by Mary Burton
“I don’t know. He was deployed when Latimer supposedly died. However, when his grandmother died a couple of years ago, Brian was back in Nashville, and he inherited all her belongings.”
Alex’s nerves tightened and twisted. “None of this feels right. How the hell does Lawrence fit into this mix?”
“I’ve got officers in his house right now, going through everything. I want anything that has to do with Latimer.”
Alex rested his hand on his hip. “Latimer stabbed Leah twenty-three times. Clearly, he was driven by rage and desperation when he stabbed her.”
“Okay.”
“And he stabbed Deidre twenty-three times like Leah,” Alex said.
“Right.”
“He left plenty of DNA around when he stabbed Leah. But he left none when he killed Deidre.”
“He’s getting smarter?” Deke said.
“I listened to Leah’s nine-one-one call four years ago. She told the cops it was Latimer. I didn’t hear anything on the tape that suggested he was worried about discovery. He didn’t care who knew he was killing his wife. Then he goes dark for four years. And when he returns, he goes to great lengths to cover up a connection to Deidre’s death.” Alex tapped his index finger against his belt. “And why stab Deidre? If his aim was to kill her, there are more efficient ways.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I’d swear we’re dealing with two different assailants.”
When Leah regained consciousness, Radcliff was wearing a Tyvek suit and goggles. He had turned her over and she was able to take a full breath of oxygen, vaguely aware of cold metal clinking against her wrists. He’d secured her wrists behind her back. As her eyes drifted open, he was little more than a hazy monster. Not the one she’d feared for so many years but a new one, just as evil and just as dangerous.
“Why?” she whispered. “Why?”
He shook his head. “It was never about you, Leah. It was always about Deidre. Since the day I found out she was cheating on me, I wanted to kill her. I dreamed about killing her. Hell, I could barely sleep with the hate pounding in my head.” He shook his head. “But killing is easy. Getting away with it is another story. I’d have been the first guy the cops would have arrested.”
Fear rippled through her.
“Deidre told me about Philip. He helped her get that lame sister of hers out of jail. And when he needed to get out of Nashville, she helped him. You didn’t get justice because of her.”
She’d always wondered how he’d escaped. “Is Philip dead?”
A smile tweaked his lips. “He’s dead. Died in South Carolina, just like the reports said. And that suited me just fine. The more I thought about old dead Philip, the more I realized he was the perfect man to frame. The perfect man to kill Deidre and you.”
“That was you with Gail.”
“It’s been me all along.” He traced a gloved finger along her cheek. “It didn’t take a lot of work to dig into Philip’s past. Found his cousin right here in Nashville. He took all Philip’s belongings when their grandmother died. There was a computer that had belonged to the grandmother, with so many pictures of you from Philip’s stalking days. And then I found his ring. The ring that helped identify his body. Almost too easy.”
“I didn’t know he had a cousin.”
“He’s dead now, so it really doesn’t matter.”
She recoiled. “Brian Lawrence.”
“Very smart. Yes. I killed Brian and slipped into his shoes when it was convenient.” He took a handful of her hair and curled it around his finger. “I started texting Deidre from a burner phone. Philip told her he wasn’t dead. Said he needed money and would ruin her career if she didn’t help.”
Leah scrambled through her memories of Deidre. “Deidre sought me out.”
“Philip told her that he wanted her to text him pictures of you. And Deidre got herself a burner and started sending him pictures.” He shook his head. “But she wasn’t one to lie down and take it. She was planning to kill Philip when he finally faced her. If he were really dead, she’d be in the clear. But she wasn’t expecting me.”
“Sins of the past. That’s what Deidre said.”
“Yes.”
“Who planted the listening devices?”
“I did. Used Deidre’s credit card to buy them. As you know by now, I’m good at skimming credit cards.” He nodded his head.
“You did that?”
“And I let the air out of your tires. Did all kinds of annoying things, just like Philip would have.” He grinned, pleased with himself. “I listened as she buddied up to you. She wasn’t your friend, you know. She was using you.”
Deidre had used her. Yet that last morning at the track had been a real moment. Deidre knew Tyler was dangerous, and she’d said she could handle him. As the image of Deidre, bleeding and slashed, flashed in her mind, she couldn’t summon anger.
Tyler reached in the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small box. The back hinge creaked as he opened the top. Inside was her wedding band, which she’d left at the apartment she’d shared with Philip. “We can thank Brian for being a pack rat.” He moved behind her and bent down as he took her left hand in his. She fisted her fingers, but he easily peeled them back. She winced in pain as he shoved the ring on her finger.
The ring felt tight. “You don’t have to kill me. You don’t. There’s nothing between us.”
“Your death will keep me out of jail. You’re going to be killed by your husband, who’s risen from the dead. He killed Deidre, your friend and a threat to his freedom, just like he tried to kill you. Killing you is my perfect alibi.” From another pocket, he pulled out a knife and traced it between her breasts. “Happy Anniversary, Leah.”
She didn’t speak as tears choked her throat. She remembered the last time those words had been whispered to her at knifepoint.
He cupped her face with rough, callused hands, holding her chin just a little too tight in his grip. “Deidre didn’t understand the meaning of our wedding vows. I meant it when I said until death do us part. Did you mean it when you said your vows?”
“I did. I did mean them.”
“Then why did you break them?”
“I never broke my vows.”
“You left your husband.”
“Because he hurt me.” She tugged hard against the cuffs. “He betrayed me when he hit me!”
“There was never another man?”
“No.”
“There’s Alex Morgan.”
She stilled at the sound of Alex’s name. “Alex has nothing to do with this.”
“Of course he does. Do you think Philip would let him live after what you two did last night?”
“He’s not part of this.”
“Where’s your cell phone?”
She didn’t speak, accepting that she would die protecting Alex.
“Tell me, or you’ll watch me slice parts off of Gail and Charlie, bit by bit.” He closed his eyes. “The sound of a dog howling in pain is just awful. Pitiful.”
Tears fell down her cheeks.
“And I’ll make Gail scream. She’ll be begging me to kill her.”
“Please, don’t.”
“Where’s your cell?”
He would kill Gail and Charlie. He would make them suffer. In so many ways, he was worse than Philip. “In the front hallway, by the door in my purse.”
He would have to leave the room to find her purse. With him out of the room, she twisted her left hand in the cuffs, scraping skin against metal. Skin burned and tore as her wrist rose a fraction.
Before she could free herself, Tyler returned. “We’re calling Alex Morgan.”
“Leave him alone, please.”
“Alex has another strike against him. He’s too damn smart. He could be the one person to put the pieces together, and I can’t have that.”
“I’m not going to call him.”
Tyler held up the display on his phone, a photo of Gail, tied up and crying. “Sh
e and the dog are in the trunk of my car. Right outside.”
“She has nothing to do with this. Charlie doesn’t deserve this.”
“I like Charlie. She’s a good dog. Loyal.” He dialed Alex’s number. “I’m going to hold the phone up to your mouth. You warn him and I promise you’ll die after you watch me butcher Gail and Charlie.”
Tears streamed down her face.
“Do we have a deal?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He hit Send and held the phone to her mouth.
Alex answered on the second ring. “Leah.”
She cleared her throat. “Alex, can you come back by the house?”
“Is something wrong?” Tension rippled in his voice.
“No.” She cleared her throat again as she stared into Tyler’s dark gaze. “I need to see you. It’s important.”
“Sure.” He paused for a moment. “I’ll be right over.”
A warning scream rattled silent in her throat, begging for release. But before she could voice the warning, Tyler ended the call.
Alex heard the fear ripping in Leah’s voice. Her tone had been clipped, and there’d been an edge. He grabbed his jacket and pushing past the pain burning through his muscles hurried out of his office toward his car.
On the road, his mind grappled with the facts at hand. Logical to assume it was Philip. All the signs pointed to his return. But had he returned, killed his cousin, and reclaimed his possessions? Possibly, but why the four-year gap? Why leave Leah alone when he’d savagely attacked her and left her for dead four years ago? It didn’t make sense.
Alex called the officer on duty in front of Leah’s house. The phone rang six times, but with no answer, the call went to voice mail. Swearing, he dialed Deke’s number. “Leah is in trouble. She just called me, but something’s wrong. I’m en route.”
“I’m calling for backup.”
“Have them come in quiet and stop short of entering Leah’s block. They need to keep their distance. I’m afraid the sight of cops might get Leah killed. I’ll go in alone.”
“And then you’ll get killed.”
“Not today.”
“If this is Philip, killing you will be top of his list. I’m on my way.”
“Deke, no.”
“Yes, Alex. I’ll park down the block. But I’m coming.”
Alex rang off and punched the accelerator. Ten minutes later, he pulled into Leah’s driveway. Her car was parked at the top. Ignoring the pain in his ribs, he moved toward the marked police car and found the officer unconscious.
He climbed the front steps. Blood pumped in his veins. His muscles burned. He tested the doorknob and found it unlocked. Gun drawn, he opened the door slowly and moved inside, seeing Leah immediately. She was sitting in a chair, her hands tied together. Standing behind her was Tyler Radcliff. He had a knife in his hand and was tracing her jawline with it.
“Radcliff.” Shock quickly gave way to understanding. He was the common denominator that connected several sections of the puzzle.
“He killed Deidre,” Leah said. “And he’s going to kill us and make it look like Philip did it.”
Tyler traced the knife along Leah’s neck. “Put the gun down, Agent,” Tyler said. “Or I’ll slice her throat.”
Leah’s watery gaze sharpened. “Don’t, Alex. He’ll kill you, and then he’s going to kill Gail and Charlie.”
“Where are they?” Alex asked.
“Somewhere safe,” Tyler said.
“Where are they?” Alex demanded.
“In his trunk,” Leah said.
“You should be worried about yourself, Leah. Not them.” Tyler gently twisted the tip of the knife below Leah’s eye. “The gun, Alex.”
Alex lowered his body to a crouch and put the gun on the floor.
“Now toss me the backup gun. All cops carry one.”
Alex stilled and then slowly removed the gun from his ankle holster.
“Kick the guns toward me.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. Tyler sliced a deep nick into Leah’s neck. Blood flowed down her white skin. He complied. “Why am I here?”
“Because you butted into Philip’s marriage when you didn’t have a right. To keep this looking real, I have to act like the outraged Philip would.”
“This was all about killing Deidre, wasn’t it? She left you and you couldn’t take it.”
“We promised each other forever. I kept my word. She lied.”
“I guess you just weren’t man enough to keep her. I mean, what kind of man stalks a woman? Keys her car. Plants listening devices in her house. Fuck, you’re pathetic.”
“Shut up!” He grabbed a handful of Leah’s hair and twisted. She gritted her teeth but didn’t scream.
“Hiding behind a woman.”
Tyler jerked Leah to her feet and pressed the knife to her side. “I should gut her like a fish.”
“You don’t have the balls,” Alex said. “You know once she’s gone, I’m going to kill you very slowly. You’re defenseless without her.”
Tyler snarled and then shoved Leah hard, sending her falling to the floor before he lunged at Alex. Tyler was a large man but quick and just as Alex braced for a blow, the man slammed into him. Alex grunted, his bruised and battered body screaming in pain.
Alex drew his arm around to hit Tyler but the man pounded a fist into his ribs. Agony cut through him. Hissing in a breath, he punched Tyler in the jaw and the blow slowed him only for an instant before he hit Alex again.
Leah scrambled to her side and then to her feet just as Tyler slammed his fist again into Alex’s bruised ribs. Alex grunted in pain.
Leah ran to a side table, picked up a lamp and hit Tyler hard on the back of the head. The blow didn’t knock him out but it got his attention. He turned, his face dark with rage and his fists balled.
Alex, his body riddled with agony, grabbed his knife from his pocket and flipped it open. In that split second, Alex lunged, stabbing Tyler in the throat. Blood sprayed on him and Leah as he stumbled toward her. Tyler, his gaze locked on Leah, dropped to his knees.
Leah stood frozen as she stared down at Tyler’s body. Alex reached for his phone and called for backup. He moved toward Tyler and rolled him on his back. The knife had cut through his jugular and he was bleeding out.
Tyler looked up at Leah. He raised a hand toward her, but the loss of blood was too fast and violent. “Whore,” he mouthed.
“Go to hell,” she said.
His hand dropped and his eyes closed.
Seconds later, Deke came through the front door, gun drawn. His gaze swept the scene as Alex rose and moved toward Leah. He reached out to touch her, but she drew inward, as if she were afraid to trust him or herself.
Her gaze settled on Tyler and the pool of blood swelling around his head. “He’s been planning this for months.”
He took her chilled hands in his. “I know. I know. It’s okay. You’re safe.”
She tightened her fingers around his and looked at him, tears streaming down her cheeks, mingling with the blood from the nick on her cheek. “Alex, he said Philip did die in that car accident.”
Deke took Alex’s knife from him and urged the two toward a squad car.
Alex opened the car door for Leah and had her sit down. He limped around to the other side of the car and carefully lowered into the seat beside her. “He was clever. Made us all believe Philip could be alive.”
“He hated Deidre so much. The look in his eyes reminded me so much of Philip that last night. Love, hate, rage. I saw them all in his eyes.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay, Leah. They’re both gone. No one can hurt you anymore.”
She met his gaze. Pain telegraphed from the watery depths. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to call you. I knew what he wanted to do to you, and I still called. He said he’d kill Gail.”
“I’m not so easy to kill.”
Gingerly she touched his bruised ribs. “He said she and Charlie are in
the trunk of his car.”
Alex knocked on the window and a uniformed officer crossed to him. “Tell Deke to find Radcliff’s car. He’s locked a woman inside.”
The officer nodded. “Right away.”
The cop and several others fanned out and moved down the street. Minutes later, he returned. “We found them.”
She held her breath. “He’s killed them.”
“No, ma’am,” the officer said. “They are alive. Drugged but alive. We’ve called for paramedics.”
Leah studied the officer’s face. “You’re sure they’re fine?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“They’re okay,” Alex said.
She faced him. “I’m so sorry to have pulled you into this mess.”
He cupped her face. “You didn’t pull me into anything. I’m here with you because this is exactly where I want to be.”
Epilogue
Four months later
Nashville, Tennessee
The half marathon drew record crowds. Runners from around the region and the country had shown up to race on what was one of the prettiest spring days Leah could have imagined. She had been nervous and jittery when the starting horn had blared, and for the first mile, her pace had been too quick. Finally, her nerves had settled and she’d fallen into a steady pace. By the time she’d crossed the finish line, her muscles ached and sweat drenched her body. A glance up at the clock revealed . . . well, not a so-fast run time, but she didn’t care. She’d finished the race. She’d made it.
Her shorts and jogging top did a poor job of hiding the scars on her arms and legs, and, overheated as she was, they looked all the more angry. She’d caught several people glancing in her direction, silent questions sparking in their gaze. But she didn’t try to hide her scars. She’d survived Philip. And Tyler. She’d come through the fire and, as far as she was concerned, a few scars didn’t really matter much.
When Alex and Deke had searched Tyler’s home, they’d found his plans for killing Deidre. He’d pieced together his plan with meticulous detail. Deidre had thought she could outsmart her past and move forward, but Tyler had been quicker. He brought Philip back to life, in a manner of speaking, and begun his plan of terror.