“Where are we staying?” she asked Ethan, as he sat in the passenger seat and worked while she drove. “No roach coach, right?”
He smiled at her. A roach coach was what brought them together. “No baby. You know that I wouldn’t do that to us. I found a really nice hotel in Circle Rock. It’s not a small town or a metropolis, but it has more of the amenities that we may need.”
“Great. Is the rest of the team staying in the same place too?”
“Yes. I have them booked there. We’ll be able to keep an eye on them, while still having privacy.” Yeah, and they’ll be an extra layer of protection against the nutbag who was calling out his wife.
“What do we have related to the assignment?” Callen asked. It was probably time to learn the gruesome, scary, life destroying details. It had taken most of the ride for him to even build the nerve to bring it up.
Ethan was ready to brief them. “Our first victim has already been identified. Her name is Scarlet Red.”
Elizabeth glanced over. “Seriously? That’s her name?”
“Apparently, it is.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Okay, then. What else do we have on her?”
“She isn’t originally from Circle Rock. The files that the police have sent over states that she’s twenty five and works in retail somewhere in the town. They have her as an implant who moved there a few years ago.”
“Okay, so the killer is focused on a resident and not some tourist just passing through.”
Blackhawk nodded. “He left a note.”
Callen wasn’t sure if he could handle whatever it said. No, in fact, he knew he couldn’t, but he’d swallow it much like Ethan was doing.
“What does it say?” Elizabeth asked curiously. From the tension in his voice and the air surrounding them, she was sure it wasn’t going to be pleasant.
Ethan pulled it up on the tablet and read it to her;
Director Elizabeth Blackhawk of the FBI,
I’m killing these women for you.
I’m waiting for the pleasure of your company.
Stop me if you can or there will be many more!
Let’s see if the media is right.
Are you as smart as they say?
Yeah, Callen was right. He didn't want to hear it. He forced himself to take deep breaths as he tried to not lose his temper. It was bad enough that she was out in the field, but the wackjob was calling her out to beat him. There was no doubt in his mind of her ability, since he had watched her in action many times.
His concern was the crazy factor.
Elizabeth asked him to read it again. This time she listened and tried to figure out what the killer was alluding to in his message. “I haven’t done that many interviews.”
Blackhawk thought back the last few weeks. “You did that one-on-one with the reporter from Red River after the ‘skinwalker’ killings.”
“She hasn’t really been on the news,” added Callen. They tried to preserve their privacy as much as possible, since they didn't really want the whole world to judge them based on their threesome.
“I did that interview for that woman’s article on what it was like to be a working mother and wife, all while heading up one of the biggest FBI hubs in the states,” she added.
Callen recalled that one. “Maybe letting them interview you in our home was a bad idea, considering it drew attention to you as being ‘accessible’. I like it better when you’re off the radar.”
Blackhawk nodded. “I don’t think there’s really been anything else. We try to keep a relatively low profile.”
“If that got his attention, then he’s definitely cuckoo. There are more stories out there on so many other people,” she admitted. “The magazine article spoke mostly about how I enjoy cooking, what I do to relax, and how I pull it off as a working mother. I can’t see why he would be drawn to that. He has to be certifiable.”
“Aren’t we just lucky?” Callen muttered sarcastically. “We have a lunatic that wants to play games.”
Elizabeth looked up in the rearview mirror. “It’s okay Callen. I’m going to be safe. You know that I shoot and ask questions later. Now, I’ll just be more trigger happy.”
Blackhawk laughed at that one statement despite the tension on the vehicle. “I have a feeling that I’m going to be backlogged in paperwork for a very long time.”
Callen finally let go of the tension and tried to laugh. “That’s your cross to bear.”
“What else do we have on the killing?” Elizabeth asked as she tried to keep them focused. The more they knew walking into it, the better.
“The victim was killed lying on a flat surface surrounded by candles, incense and other items.”
That had Elizabeth’s attention. “Seriously? It was an altar?” she asked. This was new and could be added to her list of weird assignments.
“Yeah.”
“So, he was sacrificing the victim to something,” she added. “What else?”
“The killer carved a pentagram into her torso.”
“Awesome,” she said grinning. “We’re working an assignment that deals with witches, and just in time for Halloween. Way to keep with the holiday festivities,” she joked.
“This isn’t funny,” stated Callen. “He sacrificed a woman on an altar. Want to bet who he wants to put there next?” he admonished.
She tried to offer him reassurance. “Darlin’, you have to lighten up. If you’re going to be a ball of nerves on this one, you’re going to miss details. All three of us need our eyes open and our focus on this killer.”
He let out a deep breath and reached forward to place his hand on her shoulder. He needed the connection. “Okay, angel. I’ll try.”
Blackhawk held up the picture in her line of sight. “It’s not a high resolution, but it’ll do,” he stated, as he prayed she could drive and look over at the same time.
Her eyes flickered to the picture and the crassly carved lines in her body. “Yeah, he was definitely making a statement on this one. He’s setting the scene for us, and we need to make sure we look into all the details.”
Callen stared at the picture and tried desperately to not picture his woman on that altar. That was happening over his dead body. If need be, he’d handcuff her to his side for the duration of the assignment.
“What else do we have on the victim?” she asked.
“Other than she worked retail and lived alone, not much. There doesn’t seem to be any family to notify either.”
In a way, Elizabeth was glad. She hated doing that little visit to the family. It was horrible to be the one who had to tell them that they weren’t ever seeing their loved ones again. It was bad enough to be working the case and wearing the target of the family’s anger, but telling them just made it more volatile.
“How did they get her ID so fast?” she inquired. “Generally, it takes a couple of days to find out her name. Are the cops in this town that damn good?”
Blackhawk scanned. “No, the first cop on the scene knew the victim. He did the identification for us.”
“I don’t know if that’s convenient or just me being overly suspicious,” she stated. “We’re going to need to talk to him and see the crime scene to have it re-swept. You know how I feel about the ineptitude of the local law, especially if they’re not accustomed to homicides.”
“You’re taking this one over completely, aren’t you?” Callen asked. Usually, they allowed the cops to run it with their help until they were out of their league on it.
Elizabeth nodded as she pulled into the police station parking lot. “When I’m called out, I’m going to give the nutjob all the attention that he’s requested. Then, I’m going to shut him down fast and make him regret ever trying this bullshit.”
Yeah, that didn't offer much reassurance to either man. The woman they loved was going balls to the wall and planning on taunting the killer. This was just the beginning, and they knew that it was going to be emotionally brutal.
“Lyzee, p
romise me you won’t do anything stupid,” Ethan said as he stared at her. “Please.”
She leaned over and pulled Ethan towards her mouth to kiss him. It was slow and was full of promise that she would take all the necessary precautions. She offered him her vow.
He took that moment to just savor his wife and the effect she had on his body and heart. Slowly pulling away, he stared into the icy blue eyes that he fell in love with at first sight. “I plan on holding you to that.”
Turning in her seat, she could see the nerves across Callen’s face. “I’ll make you the same promise,” she offered.
He held out his hand, since he desperately needed that basic contact with her. “Yes, please.” Callen waited for her to climb between the seats and take her place in his lap.
Callen was the most fragile of the three, and she specifically took it easy on his heart. “I promise you, Cal. I’ll be extra careful.”
Her lips met his and the warmth returned to his body. He’d been so cold the last few hours as the fear consumed him from the inside out. Breaking away, he buried his face in her neck as he held on as tight as possible. His fear was that if he let go, she would be gone forever.
“The tech team and agents are here,” Ethan warned. “It’s time to get to work,” he stated, hopping out of the Denali and getting down to business.
“I love you, Cal,” she whispered.
He couldn’t even get the words out. Callen found that he was swamped with too much emotion to speak. All he could muster was a nod.
“Come on. We have a job to do,” Elizabeth said as she opened the door and jumped down. It was more than just that. This was a mission where she’d been taunted. It was time to put the killer in his place and behind bars.
Ethan strolled back over after talking to their team. “The techs are going to wait here with our agents. We’ll go handle the police chief and go from there.”
Elizabeth grinned. “I love a healthy dose of cop in the morning.”
“Lyzee,” Ethan warned. “Play nice or they won’t let you in their building anymore.”
She laughed. “Man, you piss off a few hundred cops and you get a reputation.”
Callen added, “And sheriffs, their deputies, ME’s and then don’t forget all the media. Oh, wait. You piss just about everyone off.”
She winked at him. “Darlin’, I haven’t managed to ostracize you two yet. So that’s all that really matters.”
Both men simply shook their heads as they followed her. It was going to be an interesting experience. They could already see it coming.
Opening the door to the police station, they wandered in to find a man sitting behind a desk. He wasn’t in a uniform, and he looked way too young to be a cop. “Hey, can you tell us where to find the chief of police?” she questioned as she scanned the surroundings to get her bearings.
He glanced up. “Yeah, she’s in her office upstairs. You can’t miss it. It’s the first door on the right. Would you like me to escort you there?” he offered pleasantly.
Holy shit, but they found someone who didn't hate Feds and was actually being nice. This needed to go down in the record book.
“I think we’ll be okay. Can I ask your name?” she inquired, feeling the two men behind her move closer.
He stood and held out his hand. “You sure can, ma’am. I’m Clifford Bean- the police chief’s administrative assistant. If you need anything, just come find me.”
Ethan’s profiling kicked in as he watched the younger man with unblinking eyes. For now, he planned on analyzing every single person who they came in contact with while in Circle Rock. This young man had to be twenty at the most and looked like he was salivating over a juicy piece of steak. Instead of being worried, he almost wanted to laugh. Where men often tried to hit on Elizabeth, he didn't feel the need to be alarmed this time. He was a mere boy and way out of his league. Elizabeth could chew him up and have him as a snack.
“I appreciate the offer, Clifford. I’ll keep it in mind as I head up to see your boss,” Elizabeth stated as she moved towards the stairs. Once out of his ear shot, she glanced at the men beside her. “I’m proud of you two for not trying to use him as a wish bone.”
Callen snickered. “I thought about it, but he looked harmless enough. The boy was just checking out the beautiful landscape.”
She turned around and with laughter in her eyes, pointed at him. “You know that saying shit like that is going to get you hurt, right?”
He wiggled his eyebrows before speaking, “God, I hope so.”
Blackhawk offered his brother a fist bump. “She walked right into that one.”
Elizabeth simply laughed at them both. It was good to see that the men were calming down enough to be themselves. It would make it easier to work on this assignment.
As they cleared the stairwell, they found the door. Knocking, there was a female voice beckoning them into the office.
“Welcome,” she said, standing to greet the agents.
Elizabeth studied the woman, and she looked easygoing enough. She might have even liked the little blonde, had she not been ogling the two big sexy Natives behind her. Yeah, that was strike one in her rule book.
Thou shall not covet her Native man candy.
“You must be the FBI,” she stated, staring up at Ethan Blackhawk. Well holy crap! Here was hotness in a suit. She shook his hand and then went to the other man. Today, sexy rode into town, and she was going to enjoy every second of the spectacular view. Who could blame a girl? The room was already getting a little bit warmer.
It was the woman clearing her throat that had her attention.
“I’m Director Elizabeth Blackhawk. These are my partners, Directors Ethan Blackhawk and Callen Whitefox.” After the introductions were made, she watched the woman analyzing the situation. It was obvious that the recognition had dawned, because all of her focus shifted to Callen. Elizabeth gave her credit. At least the woman had the sense to not ogle another woman’s husband. Wait until she found out that Native number two was off the menu as well.
“It’s very nice to meet you three. I’m Gena Lowry, the Chief of Police in Circle Rock. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”
The words were directed at Callen.
Ethan knew what would be happening eventually. He could already picture his wife bashing the blonde’s head off her desk as she laughed manically. There was bloodshed on the horizon.
Elizabeth took a seat in the center chair. “We appreciate you calling this one in so quickly,” she replied as she watched her focus on Callen. It wasn’t like she could blame her. Both men were handsome, large, and sexy. Some people just liked Native men. She was one of them, and unless Gena Lowry crossed a line, the woman could stare all she wanted.
Now if she touched, then she was in for a world of hurt.
“I have to admit, Director Blackhawk, I was curious as to the woman who the killer was calling out. I’m not a big media person, but as soon as I saw the note, I searched you.”
“What did you find?” she asked, staring at her.
“Not a hell of a lot. There were maybe three news stories out of Damascus.” The police chief checked out the woman, and was finding it hard to believe that this Fed was going to catch anyone. She didn't look like a cop. Already, she was beginning to doubt making the call to the FBI. Elizabeth Blackhawk looked like a model, not a hardcore officer of the law.
“Yeah, well we like our privacy.”
The police chief assumed that she meant the man sitting beside her. They had the same last name and he must be her husband. So far, he’d yet to say a word. Gena could feel his eyes watching her, as if measuring up every move.
“Would you like some coffee?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, we need to get started on this as soon as possible.”
“Great! I can’t wait to dig into this one. As you can imagine, there’s not a lot going on in Circle Rock. This is a pretty big deal here, and my men are excited.”
Yeah, s
he hated to break the woman’s heart, but that wasn’t happening. “The FBI is taking over. We’ll be running this assignment as of right this minute.”
The cheerful woman was gone and in her place was the scowl of someone who believed she had just been screwed over. Elizabeth waited for the retort.
“You really can’t do that. This is my town and I’m allowed to run this assignment.”
She shook her head. “Once you call in the FBI, and we start picking up the tab, we get the option of how much control we pass around. For now, I’m choosing to run it. You also may have noticed that the killer wants my attention and now he has it. If I don’t run this one, he could escalate and kill even more people. You wouldn’t want that to happen, now would you, Chief Lowry?”
The woman weighed her options. “Okay, I’ll buy that, but I want to assist. I’ll toss in the full weight of my staff. I’m responsible to the citizens of Circle Rock, and I don’t take that lightly.”
“What are we looking at?” Blackhawk asked, as he finally broke his silence. He’d been observing the woman and measuring up the potential obstacle that she might be. He had to admit, he didn't think she’d be so amicable. Either his wife was getting better at rationalizing things to other law officials, or Gena Lowry was fairly laid back.
He was betting it was option B.
“I have three day shift officers and two on nights. You may utilize them as much as you need. I also would like to help any way I can.”
Elizabeth decided to offer up an olive branch. “As soon as something comes up where I need assistance, I’ll contact you. If you want your officers to do it or handle it personally, I’ll leave that up to your discretion. For right now, it’s all about our tech team and the evidence that the killer left behind.”
The woman looked mollified.
“Thank you.”
Ethan opted to get his end of the operation moving. “I’m going to head over to the morgue, Chief. It says in the file that the victim was brought there. We’ve also brought in our own ME and I need him to take a look at her.”
Devil Hath Come (an FBI/Romance Thriller ~book 7) Page 7