Devil in Disguise

by Morgan James

  I’d bet my last dollar that Coleman and Meredith had been having an affair. What I didn’t know was how she was tied into everything, if at all. It seemed significant somehow, but it was just one more piece of the puzzle that didn’t fit. One thing I did know was, something strange as shit was going on, and I wanted to get to the bottom of it before Kate ended up hurt again.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Kate

  I extended my hand to the detective in charge of Mr. Tripp’s case, and he offered me a kind smile. “How are you feeling?”

  “Still a little sore,” I admitted. He released my hand, and I sank into the seat across from him, Gavin in the chair next to me.

  Mayfield’s gaze bounced between the two of us before he spoke. “I don’t have any news yet, if that’s why you stopped in.”

  I bit my lip. “It actually is, kind of.”

  His head tipped slightly to one side in question, and I slanted a look at Gavin before speaking. “I feel really stupid coming to you like this, but I don’t know what else to do.”

  “I’ll do my best to help,” he said as he reclined back in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach.

  I took a moment to gather my thoughts, then dived in. “Do you remember me telling you that I was the one who found the body out on Hartwell about a month ago?”

  He dipped his chin. “I remember you saying as much.”

  “So...” I dragged out the word, sure that he would laugh at me when I told him my suspicions. “You’ve found two other sets a remains so far, right?”

  His dark eyes pierced mine. “We’re still investigating to see if they’re connected in any way.”

  “I’m not fishing for details,” I assured him. “It’s been on my mind a lot lately, especially after the shooting at the coffee shop, and...”

  I trailed off, and Gavin draped an arm over my shoulders, lending comfort but allowing me to take the lead. I shot him a grateful smile for his unwavering support, then drew in a deep breath and turned back to the detective. “I honestly don’t know what this means, but I thought I would bring it to your attention.”

  “What’s that?” Cool and controlled to the core, Detective Mayfield’s expression remained completely impassive.

  “I work at the VA on the south side of town, and a couple of nurses were discussing everything that had happened. The news was on during our lunch break, and I saw that they had identified that first victim, the one I found in the field.”

  “Mr. Tripp,” Mayfield confirmed with a tight nod.

  “Right. Well, we got to talking, and I discovered that he was a patient there prior to his death.” He nodded slightly, his expression bland as if he was waiting for me to eventually make my point. “Anyway, the incisions made on Mr. Tripp were precise, surgical.”

  His brows drew together. “Do you know that for a fact? None of the details have been made known to the public.”

  “I happened to be there when Dr. Pratt discovered the organs were missing, remember?” I reminded him. “Plus, there is a distinct difference between a surgical incision and a tear in the tissue from, say, animals feasting on it.”

  “Fair enough,” he said mildly. “Continue.”

  “Anyway, I know Dr. Pratt suspected it was made by someone who’s had medical training, like a doctor. When the subject of Mr. Tripp came up, I got to thinking about everything that’s happened. As soon as they identified the second victim, Mr. Keane, I noticed that he was a patient, too. I didn’t say anything at the time, because I didn’t think it was relevant, but I overheard an argument at the VA between Dr. Coleman and another man just a couple weeks prior to me being shot at.”

  “What was the argument about?”

  “It seemed innocuous enough,” I said. “A man came in and blamed Dr. Coleman for what I believed at the time was the death of a patient. Larry said that Coleman would “pay for it,” whatever he’d done. As it turns out, the man—Larry Raines—is my boyfriend’s boss.” I tipped my head in Gavin’s direction. “I found out that his wife was in an accident a while ago, and she’d been receiving medical care at home. I don’t know the extent of her injuries, but it seemed to be pretty bad.”

  Mayfield stared at me for a long moment, looking almost bored. “Could be a complete coincidence.”

  “Could be,” Gavin spoke up from beside me. “But I have it on good authority that Coleman was with Meredith Raines at the time of the accident.”

  “Here’s the thing,” I said slowly. “She wasn’t dead at the time, and Meredith was never a patient of his. I don’t know how she fits into this, but I’ve been thinking back on that altercation between the two men. That argument could have been about her or... something else.”

  “Such as?”

  “Whatever happened, Larry was furious. Maybe mad enough to lash at out Coleman or try to blackmail him. Coleman has medical training and access to patient records. What if one or both of them are involved in smuggling organs?”

  Mayfield his eyes flared wide for a moment. “That’s quite an accusation.”

  “It could all just be a coincidence, but...” I pulled out Tripp’s and Keane’s patient files and spread them on the desk.

  “Not only was Tripp a patient at the branch where I work, but Keane, who was just identified a couple days ago, was a patient at another branch.” I pointed to the part of the file with the emergency information. “Blood type for both men is O-negative, and their files list them as single with no next of kin.”

  Mayfield’s gaze dropped to the papers on the desk, and I could practically see the wheels turning. “So, Raines blames Coleman for his wife’s accident and subsequent death, but how do we jump from a disgruntled husband to a smuggling scheme?”

  “Maybe it’s not related at all.” I lifted a shoulder. “I know how crazy this all sounds, believe me. I tried to talk myself out of coming here, but I feel like it’s too... bizarre to just be a coincidence.”

  “Other than the shooting, have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?”

  “Raines has been acting strangely for the past several weeks,” Gavin stated. “Could be the complications with his wife, or it could be... something else. If he’s been blackmailing Coleman, it would explain the argument they had. Maybe he’s worried about being found out.”

  Mayfield stroked his jaw, then pointed to Keane’s file. “Do you mind if I make a copy of these?”

  I shook my head. “Just keep them. All I ask is that you keep an open mind.”

  “I’ll do what I can,” he promised.

  I had to take the man at his word. He wouldn’t tell me about an ongoing investigation, but I truly hoped he followed through with it.

  “Thank you.” I stood and shook his hand one more time. “I really do appreciate your help.”

  “Anytime,” he acknowledged.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Gavin

  The day was clear and bright, completely incongruous with the somber atmosphere of the crowd gathered around Meredith’s gravesite. Behind a pair of dark shades, I scanned the solemn faces around seated in the white plastic chairs as the pastor gave his eulogy. Clay was seated toward the front, and I knew he was doing the same.

  So far I’d spotted Larry and his children, Shannon and Christopher. He’d remained dry-eyed and stoic throughout, while Shannon dabbed primly at the occasional tear. Christopher seemed the most broken up, his face red as he tried to control himself. I felt bad for the kids. No matter what had happened between Larry and Meredith, Shannon and Christopher had just lost their mother.

  Afterward, we formed a line and, after a final prayer, began to toss roses on top of the casket. I added mine to the pile, then headed toward my truck. Clay was already ahead of me, and my phone vibrated an alert in my pocket. I pulled it out to discreetly read the text.

  Thompson: Silver truck, far left

  I glanced around, then finally spotted it parked at the very end of a long line of cars along the side of the road winding th
rough the cemetery. I climbed inside, obscured by the heavily tinted windows. “You see anything?”

  Clay Thompson sat in the driver seat, one hand on the wheel, the other in his lap, looking as condescending as ever. “Nothing. You?”

  “Nope.” I turned my attention back to the gravesite. “Keep an eye on them.”

  “Trying to tell me how to do my job?”

  I threw him a bewildered look. “Why do you always have to be such a dick?”

  His mouth kicked up in a smirk. “I ask myself the same question all the time, pretty boy.”

  “Pretty sure I murdered somebody in a past life,” I grumbled. What the hell did I do to deserve being saddled with this giant asshole?

  Clay let out a mirthless laugh, and we lapsed into silence for several long moments as we watched people slowly make their way away from the gravesite toward their cars. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking for, but I had a feeling I’d know it when I saw it. Larry and his children stood next to the casket, accepting sentiments of sympathy from the guests, and Coleman remained off to the side, still seated in one of the plastic chairs.

  “How’s Kate?” Clay broke the silence, sounding genuinely concerned, and I shot a look in his direction before responding.

  “Still sore, but she says she’s okay. Hasn’t been sleeping well.”

  “I imagine.” Clay let out a little snort. “You always did get the pretty ones.”

  My hackles rose as jealousy engulfed me. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “Not a damn thing.”

  I couldn’t miss the bitter resentment in his tone, and I turned fully in my seat to face him. “What the hell is your problem? You’ve had a stick up your ass since we were kids. Don’t you think it’s about time to get over whatever adolescent drama you’ve got going on?”

  “You think I’m the dramatic one?” His lip curled up in a sneer. “You always had your head so far up your daddy’s rich ass that you never could see anyone but yourself.”

  I stared at him for a second. “Is that what the hell this pissing contest is about? You spent the last twenty years hating me because my family had money and yours didn’t? I never did a goddamn thing except try to help you.”

  “Don’t need your kind of help, pretty boy,” he shot back.

  “Jesus Christ,” I replied. “I’ve never known anyone so smart who acts so stupid.”

  He turned a lethal glare on me. “Call me stupid one more time and see how it works out for you.”

  I rolled my eyes at his egotistical display. “I said you acted stupid, asshole. You were one of the smartest people I knew, could’ve done anything you wanted. Jesus, you were probably smarter than our valedictorian. You just never gave a shit about anything.”

  A cocky little smirk lifted his lips, infuriating me further. I don’t know why it bothered me so much, except I hated to see someone with so much talent waste every opportunity presented.

  “I never could figure that out about you,” I said as I studied him. “Aside from being brilliant, you were the best damn athlete I’d ever seen—football, baseball, didn’t matter what it was; if there was a ball involved, you had it nailed. You could’ve had a scholarship to any school you wanted, but you threw that away because you’re lazy.”

  The smile slipped from his face, and his eyes took on a flinty expression. “Go fuck yourself, Price. I didn’t want anything to do with you and your little asshat buddies, not even when your coach came crawling to me, begging me to join.”

  “Who the fuck do you think told him about you?” I exploded. “Think he just figured it out on his own?” I let out a little half laugh as I leaned back against the door panel and shook my head. “Should’ve known not to expect anything more from you.”

  For the next couple minutes, we were both silent, watching the stragglers by Meredith’s grave. Finally, I snuck a look at him. For the first time ever, his cockiness had leached away, leaving his expression thoughtful and borderline insecure. I scrubbed one hand over my face, feeling like a complete asshole. I didn’t know why I hadn’t seen it before. Yeah, he’d been a dick, and though I didn’t know much about his past, I knew his home life hadn’t been the greatest. The kids in school had been assholes to him, and he’d retaliated the only way he knew how—by being defensive and aloof.

  “Sorry, man.” After a long moment, he gave a small nod, and that was the end of it. I blew out a soft breath as the last of the guests strode away. All that remained were the caretakers, Larry, and his family. Coleman stood off to the side, next to a tree, and I wondered if he’d wait until they lowered her into the ground before leaving. Had he been in love with Meredith? It was all kind of tragic in a way. “Do you think—”

  My train of thought was abruptly cut off as I watched Larry stalk toward Coleman. Even from here, I could tell he was pissed. His arms moved in erratic, furious arcs. “Whoa. Check that out.”

  “He looks pissed,” Clay acknowledged.

  I watched as Raines’s son stepped between the two men and practically dragged Larry off. Shannon covered her face, shoulders hunched. Larry threw one more angry look at Coleman, then looped an arm around Shannon and guided her away.

  “Interesting,” I said as Clay put the truck in drive and pulled out. There was definitely some bad blood there. I wondered exactly when the police would bring him in for questioning. We’d spoken with Mayfield early this morning, but I’d turned down Kate’s offer to join me here today. I wanted her at home where I knew she was safe, and right now, all I wanted was to get back to her.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Kate

  Gavin’s fingers slid through my hair, and his skin was warm against my cheek, his heart thudding softly next to my ear. For the past couple of days, things between us had been... perfect. He was more than I dreamed he would be, better than anything I could’ve ever hoped for. We’d settled into a rhythm as naturally as if we’d been together forever. I entertained myself while he was gone, then we had dinner together and spent most of the evening talking and laughing before we fell into bed together.

  Though I was content, I couldn’t help the feeling of worry that consumed me when I thought about what might happen when I returned to work. As soon as all of this was over, I would be able to move back to my condo. The idea didn’t hold the same appeal it had a mere week ago. Not wanting to disrupt the tenuous balance between us, neither Gavin nor I had broached the subject again. He’d made his intentions clear; now I just had to make up my mind.

  His deep voice broke the silence. “I talked to Clay today.”

  From my spot draped over his torso, I angled my head up to look at him. “What did he have to say?” I was curious to know if they had learned anything since Meredith’s funeral.

  “I don’t have good news for you.” Gavin let out a sigh. “According to him, the police picked Coleman up for questioning yesterday after the funeral.”

  As far as I could tell, that was a good thing. It meant the detective was seriously considering what we’d told him, and I was both grateful and worried. What if Coleman was actually accused of doing something so heinous? And how many times had he done this? I already pitied his poor family. The investigation was only the beginning of what could be a very long and emotional process for everyone involved.

  “They questioned him but couldn’t find enough evidence to get a warrant or book him.”

  Everything in me stilled as I processed his words. “What does that mean?”

  Dark eyes met mine. “There was nothing conclusive tying him to any of the crimes, and his wife alibied him for the time of the shooting. They had no choice but to release him last night.”

  Rolling away from him, I sat up and dragged a hand through my hair. I felt Gavin’s heat at my back as he moved closer. “I’m sorry, babe. I know you wanted this to be the end—we both did.”

  He was wrong. I couldn’t stand the thought of Coleman being responsible for the murders of those poor men. I only wanted j
ustice, but the primary suspect had just been released.

  Gavin dropped a kiss on my shoulder. “They’re checking several other leads. Clay told them about the altercation between Larry and Coleman after the funeral.”

  I threw a look at him over my shoulder. “That doesn’t mean anything. He could just be pissed they were having an affair.”

  After I’d learned about the connection between Eli and Meredith, Larry’s words made more sense. Meredith had been lost to him months before she’d passed away—and he’d blamed Eli for all of it.

  “What do we do now?” I heard the helplessness in my tone, and Gavin wrapped an arm around my waist.

  “C’mere, babe.” He tugged me back down and pulled me close to his side, tucking my head against his shoulder. It felt like something a parent would do for their child, and my first instinct was to rebel. His hand swept down my spine, and I relaxed against him, allowing myself to wallow in the comfort and security of his embrace.

  “We’ll figure it out.” He spoke quietly against my hair. “I promise.”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to demand how he knew, but a sudden realization stopped me. I trusted him, and if he believed they would find the person responsible, so then did I.

  I turned my head and kissed the base of his neck. “Thank you.”

  His arms tightened around me, and I felt myself begin to drift off. Sometime later, my phone vibrated on the nightstand, jerking me from sleep. The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, and I didn’t recognize the number on the screen. Gavin’s arm tightened around my waist, and I snuggled against him as I hit the button. I was almost asleep again when the phone beeped an alert that I had a voicemail.

  Who the hell would be calling me this early in the morning? Heaving myself up on my elbow, I listened to the short message from Becky, the HR director at the VA.