The caller laughed. “And why would I want to do that?”
“Just to be sociable,” Jacob replied.
Again he laughed and Jacob tried to memorize the sound. “I just wanted to let you know that I bought party favors the other day. You know, that kind that you blow in and a long tongue of paper comes out.”
“Tell me where you have those women,” Jacob said, aware of Layla getting off the sofa and moving to crouch by his side.
“No can do,” the caller replied.
“Then tell me your first name,” Jacob pressed, his voice louder than he’d meant it to be. Layla placed a hand on his thigh, as if to calm him.
“You’re as tenacious as a terrier. My name is The Professional and that’s all you need to know.”
“You say you want to play a game, but a game isn’t fair unless there are clues.”
“Who said I play fair?” His voice was filled with a smug amusement that ripped at Jacob’s insides.
“Invite me to your party, you spineless creep,” he exclaimed, unable to control the frustration that roiled inside of him. Layla’s fingernails dug into his jeans and he drew a deep steadying breath. “Why don’t you meet me someplace and we’ll party together, just the two of us.”
“Sorry, you’re just not my type,” The Professional replied and then clicked off the line.
Jacob closed his phone and muttered a curse beneath his breath.
“He just calls to stir you up,” Layla said softly. “He calls to get under your skin because he knows he can. He feeds off you. Maybe you shouldn’t take his calls anymore.” She took his hand in hers, the warmth of the touch soothing his ragged nerves.
“I have to take the calls,” he replied. “In one of them he might slip up. He might say something that will be a real clue to his identity.”
He was grateful when she dropped his hand and returned to her place on the sofa, grateful because he’d liked the feel of her hand in his and knew that she had been offering him support.
And even though he hadn’t believed he’d gotten involved with her, even though he’d warned himself not to get emotionally attached, he realized that once this was all over, Layla West would leave a new scar on his heart.
Chapter 10
The weather in Kansas was crazy. The snow stopped falling midafternoon and the sun came out in all its glory, quickly melting what had fallen.
By the next morning there were only patches of snow left around tree trunks and in the thickest part of the woods that surrounded the cabin.
Layla stood at the bedroom window and stared outside, her thoughts on the man in the next room. They’d made love again the night before. It had just happened…the spark of passion, the uncontrollable need to be in each other’s arms. It had been sheer magic.
It was getting more and more difficult for her to pretend that she didn’t care about him, more difficult to maintain the distance that had always served her so well when it came to men.
She didn’t want to get involved with him, and more than that she didn’t want to feel any hope of a future with him. She knew she’d only be deluding herself and would ultimately be devastated.
Tom had called to let Jacob know he’d set up a two o’clock meeting with Jerry Tipton, the traveling salesman, and a two-thirty with Greg Todd, the nurse. He’d also set up a four o’clock meeting with Larry Norwood at his house because he was not working at his office that day.
Jacob appeared in the bedroom doorway. “Ready?”
She nodded and picked up her purse from the bed. “I’ll spend the day with Portia at the daycare and she can bring me back here around five.”
He frowned but said nothing as they left the cabin and headed for the shed. She’d insisted that Portia bring her back here rather than have Jacob drive out to the Norwood place and then back into town to get her and then back to the cabin.
“You know I don’t mind backtracking to pick you up.”
“I know, but this works out better. We’ll be careful and make sure we aren’t followed and everything will be fine,” she assured him. She needed to prove to herself that she could be okay without him for a little while. It wasn’t like she was going to spend the night there all alone. It would probably only be a matter of minutes that she would be by herself.
They were silent on the ride into town. Layla suspected Jacob had already gone into investigation mode, that his thoughts were consumed by the need to crack this case, save his sister and the other women and then get on with his own life, wherever it might take him.
“I’ll see you back at the cabin,” he said as he pulled up in the driveway of Portia’s gingerbread-trimmed house.
“I just hope the next time we talk you know who The Professional is and he’s behind bars,” she said as she opened the truck door.
For a moment the demons were back in his eyes and she wanted to climb back in the truck and wrap her arms around him, she wanted to say something that would put a glint of laughter there. Instead she got out of the truck and closed the door.
He remained parked in the driveway until she reached the door to the detached garage where Portia’s daycare business resided.
As she turned to wave to him, she was gripped by a sudden, inexplicable sense of dread. She told herself it was just because this was the first time they’d been separated since the attack on her in her office.
Portia and the kids quickly took away any disquiet she felt. The afternoon sped by with plenty of kisses and hugs and laughter. Layla gave herself completely to the joy of being with the kids, but couldn’t help but wonder what life would be like if she was together with Jacob and had his baby. She knew instinctively that he would be a wonderful father.
“I’m in love with him,” she confessed to Portia as the two of them went into Portia’s private office. Portia’s assistant was having reading time with the children, which gave Portia and Layla time for a little girl talk.
“Are you sure you don’t feel that way because of the circumstances you find yourself in?” Portia asked. “There’s no question that Jacob represents safety for you. Maybe you’re just confused about your feelings for him?”
Layla considered her words. “There’s no question that he makes me feel safe and secure,” she agreed. “But he’s also passionate about things and has a wonderful sense of humor, and even if there was no danger at all in my life I’d be in love with him.”
“Does he feel the same way about you?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t,” Layla replied with a wistful pang in her heart. “He’s physically attracted to me, but you know that’s always the easy part for me. Men want to take me to bed but they never want to marry me.” She forced a smile to her lips. “Don’t look so concerned. Once this is all over Jacob will just be another passing ship in my life and I’ll be fine.”
Portia looked at the clock on her wall. “And if you want to stop by the vet’s office and visit Mr. Whiskers, we’d better get out of here.” She got out of her chair and grabbed her coat and purse while Layla did the same.
She’d asked Portia to run her by to see her kitty on the way home. She desperately missed the cat and hoped he wasn’t grieving over the separation from her. She knew seeing that he was being well cared for would ease her heart.
“So, are you going to tell Jacob how you feel about him?” Portia asked when they were in her car and headed to Main Street.
“No. What’s the point?” Layla countered. “If he wants something to happen between us then he’ll tell me. I definitely don’t want to get my hopes up and be disappointed again. It’s easier to have no expectations than to have them crushed.”
“Sometimes I think that’s your problem,” Portia replied. “That you have no expectations for yourself or your happiness. You just assume you won’t be happy, won’t be loved, and so it doesn’t happen for you.”
“Please, let’s not turn this into another counseling session,” Layla exclaimed with a small laugh.
“You should ha
ve had counseling years ago because of the abuse from your father,” Portia retorted.
“I don’t need counseling,” Layla replied. “I survived and I’m doing just fine.” She put a note of finality in her voice, hoping Portia would drop the whole subject.
Thankfully by that time Portia had pulled up and parked in front of Larry Norwood’s veterinarian office. “Are you coming in?” Layla asked as she opened the car door.
“Are you going to be long?”
Layla shook her head. “Not at all. Why don’t you sit tight and keep the car running and warm? I know Larry isn’t here today so it should just take me a couple of minutes to check on my baby.”
Portia frowned and Layla knew she was probably remembering the last time she’d let Layla go off alone. “I’ll be fine,” she exclaimed to her friend as she got out of the car and shut the door.
Once inside the office she was greeted by Margaret Wisong, the receptionist. “Dr. Larry isn’t in today,” she said after greeting Layla.
“I know, I was just wondering if I could have a quick visit with my cat, Mr. Whiskers,” Layla explained.
“Oh, my, that cat is a lover.” Margaret smiled and gestured to exam room one. “Why don’t you go in there and I’ll bring him to you.”
The examining room was typical, with a sink and cabinets and a stainless steel table. Margaret came in carrying Mr. Whiskers and as Layla took the cat from her arms, he began to purr loudly.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Layla murmured as she stroked his soft fur and cuddled him like a baby against her chest. “Is he eating okay?” she asked Margaret.
“No problems, and he’s sleeping fine, too,” Margaret assured her. “And don’t worry, he’s getting plenty of play with everyone here. He’s become one of our favorites.”
“Good,” Layla replied. “It won’t be too much longer and you can come home,” she said to the cat. She felt better now, knowing that he was doing fine. “Thanks for taking such good care of him,” she said to Margaret.
“No problem.” Margaret took the cat from Layla’s arms. “We love taking care of doggies and kitties,” she said. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No thanks, I was just feeling a little homesick for my cat,” Layla replied.
As Margaret left the examining room Layla started to follow behind her. She had no idea what made her glance at the white lab coat hanging from a hook in the corner, but her gaze fell on the sleeve and the row of decorative oversize white buttons on the cuff.
Her heart stuttered to a near stop as she saw that one of those buttons was missing, a button that looked just like the one that had been found in Casey Teasdale’s car.
Larry Norwood. Her brain fought to make sense of it. He could have lost that button anywhere, she tried to rationalize. On wooden legs she left the examining room. Or he could have lost it in a struggle with Casey Teasdale.
Was it possible the friendly vet was the monster they sought?
She felt half-dizzy, sick to her stomach. Don’t jump to any conclusions, she told herself. There might be several people in town who wore those kinds of lab coats. But even as she told herself this her heart thundered with the weight of her discovery.
Once outside she slid into the passenger side of Portia’s car. “Everything all right with Mr. Whiskers?” Portia asked.
“Fine. Everything is fine,” Layla replied. She was bursting with the need to tell Portia what she’d seen, but she was afraid to involve her friend. She didn’t want to malign the vet if he wasn’t guilty.
Besides, she didn’t want anyone to know until she had a chance to tell Jacob. He’d know what to do. He’d be able to clear the vet or make sure that Norwood was put behind bars if he was guilty.
She glanced at her wristwatch and saw that it was quarter to four. He’d be on his way to the Norwood farm to interrogate the vet. As soon as Portia dropped her at the cabin she’d call him.
Layla pulled her journal and a pen from her purse. Portia glanced her way and grinned. “Are you still journaling all the time?”
“Every day,” Layla replied. “Sorry, I just need to make a quick note to myself.” She jotted down the words Larry Norwood, missing button, lab coat and then closed the small book, some of the pressure of the secret diminished just by writing it down.
The drive seemed to last forever. Portia chatted about her pregnancy, the kids in her daycare and Caleb. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice that Layla was unusually quiet, her thoughts consumed by the possibility that Larry could be The Professional.
Where had Larry and his family lived before coming to Black Rock? Hadn’t he moved here about the same time that the case in Kansas City had wrapped up? She wished she had the answers, and she definitely wished she knew how he’d lost the button on his lab coat.
Maybe she’d just found the clue they needed to crack the case. Surely Tom and Jacob would be able to match the missing button on the lab coat to the one found in the car.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay here by yourself until Jacob gets home?” Portia asked as she parked in front of the cabin. “I could hang around until he gets back.”
“Absolutely not,” Layla replied. “Besides, you mentioned earlier that you have a parent-teacher meeting to get back to.”
“I could call the parents and cancel,” Portia said. “I just wanted to talk to them about their little boy’s penchant for hair-pulling.”
“Nonsense, go to your meeting. I’ll be fine until Jacob gets home.” Besides, if what she suspected was true, then she didn’t have to worry about Larry Norwood finding her. He was at this very moment being questioned by Jacob and Tom.
“Thanks for letting me spend the afternoon with you,” she said as she got out of the car.
“You know I always love spending time with you. Take care, Layla, and I’ll talk to you later.”
Layla’s heart still thundered as she watched Portia pull away. Larry Norwood! She couldn’t believe it, but the evidence didn’t lie.
She turned and hurried up the steps to the cabin. Once inside she pulled her journal from her purse and carried it with her into the kitchen and the phone.
She picked up the receiver and frowned. “Hello?” Her stomach plummeted. There was no dial tone. The phone was dead. It was at that moment she knew she was in deep trouble.
She turned to run into the living room to get her purse and her cell phone when the back door that led into the kitchen exploded open and her nightmare grinned behind his mask. “Hi, honey. I’m home,” he said as Layla screamed.
The interview with Jerry Tipton and Greg Todd had been another study in frustration. Jacob and Tom were silent as Jacob drove toward the Norwood farm on the outskirts of town.
“Greg Todd is some piece of work, isn’t he?” Tom finally broke the silence.
“Arrogant young kid with an attitude as bad as his complexion,” Jacob replied. “But, he’s not smart enough to be our man.”
“Why would somebody that age decide to move to a little town like Black Rock?” Tom asked.
“My guess would be he was having trouble getting hired in the bigger hospitals.”
“What about Tipton?” Tom leaned forward and adjusted the heat vent to blow more directly on his body.
Jacob thought about the traveling salesman who had seemed very eager to cooperate, but had been unable to provide any real alibis for the times of the kidnapping. “I think we need to look closer at him. Check his financials and see if we can pin down where he was and when. He has the perfect job to fit the profile and he seemed bright to me.”
“And way too eager to please,” Tom added. “Did you notice how he kept wanting to know all the details about the crimes?”
“Could be morbid curiosity or something more malevolent,” Jacob replied. “I know it’s not unusual for these guys to try to insinuate themselves into the investigation. What frustrates me is that I didn’t pick up anything in their voices or speech patterns that made me believe one of them
was The Professional.” He tightened his hands on the steering wheel.
He just wanted this over. He wanted Brittany and the other women safe and sound, wanted the killer dead or behind bars and needed to get Layla out of the cabin and out of his life.
Because he wanted her in his life.
He shook his head as if to dislodge that particular thought. He couldn’t want her because she didn’t need a man. She was just another heartache as far as he was concerned and he’d suffered a lifetime of heartbreaks in this life already.
“You know, it’s possible these three are just dead ends,” Jacob said. “He might not even be on our radar at this point.”
“Don’t remind me.” Tom’s voice held the same kind of weariness that Jacob felt.
Jacob felt like he’d spent his entire life chasing this killer and he feared that once again they wouldn’t find him in time and there would be another party to clean up after.
His stomach twisted as he thought of the killer’s last party and that his sister might be a part of the next one. No, they couldn’t let that happen.
“He’s just not making mistakes,” Jacob finally growled and slammed a hand down on the steering column. “And we need the bastard to make a mistake before we lose Brittany, before we lose them all.”
A wealth of despair filled Jacob and pressed so tight against his chest he could scarcely draw a breath. He felt as if they were running out of time. He knew that eventually The Professional would no longer be able to control his compulsion to kill.
As far as Jacob was concerned they were already on borrowed time. He’d tried to act on his compulsion both times he’d attempted to kidnap Layla. He should be ready to explode at any moment, like a bomb that killed everything and everyone in his path.
Not Brittany, he thought. Please, not Brittany and not Layla. Somehow they had to stop this man before more women died, before more families were destroyed by grief and despair.
“What are your plans when this is all over?” Tom asked, pulling Jacob from his inner torment.
“I plan on staying here in Black Rock. I’m kind of hoping there will be an opening for a deputy.” He slid a glance to his brother.
Special Agent's Surrender Page 12