by Ronica Black
Allen sat back in his chair. His gut told him that Sloan Savage was not involved. The rock star with the bad-girl looks was just what she appeared to be. A rebel without a cause. She was too careless to be their UNSUB. And probably too drugged up most of the time to be able to actually do most anything. He couldn’t see her taking the time to find each word in a magazine, carefully gluing it onto a page. He couldn’t see her standing in that crowd waiting with a gun. She was right, she was too emotional. She flew by the seat of her pants and said whatever was on her mind whenever it was on her mind.
No, their UNSUB was more intense, more cunning, and inwardly focused.
But he hoped he was wrong. He hoped Sloan was involved and that she acted alone and the case would be closed. But if he was right and Sloan was innocent, then they had a long road ahead of them. It would mean long hours, more threats, and possibly another attempt.
“You want my advice?” Sloan asked. “She’s pissed someone off. Not me, but someone. And trust me, there are plenty of other bitches out there that she’s probably screwed over. Find them and ask them.”
With his hands in his pockets, he stood to walk out of the tiny interrogation room. Another agent entered to continue the more intense questioning. As Allen went to ready his team for the polygraph, only one thought replayed through his mind.
He always hated being right.
*
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Kennedy set the last of the bags down at the foot of the stairs. Her head ached as her mind spun sharply, as if wrapped in barbed wire and turning over and over. She could feel each stab, each squeeze of the wire. For hours she’d thought of nothing but the letters and the shooting, trying to place their UNSUB, get inside her head. She still wasn’t positive it was a woman, but her gut told her it was. Profiling was still very much an art, and law enforcement wasn’t supposed to count on it as fact. It was only a tool to help aid them in identifying a suspect. Nothing was set in stone.
Behind her the girls squealed with laughter as they maneuvered through the bags to run up the stairs.
“Sorry,” Shawn offered softly, attempting to lift one of the suitcases herself. “They’re excited.”
“They should be. A big house on the beach…every kid’s dream. Every adult’s dream, for that matter.” She placed her hand over Shawn’s and took the bag, then secured the handle herself.
“No lifting.”
“I’m capable of helping.”
“No, you’re not. And there’s no need.” The new security guys had arrived, and there was always Monty.
Kennedy smiled at her reassuringly. But Shawn didn’t buy it.
“You look as pale as I do.”
Kennedy was a bit taken back at her frankness. “Yes, but I haven’t been shot recently.”
She reached for another bag and swung it over her shoulder. Then she grabbed another matching suitcase and started the ascent. Shawn followed.
“You really didn’t have to come. I know that you’d rather be at home.”
“I said I would come. I never go back on my word.”
“Never?”
“No, never.”
“That must be tiring.”
“Exhausting.”
Shawn laughed a little. “I’m grateful. Truly I am. Thank you.”
They reached the top of the stairs and Kennedy followed the sounds of the girls. She found them in a room painted the color of a fresh peach with white bed tables and a matching chest of drawers. They were jumping on the beds and singing, “Ten little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell down and bumped his head…”
Shawn took immediate control. “Girls, you know better. Get down.”
“Look, Mommy. Look how high I can get!” Rory said.
Kennedy set down the luggage and fought off the growing lump in her throat, thinking of Landon and Luke and how much they would love the house and love playing with the girls.
“Girls, you know better. Get down.”
“Ahh, Mom, please? We promise we won’t bump our heads.” They giggled.
“No, now get down. It’s not our house and we need to show some respect.” She helped them both down and straightened the homemade-looking quilts on the beds.
Kennedy left them and found Monty ascending the stairs with three more pieces of luggage in tow.
“Where to?” he asked. The bags were Shawn’s.
“There’s a master suite over here,” Kennedy said. Monty followed as Kennedy led. Just down the hall from the girls’ room, double doors opened into a large space with polished hardwood floors, a thick rug with cream and white squares, and a fireplace. To the left stood an old-fashioned maple dresser, and next to that was a sitting area with wicker chairs and cream-colored cushions. A coffee table matched the maple dresser and held thick round candles and two issues of Southern Living. To the right a king-sized bed backed up to the wall, and just beyond it French doors led out onto a terrace for an incredible ocean view.
Monty looked around and nodded as if she’d asked him a question. They’d already walked through the house together before Shawn and the girls set foot inside.
“Some pad.”
“Yes, it is. Hopefully it will be a safe pad as well.”
At that moment, Larry and Phil, the new security guys, were out walking the immediate grounds and the beach. For the first time since she’d stepped off that private jet in New York, Kennedy felt somewhat safe.
Monty cleared his throat and rubbed at the hair and freckles on his thick forearms. She knew he wanted to say something. She waited.
“I just wanted to say…uh…thank you for agreeing to keep me on.”
He looked at her briefly. It must’ve been difficult for him to say thanks, considering she’d shown up and turned his turf upside down.
“No need to thank me, Monty. Ms. Ryan insisted on it, and given your background and record with the family, it’s safe to assume you’re a good man and a very fine bodyguard. We’ll rely on both of those qualities in the near future.”
He nodded and again cleared his throat. He seemed uncomfortable.
“Monty, I’m not here to step on your toes. We only want the family safe.”
His brow creased and he pivoted to walk from the room. “I’m going to get the rest of the luggage.”
Kennedy watched him go and the silence he left in his wake bore down on her. She turned to look at herself in the mirror above the dresser. Her face was strong but pale, which was emphasized wtih her thick hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. Her brown eyes seemed sunken and devoid of life. No wonder Shawn had said something. She didn’t look well.
The tiny cross on her neck glinted in the lamp light and she ran a finger over it. It had seen much, that cross. Too much. She approached the bed and traced her fingers along the cream bedspread. She scanned the fireplace and settled on a door to the right of it. It led into a large bathroom. She flicked on the light and stared at the white marbled floors and counters. There was a huge claw-foot tub next to a good-sized standing shower. Beige and cream towels were folded on shelves and hung on racks.
“Some room, huh?”
Kennedy turned and found Shawn a short distance away near the bed. She looked very frail standing in the big room.
“Yes. Very nice. Do you think you’ll be comfortable in here?”
“Me?”
“Yes. We’re putting you in here. It’s the largest room in the house.” The house was nearly four thousand square feet, with six bedrooms and four baths. Three bedrooms were on each floor, and she and the others had decided that the guys would sleep and guard in shifts downstairs while Kennedy took the upstairs with Shawn and the girls.
“I realize that, but I don’t need to be the one in it. I can take the room next to the girls.”
Kennedy explained. “I was planning on taking that one simply because it’s near the stairs. If someone were to get in downstairs and they tried to come up…” She didn’t finish, unwilling to go into great det
ail. “If you needed to, you and the girls could escape through the terrace.”
“Do you really think that’ll be necessary?” Shawn gently touched her throat and glanced out the French doors.
The gesture slammed into Kennedy’s bloodstream, causing it to surge, and hotly. The tenderness of her hand, the delicateness of her neck… “No.” She forced herself to focus. “But you should have a plan. To be safe.”
“You’re really worried about your family, aren’t you?”
Kennedy met her gaze. Where had that come from? “Yes.”
“There’s more to the story, isn’t there?” Shawn’s gaze weighed her down. She wanted to flee but couldn’t. Shawn knew that Kennedy’s family had been threatened. But she didn’t yet know the details. The only reason Kennedy had shared that information was so that Veronica would listen and follow orders.
Kennedy didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. Her body grew rigid at the thought of her family, and heat rushed to her face.
“I’m sorry. I’m being nosy.”
“No.” Kennedy cleared her throat. “It’s just…intense. And overwhelming.”
“I know how that feels,” Shawn said softly, laying her fingers on the bedspread where Kennedy’s had rested moments before.
More heat came but it wasn’t fanned from fear. Kennedy imagined their fingertips touching, the soft pressure, the warmth, the spark…the glittering desire she’d hopefully see in her eyes.
A sharp buzzing came from her pants pockets. Kennedy fumbled for the cell phone and quickly opened it.
“Scott.”
“Kennedy, it’s Allen. I’m afraid I have bad news.”
“What is it?”
“It’s the Ryans. They’ve received another letter. I think you better have a look at this.”
Kennedy looked to Shawn and then back to the floor. Allen sighed and she knew he was worked up. “I’ve scanned the letter. Check your e-mail and call me back.”
Shawn looked like a deer in headlights.
Kennedy closed the phone and slipped it into her pocket.
“What’s wrong?” Shawn walked with her to the door and finally, to halt her, she placed her hand on Kennedy’s shoulder.
Meeting her gaze, Kennedy said, “Everything.”
*
Scarsdale, New York
Something was wrong. Where was the big man who always walked the property? Where were the kids? She shifted in her seat and turned the focus on the binoculars. The yard beyond the gate came into view and she slowly panned from left to right. The vehicles were all there but the house seemed quiet. Way too quiet. And where were all those FBI suits she’d seen mulling about? Where was everyone?
Angry, she tossed the binoculars aside and opened the car door. The door squeaked as it was shoved closed. The air felt cool and crisp and she pulled up her hood, slid on her sunglasses, and walked toward the property. Her heart tripled its pace just as it always did when she got near her love. She inhaled deeply, hoping to once again catch the scent of Veronica’s perfume. But only moist air came to her, tinged with the scent of dead leaves. Fall had started earlier this year and she hated it. There was nothing worse than skinny black trees, branches looking like claws as they blew in the wind. When she was little she used to fear that they would grab her if she came too close.
But now nothing scared her. Not even getting caught. While she tried like hell not to, it was the game that really interested her. Cat and mouse. It was thrilling and dangerous and wonderful. But the game was starting to not be enough. Her highs were coming quicker, falling shorter, and not feeling nearly as satisfying as they once did. She didn’t know what that meant. Only that she’d do anything for her high, for the game.
She stopped about ten feet from the gate. Normally, she’d walk up and press the call button on the box. It didn’t work, and sometimes she could hear Veronica or Shawn or even the girls come through on the static. Oh, the thrill of hearing Veronica. Right there. On the other side of the gate. Talking to her. Answering her.
Anxious to do just that, she took a step and then halted. Her heart pounded and her brain sizzled with its own panicked static. The call box wasn’t the same. A new one had taken its place. She looked hurriedly around. Two cameras were mounted on the gate, shifting toward her, the lenses spinning for focus.
“No,” she breathed, backing up. “No.” Nearly tripping over herself, she turned and sprinted back to the car. Once inside she cranked it and revved the engine, staring at the gate.
They had done this to her. Against her. Trying to keep her away. She hated them. Hated them all. How could they? And how could she not have known?
Foot forced against the accelerator, she slammed the gearshift into drive and the car surged ahead, wheels spinning and smoking. She flew down the street, gripping the wheel hard, stare trained on the gate. Her mind went to Shawn and the shot that should’ve killed her. She should’ve died. Died. Damn it. She just should’ve shot the whole fucking crowd, leaving no one to bear witness.
But she hadn’t. The gate loomed closer. And now here she was. Nearly right in front of her. She’d show them.
She closed her eyes and braced for impact.
Chapter Four
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Shawn sat in the sand and watched as Rory and Kiley ran toward the sea. They screeched with delight as the churning silver water rushed over their tiny feet. Frothy foam ringed their ankles as the water drew back and a breeze came, strong with the scent of salt and sand. It was heady but comforting. She rubbed her injured arm, attempting to warm herself, the early evening air slightly cool for August. She was glad she made the girls wear their hoodies.
Taking in the breeze she looked up and down the beach. To her right about a hundred yards away stood Phil, and to her left at about the same distance stood Larry. Both had yet to change into shorts and they looked odd standing and staring out at the sea in their pressed slacks and button-down shirts. Every once in a while one would look around and push in on his earpiece and say something.
Their presence, while comforting, also left her feeling strange and exposed. And somewhat closed in. She was used to security. Monty and the boys, as they’d called them, went everywhere. The girls even referred to Monty as Uncle Monty. She couldn’t imagine life without him. But this new team, the new rules, they were strictly business and far from casual. More than anything, it unnerved her to know just how serious and dangerous her situation was to need such measures. What had happened to their life?
Her stomach caved in on itself, collapsing from the unknown darkness created by the shooter and Veronica’s extramarital affairs. Panic and fear and detrimental grief stirred in that darkness and she fought back the biting tears.
None of it was all right. None of it was okay. And she wondered if it ever would be again.
A chill crept through her and she tried to blame it on the breeze.
“Mama, look!” She was forced back in to reality by Kiley. She was running at her, holding up a long, dripping piece of seaweed.
Rory followed, nearly out of breath. “We found a lot of it,” she said. “What is it?”
Shawn smiled though weakly. “It’s seaweed.” Rory and Kiley were so young, so innocent, maybe they wouldn’t remember any of this. Maybe they would only remember happy times.
“Seaweed?” Kiley asked.
“What the heck is seaweed?” Rory added.
“It grows in the ocean. It’s a plant.”
“Oh,” the girls said in unison.
Then Rory said, “Let’s go find some more!”
“Yeah,” Kiley said, jumping up and down. “Maybe we’ll find some sea flowers.”
Shawn watched them go and then she dipped her hand in the cool thick sand, letting it filter through her fingers. She looked out at the sea and saw someone riding Sea-Doos and she could smell the smoky scent of a barbecue as someone prepared dinner at one of the large homes nearby. Beyond Phil she could see specks of people here and the
re, running, walking, some lying in lounge chairs. But overall the beach was relatively quiet for as many homes as there were. With summer ending, most had headed home for the off-season. It would be nice to have some privacy. And the girls would love having the beach to themselves.
She watched as the sun got ready for bed. It smiled down at Rory and Kiley with rays of deep orange. They shrieked as the water chased them up the shore, several strands of seaweed dragging behind them. Under different circumstances this would have been a very happy time for her. But she was weak and overwhelmingly tired. It took all the strength she had to just keep her eyes open.
“Hey.”
Shawn turned slightly at the voice and wrapped her arm around her knees, holding them tight against her injured arm and chest. “Hi.” She tried not to stare at Kennedy in the light of the setting sun. It played off her skin and hair beautifully. She could also tell that she bore bad news and this unsettled her even more.
“Thought you could use some hot cocoa and a sweater.” She held out both and offered a smile.
“Thank you.” Taken aback, she could only look up and smile. “You read my mind. I can’t believe how chilly it is.”
Kennedy handed her the mug and then placed the cardigan over her shoulders. Shawn couldn’t remember the last time someone had done something so thoughtful without anyone else around to notice and impress. Veronica always had to put on airs.
“It’s the clouds, I think. Usually they make it muggier, but today they made it cooler. Mind if I sit?”
“Please do.” Physically, she welcomed her kindness and company. But mentally, she had no desire to hear what Kennedy was about to say. She was becoming quite a dichotomy to Shawn. Warm and sincere and attractive, yet the bearer of horrible news and knowledge. Things she couldn’t probably ever even imagine. She watched as Kennedy eased down and stared after the girls. Her jaw muscles worked overtime and Shawn knew she was troubled.