“Let me guess, it was Wendy’s.”
“Yes. She’s a local girl and donates blood on a regular basis. Hence her DNA was compared to the—specimen.”
Remie wrapped her arms around her shoulders, unable to stop the deep penetration of bitter fear. “By all that’s precious, why? Why would anyone want to mutilate…?” In the back of her mind, her subconscious retorted, Isn’t that what you do every day? Cut, dissect, measure, weigh.
Billy set the pot aside and slowly reeled her into his arms. “Hey, it takes all kinds to make up this world. You see the results of crazy minds at work on a regular basis.”
“But it’s never hit so close to home.”
“Which adds a new dimension to your life. I know.”
Without words, he comforted, enveloping her in his strength and his world, a temporary cocoon she didn’t want to leave. Her life would become a lot colder.
“We’re gonna tighten up your security. Royden’s going to take days if you need to go anywhere during work hours, and I’ll take nights. Twelve hour shifts. You said you have some type of appointment coming up?”
To say the words out loud gave them meaning and validated her fear. “I… yes. I have to have a biopsy next week.”
His frown morphed into understanding as he leaned back to peer into her face. “I knew you were worried about something. Why didn’t you tell me? I’ll go with you.”
“You don’t need to. I understand the process, and I didn’t tell you because there’s nothing you can do to help.”
“Yes, I can. I’m sure you understand the procedure. That doesn’t make the possibilities stop swimming around your thoughts or provide the least bit of comfort. I. Will. Accompany you.”
The feel of him nuzzling her hair then nudging her head to his shoulder relieved a fraction of her anxiety. She merely nodded against his neck. “I feel so guilty worrying when Gena and Wendy have lost their lives.”
“Don’t fight human nature. And if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t give others the closure they need by finding the twisted mind behind this shit.”
“But there was no need to kill Wendy. The guy had his face covered. She was no threat, just like I’m not either.”
“Maybe he has another goal in mind. I don’t know. We’ve gone through your pending cases and nothing popped.”
“Then I’m missing something, forgetting or overlooking a very important detail.”
“Possibly. Or maybe this creep saw you in the grocery store and thought, ‘I’ll take that one.’”
A long moment passed in peaceful oblivion, until Buckeye nudged her leg. “Hmm, my babies are hungry.” She stepped back and offered a grateful smile.
Holly lay curled in her nest of tissue wrapping paper beside Buckeye’s bed, waiting for her evening due of snuggling. Her stuffed toys, a soft cardinal and banana, lay nestled between their beds. Mutual affection resulted in Billy holding Holly in his lap every evening and brushing her while she purred her appreciation. It all screamed domestic.
“Me too. How about you feed your critters and I’ll cook tonight.”
“Afraid I didn’t wash my hands at work?” She grinned in the face of his denial. His penchant for orderliness permeated every aspect of his being.
“Ha. You’re like Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde. Your workspace rivals mine for cleanliness but here… I’m not sure which is the real you.” His arm gestured to her jacket tossed on the sofa and Buckeye’s chew toys scattered over the floor.
“Here is my domain where I step back from the rigid structure of my day. Plus, haven’t you heard that animals take on personalities similar to their companions?”
“Ah...” Retrieving pork chops and the necessary ingredients from the fridge, he began preparations for a simple meal.
Thoughts of how he could shred her heart assaulted her mind between dusk and dawn. Their relaxed accord offered a slice of life she’d never experienced. Despite their differences or maybe because of them, they complimented each other, though she wasn’t always sure what he saw in her. “I still want to race in the mud run tomorrow. Is Ethan going?”
After setting out Holly and Buckeye’s food, she sat on a stool and watched his movements, so fluid and self-confident. Regardless of what they faced, nothing had ruffled his feathers, and yet he protected part of himself the same way a computer nerd sectioned off part of his hard drive.
“Yep. First wave starts at nine. Megan, the veterinarian, had something crop up and can’t go, but Matt is going. We’ve all been hounding him about getting older. I think it’s getting to him.” Adept in the kitchen, he plated the pork chops, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes while she poured drinks.
“I love the way you all get along. Makes me wish I wasn’t an only child. This all seems so natural.”
Confusion knit his brow before answering. “It does feel comfortable, doesn’t it?”
“I haven’t watched someone prepare my meal since I was a kid. I used to sit right here and talk to my mom.”
“What was she like?”
“Kind, calm. Just like my dad.” Relaying stories of earlier years brought her parents’ relationship to mind and solidified her comprehension of intuition’s prodding. This was the type of partnership she wanted in life.
She appreciated him not probing into the likelihood of her pending diagnosis, instead, drawing out memories of years past. He understood her need for routine, or its closest proximity.
Remie woke to Buckeye’s sloppy kiss and the upper half of his body lying across her chest. “Yeah, boy. I know. You’re hungry. Let me get my robe on.”
Using her body for a push off, he hopped off the bed and bounded down the steps to greet Billy and Holly in the kitchen, per the usual routine. The aroma of coffee quickened her step.
Despite the chaos permeating every aspect of her life, she’d quickly come to depend on Billy’s steadfast demeanor as her anchor. The sound of something sizzling on the cooktop reminded her of Saturday mornings when her parents made a big breakfast. Another bittersweet memory threatened to blast through her chest. “Smells good. What’s cooking?”
“Pancakes and bacon. Enough carbs to keep you going but with sufficient time to digest them to avoid slowing you down.”
“Good thing. Ya know… you could take the spare bedroom upstairs. This couch isn’t very comfortable. Buckeye would let us know if someone approached.”
“Nah, I’m fine. Speaking of security, I know you like having a doggy door but from a defensive perspective—”
“It stays. Buckeye will guard the house, and no one is gonna come in through his entrance.”
They rarely butted heads, yet on that stance she wouldn’t budge. A glance in the corner revealed the dog had eaten his food. “I’ve been thinking about this psycho.”
“Draw any conclusions?”
“I don’t think it’s from someone infatuated with me. I haven’t gotten any heavy breathing calls, black roses on my doorstep, or signs of anyone following me. I think the letter was a ruse.”
“There’s a possibility it’s some whacko that has taken to you by chance, but it’s too coincidental. I don’t like coincidences. At all.”
“Coming from the voice of experience.”
“Yeah, when I woke up two months ago after a psycho knocked me out and used me as a guinea pig, I almost ended up on one of your slabs. Believe me; if it smells like reheated catfish, it’s fishy.”
“That’s why you know so much about nanotechnology.”
“It’s why I’ve learned what I could. That shit gives me the creeps.” A flush of crimson swept his cheeks to contrast the icy rage filling his eyes.
“I don’t think I’ve met anyone as well-read. You have quite an eclectic knowledge base.” After her assault in the woods, she understood how he felt. She wanted as many answers as she could get.
“I read whatever catches my interest.”
A deep musical chime brought her attention to the grandfather clock in the
great room. “The field is a half hour from here and we’ve got a couple hours ‘til we leave. Why don’t we sit on the sofa and you can tell me more McAllister shenanigans.”
“And you can explain what suspicions you’ve been holding back.” His arched brow denied her the ability to lie.
The bruise on her flank had healed with no lingering effects from her ordeal, but the niggling doubts she’d held in check festered like a splinter.
“Look, I’m not sure what’s happening, and I don’t want to throw out accusations that don’t add up. It’s not the way I’m wired or the way I work.”
Billy paused before sitting, eyebrows hooked down. “You’ve explained the girls were adrenaline junkies. Do you know how Gena met the killer?”
“No, and I could think of a hundred possibilities, all of them likely wrong. They were out for thrills, nothing more. They accepted money after sex with a stranger—thinking it added a layer of danger, intrigue, or whatever.” Remie made a futile hand gesture. “From what I’ve gathered, they’d each only done it a few times and didn’t work for anyone. What if I’m just being paranoid?”
“They started hooking for kicks?”
“Yeah.”
“Well shit. Would’ve been nice to know before now. You know better than to withhold information. If that leg of our investigation comes to a dead end, so be it. But a lead is a lead.”
“I didn’t think it had any bearing on the case. It’s not like they had a pimp.”
“Jesus, Remie. You know better.”
“I—I’m sorry. I wanted to protect her parents.”
“Okay, spit it out. I want to know what theories are rattling around in your skull. Start with Gena.”
“It was just the two girls, without any other contacts at the college. Hence, no connection.”
“Maybe one of them knew a working girl from town.” Billy scrubbed a hand over his jaw, tilting his head to the side in contemplation. “I’ll look into that angle and we’ll see. Go on.”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about how I woke up with a bruised side and headache.”
“You were beaten and drugged.”
“But not raped.”
“And?”
“Remember I told you about Ari’s study of stem cells?”
“You think someone took stem cells from you while you were unconscious?”
“It’s possible. Stem cells from my cerebrospinal fluid and adipose tissue from my side. But Ari wouldn’t do that.”
“Adipose tissue?”
“Think of a layer of fat. One that stores energy, cushions and insulates the body.”
“Why take them? What would they want with stem cells and adipose tissue?”
“Stem cells are used in conjunction with hydrogel and other substances to replicate human tissue.”
“Why the hell would anyone want to duplicate your organs?”
“Medical research. Several bioprinting engineers in and around Portland are working on constructing transplantable parts. Ari still hopes that I’ll work with him.”
“What about others in the field? Why would they target you?”
“I don’t see any point. This is such a competitive arena that everyone is keeping tabs on others the best they can. This angle makes no sense. I see no gain, no point in it, yet my thoughts keep circling back to it.”
Further discussion involved explanations of stem cells differentiating into specific types of tissues. It amazed her that his knowledge, though patchy, was extensive. When she’d vented her frustration and paranoid inklings, she concluded with the fact that secrets in advanced technology didn’t remain secret for long. Rumors slipped out, and she was developing the contacts along with the medical background to pick them up. “Thanks for listening to me ramble.”
“Hey, sometimes you pick up the smallest threads, the ones that unravel an entire sordid mess when followed to the end.”
“Okay. Tell me what devious tactics or tricks your brothers employ during races. I want to be prepared.” Comfort derived from listening to the soothing timbre of his voice warmed her heart. A sense of normal she craved. His understanding of her need for diversion came with a smile while the change of topic took her mind off problems neither could quickly solve.
The deep rumble of a pickup alerted them to a truck’s approach.
“Sounds like Ethan’s here. Any problem with riding in his SUV to simplify arrangements? We’ll be filthy after the race, and his vehicle has better seat covers.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll go change.”
She knew that by midafternoon, mud would cling to her moisture-wicking tank and capri pants, but the obstacles and various challenges would suspend other worries. Afterward, she’d be ready to face whatever came next. Braiding her hair, she smiled at the memory of her first obstacle race. She’d grinned ear to ear as her roommate snapped photos to send to her parents.
The brothers’ conversation ceased when she padded down the steps. Billy had changed his clothes in the interim. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. We’re just going over the plan.”
“The one where I leave you two in the dust?”
Like his older brother, Ethan’s self-assurance encompassed a natural part of his demeanor. With the same walnut-colored hair and athletic build, he moved with an easy grace as he crouched to pet Buckeye. Several white dog hairs on his jeans affirmed him a canine’s companion.
“You’re right. She is a bit of a spitfire.”
“Don’t underestimate her mind. She’ll make you regret it. Snark is one of her basic food groups.”
“Hmm, I know you both are armed, but I don’t see where.” Both men wore khaki shorts, yet Billy’s well-defined calves and thighs drew her attention. Whoever said men’s legs aren’t sexy hasn’t seen a McAllister.
Billy tugged up the hem of his loose T-shirt to reveal the attached tank underneath. The design included a smooth pancake holster that wouldn’t reveal the gun’s shape at his back when the clothing became wet.
“Armed during a mud run? You do know they’re going to be submerged in water, mud, etc.” They’d probably feel naked without them.
Their blank expressions conveyed more in a split second than anything she’d encountered. It dawned on her that the calm stillness a devout man received from entering his house of worship equated to a McAllister preparing for the unexpected. It was their normal.
“Never leave home without ‘em—and that’s the only place to conceal them,” Billy smirked and gave his brother a high five. “We found these at a distributor at the last Cops and Robbers 10K dash.
“Which is why we carry Glocks. You don’t end up with squishy triggers and light primer strikes.” Ethan stood and gave Buckeye a final pat.
“All right then. Let’s do it.” Tension gripped her shoulders when she stepped out on the front porch. Carrying her sport tote, she took in the open land surrounding her home. If the killer wanted her dead, he’d had ample opportunities. On the other hand, issuing threats detailed his need for foreplay, which he apparently hadn’t exhausted. Soon he’d deplete the adrenaline surge derived from his depraved sport and they’d have another body.
Always the gentleman, Billy held the rear passenger door and waited until she pressed back into her seat. “Move over, Doc.”
“Always wanted to be chauffeured.” At times, it was nice to be treated like a lady even if she didn’t think of herself as such.
The quiet drive allowed for introspection along with the inevitable what-if scenarios. She considered Billy’s recent ordeal and the seduction of technology and medicine. His edginess concerning both made sense and would tint his viewpoint in anything remotely similar. The last thing she wanted was to see Ari dragged into an investigation that didn’t concern him. His reputation in his field of study surpassed all others yet didn’t make him guilty of anything more than being intelligent and dedicated.
“You’re thinking too hard, Remie.” Billy’s hand on her knee brought her thou
ghts back to the moment.
“Do you guys hit all the local obstacle races?”
“Pretty much,” Ethan supplied. “It’s a great way to blow off steam.”
The field doubling as a parking lot came into view after edging off the county road. The last time she’d visited the game farm was when her dad had taken her to shoot sporting clays. With so much in common with the McAllisters, it surprised her she’d not run into them long ago despite attending different schools. “Looks like a good-sized crowd.”
“Usually is this time of year. They have another race in the fall which draws a smaller, more competitive group,” Billy added.
“It feels good to get back into running. I’ve never competed, but I started these and savage races in college. I’m guessing there’s a good bit of the course that twines through the woods?” She drew a deep breath and stepped out after Ethan cut the engine and tossed his keys in the glove box.
“Yeah, it does, but it’s timed to let you cool off. Matt said he’d meet us near the starting line. He’s gotten us registered.” Ethan snatched his bag from the passenger seat.
“So, are we booked under a team name?” Billy’s arched brow and thinned lips spoke of mistrust. “It better not be another nose joke.”
“Naw. We wouldn’t do that to you...” Ethan turned away to change his shoes, but a slight shake of his shoulders belied a secret.
Hundreds of cars situated in rows signaled the amount of participants in the day’s festivities. Runners and spectators roamed the allotted area with maps and cameras, surveying the course and judging distances.
Vendors occupied tents in a large semi-circle near the start where participants and their supporters sorted through shirts and other memorabilia.
It had been a pleasant surprise to gain Billy’s cooperation for such a public affair. Knowing him, there’d be more than a few of his fellow officers there for the fun of it.
As they headed toward the staging area, she scanned the crowd, people milling about in preparation, others taking photos of the colorful inflated arch marking their starting point. The announcer evoked collective roars from the first wave of contestants, their excitement contagious. A few looked familiar, but years had passed since she’d left for school.
McAllister Justice Series Box Set Volume Two Page 36