Rush

by Carsen Taite

  She saved several search results onto the desktop of the computer, and then fished a flash drive from her pocket and downloaded the results. She tucked the drive away just as the conference door opened and Sarah and Ellen came back in.

  Boy, did they look chummy. Sarah slid a sheet of paper across the table. “Take a look at this.”

  Danny studied the paper. “What am I looking for?”

  “Randolf and Gibson were members of the same chapter as Lawson, Jones, and Barr. For whatever reason, they never registered as alumnae, but they attended school at the same time as the others, so they must have known each other. There’s our connection.” Sarah pounded a hand on the table. Danny could tell she wanted to say more, but wouldn’t with a civilian in the room. Maybe they’d prematurely decided the murders had been committed by a man. All signs were pointing to a strong connection within the sorority. Could another member have committed these vicious crimes?

  She turned their attention to the list she’d compiled. “Here’s the list of women who fit within the search parameters. Ellen, can you check your records to see if you have any reports regarding deaths of anyone on this list? Just a yes or no, will do and we’ll follow up about the cause. Also, I’m curious, do you have any idea why so many of these women wound up in the Dallas area?” Danny asked.

  Ellen studied the chart of search results. “Looks like a lot of them attended Richards University. Alpha Nu has always had a strong presence on that campus. Not that unusual for women to stick around the area.”

  She was right. It wasn’t that unusual. The thought gave her hope that the murders were all confined to this area, that she could hold on to the cases and personally take care of delivering justice for the victims and their families. “How soon can you get us the information about who on this list is deceased?”

  Ellen looked at her watch. “I have a function tonight, but I could look into it first thing in the morning. Does that work?”

  Sarah interjected. “A sorority function? What kind?”

  Danny was annoyed at the interruption. Why should Sarah care about Ellen’s personal life? Wasn’t like they’d actually attended the same school, belonged to the same sorority. Anger bubbled up as she considered that Sarah might have turned her outrageous flirting in Ellen’s direction. She had no business getting involved with a witness.

  “It’s an alumnae mixer. We have them once a quarter. I’ve been letting my assistant handle them, but I really need to make an appearance. Otherwise I’d stay in and work on this list.”

  “No, this is perfect. I’m coming with you. Are you going home first? What should I wear? I can pick you up.”

  Danny’s head spun at the string of jumbled questions and comments and Ellen’s expression said she was confused as well. Danny cut to the chase. “Flores, no parties for you. We have work to do.”

  “Don’t you get it? If someone is singling out sorority alums, what better place to find them than at an event designed to bring them all to one place?” She turned to Ellen. “I’ll need a cover. Do you have an RSVP list? Maybe we can pick a college that’s not represented and you can say I graduated from there. What do you say?”

  Danny held her breath while she waited for Ellen’s answer. Sarah was right. It was a great idea, but she didn’t want to acknowledge that Ellen might be caught in the middle of a manhunt. Here in her office, surrounded by paper and computer files, she was safe. At an event, surrounded by potential victims, she could quickly become collateral damage. Sarah was reckless not to consider the danger. She opened her mouth to say so, but Ellen beat her to the punch.

  “Great idea. I’ll go home to change. Why don’t you pick me up there? Say six thirty? Let your hair down a little, but what you’re wearing is fine.”

  “Perfect. I’ll see you then.”

  Just like that, Sarah and Ellen had a date. Before she could process what had just happened, Danny was on the elevator with Sarah who couldn’t stop talking about the prospect of spotting the “UNSUB” lurking around the bar, hunting down middle-aged women. As if it would be that easy. This guy had committed at least four murders and gone completely undetected. He wasn’t stupid and he wasn’t careless. But he was dangerous.

  Danny decided she should tell Sarah that this wasn’t such a good idea after all, that she should leave Ellen out of it. When Sarah finally stopped chattering about her plans, she spoke, but the words that came tumbling out weren’t at all what she’d planned.

  “I’m coming with you. We should have two cars in case you need to follow someone, and you should ride alone since that’s going to fall on you. I’ll pick Ellen up and meet you at the bar.”

  The elevator doors opened and she rushed out before either one of them could change their minds.

  Chapter Eleven

  Danny stood on Ellen’s doorstep. She never should’ve knocked Sarah out of this duty, and she didn’t have a clue what she’d tell Ellen when she opened the door and found out the woman she was expecting wasn’t there. She should’ve let Sarah pick her up and sent some other female cop to cover the mixer. She should’ve had Ellen come down to the station and talk to George when she’d first called about Barr’s death. She should’ve completely eliminated the sorority connection before she ever made a date with a potential witness. The list of things she should’ve done was long, but she couldn’t help adding to it that she should’ve kissed Ellen when she’d had the chance.

  She rang the bell and paced the porch while she waited for Ellen to answer. She’d gone home and changed into black slacks, and the emerald green shirt everyone always said she looked good in. She was about to ring the bell again when the door opened, and she froze. A minute ago she’d been confident, but now she felt like a slob compared to Ellen who wore an indigo blue sweater and a short black skirt that hugged her like a second skin. Danger, hell. Looking like that, Ellen would be surrounded by too many women for the killer to get close.

  If he even showed up. Danny doubted he would risk it. This guy wasn’t randomly choosing these women. There was a deeper connection. She felt it in her gut.

  “Is Sarah waiting in the car?”

  Danny noticed Ellen straining to see around her. She didn’t look surprised or disappointed to see Danny, but it was clear she was missing her new pal. “Just me. She’ll meet us at the club.”

  “Okay.”

  “Are you ready?”

  “Almost. Why don’t you come in and wait while I finish up?”

  Danny glanced back at her car. She knew what she should do. Go to the car, send Sarah a text with their ETA, and wait patiently while Ellen did whatever last minute prep she needed to do. She shrugged off the should haves and walked into Ellen’s house. At least she was consistent.

  She lingered in the foyer and watched Ellen trail off to the back of the house. Her bedroom no doubt. She couldn’t imagine what else Ellen needed to do to get ready. She looked amazing. Maybe she’d gone in search of some secret device to help her walk in the super high heels she sported. Or she wanted to add just another small dab of the amazing cologne she wore to keep everyone in her path mesmerized.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Ellen called out.

  Golden layers of way too rich Scotch called out, but drinking wasn’t on the agenda tonight. She’d need to stay sharp, more to keep from crossing the line with Ellen than protecting her. Sarah was there to protect her. Her own presence was completely unnecessary and motivated only by a jealous desire not to see Sarah end up with every prize in this investigation. “No, thanks. I’m good.”

  Danny wandered into the living room. Pacing again to pass the time. She hadn’t noticed much about the furnishings the last time she was here. Too focused on the occupant. The interior style didn’t seem to fit. Ellen’s office was ultra modern and sleek. This house was full of heavy antiques, elaborate paintings, and velvet curtains. Rich, but definitely dated.

  “I’ve been meaning to redecorate.”

  She turned at the sound of El
len’s voice and stifled a gasp. Ellen had changed out of the sweater she’d been wearing earlier and now she wore a different top with a plunging neckline. Talk about dressing to impress. Danny cleared her throat to disguise her initial reaction. “Everything is beautiful.” She hoped Ellen thought she was talking about the decor, but she knew her eyes were fixed on Ellen’s chest and the full display of cleavage.

  Ellen followed her gaze and blushed. “Too much?”

  Danny looked away. “Maybe.”

  Ellen reached out and grasped her hand. “I feel like we got off on the wrong foot. Can we start over?”

  Start over? Danny wanted to start something all right, but it didn’t involve going back to the beginning. All she wanted was to lean forward and place her lips against the creamy white skin that so captivated her attention. Not gonna happen. And just to make sure, they needed to get out of this house and go somewhere public. With lots of people around. The mixer would be perfect. Lots of other women to distract her. “I think we should go.”

  They barely spoke on the ride to the downtown hotel where the event was being held. Ellen offered short fragments of conversation to which Danny responded with grunts designed to signal she didn’t want to engage. “Turn here.” “Nice night.” “Should be crowded.” “Club is comping valet.”

  Danny ignored Ellen’s comment about the valet and found a spot on the street, close to the hotel. No doubt Sarah would leave her car where she could get to it quickly, and while she may not be a cop, ready to give chase at the first sign of danger, she didn’t feel like being boxed in with a bunch of overgrown, dolled-up sorority sisters while Sarah sped away to be the hero.

  Stupid thoughts. Highly unlikely there would be any action at this event. She knew in her gut the killer was connected to the sorority somehow, but he was a careful guy. Hell, he’d eluded them for weeks, killing four women, maybe more. Chances were good, even if he was here, they would never know it.

  She fed the meter and opened Ellen’s door. Ellen climbed out and stepped up to the curb, but one foot didn’t move and she pitched forward into Danny’s arms. Danny grabbed tight and helped her get steady on the sidewalk. “What the hell?”

  “Sorry.” Ellen pointed at the grate on the ground by the car door. “Heel caught.” While Danny stared at her tall heels, and slim ankles, and toned calf, Ellen said, “And that is why I use the valet. I swear I wasn’t throwing myself at you. In fact, I think I’m done doing that.” She marched off toward the hotel. Danny stood still for a few minutes while she tried to process this new irritated, angry Ellen. She was doing her level best to stay professional and she’d blown it by leering at their one helpful witness’s legs. She needed to focus. On the job, on the case, on the reason they were even at this club tonight or she was going to be in trouble.

  But they were damn fine legs.

  *

  Heels or no heels, Ellen sped to the club like she was running from a fire. And she was.

  She hadn’t wanted to attend this event in the first place. Now, not only was she going to have to glad-hand a bunch of senior sisters, she’d have to spend the evening knowing Danny was watching her every step. Biggest challenge? Not letting Danny see that she was watching her too. That would be hard since she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off Danny from the moment she saw her standing on her doorstep. The way that green shirt hugged her torso left no doubt that a beautiful body lay beneath. She’d wanted to fall into her arms and skip this event entirely.

  Instead she’d rummaged through her closet to find the sexiest top she owned. She’d bought it a year ago on a whim, but she hadn’t ever worn it. The plunging neckline wasn’t quite office attire, and no date she’d had in the last year merited the show. If Jill was right and the crowd tonight was mostly the older alums, there’d certainly be talk tomorrow about how their national director had acted in a manner unbecoming of a lady. Her mother would die. But it had been worth it, if only to see the expression on Danny’s face. She may act like she wasn’t interested, but she wasn’t made of stone.

  “Ellen!”

  Sarah stood by the valet stand with open arms. She smiled, unsure how she was supposed to play this. Sarah embraced her in a big hug and saved her with a few whispered words. “Act like we’re long lost friends that haven’t seen each other in forever. I’ll handle the rest.”

  Sarah’s embrace lasted past the words, and it wasn’t until Ellen felt a tap on her shoulder that she decided to pull back. She turned and faced Danny who stared between them with a frown on her face. She didn’t know what her problem was, but she didn’t have to spend her evening trying to sort out the moods of Danny Soto. She grabbed Sarah’s hand and pulled her into the hotel. As they entered the elevator, she saw Sarah flash Danny a smug grin. Looked like even these two strong, powerful women were capable of a little girl drama. This night might be doomed, but she was determined to make the most of it. She looked at Sarah’s hand in hers. Sarah Flores was a gorgeous woman. Yes, they were only playing roles, but there was no reason not to enjoy the attention.

  The elevator stopped at the roof and they stepped out into a perfect Dallas evening. Slight breeze, mid-sixties. The sun was just setting against the backdrop of a cluster of beautiful buildings. The pool was lit with floating candles and colorful Gerbera flowers. Flanked by two gorgeous women, she couldn’t ask for a better setting for a date. Too bad this was the furthest thing from it.

  She turned to Sarah. “Would you like a drink? We’re a little early. We may as well take advantage before I have to be the hostess.”

  “I’d love one. Maybe Danny can get them for us and we can talk about how you should introduce me around.”

  Didn’t take a rocket scientist to tell Danny was seething, but she took their orders and stalked off to the bar. Ellen took advantage of her absence to pry. “Is she mad at you or is she mad at me?”

  Sarah leaned back and stared at her face as if she were studying an insect. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Not a bit. I think I may have done something to make her mad. We seemed to get along really well, and then all of the sudden…” She trailed off, mentally trying to pinpoint the change in Danny’s behavior. If anything, she should be the one slighted. Wasn’t like she was the one who’d shut things down when they’d started to heat up. Maybe that was the problem. Danny thought she was shallow and didn’t want to have anything to do with her. No, that couldn’t be it. She had called back after that first botched encounter, even said she was interested in trying again. While she tried to figure out the source, Danny returned with their drinks.

  “What are y’all talking about?”

  Ellen rushed to answer. “Nothing.” She took a big gulp of her martini.

  Danny looked suspicious, but Sarah spoke up. “Ellen was telling me how these things work. Why don’t you fill her in?”

  Whew. Why couldn’t she think of a good save on her own? Probably for the same reason she couldn’t string two thoughts together when Danny stood close. “Women will start arriving in a few minutes. They sign in over there.” She pointed to a woman seated at a table full of name tags. “That’s Angela. She’s an intern, a student Alpha Nu member, interested in working in our office when she graduates. She’s got the list of RSVPs and she’ll make sure everyone gets a name tag and drink tickets.”

  Danny interjected. “We’ll want a copy of that list.”

  “Of course. Anything else you want me to know before the crowds start to arrive? I’ll be pretty busy, shaking hands, introducing newcomers, and I have a few announcements to make about upcoming events.”

  Sarah spoke first. “I think you should introduce me as a newbie. It’ll give me a chance to meet these women without appearing to be a stalker.”

  “And what am I supposed to do?” Danny asked.

  Ellen turned toward Danny. “I don’t know. For some reason, I thought you two would’ve worked that out.”

  Danny flashed an annoyed look at Sarah who merely shrugged. “Fin
e. I’ll figure something out on my own.” Danny started to walk off, but Ellen grabbed her arm.

  “Wait a minute.” Danny looked at her with those big brown eyes, and her earlier frustration faded as a not very well thought out idea popped into her head. She didn’t take the time to process it because her instinct told her it wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny. “You can be my date.”

  Sarah’s mouth fell open and Danny sputtered. “That’s a stupid idea.”

  “That you’d be my date or that anyone would believe it?”

  Sarah picked her mouth up off the floor and chimed in. “Actually, it’s a great idea. One newcomer that can’t possibly have connections to the rest of the group is interesting. Two is odd. Besides, I’m trained in undercover operations. Better you stick to a role that might actually suit you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Sarah shot her a wicked smile. “You figure it out. I’m going to go get my name tag and leave you two lovebirds alone.”

  Ellen stared at Sarah as she left, uncomfortably conscious of Danny’s growing anxiety. Introducing Danny as her date was definitely a stupid idea, if only because Danny looked liked she’d rather be anywhere but by her side. She cast about for a harmless topic of conversation. “What are you drinking?” Lame.

  “Soda with lime. I had them put my vodka in your drink.” A hint of a smile.

  She gave Danny a playful shove. “Trying to get me drunk?”

  “I should go.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “No.”

  “Why did you come? I mean, it’s not like you’re a cop. Would you really be able to do anything if the killer popped out of the corner?” As she spoke, she saw Danny start to bow up. She couldn’t really blame her. “Look, I’m not trying to make you mad; I just want to know why you’re here when you so clearly don’t want to be.”