by Sable Hunter
Alivia stood and surveyed the room one more time. She couldn’t forget why she was really here. At the moment, everyone was busy getting dressed and practicing their poses. Frankly, she’d never seen so many statuesque supermodel types. Alivia felt totally inadequate and wondered how anyone ever thought she could pull this off. Still, her eyes moved over the crowd, taking note of everyone in the vicinity. With a sigh, she admitted that no one seemed suspicious. There were no men in the dressing area, and all seemed secure. So…why did her instincts tell her danger was near? “Dammit, I wish Saxon was with me.”
“What did you say, Miss?” Lola unzipped the top Alivia was wearing.
“Nothing. I’m just mumbling. Nervous, I guess.”
“It’ll all be over soon.” Lola patted her arm. “Just be yourself, your natural beauty outshines most of these plastic mannequins, if you ask me.”
Alivia rubbed her arms, unable to dispel the feeling that something big was about to go down.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“All cameras are up and running. We can monitor every entrance and exit from right here.” Micah pointed at the screens. “We have security all through the crowd, and a half-dozen boys in blue assigned to guard the girls.”
Saxon leaned over the table to check some wiring. “I’m heading down to the competition. I want to make sure Alivia is all right.”
“Titus is right outside the dressing room door. He’ll be shadowing the contestants until the event is over.” Micah glanced over in the corner where Madison sat watching a large screen. She’d have a bird’s eye view of the whole proceedings, and still be near enough where he could ensure her safety. He’d talked with Kyle first thing this morning to tell him about the painting. Thunderbird agreed that the time had come for them to take out the drug lord. He was a threat to all they held dear.
“I’m sure he has the situation well in hand. I just want to be there when she walks across the stage.” Saxon didn’t feel like he should have to explain, but this was an assignment, not a fun outing. “What else can I do for the cause?” Saxon checked his watch, making sure he left for the auditorium in time.
“I just need you and Tyson to keep your eyes open. We’ve all got a sneaky feeling that the psycho is here with us, and we can’t let him get a chance to harm anyone.” Micah typed on a keypad, activating a dozen or so cameras surveying the audience that was already gathering for the pageant. “Just look at all those people. I wonder how many of them realize what’s really going on here?”
Saxon nodded. “I’m sure most of them are aware. You have to admire the resiliency of the American spirit.” He took a bag of skittles out of the pocket of his jacket and tore them open. “Have you heard from Beau and the others?”
“I did.” He smiled. “The Cajuns have decided to stay in Houston a while longer to help with the clean-up.”
“Whew, Harvey left a mess in Houston, for sure.”
“Yea, as soon as this ordeal is over, we’ll all go down there and pitch in.”
“Where’s Destry?”
“Right behind you.” Micah pointed over Saxon’s left shoulder.
“Yea, I’m here. Going crazy. Victoria is still MIA. No one seems to have heard from her.”
Saxon could tell his friend was upset. Destry’s hair was standing straight up from running his hand through the strands repeatedly. “Her car is still in the parking garage, and the last appearance she made on the camera feeds was when she went to give blood. Curtiss said he took care of her and she went on her way. Maybe someone picked her up in another vehicle. The bulk of the RV could have blocked the camera’s view.”
“Have you called her folks?” Saxon asked.
“She has staff, but no family in town. Her only brother lives in Manhattan, and they don’t talk often.” He walked to the window and looked out over the cityscape. “This is just not like her.”
“I’m sure there’s an explanation.” Saxon tried to reassure their friend. “She’ll probably contact you any minute.”
“Her phone is turned off,” Destry said simply, regret in his voice.
Saxon’s gaze met Micah’s. They didn’t even have to say the words out loud. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
“Well, this isn’t getting anything done.” Destry turned to go, then stopped to glance at Micah. “I’m sorry that I’m leaving you in the lurch, but I have to look for her.”
“Go,” Micah told him. “We’ll be doing our part too. There’s no reason we can’t combine these efforts.”
“I know you have your hands full.” Destry looked miserable. “I’m calling in the local cops; I can’t ask you guys to take on two investigations simultaneously.”
For a moment, Saxon let himself feel what Destry must be experiencing. “We’ll do everything humanly possible to help you, Destry.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you all so much.” His shoulders slumped as he bowed his head. “It’s just…I’m so worried. I have no idea what’s happened to her.”
Saxon didn’t say so, he knew it was the last thing Destry wanted to hear, but his gut instinct told him this was all related. “Keep me posted. I need to get to downstairs.” He hated to think he could get into the head of a killer, but if he was this maniac, Alivia would be an obvious target.
“Will do.” Micah turned around in his wheeled office chair. “Don’t worry, I’m sitting here like God, nothing will escape me.”
As Saxon walked off from his friends, he shook his head. “This room is getting crowded with you and your ego, Wolfe.” Part of Micah’s confidence was bravado, but he damn sure knew how to get things done. A small smile crossed his face, Micah would be a perfect replacement for Kyle…but it would be a cold day in hell before Saxon told him so.
* * *
“Oh, crap, you can tell I haven’t been on the Peloton in a while.” Alivia stared at herself in the full-length mirror.
“So, you’re not a stick figure like some of these women,” Lola scoffed. “Look at Miss Wichita, you can count her ribs, and her hip bones are sticking out. She looks like a sack of bones.”
Alivia grinned. “You do have a way with words.” She glanced at her face. Alivia had to admit, she looked good. “And makeup. Thank you.”
“Line up, ladies!” The stage director stood at the door. “We’ll do the dance number, then each of you will be showcased. Make sure you watch the choreographer and follow his cues. Look at the camera when it’s your turn, and make sure to smile!” He waved his clipboard. “Places! Watch my count – three…two…one!”
Alivia swallowed hard. “Here we go. This is it.” She pasted a smile on her face, fell into line and made her way to the stage.
…Standing at the front of the auditorium, next to the wall, Saxon had a perfect view of the stage. He’d found a spot where he could scan the audience, and still see the pageant. The moment Alivia entered, he felt a current of electricity ripple down his spine. “God, you’re gorgeous.” Yes, all the contestants were pretty women, but she was special. Everything about her was his ideal – her lovely dark hair, her fabulous body, and that exquisite face. She was perfect for him. “Wow,” he breathed in surprise. To be honest, he’d never watched one of these spectacles. With sci-fi and superheroes to watch on television, beauty pageants never crossed his radar. He had no idea they were so professionally put together – this wasn’t a mere contest, this was an extravaganza. The women danced and sang while the whole stage came alive with a light show and pyrotechnics. Even though he could appreciate the entertainment factor, Saxon only had eyes for Alivia. He couldn’t help but smile. She was graceful, talented, and so achingly beautiful, he could barely remember to breathe.
When she passed near to where he was standing, he raised his hand and smiled – but she didn’t look his way. The stage lights were too bright, he reasoned. She probably couldn’t see anything or anyone beyond the orchestra pit. Still, his eyes followed her hungrily. She might think she was out of place, but to him, there was no contest – she w
on hands down.
He shifted against the wall, trying to shake off a vague annoyance until he realized his cell was vibrating. Pulling the phone from his pocket, his eyes widened. Micah’s message was simple.
Come. The cops got a call about a body.
“Shit.” With one last wistful look at Alivia, he headed out. “God, I hope it’s not Victoria,” was his whispered prayer as he made his way back to the control room.
* * *
“Closed? Come back later?” Josephine frowned at the sign as she tapped on the door of the mobile blood RV. “Adam? Adam? What’s going on?”
Inside, Adam Curtiss tried to ignore his boss. “Why didn’t you just stay in Austin?” he seethed. “Idiot!”
“Adam? Are you in there? Is something wrong? People are coming by to donate, and you’re missing them?” She stopped talking long enough to hear shuffling inside the RV. “Adam? I hear you in there. Is something wrong? I’m going to go get some help. A policeman!”
Adam groaned, “Foolish bitch. You’re going to ruin everything!” He couldn’t allow a cop in the mobile unit. They’d snoop around and find out his secret before the unveiling time. So far, he’d alluded scrutiny, mainly because of the role he was playing. Who would suspect someone who served in such a worthy capacity? He was a do-gooder, a peaceful warrior working to save lives. Several cops had stopped to ask him about the Kraft bitch, but he’d smiled and assured them she’d donated and moved on. He’d even showed them the form he’d filled out containing her blood type, etc. All fabricated, but it had satisfied the cops questioning him. In fact, they’d promised to stop back by and give blood. “Hold on, Josephine. I’m not feeling well.”
Josephine crossed her arms and sighed. She’d just enjoyed watching the swimsuit competition and hoped to get back for the filming of tonight’s round of the talent competition. “No problem. Let me in, and I’ll set up shop. We can’t cancel this; it’s too important!”
Gritting his teeth, he went to the door. He was tired. Exhausted, but triumphant. All his plans were coming to fruition, and in just hours the whole world would know his name, know his father’s name, and know their mission of purging the world of Jezebels who tempted men to commit immoral sins. He’d mailed his manifesto to the newspaper. It was his dream that others would take up the cause to eradicate such blatant displays of filth from the public view. For a few moments, he’d slipped into the auditorium to see the women parading around in bathing suits the size of drink napkins. He couldn’t stand there long, the sight of such degradation made him sick to his stomach.
And hard.
That was his shame.
His weakness mortified him. How many times had he beat off to the sordid images of the sinful women flaunting their sexuality?
Too many to count.
Jerking the door open, Adam stepped aside and let Josephine enter the RV. “You really shouldn’t have come.”
Glancing around, she saw that the place was a mess. “I guess you are sick. This is highly unlike you. How many units have you collected? How close are we to meeting our goal?”
“You can’t stay.” Rubbing, the raised mark over his eye, Adam tried one last time to help the woman who’d shown him kindness up to this point. “If you’ll leave, I’ll get the job done.”
“I can’t.” She threw up her hands. “We’ve publicized this; we can’t let it flop.” Moving farther into the RV, she began picking up garbage to throw away. “You’ll need to bag this mess and get it to a proper medical waste disposal.”
Adam didn’t answer her. Reaching over to the rearview mirror, he lifted the rosary beads that were hanging there and began to twist them between his fingers. “Sure, that’s the plan. Carry out the garbage.”
Josephine sighed and continued to clean. “I guess this will have to do. Turn the sign over, and I’ll get someone to make an announcement from the stage, reminding people to come donate. Maybe we can salvage the day.” She took off her sweater. “Just let me hang this up, and I’ll get down to…”
Her next words were cut off by the rosary wrapping around her neck and squeezing. Josephine began to struggle, disbelief adding to the look of horrified surprise on her face. Reaching up, she tried to loosen the beads around her neck, but this wasn’t a string, this was wire with a cruel grip, cutting off her air. With desperation, she tried to look over her shoulder, needing to see the face of the man who’d betrayed her trust so completely.
“Just relax. It’ll be over soon. If you’d just stayed away, you would’ve found out about this on the news. Instead, you’re a key player now.” He leaned in to whisper in the woman’s ear, “Curiosity killed the cat. Right?”
As Josephine’s oxygen-deprived brain quieted, her body went limp, and Adam dropped her to the floor. “Now, to get back to business.” He’d put out the bait for the cops, two dead bodies to obsess over. Now, it was time to get the mobile unit into position before anyone else came snooping around.
* * *
Saxon stood by Destry as Micah talked with the police chief. A woman’s mutilated nude body had been found a few blocks from the Eisemann Center. “My God, who would do such a thing?” He’d seen a lot in his time, but never anything like this. The head and hands were missing. “Identifying the victim is going to be difficult.”
“I’m sure that was the idea. The ease of identification will all depend on whether or not her DNA is on file, and any missing person’s information available,” Destry said, unable to hide the hint of relief in his voice. When they’d answered the call, the whole team had feared the woman would be Victoria.
It wasn’t. This person was heavier and shorter than Victoria.
“Who found the body?” Saxon asked.
“Dispatch received an anonymous call,” Destry muttered. “That’s not too unusual; people hesitate to get involved in a lot of cases.”
“Do you think our perp did this?” Saxon asked Micah as he returned to the concerned duo.
Micah dry-scrubbed his face. “Hell, I want to say no.”
“But?” Destry knew there was more.
“I just have this odd feeling they’re connected.” Micah glanced at his friend. “Instinct.”
Saxon knew Micah’s instincts were usually right. “What’s next? What do you want to do?”
“Let’s allow the locals to handle this matter and get back to the Eisemann. It’s more important for us to protect the girls, and the people gathered there at this point.” Micah walked back to the police chief for one more brief consultation as Saxon and Destry headed to the SUV.
“I know you’re relieved,” Saxon commented to Destry as they climbed in, one in the front and one in the back.
“Not really, she’s still missing. She hasn’t checked in with me or her employees, plus she’s missing the pageant.” He slapped the seat next to him. “I can’t help but think the worst, and I blame myself. I should’ve been here.”
Saxon could relate to Destry’s fear. “We have men everywhere. Titus, Tyson, and all the rest are watching everything as carefully as they can.” He knew Titus was with Alivia, or soon would be. Micah had called him when they’d set out to answer the call on the dead woman.
“Yet…” Destry spoke lowly and with great regret. “We didn’t consider Victoria to be a target,” he moaned softly and held his head in his hands. “This is my fault; I should’ve been here to protect her.”
“We don’t know what happened to Victoria,” Saxon stated the obvious – she was still missing.
“No, but…” Destry patted his chest. “I don’t feel her, Saxon. We had a connection, Victoria and I, and now…” He groaned again, full of sorrow, “I don’t feel her any longer.”
Saxon placed a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Don’t give up hope.”
Destry shook his head. “I’m trying, Sax. I’m trying.”
The driver’s side door opened, and Micah jumped in. “They’re going to keep us in the loop on this investigation.” He hit the phone butt
on on the steering wheel. “I need to check on Madison. I left her in the control room with Tyson.”
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Saxon said, but Micah was already deep in a relieved conversation with his wife. He understood his friends’ concern; he was just as anxious to get back to Alivia.
* * *
“You did it!” Lola hugged her. “You’re one of the finalists in the swimsuit competition. Congratulations!”
“Thanks.” Alivia didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. “I’m not trying to win this thing, remember.”
Lola waved her hands dismissively. “Victoria told me you’re a stand-in, part of the investigating team.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Alivia’s eyes strayed to the hall. Where was Saxon? She expected him to attend the swimsuit competition. At one point, she’d thought she caught a glimpse of him, but the next time she looked, she realized she’d been mistaken. He was busy with the investigation. “As he should be,” she whispered to herself. Still…she couldn’t help but feel let down. They were a team, after all.
Lola checked her watch. “You’d better go run through your number and get into your costume. I’ll start setting up for our next session.”
Alivia frowned. “We have to do all of this again?” She pointed to her face and hair.
“Absolutely. From scratch. You have to look as fresh as a daisy.”
“How long do I have before you need me?” Alivia asked as she thought of several things she needed to do.
“Hmmm, be back in three hours, that should give us enough time. I think we’ll braid your hair tonight, add some feathers and beads. Don’t you think that style would suit your costume and theme?”
Alivia considered the matter for at least two seconds. “Sounds good to me, I just want to get through the ordeal without tripping over my own two feet.”
Giving the makeup artist a wave, she headed out into the hall. She was in hopes that Saxon was lurking about – no such luck. Instead, a smiling Titus Landry hailed her.