Girl Left Behind (Dana Gray Book 1)

by C. J. Cross

  Dana regretted giving Claire the day off. She needed a distraction. Sometimes, just knowing her quiet intern was sharing the same space was often enough to make Dana feel less alone. She considered calling Claire. Normally, the girl wasn’t the chattiest, but given the right topic, she could talk to a housefly. But Dana didn’t really want to talk about Egyptology or Thai cuisine. She wanted to talk to Jake. But he was off trying to track down Cramer’s brother in Ohio.

  Jake was convinced Rycroft Cramer could help shed some light on the situation, or at the very least talk some sense into his younger brother and get him to give up his murderous tendencies. Dana wasn’t sure she agreed the brother would be of any help. Not having siblings of her own, she couldn’t comprehend the true weight the bond carried, but Jake assured her it was worth pursuing. She didn’t bring up the faulty logic in his theory. According to Jake, the Army should’ve made Cramer consider him a brother, but that hadn’t stopped him from making Jake a target in whatever twisted game he was playing.

  It was killing Dana to feel so in the dark. She chewed her thumbnail as she aimlessly paced the stacks, praying Jake knew what he was doing. The words he’d said to her in his office drifted back to her. A bond stronger than family for some.

  If Cramer could turn on his Army brother, he could turn on anyone.

  Dana was convinced he was a lost cause. He’d have to be to have done the horrible things she suspected. If she was right and Cramer truly was the Romeo and Juliet killer, that meant he’d killed eighteen people in cold blood, maybe more. And if she didn’t do something about it, he’d kill again.

  And this time, she was the one in his sights.

  The thought was both comforting and sickening. On one hand, if she had to die so others didn’t, it was a small price to pay. But there was no guarantee Cramer would go dormant for another twenty years. Plus, there was the fact that if she was at risk, so was Jake.

  Dana might be okay giving up her own life for the greater good, but she’d never risk someone else’s. Especially not Jake’s. She didn’t want to drag him deeper into this mess, but she didn’t know what to do about it.

  Time was running out. Dana could feel it, like sand slipping through an hourglass. The sound of her phone ringing startled her, but not more than the name she saw on the caller ID. She steadied herself and answered. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Dr. Gray. I think we need to talk.”

  “So do I.”

  “Good. Meet me at our café on Ninth. One hour.”

  “Pick up, pick up, pick up.”

  When Shepard’s phone went to voicemail for the fifth time, Dana gave up. Not being able to talk to Jake was making her anxious. And that was before she agreed to do something this stupid.

  Sighing, Dana slipped her phone back into her purse. She’d known trying to reach Jake was a long shot. For their plan to work, he needed to go dark. That meant disabling his cellphone so he couldn’t be traced to Ohio where he was secretly trying to track down Cramer’s brother.

  Jake told Cramer that he and Dana were in Maryland following up on the church lead again. But the fact that Cramer had called her to meet meant he must’ve been onto their ruse, even though she’d stayed out of sight just like Jake instructed. Dana had even gone as far as to sleep in her office to not blow their cover, but it’d apparently been unnecessary.

  As usual, Cramer was one step ahead.

  She hated this cat-and-mouse game they were playing. And now that Jake’s plan had divided them, Dana couldn’t help thinking Cramer had the upper hand.

  If we do this, we do this together. Dana couldn’t get Jake’s words out of her head. He’d be pissed if she went to this meeting alone, but what choice did she have? If she didn’t, Cramer might run, and her chance for vengeance would be lost.

  There was no way to justify the absurdity of her plan. Any way she sliced it, Jake would be against the idea. She could almost hear his deep voice, telling her to stand down in that strangely appealing alpha way of his. She knew he was just trying to do his job and protect her, but Dana was never someone who wanted protection.

  She wanted the truth … and Cramer had it.

  What did she care if she died? Hadn’t this monster already taken her chance at a normal life when he killed her parents? Maybe her existence was all just borrowed time, counting down to the moment she’d been destined for—taking the life of the man who’d ruined hers.

  44

  As soon as his plane touched down on the Dulles tarmac, Jake had his phone out. He had a voicemail from Dana, but his service blinked in and out as he taxied. Frustration bubbled inside him as he waited to get out of the jammed signal area. Added after 9/11, he knew the safety precaution was a necessity at the highly targeted airport, but he was eager to speak to his partner.

  A jolt of excitement rippled through him at the notion of having someone like Dana Gray as a partner. As much as he’d been against it in the beginning, he’d grown to enjoy working with her. At least Cramer did one thing right, Jake thought bitterly.

  Without Dana, Jake never would’ve unraveled this mess. But now he was more convinced than ever that she was right about Cramer. Jake’s quick trip to Ohio had revealed unexpected results. He was returning without Cramer’s brother, but by no fault of his negotiation skills. But the trip hadn’t been fruitless.

  Jake used back channels to confirm the neighbor’s story about Rycroft’s death. Just like he’d said, it happened four months ago. Exactly the time the murders began.

  That was a trigger if Jake had ever heard one.

  And from what Jake saw inside the house, there was no doubt Cramer’s brother had been involved in some strange shit. Perhaps he’d even been the one to pull Cramer into the Pentacle Church. When Rycroft passed, Cramer might’ve felt compelled to carry on the messed-up family tradition.

  Visiting Rycroft Cramer’s last known address revealed a neglected home holding a treasure trove of condemning evidence. The pagan altar and pentagrams in Rycroft’s basement looked like a scene out of one of Dana’s ancient occult books. That, along with copies of the Pentanic Verses and other strange biblical writings, were all Jake would need for a warrant. There were dozens of undeveloped rolls of film. Jake didn’t have to see what was on them to know what they were.

  Trophies.

  He’d bet money each one was from a victim. But the most damning evidence at the house were the cigarette butts. Dozens of them. All Kent.

  He bagged a cigarette for evidence so he could get a DNA match. Otherwise, he left the scene undisturbed. Once they had Cramer in custody, he’d go back with a team to process everything.

  The thought made his stomach twist.

  After what Jake had seen and done during his time in the Army, he could almost understand it. How people could lose their faith and turn elsewhere looking for any form of redemption to cling to. For Cramer it turned out to be the Pentacle Church. His spiral into darkness must’ve been easy with his brother to guide him. Jake understood how it could happen, but that made it hurt worse. Because if it could happen to Cramer that meant it could happen to him.

  Unless he could stop the darkness from swallowing him, too.

  Dana popped into Jake’s mind again. She was a bright spot in his life, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. Whatever led Cramer down this path wasn’t important. Jake went to Ohio to find answers, and what he found inside the basement was more than enough to make the Cramer brothers the prime suspects in the Romeo and Juliet murders.

  There were still a lot of dots to connect, but the most important thing now was getting to Dana before Cramer did.

  Jake hated not checking in with her when he was in Ohio, but it was too great a risk. One inkling of Jake being onto Cramer could spook him into the wind, or worse, accelerate his plan. And when plans were rushed, killers got sloppy. He wouldn’t put Dana in more danger than she was already in.

  Finally, Jake’s plane arrived at the gate. The seatbelt sign turned off at the same time he g
ot enough service to listen to his voicemail. Dana’s voice greeted him on the other end. But the tone of her voice made his muscles coil with unease.

  “Jake, it’s me. I think he knows we’re onto him. He asked me to meet him today. The café on Ninth. One hour from now. I know it’s a risk. But not going is an even bigger one. I’m not letting him get away with this. I know you said we were in this together, but this part … I think I need to do alone.”

  The recording ended, filling Jake’s veins with ice. Badge in hand, he was on his feet, pushing through the log jammed aisle with only one thought. Get. To. Her. First.

  45

  The slimy way he grinned as Dana approached made her cringe. Everything about SSA Cramer had made her skin crawl the first time they met. This time was no exception. At least this time she knew why his presence made her hair stand on end. The man oozed malevolence, but she refused to let him see her sweat.

  Dana knew this meeting was just as much about luring her into his trap as it was about her catching him. She planned to exude as much false confidence as possible to stall him and give Shepard a chance to get her message, but she was prepared to see this through, even without him. Cramer’s end game didn’t really matter to Dana. She’d come prepared to meet whatever end he had planned for her, as long as she got the truth first.

  “Dana, thank you for joining me,” Cramer said, standing in a pointless show of manners.

  “You can cut the act. I know why I’m here.”

  His thick gray eyebrows rose with amusement, but he took a seat. “I do enjoy a woman who cuts to the chase.”

  “I don’t see the point in wasting time.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “Then admit it.”

  “Admit what?”

  “That you’re the one behind this.” She lowered her voice for the sake of the other patrons in the crowded café. “The Romeo and Juliet murders, my parents, attacking me in my hotel room. I know you’re responsible.”

  “Do you now?”

  “Yes. But what I want to know is why?”

  He grinned. “I thought you might.” But then he signaled to the waitress. “You’ll get your answers,” he said as the young brunette hurried over to take their order. “But first we’re going to enjoy a meal.”

  “I’m not hungry,” Dana hissed under her breath as the waitress awkwardly watched the exchange.

  “Maybe not now, but for what I have planned, you’ll need your strength.” He gave the waitress his oily grin. “I’ll have the softshell crab; she’ll have the stuffed portabella.”

  The girl nodded and hurried away.

  “This isn’t a game, Cramer.”

  “I know that.”

  “Then tell me why you’ve done this.”

  “Are you sure you want to know? It might spoil your appetite.”

  “I told you, I’m not hungry. I just want the truth about my parents.”

  He made a tsking sound with his tongue that made her blood boil. “Let’s not be too hasty,” he warned. “Everyone deserves a last supper, Dana. James and Renee would’ve wanted that for you.”

  Her heart skipped a beat at the mention of her parents’ names. Her throat was so dry that she had to take a sip of water before she could speak again. “So you admit it then? You did it? You killed them?”

  “I thought you’d already condemned me?”

  Dana’s hands trembled so hard the condensation on her water glass made it nearly impossible to grip, but she forced herself to take another sip to cool the rage racing through her. The smug man across the table from her had killed her parents, and he was calmly gazing at her like this was a normal conversation to discuss over a meal.

  Realization dawned on her. Cramer’s decision to meet at the crowded café made sense. At first, it’d put her at ease, thinking he’d made a mistake bringing her to such a public place. But she now realized it was for his own protection. Because the rage boiling inside her made her want to leap across the table and strangle him with her bare hands.

  But she couldn’t do it. Not just because there would be too many witnesses, but because all the other victims’ families deserved this opportunity too. To face the man who’d stolen something precious and irreplaceable from them; to take away his power.

  Until this very moment, Dana hadn’t known that was the thing she wanted most. To look him in the eye and tell him he didn’t win. She’d come here thinking she was okay with dying, that her life had already ended because of what he’d taken from her, but she was dead wrong. Here, sitting across from this man who dealt in death, Dana had never felt more alive. She clung to it, letting her anger make her bold.

  Dana willed a coolness into her voice. “You don’t have much longer. You should confess and unburden yourself now while you have the chance.”

  “While I have the chance? Do you have plans for me, Dana?”

  “Agent Shepard does.”

  Cramer chuckled. “Does he now?”

  She pulled her cell phone from her purse, holding it up to show him the recording app that was still running. “Jake will be here any minute, and we have all the proof we need.” She clicked stop on the recording. “Now’s your chance. Tell me why you chose my parents.”

  “Not yet,” he said, calmly. “But I can tell you, being chosen was the most interesting thing that ever happened in their dull little existence. That is, until you came along.” Cramer reached across the table and took her hand. Dana tried to pull away, but his grip was strong. “What a pity. They fought so hard for you. But you’ll be with them soon. I’ll take you to them as soon as you’re ready.”

  She yanked her hand away. “I’m not going anywhere with you!” She stood, almost stumbling into their waitress, sending the tray she’d been carrying flying. Dana’s vision danced as she gripped the table to steady herself. She felt dizzy. Cramer’s laughter came to her as if she were under water. She felt his arms move swiftly around her, his dry lips brushing against her ear as he spoke. “I’m sorry. I know you were expecting your white knight to come riding in to save you.”

  “Jake …” A million questions raced through her foggy mind. Where was he? Had he received her message? Would she ever see him again?

  “Don’t worry,” Cramer whispered, “his part in this isn’t over. And neither is yours.”

  Another wave of wooziness washed over Dana and she realized too late she’d been drugged. Cramer forced her glass of water to her lips again. She was powerless to resist. A moment later, she couldn’t even hold herself up. A crowd of onlookers gathered as Cramer gently lowered her to the ground. He spoke loudly. “Sweetheart? Did you take your insulin today?”

  Dana tried to respond, but there was nothing she could do but lie still, her body fighting against the poison he’d laced her water with.

  “Sweetheart,” Cramer crooned. “It’s okay. Take deep breaths. Everything’s going to be all right now.” She saw the flash of the syringe as Cramer flicked the tip of the needle before uncapping it. The man was an evil genius. He was drugging her right out in the open, and there wasn’t a thing anyone would do to stop him. Not when he looked like a concerned father helping his diabetic daughter.

  The last thing Dana felt was the tiny sting of the needle as more of the drug entered her system—nightshade—the same drug that he’d used on her parents.

  She felt cold as her muscles numbed further, but there was no pain. That thought comforted Dana as her mind dragged her toward the darkness. If this was how her parents had gone, at least they hadn’t suffered. At least she wouldn’t suffer.

  Just as the last pinprick of light faded, Jake popped into her thoughts. His pained blue eyes haunted her as she wondered how much he would suffer if he survived this mess she’d dragged him into.

  46

  Watery light filtered through closed curtains, but even that was enough to sting Jake’s eyes. He blinked trying to clear the fogginess from his mind. When the unfamiliar room finally came into focus, he realized where he was
with a sudden start. Twin beds, nightstand, lamp, dresser, TV … he’d woken in a murder scene. Or what was about to be one.

  “Over my dead body,” Jake muttered.

  He tried to wake his sluggish limbs, but they were still unresponsive. Even if they weren’t, the restraints strapping him to the bed made sure he wasn’t going anywhere. As he shook off the cobwebs in his mind, any hope that this was just a bad dream vanished. Jake could feel the tight straps biting into his skin. Instinct made his heartbeat race in his temples, but he fought against his panic. He’d been trained for this, and in a matter of moments his military conditioning kicked in.

  Deep breathing slowed his pulse, allowing him the space he needed to think this situation through. Desperation wouldn’t free him any faster. He needed logic and strategic measures if he was going to save himself and Dana from the madman who had them in his sights.

  Regret stretched across his chest tighter than his restraints as his mind flashed back to his mistake at the airport. He’d never forgive himself if Dana suffered because of his carelessness. But he’d been in such a rush to get back to her that he hadn’t been as vigilant as he should. That had allowed someone to get the drop on him in the parking lot.

  The guy was on Jake before he had a moment to react. He assumed his hooded attacker was Cramer. He was the right build, but he couldn’t be sure. He hadn’t seen much thanks to the harsh glare of the sun. The last thing Jake remembered was the sting of the needle the hooded man plunged into his neck.

  Then . . . this.

  Jake woke up here, as one half of the final crime scene on Cramer’s killing spree.

  His eyes traveled to the empty bed next to him. A bed that waited for Dana.

  Where the hell was she?

  A searing ache built inside of Jake when he imagined what she was going through right now at Cramer’s hands. This was all his fault. He should’ve listened to her and called in backup despite the risks. It might have sent Cramer into the wind, but at least Dana would’ve been safe.