed their departure.

“I’ll be damned! Do you realize how much money Joshua
could make by creating key chains out of this contraption and selling them?
Joggers will gobble them up! Hell, I’ll help him set it up. Your nephew is a
genius, and let’s face it, a ten-year-old saved our lives.”

“Don’t be getting all too cocky just yet. Our asses
aren’t exactly out of trouble. Instead of charging out in the night with no way
of seeing where we are or which way to head, I say we should make that fire and
wait out the night.” Dallas drew in a breath, grateful the wolves had moved on.
“We’d better hurry. There’s no telling if those animals will be back or if
they’ll be replaced by another pack. There’s a reason Montana voices an issue
with wolf packs.”

“It never affected me before, so I always felt the
ranchers were blowing smoke when they raged against re-introducing wolves back
into the wilderness. Who would guess they’d move into the populated ranches?”

“I’m not going there. I see both sides.” Dallas gave
him a quick glance. “Who wants natural, wild wolves to be hunted and shot down
because they want to survive? Yet, what rancher wants his cattle, sheep or even
family caught in peril by a pack of wild wolves? We’ve just experienced what
that feels like. I don’t know the answer, and I’m not judging either issue.
Ranchers have always been battling these issues.” Dallas grabbed a rock and
tossed it to the center of the room, followed by a stream of others. Cooper
pulled her hand in his, then pulled her close.

“You’ve lost a lot of blood. Sit down for a while and
I’ll get this fire going.”

She sat on the edge of the rock bed, more tired than
she’d ever been her whole life. Every inch of her body felt heavy and ached.
She wanted to help Cooper, she just couldn’t make herself move. “I think we
should save some of this wagon to sleep on. Will keep us directly off the
frozen ground.”

“Good idea. Once I have the fire built I’ll work on
moving what’s left closer to the fire. We’ll be lucky we don’t burn this place
down. It looks like an original log cabin. A lot of the mud has dried and
worked out between the logs. That would account for the amount of cold air
blowing in here.”

 
“I wish at
least one of us had been awake when he brought us here. We’d at least have an
idea how far from my rig he took us. Maybe when we can get a look at the
terrain, we’ll be able to figure out where the hell we are.”

 
“Here, take the
torch and stand off to the side.”

Dallas backed out of the way while Cooper pull the old
wagon forward. It creaked in protest, but moved with Cooper’s guidance. “Look,
Cooper. I think there’s a trap door where the wagon was.”

“Hell yes. This is exciting, Dallas.”

Holding her breath, she tensed as he pulled up on the
leather handle. She leaned in close, anticipation building. “Well, what do you
see?”

“Patience.” He got down on his knees. “Hand me that
torch.”

Dallas grew silent as Cooper lowered the small light
into the cavity below. “Well, is there anything there?”

“This is a mighty interesting piece,” Cooper handed
the near skeleton of an old pistol to her.

“Oh, this is so exciting. You want to bet this gun is
probably early 1800s. Anything more down there?”

“You won’t believe this—“

“Come on, stop making fun.”

“I’m not. Look.”

Cooper pulled up a bundle wrapped in what looked like
buffalo skin and tied with leather strips. He placed it on the wagon and
snapped off several boards. “Let me get this fire going and once we settle
down, we’ll open it together.”

“Really? Aren’t you the least curious?”

“Sure. But you’ll be happy I waited if those wolves
come back to make us their meal after all.”

“Suppose you’re right.” She sat on the edge of the
rough wagon and held the belt torch. Cooper made a circle with the stones, then
broke off pieces of the old wagon until he had a substantial pile ready to
burn. Within minutes a nice fire snapped to life. “I just might have to start
calling you Daniel Boone if you keep this up.”

“Uh oh—“

“Uh oh what?”

“Well….” He leaned forward and paused.

“What’s wrong?”

“This will sound crazy, but I just got two sharp pains
across my stomach. I hope to hell Candy isn’t having her babies.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You really can’t feel her pain,
can you?”

“Tell you what.” Cooper pulled up his sleeve and
glanced at his watch. “It’s Saturday, two in the morning. We’ll ask her next
time we see her.”

“You’re on.” She reached over to touch the bundle.

“I wouldn’t if I were you. Buffalo skins are notorious
for fleas and even spiders. We might want to tread carefully.” He sat down
beside her.

“Um, there’s a small knife on the backside of the
buckle.”

“You don’t say. Joshua and I definitely need to talk.”
He chuckled and slid a two inch blade over the edge of the buckle base. He
popped the ties and drew a breath. “You want to take a guess?”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Megan sat spent. She should have taken more time in
killing Sarah. She should have allowed the killer more internal thoughts and
even feelings. Without making the reader care about her victims and hate the
killer even more, she’ll lose their interest.

Even though her body lay
limp, he entered her again. He liked sex when the partner wasn’t demanding a
certain reaction, a heightened arousal, and always the tenderness of love. He
wasn’t capable of love. It was a useless emotion. He spilled his seed, then
rolled her face down.

He knew each detail as though
he’d performed the task before. He spread her legs in the most provocative
position he could create. Drawing in a breath, he pounded at her inner thighs
as though her flesh was a punching bag. He bit the cheeks of her buttocks and
laughed.

Experience and training made
him instantly realize the error of his actions. He gripped his knife and cut
out the bite marks, dropped the flesh into a zip lock bag and gently placed it
into a cooler. He wanted her heart, but he had to stay within the boundaries of
the crime scene. He was certain if buttock was fried just right it could be
quite tasty with a nice bottle of California’s finest chardonnay.

Megan paused and considered what angle to go from
there. Hairs prickled on the back of her neck and she spun around. Her lover
leaned against the doorway, silent and watching.

“What the fuck … you scared me.”

“Maybe that was my intent.”

“Aren’t you going to remind me to watch my mouth?”

“Would it do any good?”

“You say fuck. So big fucking deal.”

“What has put you in this foul mood? I expect all sexy
and sweetness. I can get this attitude at home.”

“Good. Go home then. I have a deadline here and I
truly don’t have time for you and your games. And, if you haven’t already
guessed it, I’m certainly not in the mood. So, fuck off.” Three long strides
and her lover pinner her arms behind her back and leaned into her. She sensed
his hesitancy … or did she?

“Best be careful, lovely Megan. You really don’t want
to push me.”

“You don’t scare me. I may not know what you look
like, but I’ve learned a thing or two about you over the past four years.”

“Really. And what exactly have you learned that would
interest anyone?”

“You really think you’re smart, don’t you? You’ve
given me classified files and the police department would be very interested to
know who leaked this information to me. You have a wife and kids … or do you?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“How can I believe anything you’ve told me? Maybe you
aren’t even married. You just like to fuck with no strings attached.” His
forced laugh confirmed her suspicions, or did it?

“Megan … Megan … Megan. You are so cute when you try
to be … what shall I call it? Clever, ingenious, shrewd, crafty, cunning, and
even sneaky. You really don’t want to take me on. I can chew you up and spit
you out in about ten minutes. What we have is good. If you want to throw it
away, I don’t really give a fuck.”

“That doesn’t sound like you for some reason. You have
a cold? Your voice sounds strange.”

“I feel fine but I woke up with a touch of
laryngitis.”

“Not that I care. At least now I know where I stand.
Tell me something. You really think I couldn’t put two and two together and
guess you are the bastard that’s forcing me to write
Physical Evidence
?”

“What the hell are you talking about? Who is forcing
you to write this book?”

“Don’t play surprised and dumb with me. Your mistake
was the case files. All three files you gave me to write
Malicious Intent
came in manila envelopes just like the first two
case files I’ve received for
Physical
Evidence
. Now that I think about it, you really pushed me to write
Malicious Intent
. I don’t think I would
have been able to even start the book if you hadn’t given me those case files.”

“What two cases do you have for
Physical Evidence
, Megan?”

“Please. Don’t play the
surprise
with me.”

“What two case files? What are the victim’s names?”

“I’m tired of this game and the deceit. I wanted to
put Cooper in his place, but I don’t want to be part of framing him for these
murders. Why do you hate him so much?”

“And you think I’m trying to frame Cooper because I
hate him? What makes you think that, Megan?”

“That’s a strange question coming from you. If you
have proof, then I want to know what it is. After all, Cooper is the father of
my children.”

“There’s a dubious statement.”

“What the hell do you mean by that?”

“I think Tina and Tucker are mine.”

Megan stared into the dark, moody eyes glaring back at
her from the mask. “You are wrong … and don’t you ever say that again.”

“Touched a sensitive spot, did I? Good. Paternity test
would prove my point. Maybe I’ll have my lab run it.”

“I knew you were a cop.”

“I could be an attorney, a private dick, or even an
insurance investigator. There are all sorts of labs out there. You really need
to think these things through. Now, answer my question.”

“What question was that?”

“What two case files are you writing about?”

“Really, you still are going to pretend you didn’t
give them to me? That you didn’t set me up in this lovely B&B so you could
come each night and ravish me? That you aren’t the caller … making threats and
my guess would be … to make life a bit more exciting. Come on. I’m so not
falling for all this.”

“What calls? Megan, are you in some kind of trouble?
What kind of threats has this caller been making? You’d better tell me what’s
going on.”

“I … you sure you aren’t the caller?” Megan paused, a
million thoughts rushed around in her head.
Don’t
tell anyone about me, because if you do— I’ll know. Your kids and mother are
safe as long as you do as I tell you.
Megan stepped away from her lover.
She walked over to the window and peaked between the mini blinds.

“Well, you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“Actually, nothing is going on. I didn’t expect you to
get so worked up. I was pissed with your comment and … well … I made the whole
damn thing up.”

“Now you’re lying.”

“You’re wrong. I’ve been working my ass off on this
new book. But, it’s just not the same without your case files. I don’t expect
you to put yourself in jeopardy by providing me with another three cases, so
I’ve been trying to make them up as I go. But I’ll be honest. It’s just not the
same without real details and pictures. I can’t seem to get the book started.”

He moved up behind her and kissed the back of her
neck. Megan wanted to run, but held still. “I thought you didn’t give a fuck
about me?”

“Tut tut, there is that mouth again. I didn’t say that
… I said if you want to throw us away, I can live without you. There is a
difference you know.”

He moved his palms over her breasts and squeezed,
pulling her back into his chest. “I think it’s about time you did away with the
mask.”

“You do? I thought you enjoyed the intrigue. It
excites you when I appear and just as quickly disappeared. I thought part of
the excitement between us was the suspense. I truly don’t want to give that
up.” He pushed her sweatpants to the floor. “See, you were expecting me …
weren’t you?”

“What makes you think that?” She tried to face him,
but his firm grip kept her back to him.

“You aren’t wearing any panties.”

He slid his finger along the edge of her opening and
licked her neck. “Oh, little Megan, you were made for love. You keep saying
no
and your body just reacts with
yes
.”

She tried not to respond to his strokes, but he was
right, her body betrayed her. His touch put her skin on fire. She writhed
inwardly, needing him as always. He seemed different somehow and that alone
excited her. “There is nothing wrong with liking sex. It’s the one good thing I
have left in life.” He pushed her over until she gripped the window frame with
her right hand and pressed into the mini blinds and window with her left. He
entered her, and she gasped at the power and sensual pleasure it brought. His
thrusts took her higher and higher, and she moaned and cried out with pleasure.

“Do you want this to end, Megan love?”

“No,” she whispered back. “Don’t stop … come on … keep
going,” she panted. He pressed her face into the blinds and drove hard against
her. She opened her eyes and pushed against him. Through a slit in the blinds
she saw him. Across the street, slightly behind a tree. Wasn’t that a man
staring back at her? Her lover moved with rhythm to the point she could think
of nothing but the sensations he created. They climaxed together. He pressed
into her, matching her labored breathing.

“Is that our last hurrah, or do you want to go to the
bed and I’ll give you a little mouth action?”

Megan smiled, then glanced back through the blinds.
The dark figure was gone. Her lover must be sorry, he never asked, he just did.
“I’m all for more than a little. After your hurtful comments, you have a lot to
make up for.”

“Oh, now you don’t want me to fuck off?”

“No, I just want you to fuck.”

“That’s my Megan.”

He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the
bed. She wondered if he really didn’t know about the caller and the case files.
He still could be the killer. His kisses heated a path … lower … lower … she
could think of nothing but the pleasure he gave.

She woke to the stillness of morning. No startling
phone call, door knock or alarm. Thank God for small favors. She drew in a lazy
breath and moved her arm across the left side of the bed. She knew he wouldn’t
be there. She wasn’t convinced he wasn’t the killer. He didn’t really seem all
that surprised about the case files or phone calls, although he tried to act
like he was. Until she knew for sure, there was no way she could keep him from
her bed. She may not be the mother of the year, but she wasn’t taking any
chances they or her mother might be hurt.

“Where the hell did you get these?”

Megan jumped and sat straight up in bed. “You scared
the hell out of me. I thought you were gone. You’re always gone.”

“The files, Megan. Where did you get them?”

“I told you … I mean … I thought they came from you.”

“Bullshit. You also told me you made it all up. These
are the entire original files, Megan. The other files were copies. I’m not
taking the blame for this. Now tell me where did you get them?”

“One appeared on my computer and the other under my
door. I get … phone calls and directions what I can and cannot do. He’s
threatened Tina and Tucker and even my mother.”

“And you seriously think I would do that? Goes to show
how much you know about me. I wouldn’t threaten the twins. I actually think
they’re mine.”

“So you’ve said. You can apologize when the test
results come back.”

“Apologize for what?”

“I take a
morning
after pill
after every time you visit me. When I got pregnant with the
twins, it was on purpose.” She tossed the blankets aside, slipped her naked
body out of bed and into a house robe. “Cooper is their father.”

“We’ll see. You’re very good at side-tracking the
purpose of my staying this morning. The files, Megan?”

“You’re better off not knowing. I can’t tell you
anything more … I’ve told you too much already. “ Brushing past him, she went
into the study and stopped dead in her tracks. “How did these bagels and coffee
get here?”

“I don’t know. They weren’t here a few minutes ago.
Who besides me knows you are here? What aren’t you telling me, Megan?”

She hurried to the bathroom, closed and locked the
door. She sat on the stool and rubbed her forehead. Things were getting too
complicated. Her lover knocked, but Megan didn’t give him an answer. She
flushed the toilet and reached for her sonic toothbrush. After rinsing, she
realized silence answered. With every fiber of her being, she hoped he had left
the suite.

Unlocking the door, she went back to the study. After
spreading whipped cream cheese on her bagel, she sipped the hot, almond latte.

“You ready to talk now, Megan?”

She hadn’t noticed him leaning against the wall, next
to the window. She wondered what he found so fascinating. “He knows you’re
still here. He left two bagels and two coffees. This is not good.”

“Who is he?”

“The killer, if you must know.”

“What killer? The
Malicious
Intent
killer? The one our team is after? Don’t be ridiculous.” He slowly
took another sip of coffee. The mask moved slightly. “There’s a guy leaning
against a tree across the street. He’s been staring at this window for at least
fifteen minutes.”