“No. Stick to the plan. I want you in the presence of everyone at all times. I don’t trust him.” He pulled up outside the city’s best French restaurant. Before they stepped from the SUV, Rob appeared and opened the passenger door for Amy.
“Ms. Kincaid, nice to finally meet you.” He kissed her hand. “Don’t get out of the car yet. I want to show you something.” Then he glanced at Eddie. “I got it.”
Eddie grinned, noting Rod’s gloved hands. He’d asked the Cuban to get a hold of the boxes in Nolan’s trunk while Nolan and the girlfriend were inside the restaurant.
“What’s going on?” Amy asked when Rod disappeared.
“He found the boxes in Nolan’s trunk. We want you to take a look at the contents to see if you recognize anything. Remember? Burgess, uh, Blackwell said he keeps mementos.” Eddie shrugged off his jacket and placed it on her lap. “You don’t want the metal snagging your dress. Fabrics transfer could implicate you in this or worse, make whatever is in that box inadmissible in court.”
Amy stared at him with wide eyes.
Rod returned carrying something under his trench coat. He nudged the door wider and placed the box on Amy’s lap, then lifted the lid. Inside were keys, old cell phones, even toys.
***
Amy reached inside the box, but Eddie grabbed her wrist. “Don’t touch anything. The last thing you want to do is leave a fingerprint.”
Amy stared at her cell phone. It had been over a year, but she remembered losing it after a burglary. It had red nail polish on it from when she’d accidently swiped it on its surface while repairing a nail. The other cell phones she didn’t recognize. Then there were keys. So many of them. She recognized a few because she always made colored duplicate keys or used ones with popular cartoons etched on them. No matter how often she’d changed her locks or moved, the burglar always found a way to get inside her house. Nolan had probably known her locksmith. Anger roiled through her.
“Do you recognize anything?” Rod asked.
Amy swallowed and nodded. “Do you have a pen or a pencil?”
Eddie retrieved one from the glove compartment and passed it to her. Gripping one end, she tapped at the cell phone. “That’s mine. I lost it a few weeks after I moved out of his house.” She pushed at a few keys. “Those are mine too and...” Her heart stopped and started pounding hard. In the corner of the box was a marquis diamond engagement ring. Grief clasped her throat, making it impossible to swallow, and tears rushed to her eyes.
“Amy?”
She looked up and blinked hard until she was in control again. “That’s my engagement ring. It disappeared the night we were attacked. When I woke in the hospital and it wasn’t on my finger, I just assumed I lost it during the attack.” She stared at her fingers and a hysterical laughter escaped her. “You see, I wear size six and it was a size seven. Charles was going to resize it for me.”
“All we need to put Nolan away forever is in that box,” Eddie murmured.
Amy nodded and sat back as Rod took the box away. She removed a compact mirror from her purse and repaired her makeup and adjusted her wig. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Eddie cupped her nape and looked into her eyes. “You’re angry.”
“No, I’m furious.”
He frowned. “Don’t do anything inside the restaurant without checking with me first, okay?”
She nodded, but inside, she wanted to hurt Nolan. Wanted to gut him and make him suffer.
Eddie lifted her chin, so their gazes met. “I love you. No, don’t say anything right now. I meant it when I said it last night and I’ll mean it when I say it tomorrow.” He pressed a kiss on her lips. “Now, go.”
He loved her. Eddie loved her. Amy wanted to wrap herself around him and never let go, but first things first. Somehow, she managed to hold herself in check and stepped out of the car. She glanced back and waved. He smiled and indicated with both hands to keep going.
At the entrance, people were waiting to be seated. She didn’t see the waitress fitting the description Eddie had given her.
“Do you have reservation?”
“Yes. Eddie Fitzgerald, party of two, eight-fifteen. He’ll join me shortly.”
“Just a moment, please.” The hostess turned to talk to someone then said. “A table will be available in five minutes.”
Amy stepped back and waited, getting impatient as seconds passed. There was so much she wanted to say to that son of a bitch. That she couldn’t say anything was a bitter pill. Her gaze connected with one of the guys waiting to be seated. He smiled, earning him a glare from his partner. She became aware of the interest she was causing and wondered if her wig was tilted or something. Maybe she needed a quick trip to the restroom.
She’d eaten here before and knew her way. In fact, the restaurant was one of Nolan’s favorites. Turning, she headed toward the narrow hallway leading to the restrooms. Her makeup was okay and so was the wig. She went back to wait. It took less than five minutes to be seated by Rod’s partner.
“You are Hailey?” she asked as she sat.
The Gothic waitress nodded. “I’m filling in for my new BFF, who couldn’t come to work this evening because of stomach cramps.”
Somehow Amy knew Hailey had something to do with that. Amy scanned the room for Nolan and his new girlfriend while Hailey poured water into her glass.
They were seated at the far end of the room, the woman facing the front entrance. All Amy saw was the back of Nolan’s head. The girlfriend wore a red dress, but her hair was like Amy’s wig. She talked with hand gestures, her pretty face animated. Poor woman. She had no idea who she was dating.
“Do you know what salad you want to order?” Hailey asked
“Any will do. I don’t intend to eat it. Can you do me a favor?”
Hailey picked up the menu. “Sure.”
“After I get the call, spill something on Nolan’s girlfriend. Water, a drink, anything.” Like any woman, she’d go to the bathroom to clean up. Amy planned to warn the woman, and she hoped Nolan would see her following his girlfriend. Let him sweat some bricks worrying about her motive.
“That’s not part of Detective Fitzgerald’s plan,” Hailey protested.
“I know. Look at her.” The woman was laughing and appeared to be having a good time. “The least I can do is to tell her the truth.”
Hailey scowled, obviously not liking her idea. “Okay. One salad coming up.”
Amy watched Hailey walk away then studied Nolan’s table. She wished the woman could look away from him and see her. Surely, she’d see the resemblance. At the neighboring table, three guys made goo-goo eyes at Amy. She smiled and sipped her water. A bold one got up and approached her.
He squatted by her chair and looked up at her. “I’m Trent. He’s Chris,” he pointed at his friend, who smiled, “and he’s Jonas.” He indicated the third one. “We were wondering if you’d like to join us. That is, if you’re alone.”
Her first instinct was to blow them off, but then she remembered she had to make an impression. “I’m supposed to meet someone, but if he doesn’t show up, I will.”
“And you are?” Trent asked.
“Amy Kincaid.”
He stuck his hand and shook hers. “Nice to meet you, Amy.”
Before she could respond, Hailey appeared with the salad and shot the guy a pointed look as though she’d like to kick some butt. She placed the salad on the table. “Are they bothering you?”
“No. They’re just being friendly.”
“Expect the call any moment now. I’m heading to their table.”
She’d barely walked past the three guys’ table when a voice called out, “Is there a Ms. Amy Kincaid in the restaurant? Ms. Amy Kincaid.”
“That’s me,” Amy said loudly.
Across the room, Nolan whipped around. His gaze met Amy’s as she stood. She pretended not to recognize him, flashed Trent and his two buddies a sunny smile and started toward the entrance. Part of her was dying to turn and see
what Nolan was doing.
At the desk, she picked up the phone, brought it to her ear and casually turned to face the restaurant. Nolan was staring at her with narrowed eyes. Beside him, Hailey tripped. The move was so effortless it seemed real. The glass of water on her tray tipped over and splashed Nolan’s girlfriend’s hair, face and the front of her dress.
Turning away, Amy said into the phone, “Yes?”
“You are supposed to trap Nolan, not flirt with some guy,” Eddie said.
Hailey must have told him. Amy rolled her eyes, too aware of the hostess’s veiled hostile glare and the people still waiting to be seated. “Where are you?”
“Outside, what do you think?”
“I mean, where are you? You are supposed to be here five minutes ago. I can’t believe you stood me up.” Nolan’s girlfriend walked past her, looking ticked off, and headed toward the restrooms.
“Now leave the restaurant.”
“Yeah, sure.” Amy passed the phone back to the hostess. “Men.”
The woman nodded. “I hear you, sister.”
“If he calls again, tell him I’m gone.”
“You got it.” The hostess glanced at Trent and his buddies. “There are always more fish in the sea.”
Amy chuckled. Funny how women could bond fast over their disappointments with men. Exchanging another conspirators’ grin with the woman, she headed toward the restrooms. An employee wearing an apron walked out just as Amy walked inside. The door closed and Amy stepped further into the bathroom.
It appeared empty. Amy checked the open stalls, then under the ones that were closed, but there were no visible feet. Had the woman left? How? Maybe she’d used the employees’ entrance.
Amy turned to leave. She was about to turn the handle when the sound of a gun cocking froze her in place. The floor shifted under her and her stomach dipped. Slowly, she raised her hand and tried to catch the glimpse of the woman through the mirror. The Glock was pointed straight at her back.
“Easy now,” the woman said pleasantly. “No sudden movements or the gun will go off. Lock the door.”
Amy did, her heart pounding hard.
“Turn around, nice and slow.”
Swallowing, Amy did as instructed. From the ease with which she held the gun, she was either a cop or learned from one—Nolan. Just like Amy had learned.
“Who’re you?” the woman asked.
“Amy Kincaid.”
“No, you are not.”
“I am Amy Kincaid and I can prove it.”
“IDs can be forged. And that hair isn’t yours either. I can spot a wig a mile away. I’ll ask again and you’d better give me a straight answer or your sweet ass is mine. You do not want to know what I can do to pretty lil thing like you.”
The way she held the gun and the alert look in her intelligent eyes was a dead giveaway.
“You’re a cop,” Amy whispered.
The woman’s eyes narrowed menacingly, but Amy didn’t cower. Then the woman pulled something from under her bra. It was an FBI badge.
“No, I’m the freaking FBI and you’re interfering with my investigation. So unless you start telling me who you are and why you are pretending to be Amy Kin…”
Amy laughed. She laughed so hard she doubled over. “FBI? I thought I was coming in here to rescue you…and save you from the big bad Nolan when…” Laughter overcame her again. The FBI agent stared at her as though she had gone nuts, which was probably how she appeared. Amy braced herself against the counter and tried to control herself. “I’m sorry. We thought you were Nolan’s girlfriend and you looked so happy in there and all I kept thinking was poor woman, I have to save her…and…you looked like me and Penelope and…” Amy sighed. “I’m not making any sense, am I?”
“No. Show me your ID.” The gun didn’t waver.
Amy removed the picture she’d folded of Penelope and placed it by the sink. “That’s Penelope—”
“Digger, Reither’s first victim.”
Amy stopped. “Are you saying—?”
“The ID,” the agent interrupted.
Amy pulled out her two driver’s licenses and spread them on the counter. She pointed at her old one. “I used this one before I decided to disappear four months ago.” She pointed at the second one. “This is the fake one I’ve been using since.” Amy removed the wig and shook her shorter mane then pointed at the roots. “See? Lighter hair just like the wig. I dyed it for my new identity.”
The gun stayed leveled at her. “Where’s your son?”
Amy sighed. “I do not have a son. I have a daughter. Raelynn. But if you think I’m going to tell you where she is, you’re off your rocker. You could be working with Nolan for all I know.”
The agent gave her a mean smile then reached under her dress, where a black thigh strap was visible, and holstered her gun. “Okay, let’s say I believe you. What are you doing here?”
“We flew in tonight to take Nolan down. I got tired of running and hiding.”
The agent studied Amy intently as though checking for signs of lying. “When you disappeared months ago, we thought he killed you too. That’s what prompted me to go undercover. We couldn’t prove he killed Penelope, but when you disappeared after a string of burglaries, we had to reopen her case, which led us to your deceased fiancé. It was too much to be a coincidence.”
“He tried to off me, but his partner turned against him and decided to help us.”
“Partner?”
“Jeremy Blackwell, but you already know that.”
She scratched her forehead. “Yes. We want him too. The Goth girl is with you?”
Amy nodded.
“And the two men outside?”
“Yes.”
The agent removed a small notepad from her purse, scribbled something, ripped the page and handed it to Amy. “That’s my hotel. Be there at ten with your friends. Now get out of here before you get in more trouble than you already are in. You should not be meddling in police business. Do not go back to the restaurant,” she added after Amy shoved the paper and her IDs in her purse. “Trent might have appeared friendly back in there, but he was only doing his job.”
Amy opened then closed her mouth without saying a word. She grabbed Penelope’s picture and headed for the door. Just before she opened it, she glanced back at the agent. “What’s your name?”
“Ross.”
“Well, Agent Ross, if you had done your job and put Nolan away after he killed Penelope, my fiancé would still be alive. If you knew what I’ve gone through, you wouldn’t be telling me what I should or should not do. My friends have done your job and found the evidence that could put Nolan away for good, so when we meet with you later tonight, I would appreciate it if you don’t talk to them in the same condescending voice you’ve used with me.” Amy yanked the door open and stepped outside.
The restaurant employee she’d seen leaving the restroom when she arrived stood outside by Hailey. From their close proximity, the woman was an agent and she was probably holding a gun to Hailey. On the door was an OUT OF SERVICE sign. Amy grabbed the sign and shoved it at the agent.
“Excuse us. Come on, Hailey.” Amy grabbed the Hailey’s arm. Together, they hurried away from the agents.
***
Eddie paced back and forth and fought the urge to run inside the restaurant. He checked his watch. Two minutes had passed since he last spoke to Hailey. She’d gone to check on Amy in the ladies room.
“Hailey?” he hissed then checked the ear piece to make sure it was on. It was. “I’m coming in.”
“We’re coming out.”
Eddie plucked the tiny walkie-talkie from around his ear and stared at the restaurant’s entrance until Amy and Hailey appeared. Any moment, he expected Nolan and his girlfriend to come charging out of the building too. Other patrons came out, but not Nolan. Amy walked straight to his arms. She was shaking.
“Whoa, what happened?”
“The FBI happened,” Amy said, stepping back from his
arms. “Nolan’s girlfriend is really an agent—Agent Ross. She and several people in the restaurant are undercover. She said Nolan killed Penelope, but they couldn’t find evidence to put him away. When I disappeared, they thought he’d killed me too.” She put a piece of paper in his hand. “She wants us to meet her at her hotel in an hour.”
Eddie read the address then showed it to Rod.
“I know where it is. Come on, Hailey. We’re not losing sight of Reither or that box. Call me if you need me at the meeting, detective.”
“No, I got it covered.” Eddie opened the door for Amy, waited until she was seated then walked around the hood and slipped behind the wheel. He didn’t start the engine. He reached out and caressed her cheek. “You okay?”
“She pulled a gun on me, Eddie. I thought I was helping her, opening her eyes to who Nolan really was.”
Anger slammed through him. He was going to make that meeting just to rip Agent Ross a new one. No one pulled a gun on Amy. Then the last thing she had said registered. “Helping her? How?”
By the time she finished explaining what she had tried to do, he was laughing. It was either that or throttle her. He had no idea how she managed to stay so tenderhearted after all the crap she’d been through.
He kissed her then started the engine. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
“Then we go to Agent Ross’s hotel?”
“No, sweetheart. I will go and meet with Agent Ross.”
He was surprised when Amy didn’t argue, which was telling. The agent must have really scared her. Her silence continued until they reached the hotel.
“Let’s check on the girls,” she said.
They peeked through the glass panel of the door leading to the indoor pool and watched Raelynn, Lori and about four guys having a good time. Wherever his sister was, guys tended to flock like scavengers. He didn’t get it. She was so bratty.
“Do you want me to tell them to head upstairs?” he asked.
Amy shook her head. “No. Raelynn can stay up late this once. Look at her. She’s having so much fun. Come on, we need to talk.”
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