Vicious: The Faces of Evil Series: Book 7

by Webb, Debra

  She decided to take the red suit and the ivory one as well. That was about it. She really did need to do some shopping. Everything she owned had been destroyed in the motel room she’d rented when she first came back to Birmingham. She’d been meaning to put together a new wardrobe, but there just hadn’t been time for more than a quick fix to her immediate needs.

  “Can I help you with those?” Hayes asked, as she headed for the door.

  Jess thrust the hanging garments at him. “Thank you. I’ll lock up.”

  After setting the security system to away, she closed and locked the door. Hayes started down ahead of her. Jess smiled when she noticed Mr. Louis waited at the bottom of the stairs. She’d expected to see him. He surely wondered what had become of her the past twenty-four hours.

  “Jess, I’m so glad to see you,” George Louis said, looking past Hayes who had planted himself between the older man and Jess as she descended the final steps. “I was getting worried.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Louis, I—”

  “George,” he reminded gently.

  “George,” she repeated. “I meant to call you, but I’ve hardly had a chance to catch my breath.”

  Her landlord frowned at the garments Hayes carried. “Are you moving?”

  “Oh no. No.” Jess turned to Hayes. “Lieutenant, this is my landlord, George Louis.”

  Hayes dipped his head in acknowledgement. George looked the taller man over thoroughly before allowing an answering nod.

  “Lieutenant, would you give me a moment, please?” Her landlord deserved an explanation for her abrupt departure yesterday morning.

  With a final look at George, Hayes strode off to his stylish Audi. His was one of the newest models. Jess’s twelve-year-old Audi waited sadly in the drive for her attention. She had no idea when she’d get her freedom back. For now, she was escorted everywhere she went.

  Just like a celebrity. Ha!

  “Are you all right, Jess?” George moved closer, concern shadowing his face. “I saw you on the news at the scene of that terrible murder.”

  “Murders,” Jess corrected. “Two young women were murdered.”

  He shook his head and pressed his palms together as if he intended to pray. “How horrible. I keep thinking about that awful man who came here to hurt you.”

  The Man in the Moon. George Louis had saved her. Sort of. “I feel bad about that, George. I hope you’re okay after all the excitement.” He’d seemed okay the last time Jess spoke to him.

  He stared at the ground, shuffled his feet in that shy manner of his. “I’m fine.” He looked up at Jess then, his eyes appearing huge behind the thick lenses of his glasses. “You must be exhausted. Have you had dinner?”

  “I’m going to dinner now,” she assured him. If Daniel Burnett knew what was good for him, he’d have dinner waiting. She was starving!

  “Will you be coming home tonight?” her landlord asked hopefully.

  If Louis hadn’t looked so genuinely worried Jess might have been annoyed by his nosiness. But it was nice to know someone cared. Missed her. “Unfortunately, I might not be home for a few days more. This case is keeping me busy night and day. You have my cell number so you can reach me if you need to.”

  “Yes, I have your number.” He reached out and patted her shoulder, the move awkward. “You should have a good dinner and just rest. You work too hard, Jess. One of these days you’re going to have to take a vacation.”

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken anything that even resembled a vacation. A memory from the past intruded on her thoughts. Unless she counted Christmas ten years ago when she’d come back to Birmingham to spend the holiday with her sister. She’d had a promotion to celebrate, not to mention she’d solved the biggest case of her career to that point.

  She’d run into Dan at the Publix on Christmas Eve, and they’d ended up still in bed together the next morning.

  Here they were a decade later… together again. And pregnant.

  Her head did a little spinning and the ground shifted again.

  “Here now!” Louis reached for her. “You might need to sit down.”

  Jess regained her balance and held up a hand to ward off his concern. “I’m fine. Really.”

  Hayes was suddenly there and Jess felt her cheeks burn with mortification. “I’ll call you in a day or two, George,” she promised.

  She really did have to go. What she would give for an enormous glass of wine right now. Since wine was off limits maybe chocolate would do the trick. Mostly she just needed to get out of these clothes and to relax.

  “Take care, Jess!” Louis called after her.

  She managed a smile and a wave as she settled into the passenger seat of her new detective’s luxury automobile. Hayes closed the door and rounded the hood.

  Eyes closed, Jess dropped her head against the seat and tried to stop the ridiculous swaying sensation keeping her off balance. She should see a doctor this week. No putting it off. Calling Lily was on that same urgent list. But first she had to talk to Dan. Where did relaxing fit into all that?

  Hayes slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. When he’d backed onto the street and headed toward Mountain Brook, she felt her tension receding. Dan was waiting for her.

  Whatever else was wrong in the world, she glanced in the side mirror and noted the BPD cruiser on their tail, being in Dan’s arms felt right.

  “If I’m out of line just say so,” Hayes said, his voice making her flinch after the minutes of silence.

  She turned to the driver. Was her new recruit disenchanted with the job already? “Go on, Lieutenant.”

  “I don’t know much about your personal life, Chief. But I do know there are some things a person doesn’t need to do alone.”

  She set aside all the other worries troubling her long enough to mentally review every step she’d taken in Walmart as she’d collected and purchased those tests. “Do you have a point?”

  “I do.” He sent her a look that said he wouldn’t be making any apologies for where he was headed. “You have a serial killer determined to get to you. He has all manner of freaks watching you. Your latest case is a damned creepy double homicide. This is not the time for secrets.”

  Well damn, she was busted. “What gave me away?” Evidently, the old I-need-feminine-products bait and switch hadn’t worked on the perceptive lieutenant.

  His attention remained on the street as the sun slowly lowered, drawing this too long day to a close. There was a lot she didn’t know about this cop, but her instincts said he was a good one.

  “Women,” he explained, “whatever their choice in feminine products, most, particularly those over thirty, have a preferred brand.” His lips quirked. “It was obvious you snatched up the handiest ones. Your cover might have worked otherwise.”

  Why hadn’t she thought of that?

  “I’ll remember that, Lieutenant.” Despite a new blast of tension, she almost laughed. So he knew. She was his superior. If she gave him an order, he was supposed to follow it. Hopefully, that formality wouldn’t be necessary. “I assume this will stay between us for now.”

  No one could know. Not yet. Dan had to be first and she had to find the time to tell him.

  “I’m not about to make my new boss unhappy the first day on the job. I’m very good at keeping secrets, Chief. You have nothing to worry about there.”

  Easy for him to say.

  He slowed for the turn onto Dunbrooke Drive. Jess stared at the stately homes they passed. If Hayes let this slip to Lori or Harper, both would be upset that she hadn’t shared the news. Jess closed her eyes. Her friends couldn’t know yet either.

  The smoke rising in the backyard signaled that Dan had decided to grill their dinner. He was thrilled to have her staying here with him and it showed. If he had his way she would never return to her little apartment. She would stay right here in his big house in this upscale neighborhood where she felt so out of place.

  Reality sank deeper,
making it hard to breathe. You are still not one of them, kid. Corlew had warned her that just because she had the right job and wore the right clothes didn’t mean a thing. She would never be like Sylvia Baron or Annette Denton, Dan’s most recent ex-wife.

  “Why don’t you leave that bag in the car? I’ll take care of it for you.”

  Jess turned to the man behind the wheel. There were things she probably should say, but she didn’t know this man well enough to explain herself. “Thank you, Lieutenant.”

  She left the Walmart bag in his car, grateful for one less thing to worry about. He carried her clothes.

  Dan came around the corner of the house and Jess barely restrained the tears. It took every ounce of strength she possessed not to run into his arms. Weepiness was, apparently, another part of being pregnant.

  “It’s about time.” He smiled. “Thought I might have to send out a search party.” He glanced at Hayes. The two exchanged those nods that only the male species understood. Women, being far more evolved, didn’t communicate in nods and grunts.

  “Lieutenant Hayes moved over to SPU today,” Jess announced. The entire day had passed and she and Dan had scarcely had a minute to carry on a real conversation.

  “I signed off on the transfer.” Dan reached for the garments the detective carried. “I see Chief Harris is working you overtime already.”

  “Not a problem, sir.” Hayes relinquished the load. “See you in the morning, ma’am.”

  Jess managed a smile. “Thank you, Lieutenant.”

  While Dan and Hayes discussed his new car, Jess went inside. She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went in search of something more comfortable to wear. Sweat pants and a tee and bare feet sounded good about now. She slipped off the Mary Janes and peeled off her dress. It would be nice just to sit and close out the world—at least to the extent possible.

  With the sweats and tee on she sighed. “Way better.”

  She brushed her teeth and finger combed her hair. Nothing in her bag of tricks was going to camouflage those raccoon eyes.

  As she padded back to the kitchen the scents of whatever Dan had been grilling had her stomach rumbling. He turned from the fridge, a bag of mixed salad greens in his hand. He smiled and her heart reacted.

  “Can I help with anything?” She felt a little guilty that he seemed to be doing all the domestic duties.

  “Thanks, but I have it under control.”

  She should feel even guiltier that she’d been hoping for that answer, but she didn’t. Besides, this was as good a time as any to just spill it. No need to wait until the first course was out of the way. She braced herself, opened her mouth to say the words but he spoke first.

  “By the way, my parents are coming for dinner.” He winced. “I apologize for the short notice, but Mother only called a little while ago. I had to run to Publix for more steaks.”

  Jess bit back a groan. “That’s nice.” What a lie. Nice and Katherine never, ever went together.

  Dan gifted her with a lopsided grin. “I can see by your pained expression just how nice it is.”

  She should be ashamed. These people were his parents. Daniel senior was terrific. It was the mother who drove Jess crazy. Nonetheless, she couldn’t expect Katherine to just stay away forever… no matter how appealing. “Sorry. I’m just tired. I was hoping to relax and,” she shrugged, “I don’t know, talk about things.”

  Telling him the news tonight was out for sure now. They needed time to discuss the subject at length. She had no desire to just blurt the announcement and move on. The absolute last thing she wanted was for Katherine to waltz in here and sense something was wrong. She could not know about the pregnancy—at least not for a few more months.

  Oh God. She was going to have a baby and Katherine was the grandmother.

  Dan came around to her side of the island and lifted her off the stool. He settled her on the granite counter, put his arms around her and moved in close. “I know you’re exhausted and I appreciate your patience with my mother. I realize she doesn’t make it easy.”

  Now there was the understatement of the century.

  “It’s fine. Really. I’m glad they’re coming.” She was going to hell for sure.

  He kissed her lips. “Thank you for being a good sport.”

  Jess hugged him hard. She blinked back the tears that rose unbidden. How would she ever keep the evil chasing her away from this man and the child she carried?

  9

  10:24 p.m.

  His heart beat faster and faster. He had to close his eyes or risk having the organ burst from his chest.

  Too much beauty to take it all in at once.

  He inhaled deeply, relishing the scent of fresh, warm blood as it oozed forth, spilling across the flesh. He shivered.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  He opened his eyes. His breath caught. Crimson trailed down her forearms as she reached out to him. The precious blood speckled her breasts… slipped down her smooth, pale skin.

  “Almost as beautiful as you,” he murmured, emotion blurring his gaze.

  She smiled. Holding the still warm heart in her palm, she danced around the room to the rise and fall of the music.

  The other one joined her… dancing and bathing in the rich blood still teeming with life just as they did in paint as they created their works of art.

  How long had he waited for this? Decades. Finally, the ultimate triumph was his for the taking. The consummate vengeance for the most agonizing of injuries was before him. She had taken everything from him, even the will to live.

  She should have paid attention. Her selfishness was her ruin. Now she would know the pain and the emptiness. She would be devastated. She would scream and gnash her teeth and tear out her hair when she learned what he had done to her precious ones.

  What a shame he wouldn’t be here to watch.

  10

  Dunbrooke Drive, Wednesday, August 25, 5:48 a.m.

  A soft sound woke Jess.

  She opened her eyes and blinked, tried to focus. The room was dark. Her pulse sputtered into a faster rhythm.

  Dan’s house.

  His warm body was spooned against her backside. His arm tucked protectively around her waist. The idea that a few months from now they would be able to feel the baby move terrified her just a little. But it also made her wish she could stay right here in his arms all day and never leave the house. She could pretend the evil beyond these walls didn’t exist.

  A pale glow flashed from the nightstand. Her phone vibrated again.

  Damn. She wasn’t ready to face the day yet.

  Dan’s parents had stayed through the ten o’clock news last night. Jess had humiliated herself by falling asleep on the sofa. Katherine would find a way to make being exhausted an etiquette felony.

  Jess had never been good enough for Katherine Burnett’s only son. She hadn’t been twenty odd years ago and nothing had changed. You are still not one of them, kid.

  Stifling a yawn, Jess kicked Corlew out of her head and reached for her cell. She checked the screen. Text message. The number wasn’t one from her contact list. Her heart started to pound. She hadn’t heard from Spears this week. Was he finally reaching out to her? Bastard. She snatched her glasses from the nightstand and slid them on as the text opened.

  Video.

  Could be a proof of life on Rory Stinnett or a message related to her. Holding her breath, Jess tapped the play arrow.

  A young man, early to mid twenties, stared into the camera. Classical music played in the background. It was something familiar, Beethoven maybe?

  “I will not take off my clothes on camera.” The guy in the video laughed. “No way.”

  Dan roused. He peeked over Jess’s shoulder, squinted at the screen. “Who called?”

  Jess sat up, Dan’s arm and the covers falling away from her. “It’s a video.” Not about Stinnett and maybe not from Spears. Jess didn’t know whether to be relieved about that or not. She watched as the ha
ndsome young man with the rich chestnut colored hair and glittering brown eyes shook his head again.

  The symphony in the background grew louder. He grinned. “Still not doing it,” he shouted above the concerto of strings, brass and percussion swelling around him. He wore a University of Auburn t-shirt. He stared directly into the camera. “Not unless you take yours off, too.”

  The video went silent, his smiling face frozen on the screen.

  “What the devil was that all about?” Dan wanted to know.

  He sat beside Jess now. His hair was mussed and every bare inch of him above the waistband of his boxers made her want to throw her phone across the room and put those earlier thoughts about staying right here into action. Her heart constricted at the idea that, unless it was a mistake, the man—boy really—was in danger. Why the hell else would she receive the video?

  Maybe the sender entered the number wrong. In her heart she knew that wasn’t the case.

  “I don’t know.” She played the video again. The wall behind the young man was white. There was the occasional glimpse of a bed, the linens tousled, behind him.

  Her cell rang. She jumped, almost dropped the damned thing. An image of Chet Harper appeared on the screen.

  Dan cursed under his breath. “I’ll go make coffee.”

  They both knew what a call from Harper at this hour meant.

  Jess cleared her throat and steadied herself. “Good morning, Sergeant.” She stood and headed for the closet. Might as well get dressed. She had a feeling she was going to miss breakfast with Dan today.

  “Morning, ma’am. We have another homicide. The heart was taken from this one, too. Vic’s name is Logan Thomas. Twenty-four. Bioengineer. I notified Lieutenant Hayes. Detective Wells is en route to pick you up. Officer Cook is already here, knocking on doors.”

  Jess stilled, her hand on the closet door. It took every ounce of courage she owned to ask the next question. “The victim,” her blood went a little cold with certainty, “does he have dark hair and eyes? An Auburn t-shirt?”

  The hesitation gave Jess the answer before Harper spoke.