He exploded as the trickle of blood ran down her pale flesh. When he pulled out of her used body, there was that quick flash of guilt. He was disgusted by what he’d become.
He was a monster.
Oh God! He was a vile, horrible monster.
Glancing up, he could see his face in the dirty reflection of a pane of glass. It infuriated him.
Angrily, he began slashing at her body, carving things into her flesh. When the rage finally abated, he took what he needed and prepared for his escape.
But first, he had to clean up his mess. Her body lay over the workbench, blood dripping down her flesh. He couldn’t leave her there.
If he did, they’d definitely find her. Looking around, he found more of the tarp he’d used on the first two victims. Could it be this simple?
The pond wasn’t too far away. He could drag her through the trees and dump her. No one would be any the wiser.
Then it hit him.
No tarp. If he left any evidence on her, the water would wash it away. She’d be cleaned in the murky water.
Yes, that was his plan.
Screw the FBI.
Switching it up meant that they’d need to work for it that much more. Now that the pleasurable part was over, it was about getting away from there with his precious cargo.
Nothing more.
After he quickly dressed, he dragged her limp body from the shed and across the grass. Her head smacked brutally against the rough terrain through the trees, but he didn't care. He’d taken what he needed, and now it was time to disappear back into the shadows of the night.
At the side of the pond, he shoved her in, making sure she drifted out as far from him as possible.
Then, like a thief in the night, he was gone.
And so was she.
For now….
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Thursday Night
Eight P.M.
When he arrived at her dorm, he was all set. Brody had blown off the rest of his day to get ready for tonight. Yes, part of it was to ensure that they believed he was chasing down the girl, but the rest was because of Joey.
He wanted to have some private time with her.
When they were home and on the job, the nights they shared were the same. He’d come over after work, they’d fall into bed, and then he’d leave.
More often than not, if she didn't fall asleep right after they made love, Joey would kick him out, telling him they couldn’t do it anymore. Now he wanted to know what it would be like to romance and woo her.
He wanted to watch her get lost in the courtship as love bloomed between them.
Brody wanted her to know that he loved her more than anything in the world, and that he wanted her back. Their lives wouldn’t be complete without the other person, and now he needed to make Johanna see that.
It was the truth.
They mattered.
When he asked the campus cop stationed in the lobby to call up to her room, he waited patiently in the foyer. A herd of sorority girls came down first as if testing the water for her.
He began wondering if Joey had sent them, until he saw the look of irritation on her face. No, she wouldn’t play silly girl games—not with him.
They were past that.
As she approached, the look of irritation was gone, and something else was there. She looked surprised, but Brody didn't understand why.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly, thinking someone had been bothering her.
Johanna didn't know what to say. The look on his face was making her heart trip in her chest. He was staring at her as if she was some…treasure.
She didn't understand what he saw in her.
Honestly, it confused the hell out of Johanna. It tripped her up, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it.
“Nothing is wrong, Brody. I was hoping I wasn’t underdressed.”
He let his gaze sweep her body. No, she was perfect. That was the only word he could use to describe the woman before him. She chose to come down in a skirt, simple off the shoulder sweater, and no makeup at all.
This was the woman he loved—not the one from the other night.
Here was his girl.
He found it hard to speak, but somehow, he managed to get the words out. “You look beautiful as always,” he stated, holding out his hand to her. When she took it, there was that warm wash of pleasure at the skin to skin contact.
It was hard to ignore the reaction from Johanna’s sorority sisters. There were ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the peanut gallery, causing her to roll her eyes.
Brody struggled not to laugh at her response. It was totally a Johanna reaction.
“I’m sorry about them. They heard I was going out, and they suspected it was you. You’re high on their list of entertainment.”
He dropped a soft kiss to her scowling mouth. “I don’t care what they think. I’m not here as a frat boy. I’m here as Broderick Seaton, the man who loves you.”
Her heart skipped.
What could she say to top that? Instead, she changed the subject like a big chicken. “Where are we going?”
He patted his backpack. “First, we’re going to walk to the perfect spot, and then we’re going to have dinner. I got your favorite Thai food—shrimp in red curry.”
Johanna laughed as he led her across the campus. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s not my favorite. I love Pad Thai.”
“Oh, really?” he said. “I should have probably known that, right?”
She grinned. “Yeah, you should have. We were partners for a while. We probably ate Thai food once a week for over a year.”
“Well, at least I know your favorite color is yellow.”
She snorted. “Pink.”
“Man. I’m losing this one. Since you left me, I’m totally off my game.”
Johanna grinned at him. She didn't know what he was up to, but she couldn’t help but be amused. This was Broderick Seaton at his finest. He always could make her laugh.
When they arrived at the duck pond, she waited as he dug out a blanket to place on the ground.
Apparently, this was a popular spot. There were other couples not far away doing the same thing. She had to admit that no one had ever taken her on a picnic before.
It was pretty romantic.
Damn him!
Broderick Seaton knew the way to her heart.
“Shall we?” he asked, offering her a seat on the checkered cloth.
Johanna kicked off her shoes and joined him on the blanket. After weeks of being undercover, this was going to be a much needed break, and honestly, she didn't mind that it was with him.
She missed being close to him.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said, pulling out three take out containers, “even if I didn't know you well enough to get your favorite food.”
After handing her chopsticks, she opened her container. “This is Pad Thai,” she said, staring up at him.
“Really? Wow. I guess I do know you after all,” he added, grinning wickedly at her. “Why don’t you see what’s in container number two?”
When she opened it, she stared inside. “It’s pink rose petals,” she said, staring at him.
“Not yellow? I guess I got that right too.”
She didn't know what to say. Her heart skipped.
“Are you wearing a com?” he asked before saying anything more. “If you are, please take it out. This isn’t work. This is our first official date, and I want it to be special.”
She shook her head. “I don’t have it on me. I figured I’d be safe with you.” Then again, she could feel her heart falling, and fast. Brody was going to be anything but safe.
He was going to make her fall.
She knew it.
Her admission pleased him. Brody didn't want to force her, and it looked like she was going to meet him halfway.
That was a good sign.
“So what was with the container switcheroo
?” she asked.
“I guess you can say that the point was to show you that I know you, Johanna. I know that you like pink, that you have to sleep on the left side of the bed, and that you listen to seventies rock when you shower. I know all of it, and I love it.”
She didn't know what to say. “Brody.”
“You’re meant to be mine. I’ve known since the day we were introduced at FBI West. The day you walked into the office, and the Blackhawks paired us up, I knew. I can’t do this every day without you. Half of me is missing now that you’re gone.”
“Brody.”
“The better half too. The part that makes me smile, feels peace, and knows that the world isn't a shitty place has disappeared. I’m sinking.”
She took his fingers in hers. “We can’t be a couple and be partners. You know that.”
He laughed. “No. We can’t be married and be partners. Do you really believe that in our line of work that two partners, who work together hours on end, don’t start a relationship? Next time you’re back at FBI West, look around. There are romances going on. They just keep them quiet.”
She didn't speak.
“We don’t have to get married. We can see what this feels like. I want to romance you, Johanna. I want to give you everything I have just so I can watch you blossom with me. I can beg the Blackhawks to put us back together, but they’re going to ask you what you want too. We can’t be fixed unless you trust me enough to come back. Please believe in us.”
She stared at him.
“I love you. I’ll adore you until the end of time, and nothing is going to change that for me.”
She shivered at the chill in the air and his words.
Immediately, he pulled his jacket off and placed it over her shoulders to keep her warm. “Think about it.”
Now he had to back off. With Johanna, he couldn’t push.
He knew better.
As they sat there eating dinner, she kept looking over at him. His blue eyes held so much love for her that it nearly choked her up.
When he caught her staring, he needed to know. “What are you thinking about?”
She pointed at the container of rose petals so she didn't have to tell him the truth. “Are they dessert?”
Putting down his container, he reached for the one containing the pink flower petals. With one smooth motion, he dumped it out above them. Together, they watched them float down to the blanket.
“They’re not dessert, Joey. You are,” he murmured. With that he pulled her into his arms and one hell of a kiss.
Lips sought.
Hands touched.
In the silence of the night, they made out under the stars. It was perfect, and the world around them fell away. In that moment, Brody and Joey were alone.
When he set her free, he stared into her eyes. “Give me a chance. That’s all I’m asking. I just want you to trust me and let me prove what we can be together.”
She didn't speak.
His eyes filled with worry. There was the distinct possibility that he wasn’t going to win this battle, or the oncoming war for her heart.
“Okay, Brody. I trust you with my life.”
His heart skipped in his chest. This was all he wanted in life. Now he could romance her until she admitted he was the one.
“You won’t be sorry. I can promise you that.”
As she went to speak, something caught her peripheral. Turning her head, she had to look twice.
It couldn’t be!
“Oh, shit! Brody,” she hissed, pointing at the bare lump bobbing helplessly on the still water. Even the swimming ducks were moving as far away as possible.
“No! Not tonight,” he muttered.
It looked like he wasn’t going to get his wish. “There’s a body in the water.”
He took control, pulling her to his feet. “Call the campus police,” he said. “I’ll call the Blackhawks. There’s no way in hell they’re going to be able to keep this one quiet,” he said, glancing around at the other couples.
Their hands were tied.
The shit was about to hit the fan, and they were smack dab in the center of it.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
When they got the call, they were getting ready for bed. It had been a long day, and all three of them were tired. When Elizabeth’s phone rang, she immediately recognized the number.
That worried her.
Since they weren’t supposed to be calling her, unless it was an emergency, she knew they had trouble.
“Agent Seaton, what’s wrong?”
At the mention of his name, both Ethan and Callen stared at her.
She nodded. “Okay. We’ll be right there. Under no circumstance are you to break cover. Got it?”
When she got the answer she wanted, Elizabeth hung up the phone.
“Are they okay?”
She wasn’t a hundred percent sure. Her agent didn't sound good, and that alarmed her. “I think they’re a little shocked. They managed to end up in the middle of a crime scene.”
“Another body?”
“Yeah. They were at the pond having a little romantic interlude, and Johanna spotted the body in the water.”
That was all the men needed to hear. It looked like duty was calling, so they dressed fast.
“That kills the romance,” Callen stated, following Elizabeth from the room.
“Yeah, well, I’m more worried about someone killing my agents than their romance parade being rained on,” she stated.
Ethan was quietly processing the information. He didn't even have to speak. Elizabeth went there for him.
“We may have found Poppy Gauger,” she stated. “If that’s the case, the sheriff’s men did a piss poor job of searching that pond. Now I feel bad for being really nice to them.”
Callen stared at his brother. “She was nice to the local law, and you didn't think to tell me? We need to mark this one down. This could be the first time ever.”
Blackhawk had news for his brother, and it was time to share all the ugly details that had been making him nuts. After all, misery loved company. From the look his wife was giving him, Ethan knew she wanted him to keep his mouth shut.
Yeah, fat chance.
“You’re going to hate why she was being nice,” Ethan said, as they all jumped into the Escalade.
“This isn’t the time or place,” Elizabeth warned him. “You could get hurt,” she muttered under her breath. It wasn’t a warning.
It was a promise.
Ethan refused to let his brother walk into this blind. “The sheriff is an old friend. It seems his brother had sex with our Lyzee and even proposed. She was going to marry a US Marshall.”
She objected, “I wasn’t going to marry Dak. I told him no. We’ve been over this.”
Callen stared openmouthed at her. When she glanced back from the front seat, he had to wonder why this was the first time he was hearing about this. “Come again? Did you just say that our woman was going to marry some other man?”
Ethan repeated himself.
Callen was pissed. “I’m going to kick the shit out of the sheriff just because his brother has the same gene pool.”
Elizabeth glared at Ethan. “Thanks for making this a little more difficult. As always, you have great timing, Cowboy. You had to get him pissed off before we got to a very sensitive scene, didn't you?”
He grinned.
“Why should I be the only one who’s as mad as hell about any of this?”
He needed a partner in crime.
Tag.
Callen was it.
As they arrived at the scene, the sheriff and his men were already waiting for them. On top of that was a practically hysterical campus cop waving his arms around like he was practicing to be a windmill.
Great.
“Directors, welcome to the fun. I see someone called you in,” Sheriff Rakin stated.
If there was any animosity in that sentence, Elizabeth couldn’t pick it up.
It appeared that her old friend wasn’t holding any morgue grudges.
It was good to know.
“You know the Feds, Nick. We have eyes and ears all over the place. Who’s the cop?” she asked.
The sheriff made the introductions. “This is Roddy Penson. He works for campus security and was the first on scene. He’s the one who called me in to handle this.”
Elizabeth lifted a brow and let the last part of that go. She had news for her old buddy. He wasn’t handling anything. They were.
“Weren’t you first on scene when Lori Denny was found too?” she asked.
He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, ma’am, and that’s what I’m trying to tell the sheriff. It’s the same girl who found the last body. I think she’s in this up to her neck. She’s got those shifty brown eyes like she’s lying. I can tell.”
Elizabeth heard Callen make a sound that could have been a snort. When she looked back at him, he was struggling not to laugh. Well, the cop was right. Johanna was lying and was up to her eyeballs in this, only not because she was the killer.
“Fear not, Mr. Penson. We’re on duty, and we’ll handle it. We appreciate your diligence, but we’ve got it now.”
Deputy John Reason led him away.
“He’s got a point,” stated the sheriff. “The guy with her is awful protective and bossy, plus he’s in the frat.”
She lowered her voice. “How do you think we found out so fast?”
It took a second, but he finally put two and two together. “Oh, so he’s another Fed?”
She nodded.
“Well shit! Here I was ready to start believing Roddy’s theory about her.”
Elizabeth saw the tech team pull up, and she was glad. They needed to get the scene processed, and as fast as possible. When Merry approached, she pointed toward Seaton and Madden. “They spotted her. Start with them.”
She headed off.
“Where is she?” Chris asked, hoping no one touched her.
“Get your waders on, Doc. It looks like you’re going swimming. She’s still floating in the water, and we all know how you like an adventure.”
Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11) Page 21