Yanni sang in the background, some gypsy song from long ago. Allison barely heard the words. Paul would be arriving soon. She must be ready.
Glancing out the window, Allison saw the last rays of the day swallowed by the darkness. Some more deep breaths and then she purposefully went to the bed and lay down. Yanni raised her hands and the lights went out. Candles all around the room sprang to life, their flames dancing to an unheard beat.
Closing her eyes, she whispered. “Okay, Allison, let's do this."
Yanni softly chanted a protection spell while Allison concentrated and freed her mind. “Are you there?” Her voice seemed to echo in the quiet room.
Stillness.
"Where are you?” The only sounds heard were her breaths and Yanni's murmured ancient words surrounding her. “I feel him."
At first it sounded like the hiss of a snake. Then the cool, smooth tone laced with sarcasm. “Well, well, look who's come to visit."
Even now, the strong link between them shocked her.
"I've missed you, all of you,” he said suggestively. “Trying to hide from me wasn't Austin's best plan. I will repay him for that."
"He was doing his job."
"Was he? I think there's more to it than that Allison. Tsk tsk, trying to protect the noble FBI agent.” He snickered. “Not surprising. He's always been able to invoke that response. But, the end is near.” The impatience and irritation were back in his voice. “Come now, you've summoned me for a reason. What is it?"
"A barter."
"Barter?” A touch of amusement mocked his tone. “You've piqued my interest. Go on."
"I'll come to you, but, I want you to stop killing people and...."
"And?"
"Leave Austin out of this."
His laughter was easy and real. She actually believed she'd amused him. “Well?"
"Hmmm, quit killing. All together?"
"Yes. You'll have me."
"You put a high price on yourself, Ms. Brody."
"No, you did."
Allison felt even more sure of this decision now that she'd actually spoken it.
"Very well, Allison,” he almost purred his answer. “I'll agree, but you know Austin will have something to say about this arrangement."
"I'll not tell him. My deal is with you.” She hadn't lied. She wouldn't tell Jake, though she did worry how Jake would handle it.
"Meet me at the old fish factories on Commercial Street, the fourth one."
"I know it."
"11:30 tonight.” The Surgeon chuckled. “It will be a memorable meeting."
"I'll be there."
"I look forward to it, Allison."
Unsettled she opened her eyes. “So it begins."
* * * *
At 9:30 on the dot, Paul Kincaid rang her doorbell. Allison opened the door to let him in.
"Whoa.” His eyebrows disappeared under his hair. “You look great."
She smiled and beckoned him in.
"I take it you're feeling better."
"Yes, actually, I feel wonderful.” She motioned toward the other room. “Shall we sit?"
He followed her into the parlor and sat down, eyeing her speculatively.
"Would you like a drink, Paul?"
"Bourbon if you have it."
"Certainly.” I think I'll need several.
Allison handed Paul the small crystal tumbler filled with straight Bourbon, trying to think of a way to bring up the subject she needed to discuss.
"Allison, I.... “He had a strained look on his face. “I know you know how I feel about you."
She started to say something but he put his hand up. “All that aside, I wanted to speak with you about your dreams."
Astonished that he'd actually brought up the subject for her, Allison moved back a little on the couch and waited to hear what Paul had to say.
"Where to begin?” He lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug and downed his drink. “I have reviewed your file several times in the past week.” He sighed. “It took several times to get through everything thoroughly.” He stopped briefly. “Anyway, I wanted to understand what you'd gone through, understand why you'd left school, and how you'd been living these last few years. Dr. Lomax was very interested in your case."
"He's a wonderful man."
Paul cringed. “Don't I know it. It's been hard trying to fill the void he left when he retired."
"But you don't need to fill his shoes, you know. You're a wonderful man, too."
He graced her with a genuine smile. It warmed Allison before she felt the pang of guilt for what she was about to do.
"Thanks, I appreciate that. But it's no secret that I've always felt something for you.” Paul looked at her with caring eyes. “And I thought you felt something for me, too."
"Paul.” Allison touched his arm.
"No, let me finish."
She quieted.
He stared down at his empty glass. “With all the strange happenings and the notes I've read in your file, I find myself believing that what you're experiencing is real.” He looked at her. “It doesn't make any sense to me, but I'm starting to believe that you're wonderfully different than most people, and not just because of your dynamic personality and gorgeous eyes."
Allison bowed her head. He wasn't making it easy to ask this favor.
"Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I believed you, that's all.” Paul stood and crossed the room to pour himself another drink.
Allison sipped from her glass before she tried to speak. “Paul, I appreciate that you are trying to understand what I've had to deal with my entire life. It proves to me that you're a true healer.” She rose and moved away from the sofa. “Unfortunately, these events are all too real for me. My destiny, fate, bad luck, or whatever you choose to call it has decided my journey.” She set her glass on the table. “My life, such as it is, has been building to this moment because I'm supposed to do something to stop this killer."
Paul whipped his head toward her, his eyes glaring and concerned. “Allison."
"You are a loyal friend."
"Yeah, your friendly, neighborhood Bassett hound.” He frowned before downing another Bourbon.
"This is a big step for me toward getting my life back. I need to deal with it so I can move on."
Paul moved toward her. “So what does that mean?"
"It means I need your help."
He grabbed her upper arms. “You know I'd do anything for you."
"Yes, Paul, I do.” She disengaged herself from him. “So, I'm going to ask you to do something."
"Okay."
"I'm meeting The Surgeon tonight."
Paul bolted. “What?"
"I've got to stop him from killing again.” She paused. “I can draw him out, Paul, so Jake can capture him."
"You don't know that. You can't possibly know what this killer will do. He may kill you, Allison."
Trying to control the surge of anger, Allison gripped her skirt with her free hand and squeezed the material. “Unfortunately,” she calmed her voice. “I do know this killer, Paul. He wants me."
"Yes, he does.” Paul surged toward her. “That's exactly my point. He wants you.” Paul threw his arms in the air in exasperation. “And you're going to hand yourself over without a fight.” He shoved his hands into his front pockets, and turned toward the window. “Why?” He bowed his head. “You're doing it for him, aren't you? For Austin."
His tone pierced her heart. Allison didn't answer that question. The truth was she'd started out not wanting to do anything but make the visions go away. But now, she'd chosen to do it for Jake and for herself.
"I don't like this, it's too dangerous."
"Please, Paul."
"Where do I fit into your plan?” His voice despondent. “Or do I?"
Allison turned her back on him. “I can't say what you want to hear. I can't change what is,” she whispered. “What I need to know is will you help me?"
Paul sighed deeply. “Of course. What oth
er choice is there? You will do it with or without me."
Allison kissed Paul's cheek. “Thanks.” She grabbed his two hands in hers. “I need you to call Jake on his cell phone at exactly eleven o'clock and tell him where and when I'm to meet The Surgeon.” She knew he planned to call Jake immediately. “Don't call any sooner. We may never get this chance again."
She gave him Jake's cell number and his coat. He reluctantly went through the door and glanced back once before getting into his car and driving away.
Allison raced upstairs to her bedroom and gave herself a quick once over. “One last thing.” She lifted a black crocheted choker out of her jewelry box and hooked it around her neck. Her grandmother had made it for her. “For luck."
"I have cast all the protection spells I know,” Yanni told her. “You are in God's hands now."
Allison gazed into the full length mirror at her reflection. “A lamb to the slaughter,” she mumbled, then went downstairs for her keys.
[Back to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
A blank moment occurred, where everything seemed to disappear except police lights flashing and Allison on the ground, dead. As if transported, Jake now saw a large room, it looked like a warehouse. He heard voices and saw Allison run her fingers through the killer's hair before he devoured her with a brutal kiss. Jake stepped forward. Allison hadn't pushed away. She accepted the kiss willingly. The Surgeon twisted, his mouth still locked on Allison, and stared at Jake, triumph in his eyes and a knife in his hand.
A sharp pain splintered Jake's neck as if a meat hook had been stuck in it. He jerked when Lancaster placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay?"
"Allison's in danger."
"Danger? Where?"
"I don't know, nothing specific.” Now he felt like an idiot. He was babbling. “I just feel it.” Maybe that visit to Salem had shaken him up more than he realized.
"Jake, you've been working real hard on this case and your feelings for Allison Brody are obviously a factor in everything that's happened lately."
Jake chuckled unconvincingly, trying to dispel the eerie feeling. “You're right, Bill. I'm sure it's just seeing Margo dressed like Allison that has triggered something in my psyche.” He recalled the vision of Allison lying on the ground and knew it had been the real Allison. Her words to him that one of them would die before it was all over replayed in his mind. He would make damn sure that she lived through this ordeal.
Jake turned to the group. “Everyone knows what to do. When I get the call, we'll have to be ready to move."
Affirmative responses came all around. They were set. He just hoped the killer would call soon, waiting wasn't good for them. Jake motioned to Logan.
"Yeah, Jake?"
"Do me a favor, but keep it quiet would you?"
"Sure."
Jake narrowed his eyes on the rest of the team who were engrossed in some sort of debate.
"Contact the officer who's watching Allison's house and make sure everything is good."
"All right."
Logan left the room and came back two minutes later frowning. The hairs on the nape of Jake's neck rose and did the mamba.
"What?"
"Clay said he heard some rustling in the trees and some limbs break. He went to investigate. When he returned to the cruiser, Ms. Brody's car was gone.” In the other officer's defense Logan said, “He was just picking up the mike to call in."
At that exact moment, eleven o'clock, Jake's cell phone rang.
"Austin."
"This is Paul Kincaid."
"Kincaid? How did you get this number?"
"Allison gave it to me."
"Allison?” Jake's senses went on alert and he noted some of the others were now listening to the call. “When did you see Allison?"
"Earlier this evening. She called me and asked me to come over."
Jake tried to ignore the way Kincaid's words cut through him.
"Listen,” Kincaid said. “There's no time to explain everything. Allison told me to call you at eleven because she's meeting the killer at eleven thirty."
"She's what? And you just let her do it?"
"Don't give me that shit, Austin. I tried to talk her out of it. You're the one who's to blame. She's doing it for you."
Jake's heart plummeted. He remembered the vision again, with the killer kissing Allison and how she had responded. The Surgeon knew what she was doing and he would kill her.
"Where is she, Kincaid?"
The room grew quiet and everyone waited for Jake to fill them in.
"Commercial Street, where the fish factories are. The fourth building."
Jake slammed the phone shut. “Damn!"
Peter Carmichael materialized by his side. “What happened?"
"Allison arranged to meet The Surgeon. She told Kincaid to call me at eleven to fill me in.” He pulled his Glock from its holster and checked the magazine. “Load up.” Jake flew out the door. “I'll explain on the way."
* * * *
She sang songs in her head on the drive to meet her adversary. No matter what song she started out with, she ended up humming the same song, the one she couldn't get out of her head. “This was a bright idea, Allison.” She didn't want to think about what would happen once she got there, but she'd do anything.
He had to be stopped.
Allison pulled in and parked close to the building. Her hands frozen to the steering wheel, and her head resting against it. Breathe. The plan was perfect. Jake would arrive in time. “He'd better."
She exited the car and walked cautiously toward the side door. With a creak it opened. The dim lighting and smell of fish overwhelmed the interior of the warehouse. Terrified, but determined to see this through, Allison advanced.
"Hello.” No answer. “Hello."
"Hello, Allison.” The Surgeon's smooth, seductive voice echoed through the vast building. She couldn't tell from which direction it came.
"Move farther into the room. Over to that chair."
A metal chair sat by a small floor lamp. He'd obviously arranged things to his advantage, so she walked over to the chair, but didn't sit. A sudden change in the climate warned her to be ready. The killer was on the prowl and she happened to be the prey. Like a wave of sweltering heat, she felt his presence even before he spoke.
"Ummm. I'm humbled, you dressed up for me."
His breath warmed her neck from behind. The stealth with which he'd moved shocked her. Allison didn't speak, fearing her voice would betray how terrified she really felt.
One hand trailed down her arm, sending goose bumps racing across her skin, while the other snaked her waist, hauling her against him. No evidence of flab on his washboard stomach and rock hard thighs pressed against her legs. He wrapped her long hair around his hand and jerked her head, sending shooting pain to her eyes. She winced but refused to scream out.
"I knew you were mine the minute I felt you. Long ago, do you remember?"
His right hand slid down her stomach, pausing just above the apex of her thighs. Teasingly, one finger made circles through her thin clothing against her slit. Incredible sensations shot through her, settling between her legs. Appalled by her body's response, Allison tried to yank herself free. “Stop,” she whispered.
He chuckled. “It's a shame you didn't wait."
"For what?"
"For me to take you."
His words threatened and his finger pressed harder against that intimate part of her.
"Did you think I wouldn't know he dipped his cock in you?” Furiously his mouth trekked her shoulder where he bit, leaving indentations and sending pain through the muscle. “I felt every shiver and climax when he was inside you. I watched everything.” His cold voice terrified her. “It was quite entertaining.” He bit her shoulder again. “No matter. I will still have you."
The killer's hands weaved around under her blouse and grasped her breasts. She inhaled sharply. “You certainly wouldn't be wearing
a wire, but I should check."
"I'm not."
Releasing her, he shoved her toward a tall thin table in the center of the barely lit room. A clump of red roses lay atop it. “Put your hands on the table,” he ordered.
Allison had no choice but to comply, fighting now would not accomplish anything more than making him angrier. She needed him to focus on her as long as possible.
"Lean forward."
She tried to turn, but from out of no where he produced a gun and held it at her neck. Allison's heartbeat accelerated to a mad rhythm. A certain element of excitement roared through her. Adrenaline.
"Don't move.” He pressed the barrel of the gun against her cheek for emphasis.
With his free hand, he skimmed her body. “Nice ass.” He rested his hand on one buttock and squeezed. “I'll examine it more closely when I have you naked."
Allison stiffened. He grabbed the hem of her skirt, dragging it slowly up to rest on her backside. She worried that he'd find the dagger attached to her thigh, maybe he knew it was there.
He laid the gun on the table and now both hands were massaging her. She never imagined him doing something like this, or had she? Why else would she have worn the black, lacy underwear? Realization set in when he slid the petite fabric to the crack of her ass.
"Very nice ass, Allison. I'm going to enjoy it."
She shifted her gaze to the gun. Could she reach it?
He swiped a single rose from the pile and intimately caressed her with the soft petals. Taut, the muscles in her bottom tightened.
"Oh, yeah. I'm definitely going to enjoy this."
"And you'll keep your word?” she asked desperately.
"About?"
"About the killing."
"Ah, yes, the killing. And, there was something about Jake, too, wasn't there?"
"Leave him out of it."
"Right. Leave him out.” He sneered.
"Well?” Allison straightened and tried to face her tormentor, but he halted her with his thighs.
"You have to stay with me and do whatever I want.” He rubbed his erection against her. “Whenever I want, and wherever I want.” His sultry voice heated her skin.
Jaw clenched, her reply tight. “Fine."
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