by Geri Krotow
Chapter 16
Holden had suspected it was the serial killer that plagued the other two pageants, and now he had proof, or as close to definitive evidence as he’d have until he apprehended the bastard. The same DNA had been discovered at both murder sites, indicating the same killer. He didn’t have DNA evidence processed from the Ms. Mustang Valley pageant yet, but he wasn’t waiting on it. The fact that Bella was his next target was clear enough. From the camera he’d found on her window to the attack on first her and now Becky, the killer was following his or her own profile to a T.
Bella. He had no regrets about making love to her that morning, but it had been too risky. If anything had happened while he’d been distracted...
You knew you were safe, protected. MVPD had been there the entire time. Still, Bella was more than a woman he was attracted to in a very big way. She was his friend’s sister. He owed the truth to Spence—that he’d let his dick run the show that morning. Of course, that put Holden at risk, because Spencer was likely to clock him when he found out he’d put personal pleasure over mission requirements.
Before he had a chance to come up with the best way to let Spencer know that he had made sure the other LEA were in place before he made love to Bella, he heard the crunch of steps on the crushed seashells and gravel.
Spencer rounded the far corner of the yard, his expression resolute. They were on the eastern edge of the house and property so there was still some shade thrown by the house, but it was rapidly narrowing as the sun traveled across the sky.
“Hey.” Spencer nodded. He was alone, with no sign of his dog Boris or the curtain Holden had asked for.
“Good morning. Did you find something to block out the view through the bathroom-shower window?”
“I did—it’s in my SUV. I wanted to talk to you alone first, without Bella hearing us. Is she inside?”
“Yes. She’s busy on a videoconference for the pageant, in the spare room, so we can go inside if you want.” It was at least twenty degrees cooler in the house.
Spencer shook his head. “Not right away. First, give me the rundown on what you have so far.”
“Not as much as I’d like, but I do have some new information from my office in Phoenix.” Holden outlined where they were so far, including the description of the explosion he’d gleaned from Bella and the other women. He told Spencer about finding Becky at the base of the backstage stairwell, and that she was expected to make a full recovery. “I’m waiting for you to tell me we can resume pageant activity at Mustang Valley High. Or do you think we need to move it?”
Spencer shook his head. “No, we’re not moving it. My chief talked to your boss, too, and they’re in agreement that this might be the only chance to catch the serial killer. At least it looks like we can take Becky off the suspect list. Although, frankly, I’m not ruling out anything.”
“You think Becky threw herself down the stairs?” Holden knew it was possible, but considered it unlikely. It would have been too difficult for Becky to set off the bomb at the same time.
“It’s always possible. No matter, we’re going to go ahead with the pageant. We’ve got the high school locked down tight now. I’m concerned that if we move it anywhere else, it could leave a hole for the killer to sneak through.”
Holden’s gut twisted. “I don’t like where this is going, Spencer.”
“You think that I do? Bella’s my sister, man.” He didn’t say what they both knew, he didn’t have to. The killer had his target on Bella. She fit the profile perfectly with her green eyes and red hair.
“I can put a call in to get a substitute, a look-alike.” But Holden knew that the FBI didn’t operate as it was often portrayed on television or in the movies. Finding an agent who matched Bella’s description wasn’t easy, and they didn’t have enough time. Plus it would involve letting the entire pageant know that Bella was out, some stranger that looked like her was in. Even if they cut in the contestants and board on the undercover op, it wasn’t safe. It risked spooking the killer, too.
“We both know that won’t happen in time, don’t we?”
“Yeah.” Holden crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I have to think about how we’re going to work this when we go back to the school. I’m pretty certain the killer is behind the attacks—who else would it be? But I don’t like that he’s actually a part of the pageant, and that we haven’t figured out who it is yet. We’ve yet to confirm that any one person has worked all three pageants.”
“I hear you. I’m working on a difficult case myself.” Lines appeared between Spencer’s brows.
“Yeah?”
“Are you aware of what’s going on in Mustang Valley with the other side of the Coltons? The rich side?” Spencer grinned and it reminded Holden of the laughs they’d had downrange. Humor was imperative when facing life-or-death situations each day, and Spencer’s had helped him through.
“I’m up to speed on the fact that Ace Colton was switched at birth, that no one knows by who or why. And the man he thought was his father, Payne Colton, remains in a coma, correct?” Holden had almost forgotten about that case, as he was so wrapped up in the pageant killer.
“That’s right.” Spencer shifted his weight, his concern evident. “We finally tracked the email sent via the dark web to Colton Oil that spilled the beans on Ace Colton not being a biological Colton. It was from a man named Harley Watts’s laptop, and he admitted he sent the email, as ordered by his boss. He was about to tell us who exactly he worked for, but then he had a visitor and clammed up.”
Holden’s nape tingled. “Who was the visitor?”
“Have you noticed the contestant Leigh Dennings?”
“Blonde, pretty, always super nice—to a fault. Yeah, I’ve noticed her.” He’d cringed as she’d spoken to Bella the other day. “She’s with the Affirmation Alliance Group, right?”
“Yup. She’s a big follower of Affirmation Alliance Group, AAG, one of their ‘welcome managers.’”
“Right. I’ve heard of AAG, and have read quite a bit of backstory on them. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, but frankly most of my attention is directed at keeping Bella safe and catching the killer.” He had two large interests that drew him to apply for the FBI: serial killers and cults. This particular case should be his dream LEA op, but instead he’d found himself more worried than intrigued.
It was a different way to work a case when he cared about someone he was supposed to be protecting.
He cared.
Did he care for Bella or would he feel the same about any woman he was attracted to right now?
“So you know that AAG is dangerous, Holden?”
“I do. I’ve warned Bella to be careful around Leigh, who seems very nice and welcoming, but—”
“But you know she’ll suck the spirit out of you and she shares everything she’s told and overhears with her superiors in the group. It’s creepy at best, a cult at worst. I don’t want Bella anywhere near her.” Spencer sounded like the protective brother he was.
“Near who?”
Bella’s voice came from the back patio, where she stood with two iced glasses of water.
“Is your rehearsal session over?” Holden smiled his thanks as he took the large tumbler, gulping down the cold nectar.
“Answer my question. Who were you talking about?” When Holden didn’t reply, she focused on her brother. “Spencer?” Their sibling bond was evident, as was her irritation at her brother for not speaking up.
Holden had served alongside Spencer Colton and trusted him with his life. He’d never seen Spencer as much as blink in the face of danger. Yet he appeared to have hit a wall—his sister.
“I can’t talk about an active investigation.”
“Holden?”
Green eyes he’d seen lit from within as he moved inside her, bringing her to a second climax, looked at him with exaspe
ration. And a hint of warmth that hadn’t been there a day ago. “Let me guess. You’re talking about Leigh.”
Holden exchanged a glance with Spencer.
Bella rolled her eyes. “I already know you’re investigating AAG, Spencer. They’ve come up at Mustang Valley Gabber more than once. It’s hard to miss an always-positive, be-your-best-you kind of group when it shows up in our small town. Spit out whatever else you know, Spencer.”
“I don’t know anything new, unfortunately. But that doesn’t mean you can trust Leigh. I wish you’d quit this ridiculous pageant.” Spencer wiped his brow and Holden felt the sweat pouring down his back. They needed to move this inside soon.
“As long as you intend to remain in the pageant, Bella, you need to be very careful around her. We don’t know her motives.” Holden knew Bella didn’t like anyone telling her what to do, but he had to be honest with her.
“I used to think the way you both do, about Ms. Mustang Valley. About all beauty pageants. But they’re not all about looks when they have scholarships available, and when there are more scores in relation to talent and essays and answering questions.” A red blush highlighted her smooth skin, her determination etched on her expression.
“Sounds like you’ve been drinking some Ms. Mustang Valley drink that’s brainwashed you, sis.” Spencer wasn’t moved by his sister’s beauty.
“That’s not fair, Spence, and you know it. I’m the biggest skeptic of all three of us.” Holden instinctively knew she wasn’t referring to him but to her brother Jarvis, Spencer and herself. “But since I’ve gone through the application process and have made it to the contestant phase, I’ve seen different sides of the pageant.”
“Such as?” Spencer’s incredulity was hilarious but Holden thought better of laughing aloud while the siblings were hashing it out.
“The women competing for the scholarship really need it. They are doing this to better themselves, Spencer. It’s no different than when you and I fought like heck to get into college and then to find a way to pay for it.”
“Except we didn’t have to parade around in a bikini to get our scholarships, or suck up to a bunch of tight-lipped snobs.”
“No, we didn’t, but we knew we had other options, and it worked out for us the first time around. It doesn’t happen for a lot of people, Spencer. Definitely not the initial time they apply.” Bella’s passion stirred a deep longing in Holden. For a partner, sure, but for more. Something lasting.
“You may be right.” Holden couldn’t tell if Spencer didn’t want to upset Bella any more or if he really was believing her. He suspected it was a combination of both. “But you still need to be very careful around Leigh. She’s associated with a dangerous group, and that makes her a suspect.”
“You don’t think she’s a murderer, do you? And are we sure there’s a murderer or are we talking more of someone who gets off on scaring and injuring people? I know the DNA proved the other two murders are linked, but maybe we don’t have the same person here.”
“Murderer.”
“Serial killer.”
Holden’s reply melded with Spencer’s and he watched Bella’s eyes widen for an instant before she regained her composure.
“Well, at least you two agree. Here I thought going after Selina Barnes Colton’s backstory was going to give me an extra juicy piece to work on, next to my exposé.”
“Both stories could get you hurt or worse, Bella. At least wait until we identify the killer.” Spencer was on a roll. “What’s so wrong with staying put at the Mustang Valley Gabber? You’ve built up a good readership and you like it, don’t you?”
“I want more. I can do more. I’m going for a bigger job. If it were Jarvis looking to do something besides his ranch work would you be giving him such a hard time?”
Sensing a standoff between the two, Holden cleared his throat. “I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m sweating bullets out here. Why don’t we go inside?”
“You two go. I’ve got to get back to work. Let me get the curtain out of my car.” Spencer stalked off and Bella shot Holden a questioning glance.
“Curtain?”
“Yeah. I asked him to bring me something to block the view through your bathroom window.”
“The one with the camera.” He saw her shudder. “You really think it’s the killer, don’t you?”
Integrity warred with the need to protect her from all harm, psychological as well as physical. Her vulnerability was guarded with her defensive posture, but he knew the softest parts of her, the treasure that the killer wanted to wipe off the face of the earth.
Bella’s safety was paramount. She deserved nothing less than the truth.
“I’m positive it’s the killer.”
* * *
They thought they were smart, holing up at her house. The cops weren’t going to make the job easier but the challenges were often the most exciting parts of the lifestyle of a professional killer. The only thing more fun was watching the girls die.
They were stupid, stupid girls for entering a beauty contest. The redheads rarely got as much attention as the blondes. Didn’t Mommy always say that? She’d never been paid any attention by Daddy, who ran out when Mommy had a two-year-old to raise. The memories of lurid fights were still there, no matter how young the brain had been.
Mommy needed someone to help her die and that’s where the best lessons were learned. Bella Colton would join the rest of the redheads that had died with love and affection, all because of what Mommy taught as she lay on her deathbed, unable to be cured of the awful disease that took her.
Soon, Bella, soon. I’m coming to save you from this awful life. Your death will be so, so peaceful. After I get you all to myself.
Chapter 17
“I’m craving a steak.” Bella eyed the menu, her only protection between her and Holden. His aura wrapped around her as he sat across the Formica table on the opposite booth bench, his legs too close to hers.
“Get whatever you want.” He’d already perused the menu then shut it without much prevarication.
“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to take advantage of the government tab.”
“It’s not on the FBI—it’s on me.”
That made it sound like a date, except Holden wasn’t playing the part. She’d angered him when she’d pushed to get out of the house late this afternoon, and she didn’t blame him for being annoyed with her. If it were her guarding him, she wouldn’t want him to leave a building that was surrounded by MVPD officers and wired with extra security systems that Spencer had Jarvis install today.
“I’m sorry, Holden. I know why you wanted to stay at my house, but after you told me that I’m definitely a target, that you know it’s a killer, I couldn’t stay there one more minute. The killer’s been to my house, my home.” She picked her menu up again. “At least he didn’t get inside the house.”
“No, there’s no indication that he did.” Holden looked at her with his dark, dark eyes and she wished they were back in her bedroom. Instead they were out of Mustang Valley and having a late dinner at an upscale shopping strip several miles away, hoping to get a mental break from the weight of the case.
“Thanks for coming here.”
“Is it a place you go often?” He looked around at the southwestern-chic surroundings, the soft lighting even in the early afternoon, the linen tablecloth. She sucked in a breath when his gaze landed back where she craved it. On her.
“No, not really. I mean, I like it here, but I’ve only recently started to earn enough to come here whenever I want to.”
“You seem very successful for a reporter. I’m told it’s a brutal business.”
Again with the allusion to his ex. She wished Holden had never met that woman. “All writing is difficult to make a living at. It’s the way it is. But I hold my own, and if I can manage to get the kind of job I want,
I’ll be doing very well.”
His face stilled and she saw it as a warning sign. A red flag that she was encroaching his offensive.
“You have to have a passion to do your job.”
“A passion? I see it more as the desire for the truth. Always the truth, no more, no less.”
“At any cost?”
“That’s an odd question. It depends on what the story is. The pageant story, yes, I feel I’m willing to do whatever it’ll take, because Gio gave her all to this system, in the worst way. Now, if I can glean some dirt on Selina in the process, you bet I’ll take it and run with it. But Selina Barnes Colton isn’t worth staying in the pageant for. Definitely not worth being stalked by a serial killer.”
His face had turned to stone, reminding her of the sandstone cliffs she enjoyed hiking whenever she escaped north to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. At least the cliffs reflected the setting sun. Holden revealed nothing. Wherever his thoughts had gone was a dark place.
The waitress took their orders and they remained quiet as their drinks—sparkling water for her and a cola drink for him—were placed on the bistro-style table that was covered with a white tablecloth, a nice touch in an otherwise casual dining atmosphere.
“Do you have any idea when we’ll go back to the school?” She ran her fingers on her sweating tavern glass.
He shook his head. “It’s up to MVPD to give the all clear. They’re working with us, of course, and I don’t anticipate it’ll take much longer.”
“I’d imagine it’ll be a mess, from the explosion.”
“Naw. It looked bigger than it was. The explosive was very small—it was how and when it was detonated that made it so scary, and loud. The tear gas was for added effect but didn’t damage anything in the vicinity.”
“Yet if any of us had been closer it could have killed us.”
“Getting hit by the locker door, yes, technically it could have injured you. But the tear gas was the real weapon. And surprise.”
“Yes.”