Lancaster said, “He's going to kill her. He's said it plain as day, right there on the page.” He waited for Jake's reaction. “Why don't you talk to her?"
"I've talked to her. But this isn't something I can explain.” Jake's voice vibrated and his eyes were like steel.
"You have feelings for her. I've watched you over the last couple of days. What's going on?"
Jake appeared calm on the surface, but underneath volcanoes erupted and his stomach turned into a churned up mess. “FBI Conduct Rule Number One says no fraternizing with a witness in a federal investigation."
"Well, she's not really a witness. What does the book say if you break the rules?"
"I don't break them.” Okay, so going off without the team to follow The Surgeon was a small infraction.
"You can't deny it.” Lancaster shook his head. “There is something there between you and Allison Brody."
Slamming his hands down on the table, Jake bounced up from the chair. This drew the attention of everyone in the room. “I can fucking deny it. I have to.” Jake traipsed around the room. He pushed his fingers through his hair, pulling on the ends. It seemed hot all of a sudden. “If he thinks I have any personal interest in Allison Brody, he'll take great pleasure in killing her. He might even take the time to torture her first."
Peter moved closer to Jake as Lancaster calmly asked, “Why would it make any difference that you care for her? All the women he's killed had someone that loved them. Why are you making this so personal?"
"Because he will, damn it!” The room grew definitely hotter, or was it just his rising temper? “I gotta go.” Jake didn't miss the worried glances passed between his colleagues, but they turned their focus back on their duties. Stopped with his hand on the doorknob and his back to Lancaster, Jake said in a hushed voice, “Do you ever wonder what makes a man cross the line?"
"The line?"
"Between good and evil."
Lancaster's gaze lifted toward the ceiling or the heavens. Cocking one eyebrow, he shrugged and said, “It's different for each one, I'm sure, but it's a very thin line."
Jake grunted and left the room.
* * * *
"Ms. Brody,” Jake said as he walked into the small conference room where Allison waited.
"Agent.” Allison continued staring out the window.
"Have you noticed anyone lurking around your house or work lately? The same face you may have seen more than once?"
"No."
How could she have put much thought into it? She answered so quickly. “Again, I'll suggest that you discontinue working alone late at night for a while until we catch this guy, or he moves on."
"No!"
Her responses were sharp and crisp, her frame rigidly straight. Shit. Jake's lips clamped together. He glared at her back wanting, willing her to look at him. Her hands clasped her sides at the waist, arms wrapped around her body in a fierce hug. She looked frail, vulnerable. She was more terrified than she let on. And she should be.
"I can't explain why he's so fascinated with you, but working late by yourself isn't a good idea. It must stop."
"I will not cave to fear or threats. I have bills to pay and I do need to eat occasionally."
"So work during the daytime hours."
Her legs were like rubber, so she fell slightly against the windowsill when she turned to see Jake's intense gaze fixed on her. Light from the window danced over his features. The couple days worth of beard covered his jaw line and unruly hair hung down around his collar, not the typical look for a federal agent. Allison stared into a pair of eyes that were unyielding and her breath caught. Oh, Lord.
Of course, he had no idea that the reason she worked alone at night was because of her difficulty being around people. This is information she would have divulged had he even asked, but he didn't ask. He ordered her to rearrange her life, a life that has already been disturbed just by his presence. She'd managed to erect sturdy walls to block the gruesome visions, but she had no shield against Jake.
"I suppose you could arrest me, Agent Austin.” She got up, she felt stronger on her feet. “Have one of the officers you've had following me do it.” Her gaze slipped away from his and she turned her back to him again.
He moved silent as a cat. In mere seconds, he was there imprisoning her between the window glass and his hard sinuous body. Arms on either side, he pressed against her in a dominant stance. “Do you have a death wish?"
"No,” Allison whispered.
"Then why do you make it so damned difficult?"
The emotion, which before was barely detectable, now echoed in Jake's words. The current between them electrified the room. She'd known eventually it would consume them both.
Anger, born of fear, spilled out and she pushed him away. “I will not become a prisoner because of this monster,” she screamed. “And you can't stop me from working. I've broken no laws."
"Woman!” Jake growled.
"Woman? Look, Agent,” she offered an insolent sneer with virtual sparks shooting from her eyes. “I'm a free citizen.” She moved forward, pressing her index finger into Jake's solid chest. “You can't tell me what to do.” Two light bulbs exploded before Allison stormed out of the room.
Jake followed. “Sergeant,” he called.
"Sir?"
"Detain that woman."
The shocked look on the Sergeant's face fled quickly and he blocked Allison's way.
"What?” Allison roared.
The commotion and loud argument brought other police officers from their locations, one being Detective Lancaster. The rest of Jake's team had stepped into the cramped hallway.
"What the devil is going on here, Austin?” Lancaster asked, shifting his gaze between Jake and Allison.
Without taking his eyes from Allison, Jake answered. “Ms. Brody and I were having a discussion that wasn't quite finished."
"Like hell it wasn't.” Allison crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I have nothing more to say to you."
Jake grabbed her forearm and half dragged, half guided her back to the open door. Peter Carmichael started toward Jake, but he pointed his right index finger at Peter with silent direction to stay put.
"Then you can listen. Thank you, Sergeant."
Lancaster stepped into the room before closing the door. Allison wrenched her arm free from his grasp and moved as far away from him as the room would allow. Lancaster stayed by the door to watch the confrontation between them.
They said nothing, but tension filled the room at toxic levels. Allison stationed in one corner, her back to him, staring at the wall. Jake positioned himself on the edge of the table, crossed his long legs at the ankles and contemplated what to do about Allison.
"So, either of you going to tell me what's going on?"
"He's being unreasonable."
"She's being uncooperative,” Jake offered in a weary agitated voice. Something akin to shame flickered across his face, but he didn't speak further. Neither of them changed positions.
With a breathless laugh, Lancaster said, “Why don't I drive you home, Ms. Brody?"
"Thank you, Detective, but I have my car."
"Then let me walk you out."
Jake curtly nodded his approval, but didn't move.
Allison flew by him without a word or a glance and breezed through the door.
Lancaster caught up to her in the parking lot and she whirled on him with acidy venom. “Don't touch me."
"Hey, Amazon lady.” He chuckled. “I'm an innocent bystander."
Regretting her outburst, Allison took deep breaths to gain her balance. Berating Lancaster was totally unfair. “I'm sorry.” She smiled. “That man can be very demanding, and I don't take kindly to being ordered around."
"Pretty lady, I can see many more disagreements in the future. He's trying to protect you and all the others. I think Austin is used to getting his way."
"So am I."
He laughed.
She slid into her
car and before closing the door said, “Detective?"
"Yes."
"I saw a board in that room with several pictures of women."
He immediately straightened, guarded. “Yes?"
"The last picture on the right, who is she?"
"She's The Surgeon's latest victim."
Those poor women. Allison knew logically she wasn't to blame, but a part of her asked what if?
* * * *
A loud knock on his door unwillingly dragged Jake from his laptop at the small cramped table. He opened the door and an imposing SAC, Special Agent in Charge, Peter Carmichael stepped in the room.
"Do you want to explain what happened today?” he asked.
Jake didn't answer.
"You're always totally professional, and that was not professional."
Jake grunted. Peter moved to the windows.
"I know this case has been of utmost importance to you, more so than any of the others, and I understand your reasons are your own. But, Jake, this is the first time I've ever seen you act irrationally, and with a woman?” Peter turned. “Are you going to fill me in?"
Rubbing his hands across his face, Jake sighed heavily. “I can't even explain it to myself. From the first moment I set eyes on her, some kind of invisible thread started pulling me. Don't let her angelic smile fool you. She's a tough one."
Peter grabbed hold of the back of the chair Jake had been sitting in. “I don't believe it. You're in love with her. Shit! This isn't good."
"That's absurd,” Jake argued. “There's something strange going on here I'll admit, but love hasn't entered into it. I've only been here a few days."
The look Peter threw at Jake was one of frustration. “Please, Jake. My ex-wife's here in Gloucester. I definitely know all about beating your head against a wall because of a woman."
"And yet, you keep having her assigned to work cases with you."
"Just because we can't live together doesn't mean I don't love her, and there's no way in hell she's gonna be working with anyone else."
Jake rested his face in his hands and growled low in his throat. He wanted to punch something, anything.
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Rage and fury blew through him. How dare Jake touch her, press against her, or whisper intimately into her ear. Allison belonged to him and Jake Austin would be shown the error of his ways. He'd make sure of it.
* * * *
When Allison arrived home, the anger that had before bristled now simmered. She started up the front stairs and heard the phone ringing, so she rushed inside.
"Allison?"
"Hello, Paul.” She was relieved to hear a friendly voice.
"I wanted to follow up on how you were doing since you left the hospital before I go out of town this weekend."
"I'm fine."
"Allison?"
"I'm fine, really. Where are you going?"
"I made reservations in Cape Cod for a change of atmosphere."
"Cape Cod?"
"Yeah. I try to go up there every couple of months to clear my head. You wanna come? We could hang out, get drunk and act goofy, just like old times. Oh, wait. That was just me, but you could join in. What do you say?"
"Paul, I...."
"Don't worry, Allison. I'll get two rooms."
The headaches were frequent and she couldn't think straight. Putting distance between herself and the problem might help direct her energies where they were most needed. Not to mention, if she could prove to Paul that she wasn't having a neurotic breakdown, maybe he wouldn't watch her so closely. “All right, when do we leave?"
"How about three today?"
"I'll be ready."
"You realize I'm asking you along to convince you to let me run some tests, right?"
"I figured as much, but maybe you'll find it's not necessary."
"I'll enjoy the challenge, so come prepared."
Allison chuckled. “Do your best.” She hung up the phone. Great, now she had another man to contend with. What else was going to happen?
Allison hummed as she threw some clothes in her small overnight bag and scooped up her facial cleanser and toothbrush. Yanni's lessons about control and focus had helped tremendously. The headaches had decreased in intensity, but she kept the medicine close by. That was something. She'd have to talk to Nick about getting her some Amber crystals, Yanni's suggestion on how to treat the headaches. Unfortunately, crystals wouldn't solve her biggest problem, Jake Austin.
* * * *
Jake entered the command post, which was humming with activity. The phone rang and Peter picked up. “Hey, Quincy, hold on.” He hit the speaker button. “Go ahead."
"We finished the autopsy on this new one."
"And?"
"Findings are the same.” Peter heard Dr. Hallowell mumbling in the background something about young pups and getting in his way and he couldn't make out the rest. “Any trouble?” Peter asked cautiously.
Quincy snickered. “Nothing I couldn't handle. I'll have the report to you shortly."
"Okay.” As Peter hung up, he looked at Jake. “So?"
Jake walked over and handed a disk to Margo. “He's been watching her."
Margo slipped the disk into the laptop and opened the attachments. Ginny whistled when she saw the one of Allison on the beach with her arms outstretched to the moon.
"She's a night creature.” Ginny tilted her head and looked at Jake. “Were you aware of that?"
"I'm learning."
"Really?” Ginny smiled.
Peter said, “What do you think this tells us?"
"Either his focus has shifted or widened,” Margo supplied.
"Surveillance?"
"Still there,” Jake said. “But it doesn't seem to do much good. He still manages to get close enough to take these.” Jake pointed to the monitor.
"He could have a great zoom lens,” Margo said. “If she's psychic, how come she doesn't know he's there?"
Jake frowned.
"Maybe she does,” Lancaster offered.
"What do you mean?"
"She says she sees things through his eyes. If he's watching her, she might have known he was there."
Jake stared at the picture of Allison under the full moon. “I need a cigarette."
"You don't smoke,” Peter replied.
"Maybe I should start."
Ginny looked at Peter and then back at the monitor. “Could she be in on it?"
"He works alone."
Peter looked at Lancaster. “Have you checked her out?"
"I ran a check, but didn't get anything."
Pacing Jake said, “Except for being part of the carnival side show, she's clean."
Rolling her eyes at Jake, Margo said, “So what do we do now?"
"Keep our eyes open, follow up any leads, and hope we get lucky."
Jake moved to the windows. He didn't figure luck to be an option. He walked back down to the other end of the table and studied all the victims. Why had Allison not told him The Surgeon was watching her?
[Back to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"What?” Jake's voice rang through the halls of the department.
"She left town with Paul Kincaid, sir."
"The shrink?"
"Yes, sir."
In angry strides, Jake roamed the small conference room with a severe frown on his face wrinkling his forehead.
"I sent one of the other officers to her house to speak with the housekeeper. She said they went to Cape Cod for the weekend."
"That's just great. Damn woman. Doesn't know when someone is doing something for her own good. Police protection doesn't do anything if she leaves Gloucester.” Jake nodded. “Thanks, Logan. I appreciate everything you and the others have done. I know this hasn't been the most pleasant of duties having to deal with Feds and that stubborn woman."
"On the contrary,” Logan grinned, “it's been interesting."
"You'
re too kind.” Jake's statement dripped with sarcasm.
Lancaster entered as Logan left the room. “What's that all about?"
"Allison Brody and Paul Kincaid went to Cape Cod for the weekend."
"They did what?"
"Left. What kind of psychiatrist takes his patient to Cape Cod?"
"You're taking this rather calmly."
Jake wanted to hit something, something hard that would make his hand hurt to take his mind off the pain in his heart. “You're being a smart ass."
"What are we going to do?"
"I'd like to chase them down, grab her by those curly locks and tan her beautiful butt.” Jake paused a moment to picture that scene.
"So?"
"I'll do nothing of the sort, however. I'm a professional."
"What do you think the killer will do?"
Jake yanked out his cell phone and dialed amidst murmurs from the others. “Excuse me a minute."
"Jake.” Peter warned from the other side of the room where he'd been quietly observing.
"Don't worry. I'll hold it together.” For now. Jake walked out into the hall. On the second ring, Linc picked up.
"You have reached the phone of Linc Anderson. Please leave your message at the sound of the beep, and I'll call you back. Beep."
"Linc, you don't have an answering system."
"Damn! I hoped whoever it was didn't know that. What's up?"
"I need you to check something for me."
"Does it have something to do with The Surgeon case, Jake? Because, an agent named Rafferty called Caprizzi to let him know someone phoned in to check you out. He got the whole story of how you waltzed into the police station and all but told them they had a killer loose in their community, before the murder had happened. Caprizzi stormed out of his office wanting to know who knew about your activities."
"I knew I'd be checked out. I'm sure it was Lancaster. He just went up another notch in my book."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm glad you're making friends with the locals."
Jake laughed. “Did you play dumb with Caprizzi?"
"Hell, yes. I'm no fool."
"Can you do me a small favor?"
"What do you call a big favor?"
"Linc."
"Why not? Caprizzi's going to be so far up my ass for helping you, what's another inch?"
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