by Chase, T. A.
Mac leaned down and nuzzled Tanner’s jaw, causing him to lift his head to allow Mac to kiss a line along his throat. He whimpered softly as Mac scraped his teeth over Tanner’s jugular. He kept one hand on Mac’s shoulder and gripped the back of the couch with the other one. Tanner arched up as Mac licked one of his nipples.
“Shit.” He shuddered when his lover pinched the hard nub with his teeth. “I’m not sure if this is the best time. You need to get home and changed before you go in to work.”
His weak protest drew a rumbling sound from Mac. Tanner managed to open his eyes and met Mac’s. One more teasing nibble and Mac eased away. Tanner flopped back, covering his face with his arm.
“Why have I suddenly become diligent about work? I should have kept my mouth shut,” he complained.
“Come on. You’re right, and we’ll pick up where I left off later.” Mac held out his hand to help Tanner off the couch.
“Do you want a cup of coffee to go?” Tanner paused. “I can brew a cup for you.”
“I thought you didn’t drink coffee,” Mac said over his shoulder as he headed to the bedroom.
“I don’t anymore, but I still keep some on hand in case I have guests who do.” Tanner pursed his lips. “It’s a new can of coffee. I threw out the last one since I don’t tend to have a lot of guests over.”
“Sure. If you don’t mind.” Mac’s voice disappeared when he entered the bedroom.
“No problem.” He got everything ready and brewing before making his way back to the bedroom.
Mac was in the bathroom when Tanner got there. After pulling out a dress shirt and tie, Tanner stood at his dresser and listened to the water running in the sink. It had been a long time since he’d had any guy spend the night. Usually he’d either go over to their place or he’d kick them out right after the sex was done. Yet the thought never occurred to him last night or the night before to toss Mac out when they finished. What made the man so different from the others?
“Oh, you got a text or something. Your phone beeping woke me up. Sorry about not telling you sooner.” Mac came out of the bathroom, buttoning his shirt.
“Thanks.” Tanner fought the urge to rush over and check his phone. It wasn’t his work one since that had been out in the living room with him. He grabbed some briefs from the dresser and tossed them on the bed. “You heading out?”
“Yeah.”
Mac encircled Tanner’s waist, drawing him close. Their lips came together in a gentle kiss, more like good morning and have a good day than let’s fuck right now. Tanner played with the damp hairs at the base of Mac’s skull. Their tongues stroked along each other, and Tanner shivered as his cock hardened. One more quick kiss and Mac stepped away.
“If we don’t stop now, we’ll be in bed until noon, and we’ll both get our asses chewed.”
As much as Tanner hated to agree, he did. “You’re right. Get going. I’ll call you when I’m ready to come over and look at the physical evidence.”
“See you later then.” Mac slapped him on the ass as he walked by.
“Jackass,” Tanner grumbled, rubbing the offended cheek.
He waited until the front door shut behind Mac before picking up his personal phone from the nightstand. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he scrolled through for missed messages. His hand shook slightly, hoping it wasn’t bad news.
Back in Houston.Small emergency.
Shit! He typed quickly. U ok?
Tanner wanted to pace but kept his body still. No reason to worry. There probably wasn’t anything wrong, and really, even if there was, he couldn’t do anything about it. Not without losing his job and probably coming under investigation himself.
Fine. Business related.
He breathed a sigh of relief. Thx for letting me know. B careful.
Always.
Shutting his phone, he tossed it on the mattress next to him. He braced his elbows on his knees and studied the carpet. He needed to take the time soon to decide if he wanted to keep his life the way it was. It got harder and harder to keep everything separate, and unless he wanted to cut out a very important part of his life, he knew what he had to do.
Tanner stood and shoved his hands through his hair, vowing to seriously think about his future after the case was solved. His phone beeped again. He flipped it open and checked the text.
Lilies.
A smiled crossed his face as he typed in: Got it.
He returned the phone to the sheets before stripping as he strolled into the bathroom. He needed to get dressed and go to work. He needed to type up his profile and take it over to Mac; plus he had some other cases to go over with Sam. It was going to be a busy day, but he’d take lunch and go visit his mother’s grave. He tried to get there once a week, just to say hi. Might seem a little creepy, but he liked to go to the cemetery. An odd sense of peace filled the air, and he always came back refreshed to face the terrible crimes he investigated.
He snorted and climbed under the hot water. God, he was weird. Probably why he’d ended up in the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI instead of as a regular agent. It took a certain type of mind-set to work as a profiler, and Tanner had found he was good at his job, even though it gave him nightmares and an ulcer. At certain times, Tanner thought he was going out of his mind with how easily he connected with the serial killers and mass murderers he interviewed. Each time it got easier to understand how they killed and why. The ease he felt slipping into the minds of killers bothered him.
Tanner ducked his head and let the water wash away his thoughts. He needed to focus on the Knife case and not worry about his own mind. He had all the time in the world afterward to clean the images out of his brain.
Chapter Seven
Tanner frowned as he picked up an envelope placed on his desk. It was addressed to Agent Wallace, but the handwriting didn’t look familiar. Since all mail was x-rayed and checked before being delivered, he decided to open it. He slit the flap and removed the folded paper. He opened it and began to silently read.
Agent Wallace,
I’m a little put out by the ridiculous nickname the media has given me. You would think they could come up with something more creative. I want to wish you good luck in trying to catch me. Maybe we’ll meet soon.
The Knife.
Holy fuck! Tanner dropped it on his desk and grabbed his phone. He called the crime scene techs to come and take the note to the lab. They’d have to check it for fingerprints and all that. After talking to them, he informed Sam, who joined him in his office.
“That sounds like a threat to me,” Sam commented.
Tanner nodded. “But it doesn’t make sense. He kills women. Why choose to threaten me unless he’s trying to upset me?”
“It’s possible.” Sam stepped back when the tech arrived. “We need a copy of the note ASAP.”
“Certainly, sir.” The tech nodded and left.
“As soon as I get a copy, I’ll take it over to Guzman. He’ll want to study it himself.” Tanner cleared his throat. “We think we found the connection between the victims.”
Sam’s eyes lit up. “Really? What is it?”
“They all work out at gyms. I believe he goes and picks out his victims there.” Tanner rested his hands on his hips.
Sam sat, crossed his legs, and grunted. “You could be right about that.”
They discussed several different angles to the case while they waited for the copy of the letter. Finally Tanner’s laptop dinged, and he checked his e-mail. The tech had scanned the note and sent him a copy. He printed it out and grabbed his keys.
“I’m going over to talk to Mac and Billingsley. I’ll call you if I find anything.”
Sam waved him out.
* * * *
Mac groaned silently as he walked into the bull pen and spied Sorensterm sitting at his desk. Great. His morning had started so well. He didn’t need Sorensterm’s bullshit.
“Where were you last night, Guzman?” Sorensterm raised an eyebrow in Mac’s dire
ction.
“I worked on the case. Why? Were you checking up on me?” He stopped a few feet short of Sorensterm.
Sorensterm shrugged. “I thought we could kick around some ideas. See if we could come up with a connection between the victims. Guess you don’t need my help, huh? Not when you’ve got that faggot Fed to suck your cock. Makes working late easier.”
Mac gritted his teeth but kept his hands clenched at his sides. He couldn’t hit Sorensterm, no matter if the man deserved it or not. He was already walking a thin line with Billingsley. Punching a fellow ranger would get his ass suspended.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about. I was going over the credit card statements of the victims.”
He pushed past Sorensterm, trying not to touch him. Maybe not acknowledging the man would make Sorensterm go away, but he had a feeling his fellow detective wasn’t going to let it go. Mac sat at his desk and turned on his computer. He had to write up the report before seeing his boss.
Sorensterm leaned over, getting right in Mac’s face. “I think you owe me something for not saying anything to the boss.”
“Say what?” Mac didn’t like giving ground, but Sorensterm’s rank breath caused his eyes to water.
“You’re a fag, Guzman. Don’t deny it. What do you think Billingsley will say to that? I think I deserve something for not mentioning it to everyone.”
Panic skated over Mac. Shit. Sorensterm must have sensed Mac’s sudden nervousness. He backed up with a vicious grin.
“I’ll get back to you on what you owe me.”
Fuck! Mac wanted to punch something or someone. He should just come clean with Billingsley and deal with the fallout. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to screw up the courage. Shaking his head, he pulled out the list of gyms. It was their first possible lead, and he wouldn’t let Sorensterm throw him off.
“Detective Guzman, you have visitors.”
Mac crumpled the list of gyms in his hand as he saw the Levistons walk into Company A’s headquarters. Shit! He’d forgotten to call them earlier about being able to get Marissa’s body. He threw the papers on his desk and went to intercept them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Leviston, I’m sorry I didn’t call you like I said I would. I got the release notice from the ME last night, and I’ve been busy with a slight break in the case this morning.”
He held out his hand, and Marissa’s father shook it.
“We understand, Mac. We’d prefer you focus on who killed our daughter. You said you had a break in the case.” Mr. Leviston looked at him eagerly.
“I can’t go into details, but it moves us closer to finding the person who did this to Marissa. I’ll call down to the morgue and have someone come up to help you make arrangements to get Marissa’s body to the funeral home.” He gestured toward his desk. “If you’d like to sit down while you wait.”
After getting them coffee, he called down to the coroner’s office and arranged for someone to come and collect the Levistons. He hung up and sat down next to Mrs. Leviston. Her wan smile tugged at his heart.
“I’m terribly sorry about all of this, Mrs. Leviston.”
She patted his hand. “It’s not your fault, Mac. You had no way of knowing that monster was stalking our daughter. Do you know when we’ll be able to get back into her apartment? I need to get some clothes for her to be buried in.”
He winced internally at the thought. “Let me check.”
After shifting through his papers, he read one note and nodded. “You can go in. We’ve picked up what evidence we think we might need from there.”
“Thank you.”
“Detective Guzman.”
Mac stood when Tanner spoke from behind him. Turning, he met his lover’s gaze, and something in his face must have told Tanner the people sitting with him were important.
“Agent Wallace.” They shook hands, and Mac turned back to the older couple. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Leviston, Marissa’s parents.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Tanner shook hands with both of them. Somehow he managed to make those trite words sincere.
“Are you working with Mac on the case?” Mr. Leviston asked.
Mac spotted the coroner’s assistant and waved her over.
“Yes, I am. There’s an entire task force trying to catch the man who did this. We’re getting closer every day. I’m going to tell Captain Billingsley I’m here. I wish we could have met under better circumstances.” Tanner dipped his head toward them before heading in the direction of Billingsley’s office.
“Here’s Ms. Powell from the coroner’s office. She’ll help you with all the paperwork and everything you need.” Mac handed Marissa’s parents off to the lady. “Please let me know when her funeral is.”
“We will. Thank you again, Mac.”
He watched the Levistons follow Ms. Powell until they disappeared into the elevator. After they left, he scooped up the list of gyms and stalked to the captain’s office. Knocking on the door, he waited to hear Billingsley call for him to come in. He walked in and spotted Tanner leaning a hip on Billingsley’s desk while gesturing with his hands.
He paused as both men turned to look at him. Billingsley folded his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow.
“I wanted to let you know someone informed me about your connection to the last victim. I appreciate the fact you came to me before I found out from a different source.”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry I didn’t come clean as soon as I figured out who she was. I just wanted to work this case and catch this killer.” Mac kept his hands behind his back.
“So this is personal now?” Billingsley asked.
Mac grimaced. “No, sir. It was personal before Marissa was killed. Any case I get becomes personal to me. I work 24-7 if I have to. You know me, sir.”
His statement must have been what Billingsley wanted to hear, because the captain relaxed slightly.
“Seems our killer has taken a liking to Agent Wallace, Mac.”
Mac shot Tanner a quick glance as the agent handed him a copy of a letter. He read it and suppressed the growl rising in his throat. He started to crumple the sheet in his hand but stopped in time.
“How did he know you were on the case?”
“Any good reporter could find out who was working it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was mentioned in the news.” Tanner seemed unconcerned.
“Why you, though? And this sounds like a threat.”
“Because any killer knows a profiler is the person trying to get inside his head. He did it to see if he can get me off my game. The threat is another attempt, but I’m not worried. He’s only killed women so far. I don’t see him changing his pattern.”
“Wait. What about that SUV parked down from your house last night?”
Mac ignored Billingsley’s slight frown.
“I told you it was probably just the neighbors or something. It didn’t have anything to do with the killer.”
He stepped closer to Tanner. “I checked with HPD and the DEA. None of them were conducting any sort of sting in your neighborhood, in case it might have been a stake-out.”
Tanner tensed, and an annoyed expression crossed his face. Something was up, and Mac wanted to get to the bottom of it.
“Well, they weren’t there when I got up this morning, so whoever they are, I doubt I’m their target.”
Mac started to say something else, but Billingsley interrupted.
“As interesting as this all is, Tanner told me you found a connection between our victims.”
Calming down, Mac wanted to slap himself upside the head. He needed to stop acting like an overprotective boyfriend, especially since he didn’t want anyone to know about him yet.
“Yes, sir. I brought the list of gyms our victims used. Only two went to the same one, but we think that’s how he’s finding them.” He nodded toward Tanner.
“Okay. Take Sorensterm and go ask questions at those gyms. See if anyone remembers seeing anything unusual around the time each victim disa
ppeared. Oh, and Agent Wallace said you were going to get him access to the physical evidence from the case.”
“Yes, Cap. Tanner thinks the evidence might give him some more stuff to add to the profile he’s writing.”
“I just gave the captain my preliminary report. There’s a copy in there for you as well.” Tanner pointed to the file sitting on Billingsley’s desk. “It’s everything I found from looking at the photos and reading the crime scene descriptions. As we go along, I’ll be adding more to it until it’s fleshed out as much as it can be.”
“Good. Now get out of here and find the killer for me.” Billingsley waved them out of the office.
“Yes, sir.”
They shut the door behind them, and Mac grabbed Tanner’s arm, dragging him down the hallway to an empty room. He pulled Tanner in with him. After making sure the door was closed, he whirled back around.
“What the hell was that?”
Tanner frowned and sat on the edge of the table, arms folded. “I don’t know.”
“You didn’t say a word to anyone about me knowing Marissa?”
“I probably should be insulted you’d think I’d run to your captain behind your back, but I guess since you don’t know me that well, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.” Tanner rolled his eyes. “Of course I didn’t say anything. Why would I when it would get me in trouble as well? Plus you already told me he knew.”
“Yeah. I wonder who told him.”
“More than likely the Levistons said something about knowing you. You know you can’t really hide things in your past, especially from law enforcement.” Tanner paused, and something flickered in his eyes.
“Yeah, even though I deserve it for not saying anything.” Mac scrubbed his hand over his face. “Okay. I need to take you to the evidence room before I grab Sorensterm and head out to interview people.”
His day went straight to hell with the thought. He’d have to deal with Sorensterm all day. Not killing the asshole would be difficult, considering how much he wanted to choke Sorensterm.