Long, Lean and Lethal

by O'Clare, Lorie

  “Between the murders and the bank transfers? I’m not sure.” Noah never took his gaze from hers. “Whoever is running the operation knows what the hell they’re doing. The bank accounts were created by people who don’t exist. All transfers are done electronically. The sites aren’t generating that many hits, yet somehow they’re generating enough money to then transfer to the bank accounts here in town and around the country. So far, I haven’t been able to trace the IP address to a physical address.”

  “Write down the Web sites for me.” Rain pointed to pen and paper on the desk. “If the Web sites are fronts, they will be keeping a close eye on where their hits come from and will get nervous if they discover law enforcement is checking them out. I’ll take a look once I get home. I have some connections here in town.” Rain walked to the other side of the desk and then turned to face both men. “A few gurus when it comes to Internet information. Locating the owner of an IP address, or finding out who holds the domain and then subpoenaing them to give us the owner’s address, shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “The IP tends to move around, which is odd in itself, but always is here in Lincoln.” Noah’s gaze dropped from her eyes to somewhere lower than her face. “My hunch is that we’ve got a connection.”

  “You two will focus on everything happening here in Lincoln,” the chief announced. “You’re going undercover and getting cozy with every couple who had anything to do with the victims. Focus on the money laundering and these Web sites as well and if there’s a connection, it will pop up sooner or later.”

  “We’ve already got profiles on each couple where one of the spouses was murdered,” Noah said, tapping Rain’s file that held most of her information she’d gathered since working on this case before he arrived. “We’ll visit the clubs these people belonged to, learn where they shopped, find their friends.”

  Rain picked up her file, balancing it in her hand while sifting through the reports inside. “Each couple appears pretty unique to me. We’ve got Roberta Swanson, married eighteen years, full-time employee working IT where her husband also worked. They had three kids, only one of them still at home, three dogs, two cats, and a saltwater fish tank. They didn’t belong to a church but were active bowlers.”

  “Lynn Handel was murdered next,” Rain continued. “She was murdered five weeks after Roberta died. Both women were shot while in their cars. Roberta was leaving her house. She was shot in her driveway. But Lynn was returning home when she received the fatal shot, again in her driveway. Both women were killed exactly the same—one bullet to the left temple, died immediately, other than shattered glass there was very little cleanup. And no witnesses or anything that forensics could find to help wrap up either case.”

  “So we know both women were married and both were shot in their cars.” Noah crossed his arms over his chest, watching her, his focus moving from the file in her hand to her face.

  Rain didn’t dwell on Noah’s distracting good looks. Nodding once, she returned her attention to her file, licking her too-dry lips and willing her heart to beat a bit slower as she continued. “According to Lynn Handel’s widower, they were a month shy of their tenth wedding anniversary. They had one son, who was eight. The Handels didn’t belong to a church and weren’t bowlers. Lynn worked as a teller at a bank and according to her coworkers, other than the usual complaints about her husband, nothing seemed amiss in her life. No financial or personal tragedies. No enemies.”

  “When did you put together the connection that both of these couples were swingers?” Noah asked.

  Keeping matters on business made talking to Noah a lot easier. Nonetheless, Rain studied Chief Noble’s focused expression as she reiterated what she already knew.

  “Two weeks after Lynn died, George Lapthorne was shot to death in the parking lot outside of the building where he worked. There was no confirmation that he was heading home, since he was the last to leave the office, but his wife reported in her statement that he usually got home from work around seven. The time of death was six thirty.

  “George was on his second marriage and had just celebrated his seventh wedding anniversary. The Lapthornes went all out with a huge barbecue, which about twenty people attended to celebrate. The Handels and the Swansons were on the list of those invited. This was when I discovered we had more than just casual friendship as a connection between these families with murdered victims. Lincoln isn’t so small that everyone here knows everyone. It’s a pretty good-sized city. Yet that barbecue invitation list the Lapthorne family showed me also contained names of other victims’ families.”

  Rain looked at Noah and his large hand that covered her mouse. He moved it, clearing the screen saver, and then focused on the monitor. When he looked away from her computer screen, the glint in his eyes stirred more than resentment inside her.

  The computer was still open to his file. Noah let his attention drift down the screen, probably scanning the information on him, but then shifted his attention to her. The slight smirk on his face was probably nothing Chief Noble would think twice about.

  She clearly saw Noah believed he’d just proven her curiosity about him was piqued. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been researching him when he wasn’t in the room. As she watched, that glint started smoldering.

  Rain looked away, pressing her lips together and scowling. It wasn’t her fault if his ego decided her interest went beyond professional. She sure as hell didn’t need to confirm it. Just because he was sexy as hell, more aggressive than any man she’d ever met, and caressing her with eyes that offered a silent invitation didn’t mean he turned her on. Noah was in her way. Good looks and charm could rot in hell.

  “Last I remember hearing, we’re a town of about two hundred and forty thousand,” Chief Noble offered, turning his attention to Noah. “This is the first time in our recorded history we’ve had murders connected like this.”

  “We’ve got a list of murders getting colder and colder every day,” Noah said, his expression tight and unreadable. He didn’t appear to be insulting her, but it still rubbed hard when he brought up that there weren’t any substantial clues brought in yet.

  “Each murder was cleaner than anything I’ve run across in my years as a cop,” she said, feeling a need to defend her credentials. “There were no fingerprints. None of these murders were sexual. We’ve had nothing to trace back to the killer.”

  “Those are the hardest to crack,” Noah said, his baritone softening, as if soothing her.

  Rain didn’t want consolations. She wanted clues.

  “I’ve got the boys sweeping a house right now. An hour or so and we should be able to get you two moved in.” Chief Noble slapped his leg. “I have all the faith in the world with the two of you digging into this mess, you’ll find what we need to slap a warrant on someone.”

  So much for heading home for that hot bath. Like she would be able to soak if she were in a house she didn’t know with a man she shouldn’t get to know.

  Her phone chirped and she moved to it quickly when she saw the dispatch button blinking. “Huxtable here,” she said, her throat suddenly dry.

  “I’ve got a disturbance with weapons, possible code black.” Betty, the dispatcher, had a natural high pitch to her voice, making her sound younger on the phone than she actually was. As innocent as she sounded, speaking the morbid words, Betty Boop was a shrewd woman and an excellent dispatcher. “The caller reported a female, Caucasian, gun wound to the head. Medics and coroner are en route.”

  “Ten four,” Rain said, while an unpleasant sensation rippled through her. Female shot in the head—their perp had struck again.

  She scowled at Noah when he ran his finger across his neck and shook his head. “No, ma’am,” he whispered, his baritone bordering on dangerous.

  Rain looked away from him, closing her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Like she needed him reminding her what was and wasn’t allowed once they went undercover.

  “Betty, dispatch the call to Gomez. In
struct her to call me immediately once she’s on scene.” Rain hated having to give up the call.

  “I’d like to speak with Rain alone for a minute,” Chief Noble said, nodding to Noah when he stood and held her gaze for a moment before walking out of the office. “What do you think of him?” the chief asked, closing the door behind Noah.

  “Does it matter?” Rain leaned against the desk, staring at the phone, wishing she were hurrying out the door to the crime scene.

  “I need my best man to get down and dirty with these people, and I don’t have to tell you that you’re the best I got.”

  Rain blew out a breath of resignation and shot Chief Noble a quick glance. She was the best he had, and part of proving that to him was accepting this case and working with FBI, even though it hurt. God, what she wouldn’t have done to crack this one on her own. “What are your orders, boss?”

  “Check out a computer from the supply room and then gather up any personal items you want.” Chief Noble patted her shoulder before heading for the door. “By the time you two are ready to move in, your new home should be ready for you. Give it an hour or so. Once you’re up and online, log in to the station here so that you can stay briefed on any new leads pulled in at our end.”

  “Chief?” she asked, searching his face when he raised an eyebrow, looking at her inquiringly. “Was it your idea to bring FBI in?”

  “No. It wasn’t. Rain, I know you could have handled this case alone. But we quite possibly have a murderer, or murderers, working up and down the Midwest. We have to cooperate.”

  She nodded once, wishing she felt more solace in knowing her chief knew she could have brought this one down alone.

  “You’re bringing a lot to the table,” the chief continued. “Don’t think the FBI won’t appreciate that.”

  She was sure Noah would greatly appreciate all of her work. He’d probably take credit for it, too, once this was all wrapped up. That thought left a bitter taste in her mouth. There was something wrong with being attracted to a man who she believed might screw her, and not in a good way.

  “I’ve got a list of people compiled who knew all the victims. I planned on interviewing each one of them.” At least Chief Noble would know all the work she’d done on this case so far. “There are a few clubs each of the victims belonged to that I plan on checking out.”

  “Take FBI with you. The two of you will probably make a good team.”

  “When did you find out we’d be working together?” she demanded, searching the chief’s face, but his expression remained the same.

  He looked tired, stressed, and only shook his head slightly before sighing. “I just found out yesterday. Would it have made a difference in your reception of him if you’d known ahead of time?”

  “Maybe,” she said, crossing her arms, and knowing in her heart she probably would have shunned Noah Kayne just the same whether she’d known about working with him ahead of time or not.

  One look at Chief Noble suggested he believed the same. “You’ll make a good team,” he reiterated.

  Rain grunted, thinking twice and still wanting to say something very crude but holding back. The chief headed out the door, leaving it ajar, and Noah stepped back inside. She’d never stood outside the office and eavesdropped so she wasn’t sure how secure the walls or door was. Either way, she hadn’t said anything she regretted.

  Noah gave her an appraising look. “No offense, princess, but I’m not thrilled about this, either.”

  Rain stiffened. He wouldn’t know how painful his words were to her. “Don’t ever call me princess. I’m not yours, or anyone else’s, princess.” Only her dad called her that, and he was gone now.

  “Whatever you say, boss,” Noah drawled.

  “There’s some progress,” she grunted, and moved around the other side of the desk to grab her purse.

  She noticed how he moved easily, silently, in spite of his size. Obviously very comfortable with himself, Noah appeared like a deadly predator. If she didn’t get a grip on how her body reacted to every movement he made, it would be a hell of a time being around him 24/7.

  “It was a joke.” Noah stood at the door, his hand on the doorknob, and watched while she gathered her things.

  “Just great. He thinks he’s a comedian.” She let him open the door for her and headed into the hallway. Once again she would have to let him drive. He still had the keys.

  Rain didn’t offer directions this time when they left the station, and Noah didn’t ask. He made it to the motel easily enough and left her in the car, with it running, while he gathered his things. Then tossing a duffel bag in the backseat, with the computer they’d taken from the station in the trunk, she played navigator as they headed to her house so she could pack.

  “Do you live alone?” Noah asked when he pulled into her driveway and parked the rental.

  “Yes.” She got out on her side, knowing he would follow her inside without invitation.

  He was right behind her when she unlocked her front door and then punched her code into the pad on the wall to silence the security system her father had installed for her right after she bought the house. Noah closed the door behind him. Her deadbolt lock snapped into place as he locked them inside.

  Rain waved her hand in the direction of her kitchen. “Drinks are in the kitchen if you want,” she offered, then trotted up her stairs.

  As many times as she’d come home late at night and traipsed through her home without turning on lights, tonight her legs were wobbly on the stairs, forcing her to slow down. Her skin prickled as she hurried to her room. It wasn’t a sense of unease, more of trepidation, of fighting the sensation that solving this case might be as intense as dealing with a man so aggressive that his willfulness almost matched hers.

  Although, damn, maybe she should fuck him and get it out of both of their systems so they could focus on this case. Rain did a full circle in her bedroom, her mind stuck on images of what it would be like to have sex with Noah, before she walked back out of her room and down the hall to the bathroom.

  She grabbed a suitcase and overnight bag out of her linen closet and then stood for a moment, outside the bathroom door and at the top of the stairs, and listened to the movement downstairs.

  It didn’t surprise her with Noah’s confidence level that he would have no problem making himself at home in her house. She listened as cabinets opened and closed quietly. It sounded as if he searched her entire kitchen. Part of her ached to hurry down there and keep a close eye on him so that he wouldn’t invade too much of her space, but at least with him in her kitchen he was kept busy and wouldn’t saunter upstairs and make it even harder for her to think than it already was.

  She would not let her imagination travel to the possibilities of what might happen if he did come upstairs. Hurrying down her hallway, Rain hit the light switch with her elbow and then tossed both suitcases on her bed. A quick shower, pack some clothes and toiletries, grab food, and she’d be good.

  Rain had pulled a change of clothes out when her cell phone rang. Unhooking it from her waist, she glanced at the number and then answered quickly.

  “Hello,” she said, knowing if the chief was calling her this soon after speaking with her, it wasn’t good news.

  “Rain,” he said, sounding tired. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, guessing she probably sounded as worn-out as the chief, yet for different reasons. They hadn’t even started digging into this case and already she was emotionally exhausted trying to keep her thoughts from undressing and mounting Noah.

  “I thought you would want to know that our latest victim died from a gunshot wound to the temple. She was in her car.” Chief Noble sighed. “Victim is identified as Lorrie Hinders. She and her husband own a nursery here in town.”

  Rain hissed through her teeth and then kicked off her shoes and headed for her bathroom. “Any prints? Witnesses?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Damn it.”

  “Call
me as soon as you’ve got your computer hooked up at the house. If the reports aren’t loaded by then, I’ll e-mail everything on our latest victim,” he said solemnly. “And Rain?”

  “Yes?” She closed herself in her bathroom and flipped on the light.

  “I need you to work with Noah. I know you don’t like it. When I was over at your new home earlier today I noticed the living-room furniture is a bit worn-out. That couch was hell. Make him sleep on it if it will make you feel better.”

  She almost laughed out loud. “Sounds like a damned good plan.”

  “I know you can crack this.”

  “I know I can, too,” she told him honestly, again feeling that anxious excitement creep over her skin. She promised to call when she and Noah were set up at the house and then hung up.

  Rain stripped quickly and turned the water to hot. Between aching to leap headfirst into this case and figure out who was killing these people and why, then thinking about living with Noah, it was all she could do to remember how to wash herself.

  Somehow, thirty minutes later or so, she lugged her packed luggage down the stairs. Noah hurried to the bottom of the stairs, reaching for the suitcases before she reached him.

  “Who was on the phone before you showered?” he asked, his expression all business.

  Rain released her bags to him and he took them to the front door. A couple paper sacks, filled with food from her kitchen, were already there. The impulse to ride his ass for assuming he could pack up her food hit her hard, but it was a good idea. They would need to eat.

  Her stomach growled, not that she needed the reminder that she was half-starved. Heading for the kitchen to see if he’d left anything she could munch on, she started to call out over her shoulder. Noah was right behind her.

  “The chief,” she told him. “When we get the computer hooked up, he’ll have the latest intel for us.”

  “Our victim?” Noah asked.

  “Same as the others.”

  His expression hardened and she sensed the same anxiousness that crept through her bite at him.