by Rita Karnopp
He tightened the rope round her neck. “Before we’re done, you’ll tell me all the details. If you don’t think you will … let me inform you, lovely Ella, you will. I’ll start skinning you at the collar bone inch by inch just like the Indians did, until you tell me everything. You’ll beg me to kill you.”
“No, that’s not how this is going to happen. You either let me go and I won’t say a word to anyone or you’ll kill me. Just keep in mind, you’ll be looking over your shoulder wondering when they’ll find that journal and then you.”
With the tip of the scalpel, he cut a fine line starting at the sternal notch to just above her belly button. “Where is your journal, Ella?” Her moans of pain excited him. He leaned over and licked a salty tear from her cheek.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Her body jerked forward.
The pain reflected in her eyes revealed a new level of distress. “What’s happening?”
Her laughter carried a hint of childish payback. “You didn’t check my medical records, did you?”
“Why? What the hell’s happening?”
“I have … a heart condition. Under this much stress I won’t last more than thirty minutes.”
“You’re shittin’ me? You have pills or what?”
“Now you want to save me … how delight—“ Her voice stopped as another spasm tormented her chest.
“I’m not ready for you to die. Tell me where the journal is and I’ll call the paramedics.”
Her laughter caught in her throat, then her body collapsed … limp. He had no doubt she was dead. Damn … damn … damn. This was not how he’d planned it. He blew warm air into his frozen hands and shivered. The deed was done.
Megan smiled. She liked it. The killer most likely won’t like it that Ella cheated him. He won’t have the thrill of the kill. He won’t know where the journal is. He lost control.
* * *
Cooper wanted nothing more than to be on his way to Missoula. He’d had enough side-tracks and misdirection. Something serious was going on, and now that Dallas was shot, things had gone from annoying to damn frustrating.
He moved with caution, making each step, each movement, each decision a good one, inching his way closer and closer to where he believed the attacker lay waiting. Cooper stopped and listened. He swung his leg over a log and a blue grouse froze in place. Snap. Was it behind him? He inched around a tree and paused. Snap. There it was again. Had he switched from hunter to being the hunted?
Was the killer moving toward Dallas? Cooper’s heart beat against his chest. He’d left her hidden between two boulders—alone. If the killer found her first, would he finish her off? Damn. He should have stayed with her.
With experienced skill, Cooper retraced his steps, mindful the perp could be anywhere. Toe-heel, he moved stealthy back to Dallas. The cold nuzzle of a gun pressed into his neck. How the hell did the killer get the drop on him?
“I’m better at this than you are.”
Cooper didn’t recognize the disguised voice behind him. “Guess that’s obvious, since you’re holding the gun.”
“Lucky for you, it’s not your time to die. I have plans for you. Now your pretty IA agent wasn’t so lucky.”
“If you killed her, there won’t be a hole small enough for you to crawl into.” Cooper swallowed hard. He couldn’t think of anything but Dallas. Why hadn’t he stayed with her?
“It almost sounds like you care about that little filly. Guess you’re going to miss her … huh?”
“You bastard! I’m going to put you away for the rest of your miserable life—if it’s the last thing I do.” Cooper pressed his neck against the gun. “Why not face me like a man? You weasel in and out like a sneaky coward. Face me. Let’s have it out right now. You and me … like men.”
“You’re in no position to taunt me like this, Cooper. You always think you’re in control. The leader. The one who has the edge. Well this time you don’t have fuckin’ anything. I’m leading you around by a nose ring, and you don’t have a clue what the shit is going on. You will soon enough … but then it’ll be too late.”
“Too late for what? What the hell are you talking about? Who the damn hell are you and why are you doing all this?”
“Good things just fall in your lap. You have never had to work hard for a damn thing in your life. Well that’s all about to come to a screeching halt. Your golden ticket has just been torn in half. When you’re rotting in jail, you can try and figure this out. I guarantee … it will drive you nuts. Don’t think you’ll ever completely figure it out. Just know that this time I’ve outsmarted you. This time your world will crash down around you … and you’ll be all alone.”
“Did I do this to you? Please tell me. Can’t we talk? There is no way I intentionally hurt you. If I put you in prison and you were innocent, I apologize. Let me help you find the real killer. I’ll even give you a public apology.”
“See … there you go. It’s all about you, isn’t it? I’ve waited a long time to see you squirm. To see you suffer.”
“Fine. You want me, you got me. Then let Dallas be. She certainly had nothing to do with this situation between us. Leave her out of your revenge for me.” Cooper stretched his neck up and slightly to the right, then caught a glimpse of movement to his right. Was it Dallas?
“Look how concerned you are. Are you falling for the lovely Dallas Fortune? She’s much too good for you. Why she believes you’re innocent is beyond me. Her track record for the truth is rather excellent. What she sees in you is a wonder. But then, the girls have always liked you.”
“How do you know so much about me? Who the hell are you and why are you trying to destroy me?”
“All good questions. I bet you’ll be asking yourself these same questions ten years from now. You think you’re one damn good investigator. Face it— you’re a damn fuck up, Cooper. You couldn’t even keep that pretty little wife of yours in your bed. She is quite the fuck. But you already know that, don’t you?”
Cooper clenched his teeth. “Have at her. She’s long since left my bed. Are you the prick she had the affair with?”
“Still having the affair with, you mean. You stupid shit. She was sleeping with me before and after you married her. She likes sex and you, my man, could only give it to her one way. She likes variety and excitement. You even wonder if those twins are really yours?”
Cold sweat washed over Cooper. He didn’t give a damn about Megan but his children were a completely different subject. “You stay away from my kids.”
“Loose use of the term if you ask me.”
The cold nuzzle burned into his neck. “What do you want?”
“Soon you’ll find out. I have more work to do before that time comes.”
A hard blow to the back of the head sent him spinning downward.
* * *
“That last chapter ended so incredible. I’m so proud of you, Megan. Is the detective really the killer? I’m so intrigued.” Jessica’s tone rose.
“Guess you’ll have to wait to find out.” Megan leaned back in her chair and propped her feet up on the table.
“There’s one problem with that.”
She rolled her eyes, annoyed Jessica would have a negative comment already. “And that is what, exactly?”
“Well, these crime scenes are based on true cases. If you start inferring the killer is a detective, well then … aren’t you saying the wrong people went to prison? Aren’t you making a case for reasonable doubt and all three cases could ask for an appeal? I’m not sure we want to be a part of that.”
“Jessica, what part of fiction don’t you get? If I spin a foundation for a different ending, don’t you think this will lead us down a path that is less likely to have a copycat? In the long run, we’ll be able to point out to the public this is a work of fiction based on three actual cases.”
“Now that you mention it, I think that’s a great point. It will take some of the liability off our shoulders. That’s smart, Megan. I like it.�
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“Well, thank God, because I wasn’t planning on changing it. When are you releasing the first case?”
“I’ll be presenting it to the Board this afternoon. I’d say the end of the month.”
“How can you possibly have it ready for print in three weeks?”
“One week, Megan. We have the covers ready and we’re dropping everything to get this in print yesterday. We are so excited.”
“You have got to be kidding. Do you have any idea—“
“Stop right there, Megan. You have eighty-thousand dollars that says we can do what we want to do with this book. You don’t like it, tough!”
“But … but, I’m not prepared to … I mean … it could have ramifications that we haven’t thought through. Jessica, we need to stop for a second and make sure this is what we—“
“My office has already made that decision. Also, we’ve paid you more than we’ve ever paid an author up-front. You’d better get started on the next murder, Megan. In less than a month it will be hitting the market.”
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. You seem driven to get this out.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“It’s almost as if … you’re being forced to get this book in print.” Megan paused, then grew serious. Of course Jessica was being forced to get Physical Evidence on the market. Wasn’t she being forced to write it?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Megan. I think you’re getting a bit paranoid. I have a job to do, and I’m doing it. You agreed to these conditions. If you don’t want to uphold your part of this contract, we’ll take you to court for breach of contact.”
“I’m sorry, Jessica. I know we discussed the conditions for this book. I’m just feeling stressed. I have a feeling we’re both doing what we have to do.”
“What are you talking about?”
Megan dropped her feet to the floor and adjusted the back on her chair. “I think we’ll both be glad when this book is finished and behind us.”
“I’ll agree with you there.”
“Tell me something … are you … I mean, I know we don’t discuss personal things that much. But, are you dating anyone?”
“I have a boyfriend. Yes. Why?”
“Why, just wondering if you have a life outside your job, that’s all. What’s his name? Where does he work?” The hair on her arm prickled. Megan suddenly felt a need to know.
“Michael is a wonderful man. We met at a wine tasting event right here in Great Falls. He’s so attentive and makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the world for him.”
“What’s his last name? Maybe I know him.”
“Well, I … I … we aren’t sharing our relationship with people just yet.”
“What? I’m confused. You’re keeping your relationship a secret? Is he married?” Megan stood and walked across the room to the window.
“Not really a secret. You make everything sound so mysterious. We’ve both been in unhealthy relationships. We’ve both been hurt. This time we are making sure we are a fit before letting people know we’re a couple. Saves us from all those questions we hate getting.”
Megan peered through the mini blind, glancing first right, then left. An early hoarfrost covered everything. Trees, grass, and fences all sparkled in the sunlight, glistening like a winter wonderland. “I can understand that. So how long have you been seeing each other?”
“It feels like years, but it’s only been three months. I actually think he’s a detective right here in Great Falls.”
“What do you mean you think? He hasn’t told you where he works? That’s a bit spooky, don’t you think?”
“Yes and no. I mean I’m excited by his intrigue. He is mysterious and that is actually a turn on, if you know what I mean.”
Megan smiled, thinking of her lover. Yes, she knew exactly what Jessica meant. “Aren’t you a bit curious? I mean—“
“Sometimes. But he comes to me with so much passion and I’m caught up in the moment that I don’t want to spoil things. After he leaves, I wish I had asked him all sorts of questions. I can’t explain it. Now I have this book to get out … I’m sure it’ll all work out.”
Megan tightened her ponytail. Oh, how she understood. She wanted to blurt out that they might have the same lover. That thought angered Megan. Where was this leading to? She was in so deep now. There was no one she could turn to. “Working this hard does cut into one’s love life, doesn’t it?” Megan tried sounding light and understanding. “You do realize that I’m your friend, don’t you?”
“We have a professional relationship, Megan. I don’t mix my personal life with my clients. It could get complicated if I did.”
Megan rolled her eyes upward, then shook her head. “So you’re saying if you were in a bind you wouldn’t confide in me to help you out?”
“What do you mean?”
“I think you know.” The long pause verified Megan’s suspicions.
“I … you … you’d better get back to writing. The next deadline date will be here before you know it. I’ll let you know when we are ready for the first release. It’s going to be an exciting time.”
“If you say so. If you change your mind about confiding—“
“Don’t be absurd. There’s nothing to confide. I’ll keep in touch. Bye, Megan.”
The immediate click and buzz confirmed the situation. Fear replaced suspicions. Her lover was now Jessica’s lover. Of that Megan had no doubt. The one question her conversation with Jessica didn’t answer … was he also the killer?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The faint sound of men’s voices caused Dallas to tense. Did the killer get the drop on Cooper? Was this all a façade? Did Cooper have an accomplice and arrange this little rendezvous to prove his innocence? No, she really didn’t believe that. Her gut told her Cooper was in trouble.
She pressed her good shoulder into the boulder to help get to her feet. Pain shot across her chest and nearly took her breath away. Thank God the bullet hit her left shoulder and not right. She was a poor left hand shot.
The mud had dried on her pant legs, making it difficult to walk. It cracked and pealed as she made her way hopefully in the direction she had heard the men’s voices. Blood loss made her weak. It took great effort to move soundless across the dried twigs and fall leaves. Periodically she paused and listened. Nothing. Was Cooper dead? Dallas didn’t want to imagine it. What would she do? Where was the killer now?
She stopped dead in her tracks. The shadow of a figure moved on the trail above and right of where she stood. He stopped and turned … scanning the landscape below. Dallas held her breath and waited. Her shoulder ached from her tense posture. Unmoving, she stared at the dark figure, afraid he might spot her among the trees. It seemed as though he knew she stood there and he wanted her to know it. What seemed like hours, the figure finally turned back and hurried up the incline.
Her trembling legs nearly gave out as she worked her way into the thicket. “Cooper?” she whispered. She paused and listened. The wind rustled through the trees, sending leaves to the ground. Several ground squirrels scampered from tree to tree. Several loud snaps sent her heart pounding against her breast. She jumped and gasping leaned against a tree. A deer and set of twin fawns ran past her, as if warning her of the dangers ahead.
Dallas drew several deep breaths, struggling to get a grip. She needed to find Cooper. With renewed strength she pressed on. What seem an eternity of careful steps and pain, she saw him up ahead, unmoving on the ground. Dallas swallowed hard. Was he dead? This was why she had decided she would never become involved with any man who carried a gun. Each step toward him jarred her shoulder and stabbed her heart. “Cooper Reynolds, you damn well better not be dead.”
She dropped to her knees and leant over him. She felt the presence behind her too late. The killer held her down while pressing a cloth over her nose and mouth. In her weakened state she barely struggled before collapsing.
* * *
Megan didn’t have time to worry about Jessica. She had a second murder to start. Physical Evidence was going to be her best book. She only hoped she lived to reap the benefits. She wasn’t going to let her lover or the killer get the best of her. Ever since she was a little girl she knew how to get what she wanted. This was one time she was going to get it all.
A new envelope had appeared on her computer during the night. That unsettled Megan to the core. A sticky note waved from the first picture.
Megan, love. How naughty to imply a detective might be the serial killer. I’m guessing you will obfuscate this next chapter, so the reader doesn’t blatantly expect the killer to be a policeman. In a way you disappoint me. You have more depth than placing the blame so easily. Dig deep, Megan. Surely you can find a more worthy killer. If you’re hell bent on a detective being your victim, then you might consider the angle of the young detective who wants to get to the top fast. A detective who doesn’t want to wait for a crime to happen so he creates one. How perfect for him; he has the inside track to making all the facts and evidence fall into place. He and his partner are heroes, are commended with nice raises and bright shiny new shields. His team, however, gets nothing but ‘good job’. Give it some thought. I know you can stir up the dirt on this one. Yours, Alter Ego.
Dropping to the chair, Megan re-read the note. The killer was inferring that Cooper and Arnott actually committed the crimes in Malicious Intent, just to look good in solving them. There was no way she would believe that. The killer was messing with her mind.
Megan spread the pictures of the next case out on the table. A twenty-five-year-old female, Sarah Betrovek, with wispy, long blonde hair and blue eyes stared back at her. Immediately Megan noted the similarities in appearance this victim had to the Bannack Murder. She reviewed the notes on the case file.
Megan rubbed her forehead with the tips of her fingers. Sarah Betrovek was a beautiful woman. Evidence showed post-mortem mutilation of her buttocks and both thighs. She had repeatedly been raped. The gory details suddenly didn’t seem all that exciting. The gruesome acts of this killer were wearing on Megan’s nerves.