by Anne Patrick
"No. You're already having visions about him, it's too dangerous."
"You can come with me, keep me grounded."
"No. I won't risk it."
"Not even to save another woman's life?"
"Don't do that to me, Jo. I don't want to find another body in those woods any more than you, but I won't let you risk your life or sanity to prevent that from happening."
She was beginning to regret ever having told him about her gift.
"I love you, Jo. I don't want to lose you."
Her glare softened, her anger swept away by his words. "Did you just say you loved me?"
"Seeing as how I haven't been able to think straight since you blew into this town, it seems the logical answer. It's a miracle I've managed to get anything done on this case, and this suicide mission you're on is driving me crazy. As much as I want to catch this guy and end the killing, I don't want anything happening to you."
"This is what I do, this is my life, and if you do love me like you say you do, then you're going to have to accept that."
"Well this is my case and I'm in charge. You've given your profile, so the way I see it, you're work is done here."
"Are you dismissing me?" she asked, trying desperately to keep her anger at bay.
"All I'm saying is you've done your part, you've given us a profile. Now let me do my job."
"Fine, if that's what you want. I just hope you're prepared to face the families of all the future victims, when six months from now they come to you asking why it is you can't find this guy."
"I think you better leave, Jo."
"Yeah, I think you're right."
*****
Jo drove around for what seemed like hours with no destination in mind. Her feelings hurt, along with her pride, she considered driving straight to the motel, packing her bags, driving to Portland and catching the next flight to Virginia. But she couldn't get rid of the nagging sensation that it would be the biggest mistake of her life.
A smile formed at the memory of Austin's declaration of love and she realized those emotions were what prompted his anger. That, and the fact she didn't confess her own feelings toward him. Why couldn't she have just told him she loved him too? Why'd she have to go and pick a fight with him?
Because deep down she knew she was right. The victims needed her, and whether Austin realized it or not, he needed her. With that thought, Jo pulled off to the side of the rode and made a U-turn.
Ten minutes later, she parked her car down the road from the dumpsite and watched the activity ahead. Slim had already cleared out, leaving the ER team to wrap up. Jo realized the danger involved if she was to have another vision of the killer, but she had no choice.
They were loading the last of their equipment when Jo approached.
"You missed the party, McDaniels," one of the male agents spoke, removing his coveralls.
"So I heard. Anyone left down there?"
"Nope. It's all yours. Would you like us to stick around till you're done?"
"Thanks, but that won't be necessary."
"Suit yourself. See ya next go around."
"Hopefully, this we'll be the last."
Jo made her way down the decline, conscious of every little noise the forest made. She'd visited hundreds of dumpsites like this one, but there'd always been others around, someone to call out to if she needed help. Relax, he isn't here, he knows the area has been secured, he's not stupid enough to hang around. But the hairs that rose on the back of her neck and the goose bumps that rose on her arms did little to ease her anxiety.
She shook off the eerie sensations, focusing only on what needed to be done, and followed the yellow tape to the area where the body had been dumped Ducking underneath the tape, she approached slowly. She was within a few feet of the tree when she felt the adrenaline begin to surge through her body, causing her heart rate to soar.
As if switching on a television, images began to filter through Jo's mind. Vivid pictures of a dream-like state. The muscles in his arms began to strain from the weight of the woman he carried down the hill. He paused at the tree and lowered the blue tarp to the ground, then shook his arms to quicken the blood flow to his fingers. Untying the white cord securing the tarp, he removed the body and positioned it next to the tree. He peered down at his latest victim, the woman's head still attached. No need for the extra mess now.
A beautiful head of dark auburn hair framed her lovely face, her high cheekbones and strong jaw line reflecting her strong personality. As he leaned forward to brush a stray hair from her still eyelids the woman's facial features suddenly changed and a small cut appeared above her left eye. Lowering his gaze he saw the faded scratches scarring her ivory neck. She'd been the most determined to live, her strength far exceeding the others. She'd been a worthy adversary. His last conquest.
The sound of her own scream shattered the vision. Jo scurried backwards on her heels and the palms of her hands, putting as much distance as she could between her and the tree. Panting as if she'd run a marathon; she blinked her eyes and stared at the tree where only moments ago she saw herself sitting. It can't be. Her mind was just playing tricks on her. That wasn't really her.
But Jo failed to convince herself that it wasn't a premonition. She was the killer's next target, and unless she found him soon, she too would die a horrible death.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Jo nearly broke her neck getting out of the forest and violated every speed limit on the way into town. It wasn't until she'd locked herself safely in her motel room that her breathing returned to normal. Then stripping out of her clothes, she took her 9mm with her into the bathroom. She drew herself a hot bath, figuring a long soak in the tub would calm her nerves better than a shower.
She must have dozed off because when she opened her eyes the room was dark, and the water was cold. She was about to run more hot water into the tub when she heard a creak in the adjourning room and saw a light illuminating underneath the bathroom door. Grabbing her gun from the ledge of the tub, she reached out with her free hand and slowly pulled the curtain toward her. Hoping the darkness would give her an element of surprise.
Jo could feel her hands trembling and teeth clattering from the cold water, but she tried not to think about that. She was more concerned with who was in the other room. An image from her earlier vision played in her mind, causing her heart to race even faster.
The intruder's steps paused outside the door. She barely heard the doorknob turn over the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. Forcing herself to swallow she took aim at the door.
"Jo, you in there?"
In recognition of Austin's voice, she let out the air trapped in her lungs and pulled the curtain in front of her, just as he turned on the light. "I'm in the tub."
"You okay?" he asked before she heard the door close. "Walt said he saw you speeding through town like you were on your way to a fire, and when he tried calling you he couldn't get through."
"Don't you know how to knock," she shouted, her fear turning into anger as she struggled to put on her robe, still clutching her gun.
"I've been knocking for the last ten minutes. I finally gave up and convinced the maid to unlock the door for me. I was afraid you were either hurt or lying dead in here."
She yanked the door open. "Well, as you can see I'm fine." She brushed past him, the reference to her death doing little to ease her fear.
"You sure aren't acting fine. What's wrong with you?"
She paused in her steps to glare at him. "Well gee, I don't know…It couldn't have anything to do with being fired from a case I never wanted in the first place."
"I didn't fire you, Jo. I only asked you to back off and let us do our jobs."
"Whatever…it's the same thing."
"Look, I know you're upset, but you have to understand, Jo, I'm only—"
"I understand perfectly. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get dressed." Still clutching her gun she scooped up her clothes and walked back into t
he bathroom.
She closed the bathroom door and leaned against it for support. Her heart felt like it could burst from her chest at any moment. 'You need to calm down, get a grip. What you saw was only your imagination. You've been working almost non-stop with little or no sleep, you just need a good night's sleep.'
Once her heartbeat had finally returned to normal, she dressed and exited the bathroom, expecting to find Austin long gone.
He wasn't.
"What did you see, Jo?" he asked, perched on the end of her bed.
It wasn't so much his question, but the look on his face that prompted her to lower her gaze to the torn and dirty clothes she'd worn to the dumpsite.
"It doesn't matter." She figured there was little use in denying the fact she'd gone against his orders. She walked past him to the nightstand and placed her gun in its holster.
When she turned around, he was standing in front of her. "Oh yes it does. You're terrified for a reason. Now what did you see?"
She knew he wasn't going to leave until she leveled with him, so she sat down on the bed. "He's coming after me."
"What are you talking about?"
"The killer. I'm his next target."
He sat down across from her. "How do you know that, what exactly did you see, Jo?"
She reluctantly told him about the vision she had.
"Tell me I'm just too close to the case, Austin, and that I'm just overreacting," she said on the verge of tears now. Tears brought on by the fear that all the horror she'd witnessed while developing her profile was a preview of what lay ahead for her. "Tell me I'm not the one he's fixated on."
He raised his head from the palms of his hands and looked at her. He appeared as shaken as she was. "I wish I could, but if what you're saying is true…I mean what you saw out there." He paused as if to gather his thoughts. "You fit the victimology, Jo. You're a single, dedicated professional woman, strong, independent—"
"Estranged from her family," she added softly.
"That too." He ran his fingers back through his blond hair, his gaze steady on her.
"That would mean I know him. That he is, or, was a part of my life."
"Can you think of anyone you've met through the years who may be capable of this?"
"Austin, I meet twisted animals like this almost on a daily basis. How am I supposed to distinguish this one from the rest of them?"
"What about that cop from two years ago, you never caught him."
"No. Different MO and signature."
"Well one thing is for certain, we need to get you into protective custody. I'll help you pack your things and you can either come stay with me and Bailey, or you can stay with your mom." He walked to the dresser and grabbed a handful of her clothes, tossing them on top of the dresser.
"No, wait."
"Jo, this isn't up for discussion. You're going into protective custody."
"No, not that." She wiped away a stray tear. "You have my complete cooperation on that. I've seen the horror those women experienced; I don't particularly want to relive it first hand. I only meant that maybe we should hold off on checking me out of the motel. Let the killer think I'm still easy access."
"Set a trap for him." He seemed to consider the suggestion, but only for a moment. "No, it's too dangerous, and I don't have a female deputy that I can place with you?"
"Austin, my life is in danger whether we set a trap or not, at least this way I'm still in control. And as far as protection, Walt and Slim could take turns staying here with me. The fewer people that know about our plan, the easier it will be to pull it off."
He gave a heavy sigh. "We'll need three deputies, eight-hour shifts. Slim, Walt and who else?"
"I don't suppose it'd be too ethical for you to fill in as the third?"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
She grinned. "Then Pendergrass."
"You sure? Simmons is reliable."
"Pendergrass is a chauvinistic jerk, but I trust your judgment that he's a good cop."
"Okay, I'll call Pendergrass and have him come stay with you, then I'll go and brief the others."
"What about the vigil tonight?"
"What about it? You surely aren't considering going to it?"
"You want me off the case, that's fine, but if I'm right, that this guy is from my past, this would be the perfect time to nail him."
"Will you wear a wire, and stay with Pendergrass the whole time?"
"Okay," she agreed. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not too keen on the idea of meeting this guy face to face. It's scary enough that I know what he's thinking."
"I won't let him get to you, Jo. You've gotten as close as you're ever going to get to him."
She hoped he was right, and that the men to which he entrusted her were as concerned about her safety as he. "You should notify the motel, make sure the rooms closest to mine stay empty. Just in case he does show up here, I don't want innocent bystanders at risk."
"What about your family, any chance he may go for one of them?"
"I don't think so. It's me he wants."
"I'll call in extra reserves and post them just in case."
"Thank you," she said, knowing his budget would never cover the extra expense.
"We're going to catch him, Jo."
She thought about how many times she'd said the same thing to him. How they'd supported one another throughout the past several weeks and how dependent they'd become on that support. "I know we will, Austin."
*****
Jo exited the bathroom slipping the belt through the loops of her jeans. She heard a knock on the door and recognized Austin's voice. "Leave us alone a few minutes," he told Deputy Pendergrass. He came inside and tossed a bullet-proof vest on the bed beside her. "I want you to wear that."
She glanced at it and smiled. "This guy strangles his victims, he doesn't shoot them."
"Just put it on, please."
Judging from his disposition, he wasn't the least bit thrilled that she'd decided to go through with their plans, so to humor him, she did as he asked. She slipped on the vest and fastened the Velcro straps.
"I don't suppose I could talk you out of this?"
She snapped on her hip holster. "If you were in my shoes, would I be able to talk you out of it?"
"No."
"Then don't try and talk me out of it." She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be fine, Austin. I doubt he'll even be there tonight."
He leaned in as if to kiss her and she smiled, pointing to the microphone fastened to her bra. "Careful, big brother is listening."
"It's only Slim, and if he hasn't figured out that I'm crazy about you by now, he's more senile than I think he is." He then took her into his arms, his lips lowering to hers.
It was Austin that ended the kiss. "Promise me you'll be careful out there tonight," he whispered in her ear.
"I promise," she whispered back and reluctantly stepped from his arms. She slipped on her blazer, adding yet another layer to her already sweltering body. "I sure hope there's a breeze tonight. If not I'm liable to short-circuit."
She then walked with him to the door, and after a brief kiss joined Deputy Pendergrass.
*****
Jo sat on the top steps of the courthouse and peered out at the gathering crowd through a pair of binoculars. Photographs of the murdered women that were handed out earlier in the day were now being carried in the hands of strangers coming to show their respect to the victims and in support of the families. She tried to remember how many such vigils she'd attended over the years, but the number escaped her.
One of the first families she recognized was the Harrisons, their faces drawn from lack of sleep. A young man and woman accompanied them, and she could see the resemblance to the sister whose vigil they were now attending. Jo could only imagine their anguish at the senselessness of it all, and prayed they'd find some sort of closure once the killer was caught.
As darkness fell she saw Austin and his other
deputies begin to gather. She turned to Deputy Pendergrass who stood behind her. "Looks like they're ready, shall we go?" she asked. Not bothering to wait for a response, she left her perch on the steps and went to join them.
"Okay we'll split up into pairs," Austin instructed. "Pendergrass, you and Agent McDaniels cover the north quadrant near the podium. Walt, you and Simmons take the east quadrant. Slim and I will take the west. The rest of you fan out and keep your eyes open and your earpieces on. Pendergrass, don't let her out of your sight."
"I won't, Sir."
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
"You're probably used to covert operations like this, huh?" Deputy Pendergrass asked once they'd taken their position.
"I wouldn't exactly call this covert, but yes, I've been to many of these vigils."
"Ever have much luck with them?"
"Sometimes. I don't think we're going to get that lucky tonight, though. I think our man is much smarter."
"Then why are we here?"
"Because at this point we haven't many other options, and I could always be wrong."
He nodded and turned to the gathering mourners. Then together, they began to mingle in the crowd, scanning the faces for anyone who looked familiar to Jo or suspicious to the deputy.
The late evening heat was taking its toll on Jo. She could feel the sweat gathering underneath the vest that Austin insisted she wear. Her misery must have been apparent in her expression because it wasn't long till she heard Slim comment into her earpiece, "You don't appear to be a happy camper there, Jo."
"You try wearing one of these vests in this heat and see how happy it makes you."
"You only have another hour, hang in there."
His words offered little support. "Have you guys seen anything?"
"Other than reporters, I haven't seen anyone that doesn't look familiar."
They were making their way back towards the front when Jo caught sight of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. When they saw her, they smiled and began to approach her through the crowd.
"We've got someone moving towards Agent McDaniels. Caucasian male, mid to late fifties, wearing a blue suit," one of the deputy's said.