“Stone is the best detective I have. But there are reasons for the rules we have in place.” Suze tapped his fingers on his desk. “I was planning to ignore my suspicions about the two of you, but bringing you here today makes it almost impossible for me not to discipline him.”
Cassie hurried to explain. “He only did that because he was worried about my safety. The man who took me knows where I live. It wasn’t safe for me to stay there.”
Suza studied her thoughtfully. “You must care for him a lot to be defending him so vigorously. Stone is lucky to have you in his corner.”
“Jack saved me,” she said quietly, one tear breaking free and falling down her cheek.
“Oh no. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Suza cleared his throat and his eyes darted around the room. “I just wanted to be sure that everything is on the up-and-up with you and Stone. If I’m going to look the other way, I need to be certain that my detective isn’t taking advantage of you.”
Cassie gasped. “Jack would never do that. I love him, sir.”
“Love, huh?” Suza cleared his throat again. “Well I don’t want to stand in the way of love.”
“You aren’t going to punish Jack?” she asked hopefully.
“No. We need him working the Carver case and I’d hate to think what Stone might do if I forced him to take some time off. I’m not sure he knows how to leave work behind.” Suza stood. “Thanks for speaking with me, Cassie. It really is good to see how well you have recovered.”
She nodded, unsure how to respond.
Suza moved toward the door and Cassie followed him. She was eager to get back to Jack’s desk where she could be alone with her thoughts. On her way to the door, her eyes flitted past the wall that was littered with photographs of women. Cassie hadn’t intended to look. She didn’t want to risk seeing herself on that wall. But her eyes were drawn to the colorful photos.
“Is that all of them?” she asked, studying the faces of the women.
“Those are the other victims, yes.” Suza shifted uncomfortably with his hand on the door. “For any unsolved case in the department, I keep a picture of the victim on that wall to remind myself why I come into work every day.”
“There are a lot of photos on that wall.” Cassie spotted her own smiling face right in the middle, sandwiched between two other women.
“There’s been a lot more photos that I’ve taken down.” He stared at the wall for several seconds before looking at Cassie. “I will take your photo down one day. I promise you that.”
Cassie felt a shiver run down her spine. His words were meant to be comforting, but they only made her feel worse. “You shouldn’t make a promise you don’t know you’ll be able to keep,” she said as she left the office.
She would never admit it to Jack, but deep down she didn’t truly believe that her abductor would ever be found. He had already been eluding the police for years and they weren’t any closer to finding him, even with Cassie’s detailed description. It would break Jack’s heart to hear her say that out loud, so she never did. But Suza’s promise only reminded her that she was likely to never feel completely safe again.
More hours passed as she waited for Jack to return. The room grew darker as the sun set outside and began to fill up again as men were ending their shifts. Cassie was done with her work and needed something to occupy the time. The stack of case files on Jack’s desk was too tempting to pass up. This could be her only chance to learn more about the other women that had a morbid connection to Cassie.
She started with the first woman and worked her way forward. The files were already placed in chronological order, indicating that there was a method to Jack’s haphazardly stacked files. Cassie skipped over all the autopsy photos and focused on the notes. All the women had suffered the same torture, making it clear that the same suspect was responsible for all their murders.
As Cassie continued to read, horrible memories flooded her brain. She remembered waking up on a cement floor, naked and hurting. Not long after that, she saw Him for the first time. He took his time with her, enjoying each second of pain He inflicted. Cassie was held in a cell-like room nearly all the time. It was freezing in the cell and she was eventually given clothes, the same ones she had been wearing when she was taken. They were dirty and covered in blood, but it was better than nothing.
He only brought her out of the room once every few days when she was allowed to use a hose to clean herself in the middle if a larger room in the basement. There was one drain in the middle of the floor and a small window near the ceiling that was covered in dirt. It was during one of those shower trips that she had made her escape.
“Cass.”
She had been so lost in her memories that she hadn’t noticed Jack’s return. The room was nearly empty now.
“You’re back,” she said flatly.
“You really shouldn’t be looking at those.” Jack slid an open folder out of her reach.
“I remember more details.” Cassie took a couple of deep breaths to ground herself back in reality before looking up at Jack.
His tie was crooked and his eyes were bloodshot. There was a tightness in his face that said he’d had a stressful day. “Anything I need to know?”
“There was something…” Cassie closed her eyes for a second, forcing herself to remember. “The morning I escaped, I ran through the rest of the house. I saw something.”
Her eyes flew open as a memory came back stronger than any of the others. “Someone. I saw another girl in the house.”
“You saw someone else?” Jack asked carefully. “Are you sure? Maybe seeing the other women in these files has you confused.”
“No, it wasn’t one of them.” She jumped to her feet and walked the length of the room until she reached Suza’s office. The light was on inside, but the office was empty. Cassie walked directly to the wall of photos and grabbed one from the upper corner.
“Cass, you shouldn’t touch that,” Jack said, glancing nervously around. “I’m already in enough trouble as it is.”
Cassie’s heart began to beat faster as she studied the photo closer. “You’re not in trouble. I smoothed things over with Suza.”
“You what? Why were you talking to my boss?” Jack tugged at her shoulder, forcing her to face him. “What the hell is going on, Cassie?”
“This girl.” She turned the picture toward him. “I saw her in that house. When I was escaping, I ran past a bedroom. The door was open and she was inside.”
“You saw this girl?” Jack took the photo and flipped it over, reading the handwriting on the back. “Mallory Gifford. Missing on March 15. Five years ago.”
“She’s been missing for five years?” Cassie’s brow furrowed as she did the math. “The first dead girl attributed to Him showed up about two years ago. Is it possible that there were more before then that were never linked to Him?”
Jack frowned. “It’s possible. I looked over the cold case files, but there was nothing that matched the M.O. of the recent murders.”
“People change,” Cassie muttered, taking back the photograph. “Do you think Mallory could still be alive?”
“We haven’t found her body, so I’d say there’s a very good chance. But I need you to tell me exactly what you saw that day. Even the smallest detail might help us find her.” Jack gestured toward the door. “Let’s go back to my desk.”
Cassie kept the picture, staring at it as she told Jack every detail she could remember about that day.
He came for her that morning before the sun was even up. Cassie only knew because she didn’t hear the usual traffic passing by on the street. Soon enough the buses and garbage trucks would be on the road, so close and yet so far away. After his usual session of abuse the night before, her entire body was bloody and sore. He led her to the room with the hose and stood in the doorway as He waited for her to remove her clothes. The first couple of times it had bothered her to have Him standing there, watching. But now she just ignored Him.
Before she had even removed her shoes, Cassie decided that this morning was going to be different. She wasn’t going to give into Him without a fight. Rather than undressing, she turned to face Him.
“You might as well kill me now,” she said, looking Him straight in the eye. “I’m not going to play your sick game any longer.”
She could feel spots on her body where her clothes were sticking to drying wounds while other cuts were so deep that the blood continued to ooze. Her head was spinning from the loss of blood and lack of food. Cassie worried that she would pass out before she had a chance to carry out her plan.
“You sure seemed to like my game last night,” He said with a leer.
He was a good-looking guy- in his early thirties with blue eyes and good smile. He wasn’t at all what Cassie would have pictured when she thought of a sociopath, but that was probably how He had been so successful. Women didn’t instinctively fear Him. Even Cassie had been surprised the first time He came into her cell. She had expected a monster to look like a monster, not like a man you might smile at if you passed him on the street.
“It only seemed that way because I was imagining how good it would feel to stab you in the throat,” she said, finding a courage that she didn’t know she still had.
“Brave girl,” He said, stepping into the room. The door stood open behind Him. “I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed that I have to kill you so soon. I was hoping we would have many more weeks to get to know each other.”
“Is that what you call it? I call it torture and rape.” Cassie could feel herself swaying unsteadily. It had been at least two days since she had eaten anything.
He moved quickly over the last few feet between them, but Cassie was ready for Him. The night before, He had been so delirious with joy over the pain He had inflicted upon her that He didn’t notice the small knife that was left behind. Cassie had noticed it immediately and fell asleep with it clutched in her hand. It was her only hope of escape.
As He swung an arm to punch her in the face, she dropped to a knee and brought the knife down. She aimed for the meaty part of his thigh where it would be harder to miss and felt a satisfying thrill as the blade tore through flesh. He screamed a bloodcurdling scream as she twisted the knife deep into muscle. Before He could react, she straightened and gave Him a hard shove. Unable to balance on his ruined leg, He fell to the floor still screaming.
Cassie sprinted through the open door and up the stairs. She had no idea what was waiting for her on the other side of the basement door, but it was her only chance of escape. The door exited into a hallway that dead-ended to her right. To her left, several rooms and a faint light at the end. Taking a deep breath, she headed in that direction. Her head was still spinning and each step tore open the wounds on her body, but that wasn’t going to stop her. Not when she was so close to freedom.
The first two rooms were empty when Cassie glanced inside them, but she pulled up short at the third door. The door was wide open and a young woman stood next to an open window. A breeze fluttered her white nightgown. She waved Cassie forward, gesturing toward the window.
Cassie froze. She thought that if she continued down the hall, she would eventually find a door. But would that door be locked? This was a clearer exit, but how did she know that she could trust the girl? It didn’t make any sense, but Cassie could hear labored footsteps on the stairs. She didn’t have much time. When the girl waved to her again, Cassie rushed forward.
As she was pulling herself through the open window, the girl grabbed her arm. “Go. Don’t look back,” she said, her icy blue eyes staring straight into Cassie’s soul.
“I’ll send help,” Cassie promised before dropping onto the cold cement outside. In a haze, she ran through an alley, desperately looking for anyone that might be able to help her. As her vision began to go black, she fell to the ground. With the last of her energy, she pulled herself behind a dumpster and prayed that she wouldn’t be found by Him.
Then the world went dark.
Cassie finished telling Jack the story with tears in her eyes. For the last year, she had completely forgotten about the young woman that had helped her escape. That same woman she had promised she would save.
“What have I done?” she whispered, her stomach turning over. “I left her there. With Him. And then I forgot about her.”
“It’s not your fault,” Jack said, moving his chair closer to take her hand. “You did what you had to do to survive. If she wanted to escape with you, she could have.”
“She’s been with Him for five years, Jack.” Cassie squeezed his hand desperately. “Five years with that monster. We have to find her.”
Jack looked straight into her eyes, the same way that Mallory had so many months ago. “We will find her. We will save Mallory and that man will pay for what he has done, even if I have to kill him in the process.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jack
Cassie’s story had been emotionally draining to hear. It was exactly the kind of breakthrough the case needed, but the price was Cassie’s peace of mind. Realizing that she had left Mallory behind during her escape wasn’t something she would easily be able to live with. She was quiet on the drive to Jack’s place, staring blankly out the window.
“Is it strange to be back?” he asked, looking for anything that might get her talking again. He hated to see her so dejected.
“It looks the same,” she said.
“We could go to Hannigan’s for dinner. My treat.” He tossed a smile in her direction hoping that it might be contagious. “You can even get your own fries this time and not steal them from my plate.”
She offered a small smile. “The stealing is half the fun.”
“You probably haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. You must be starving.” It was good to see her smile, even if it was forced.
“I found some donuts in the kitchen,” she said, smile growing until she looked more like herself. “Surprise, surprise.”
“That’s called a coincidence, Miller. Don’t read so much into it.” Jack reached over and squeezed her knee. “It’s a good thing you are so adorable when you are messing with me.”
“It’s a good thing you are so adorable all the time,” she replied, patting his hand. “Any chance we can just go back to your place? I’m not really in the mood to be around a bunch of people.”
Jack had to admit that he felt the same way. It had been an exhausting day for both of them. “Sure. Hannigan’s delivers. Plus, I know you’re dying to get me alone right now.”
“You have no idea.” This time she wasn’t smiling. “I missed you today.”
“Good.” He turned the car down his street. “I almost called you a dozen times, but I didn’t want to distract you while you were doing work. Turns out you were just hanging out with my boss, huh?”
Cassie grimaced. “You remembered that? Don’t worry, it’s not a bad thing. Suza just wanted to confirm his suspicions about us and make sure that you weren’t unwillingly seducing me.”
“Oh god, did he use those exact words?” Jack would have laughed if it hadn’t been so horrifying.
“I may be paraphrasing, but you get the idea. The good news is that he isn’t going to terminate or suspend you. Apparently, he actually thinks you are good at your job.” Cassie eyed the building in front of them. “Is this where you live?”
“Home sweet home,” Jack said, pulling around the building to park in the garage. “Back to Suza. What did you actually say about us?”
“Nothing much. I just prattled on about how amazing you are in bed.” Cassie unsuccessfully fought back a smile. “Don’t worry. It was strictly a PG conversation.”
Jack finished parking the car and turned off the engine. “You should know that this is the first time Suza has ever inquired into my personal life. The fact that he talked to you at all is a big deal.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be fine, Jack. Really. Suza has more important things to worry about than your love l
ife.” Cassie opened her car door and after a second, Jack did the same.
She was right. With another dead woman, a missing woman, and Cassie’s revelation that Mallory was also still in Carver’s clutches, Jack’s violation of the department rules was not going to be a priority.
They entered the lobby of Jack’s building through the side door. He took Cassie’s hand as they walked past the doorman.
“Mr. Stone. Good to see you.” The doorman, Benny, tipped his cap in their direction.
“Likewise. Have a good night, Benny.” Jack liked the added security that came from living in a high-rise building. He knew the doormen, the security guards, the maintenance men, and the cleaning ladies all by name. If anyone wanted to get to Jack’s condo they had to make it past a lot of people.
“You have a doorman?” Cassie teased. “I had no idea detectives were paid so well.”
Jack punched the button for the elevator. “I negotiated a good deal on my place.”
“You might be out of my league, Jack Stone,” she teased as they entered the elevator.
As he hit the button for the 28th floor, he started to panic. Cassie would be the first woman he brought home. Since separating from his wife and subsequently divorcing, he hadn’t dated anyone. While he pondered the implications of what was about to happen, he also quickly tried to remember if he had left dirty socks on the floor.
“You alright?” Cassie asked, noticing his distress. “You look a little pale.”
“I’m just a little nervous,” he admitted lamely. “You’re the first girl I’ve brought home in a very long time.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Cassie followed him off the elevator, walking half a step behind him. “Do you want me to give you a few seconds to make sure you haven’t left anything scandalous sitting out in the open?”
Jack laughed. “Scandalous? I don’t think that should be a problem.”
“No girly items from your other girlfriends?” she teased.
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