The Leah Ryan Thrillers Box Set: Three Chiller Thrillers (Repo Chick Blues #1, Finding Chloe #2, Dirty Business #3) (Leah Ryan Thrillers Box Set, Books 1-3)

by Tracy Sharp

  When he collapsed beside me, we both lay staring at the ceiling, taking in deep, breaths.

  “Wow. Didn’t really see that coming,” Lucas said. “Not that I’m complaining.”

  “Oh, come on. You didn’t see that coming? I saw it coming from a mile away.” I was still catching my breath.

  “Well, maybe a little bit.” He grinned. “I’d hoped. I hadn’t expected it.”

  I rolled onto my belly and rested my chin on my arm, watching him. He was handsome. He had a noble nose and thoughtful eyes. But handsome alone isn’t usually what gets my motor running. I wondered what exactly it was about him that made me want him so much. It was chemical, but it was also in the way he spoke, the way he moved. He was graceful in his movements without being feminine. He had gentle hands, with jogger’s legs, with long fingers. He was tall and lean, without being skinny. He was in amazing shape.

  “You’re very nice to look at, you know that?” I felt the lopsided smile on my mouth.

  He gave me a lazy smile of his own, his face flushing. “Thank you. I think you know that you’re more than nice to look at.”

  “Why thank you, kind Sir.” I looked up at the white board, unable to help myself. I went quiet, my gaze moving over Jack’s scrawled handwriting.

  “What is it, Leah? What do you see?” He closed his eyes, listening for my response.

  “I don’t know. These women have to have been connected in some way other than just being pregnant. If the abductor is the same person, he or she had to have met them somewhere. Where?” I looked back at Lucas, marveling at how beautiful he looked right then, with his eyes closed.

  He was silent for a moment, a little line forming between his brows. “I’ve been thinking about that. Alexia was meeting her mother at the mall. Colleen worked down the road from the mall at a travel agency, and Daria is an attorney. The court house is within a mile of the mall. I’m willing to bet that he or she saw them at the mall.”

  “Just happened upon them? Let’s say it’s a ‘she’ for the sake of argument. Was she waiting, hanging out in the food court or something, for a pregnant woman to happen by?”

  “Maybe, serial killers troll for their victims of choice at places they know their victim type frequents.”

  “Pregnant women frequent the baby sections of stores; clothes, diapers, infant paraphernalia. It wouldn’t be hard to find pregnant women at those places. There is a store that specifically sells baby clothes and items in the mall. Oh, Baby. There are also two department stores in that mall that sell baby items.”

  “Right,” Lucas said, opening his eyes. “I’m sure she’s cruising places like that.”

  “Maternity shops.” I sat up. “There is one maternity shop in that mall. I bet she’s hanging out at the maternity shop a lot. There’s even a bench in front of the store for tired pregnant women to sit and rest.”

  “She could be disguised as a pregnant woman. Usually this type of killer is. They fake a pregnancy, tell everyone they know that they’re pregnant, and then abduct a pregnant woman who is close to term.”

  “Christ. That is so creepy. Like a spider waiting for a fly.”

  “Yes. She weaves an intricate web of deception. Almost certainly to save a failing relationship with a man, she thinks a baby will keep him with her.”

  I made a face. I couldn’t relate to it. “It’s frightening to think of somebody being that needy. That would the worst kind of person to have a child.”

  “Right. Her entire identity is wrapped up in her relationship. She’ll do anything to keep it. So she could be sitting on that bench waiting for a pregnant woman that strikes her fancy to come along, and then follow her into the parking lot. The police checked the video tapes from the days the women disappeared, but the tapes have been getting recorded over every twenty-four hours. They haven’t been changing them and saving them. Pretty archaic system, actually.”

  “It’s kind of an old mall. They haven’t exactly done much in the way of renovations in recent years.” I sat up, suddenly feeling shy. I reached for my clothes and gingerly pulled them on.

  Lucas did the same, which was a shame. I really loved looking at him without them.

  “Lucas.” His name tasted delicious on my tongue. I stood watching him for a moment. My heart beat faster. An idea was forming in my mind.

  “Yes?” he pulled up the zipper on his jeans and stood in front of me.

  It was hard to think clearly with him standing there, still smelling hot and sweaty, and so close to me. “I have an idea.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” He grinned. “Hit me with it. I’ve liked your ideas so far.”

  * * *

  “Are you sure about this?” Jack asked me.

  It was a lucky thing that Lucas and I were dressed. He’d shown up about a minute after we’d pulled our clothes back on.

  Lucas and I avoided looking at each other, being as casual as we could. It must’ve been like holding up a neon sign to Jack, because I could tell by the way his eyes flicked from Lucas to me that he knew exactly what had transpired between us.

  “Very,” I said. “I’m going to make coffee. Be back in a minute.”

  “I’ll help you,” Jack said.

  Aw shit. I was in trouble.

  He followed me into the kitchen. When we were safely out of earshot he scolded me. “Jesus, Kicks. I can’t leave you alone for five minutes.”

  “What?” I asked, my eyes wide and innocent, or so I thought.

  “Oh, stow it. You know what.” He placed his hands on his hips as he leaned slightly forward, staring at me. He was clearly not amused.

  “Jack, lighten up. Some people have a few cocktails to relax. Others spark up a big fatty. I…find a friend.”

  “You have a friend. Or have you forgotten that?”

  I leaned against the counter. “Jack, please don’t go there. Don’t lecture me.”

  He let out a long breath, walking toward the kitchen window and back again. “Fine. Just please don’t let it get in the way of the work. Okay? Can you manage to keep your brain out of your panties?”

  “It’s a thong, but I’ll sure give it a whirl, Jack.”

  “Good.” He turned and went back into the living room.

  I sighed and looked at the coffee pot, wondering what in hell I thought I was doing. Jack was right. I just couldn’t seem to help myself. I had a weakness. I liked certain men. A lot. I try to be faithful. I really do. But when things go badly in a relationship my eyes wander, and sometimes it isn’t long before the rest of me does the same. I’m not proud of this trait. But for the moment, it was getting me through a really shitty time.

  I poured mugs of steaming coffee and handed one to Jack, then Lucas, then went back and got my own. “If you guys want cream or sugar, it’s in the kitchen.”

  “This is good. Thanks,” Lucas said, glancing at me and then back at the cup.

  “He knows, Luke. Don’t bother trying to hide it.”

  Lucas looked at Jack. “Okay.”

  “But if it’s all the same to you guys, I’d really like to move on. Okay?” I was feeling tired and mean. Jack had been a serious buzz kill. He was harshing my gig.

  “Fine,” Jack crossed his arms over his barrel of a chest. “Look, Leah. I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to disguise yourself as a pregnant woman and hang out at the mall. It might be a waste of time.”

  “It might be, Jack,” Lucas said. “But the police use decoys all the time. It does work.”

  “What if I just hang around for a little while?” I asked. “Ask some questions. Maybe somebody will remember something.”

  “You can do that in your regular street clothes without the disguise,” Jack said.

  “Yes, but this way I’d be killing two birds with one stone.” I winced. I really hate that expression, but I couldn’t think of another that fit. “Jack, are you worried about me?”

  He hesitated. “Kicks, this is just really bad. What if it goes wrong and the killer actual
ly does grab you? Or what if they follow you home?”

  “Then I’ll kick their psycho ass,” I said, but there wasn’t much kick in the way I said it. Had I lost my kick? If I had, it really could be dangerous for me to disguise myself as a pregnant woman to bait and lure a killer to me in the hopes of catching her.

  “We’ll be right there with her.” Lucas said.

  Although I applauded his persistence, I was a little put off that he wasn’t more worried about my wellbeing, considering the rather close moments we’d shared in the very recent past. So recent I could still smell him on me. Like the dewy remnants of a fresh, light rain on a sizzling day.

  Jack was quiet for a beat. “You’re going to do what you’re going to do.”

  Didn’t I always?

  He looked down at the carpet, his hands laced together over his knees, then back up at me. “It just makes me nervous. I don’t like it.”

  Jack wasn’t one to ever back down, and he usually didn’t worry about me this much. Maybe he sensed that I was lacking some of my former feistiness, and it concerned him. But given the right situation, I was certain that I’d get it back in a hurry.

  Lucas and I watched him and waited. Like Jack said, I was going to do what I was going to do, but I wanted Jack’s blessing and his help, should I need it. And the way things had been going up until then, chances were, I may need it.

  Jack lifted his hands in surrender. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

  * * *

  We got a fake pregnancy belly at a local costume shop. I tried it on under my clothes and looked in the mirror. It looked like the real deal.

  “Wow. That’s how you’d look if you got knocked up, Kicks. Groovy,” Jack laughed.

  “Sexy, huh?” I said, turning this way and that. I thought I made a very nice looking pregnant lady, actually.

  It was a strange thing, though. I couldn’t remember ever really considering what I’d look like pregnant. I’ve spent so much energy trying to push away commitment that it really hadn’t even occurred to me.

  I was ready. I was chomping at the bit to get to that maternity store. I didn’t know what it was, but something was telling me that there was something there that would lead me to an answer. In this business, hunches are not to be ignored or taken lightly. You learn to trust your instincts.

  The mall was hopping. Jack and Lucas stayed far behind me, just keeping me within sight, and I took my pregnant belly and adopted my best tired, pregnant lady walk. I wasn’t exactly waddling, but I had to make it look believable.

  I went into the maternity shop, both hands resting on the top of my belly lightly. The girl at the desk smiled at me. She was young, maybe early twenties, and she was pleasantly rounded with rosy apple cheeks. Her strawberry blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail.

  “Can I help you find something special?” She asked me.

  “I’m just browsing right now. My friend told me about this store. Actually, you must’ve seen her.”

  Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh?”

  I continued. “I’m really worried about her. She’s gone missing. Have you seen her on the news? Alexia Clemmons?” I walked over to the counter.

  Her eyes veiled over for a moment, completely unreadable. Then they became round with excitement. “Oh, yeah. I have seen her on the news. It’s so horrible. She just vanished like that. You know, I don’t remember having ever seen her in the store. But maybe one of the other girls has.”

  “Do you think so? I’m so worried about her. Could you tell me when the other girls work? I’d really like to talk to them. See if they’ve seen her in the store.”

  She nodded her head, watching my face. She wasn’t supposed to give out that kind of information, I was certain.

  “I don’t want to get you into any trouble. But they may have seen her the day she disappeared. Maybe somebody was with her. You never know.”

  “Let me check the schedule.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a clip board with schedule that appeared to have four other names on it for that night. She ran her finger down the page. “All the girls are on tonight.” She smiled. “With Christmas coming, it’s been crazy. So if you want to come back, they’ll be here then.”

  “I will. Thanks so much.” I was going to go barreling out of the store, but then remembered that I was pregnant and should really at least look at the maternity clothes. I browsed the racks slowly, lifting hangers and holding items up to myself.

  I found a sparkly red blouse half price, perfect for the Christmas holiday or New Years Eve. A wave of sadness washed over me. Colleen would never share Christmas with her baby. Alexia and Tara may not either. But there was a chance. If I was able to help bring one of them home, I’d give that blouse to them to celebrate.

  I brought the blouse to the counter and paid for it, my gaze moving over the counter area. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but sometimes that’s when you spot something.

  “Oh, this will look gorgeous on you with your dark hair and eyes. Good choice.” She smiled and folded the blouse, wrapping it in red tissue paper before placing it in a red and green striped bag.

  “Thank you. I hope so.”

  I left the store with my holiday blouse and went out into the mall to find out where Jack and Lucas were lurking.

  * * *

  Lucas needed to get back to his office and his work. Jack and I went our separate ways. We’d meet back up later. I needed to deal with something I didn’t want to deal with, but that I could no longer avoid.

  Callahan was packed when I got home. He was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for me, his bags at the front door. Pango lay at his feet, her face sad.

  I stood looking at him, my eyes welling up. I didn’t want him to go, but we both knew it was for the best. We’d been down this road before.

  And I’d betrayed him with Lucas. I could never take that back. I deserved his abandonment.

  He kept his eyes on the floor. “I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry.”

  “I know.” My voice cracked.

  I couldn’t change, and neither could he. We had both tried, but it just wouldn’t work. I wished I didn’t love him. I wished that he didn’t love me. This wouldn’t be so hard. It wouldn’t tear the heart out of us both, like it was doing now.

  He got up, walked toward me and wrapped his arms around me, something I both did and didn’t want him to do. Callahan was my security my feeling of home and comfort. When he walked out the door, that feeling would be gone with him.

  “I love you,” he said into my hair.

  “I love you, too.” My voice was a whisper. I couldn’t talk without crying. I swallowed down my grief and bit my bottom lip, feeling my chin tremble.

  He kissed me on the forehead and slowly pulled away, then walked to the door, grabbing up his bags. Pango had followed him to the door, and he stopped to stroke her head and face. He whispered something to her.

  Then he was gone.

  * * *

  A knock on the door startled me awake. I’d been lying down on the couch for a couple of minutes and had apparently fallen asleep.

  Pango gave a friendly bark, standing in the kitchen and smiling at Jack. He smiled back at her and waved through the window in the kitchen door. But when he looked back at me, his face was serious.

  “What’s up?” I stood aside to let him in.

  “Noel called me on my cell. She said that Julia found a phone and called her. She’s scared and wants to come home but she’s afraid of what will happen to her if she tries to leave.”

  “Does Noel know where they are?” My heart was jumping.

  “She said there’s another compound in Wentworth.”

  “Two hours from here.” I grabbed my coat and pulled on my boots.

  “Kicks.”

  I looked up. “Yeah?”

  “She said Julia thinks he’ll do something to the women. He’s rushed for time. Acting unstable. Noel thinks he wants the babies before anyone finds out where they are.” He l
ooked away, his gaze narrowing in thought.

  “And?” There was something more he wasn’t telling me.

  “If he thinks he’s close to getting caught, then I don’t think it’s the babies he’s thinking about. I’m worried there will be another Jim Jones situation.”

  “Oh, Jesus Jack.”

  “If he convinces those women that the world is a horrible place without him…”

  “That their babies are better off in another world.” Oh God.

  “They just may drink the Kool-aid.”

  Chapter Nine

  Declan followed us to the location of the other compound. We had no concrete evidence that Gabriel would try to persuade the pregnant women, or any of his other followers, to kill themselves. But he did feel the walls closing in. I’d stupidly told him what my theory was on what happened to the “dying” babies. It wasn’t the wisest decision. Now he might be going completely crackers and see no way out. He may be thinking he had nothing to lose. That’s when a person is most dangerous.

  The compound was a large cabin on an island surrounded by Black Water Lake. The only way to get to it is by boat, or by swimming. None of us felt much like swimming.

  There was a boat house up a little ways from where we parked, almost directly across from the island on the shore side that we were standing on. There were five speed boats tied to a dock. The boats had to belong to the compound. Aside from the boat house, which looked like it had seen better days, there weren’t any other structures around.

  Dusk was gathering darkness fast. We needed to make a move. Declan went into the boat house and found several paddles and two large flash lights.

  “Let’s not use the flashlights if we can help it. We don’t want to alert them that we’re coming.” I shuddered, thinking of what creepy crawlies may be in the boats that I wouldn’t be able to see. I hate creepy crawlies.