So far her answer hadn’t broken any new ground.
“Miss Ballard’s request is both prudent and logical. To demand a higher level of intimacy in the face of her stated preferences would disregard her personal boundaries. So I ask you, Investigator Morgan, why are you struggling to accept her request?”
“Because I love her.”
“Sentiment is not a sufficient explanation. Your own anxieties are likely the source of your discomfort.” Adler’s voice softened. “Particularly the death of your brother.”
Anger flared. “Peter doesn’t have anything to do with this.”
“You requested my insight, Investigator Morgan, despite my cautions.”
Ben caught the hint of hurt underneath the apparent boredom. He wondered how many friends she’d lost over such requests. He wouldn’t be one of them. “I’m sorry. Why do you think this is connected to Peter?”
“You rarely mention your parents, even though both still live and reside within a one hour drive of your present home. No significant rift or crisis event precipitated the separation. The parting occurred gradually enough to avoid rancor. Your brother was your chosen family. Up until this week, you rarely mentioned his name, and showed evidence of extreme emotional distress if it came up in conversation.”
He took a deep breath. “Go on.”
“He was more than family to you,” Adler continued. “He anchored your social and emotional links. Your long-term girlfriend was unable to replace him. Instead, you’ve chosen to retreat from social interactions. Now you have connected with a new woman, and opened yourself up to a deep emotional and social bond. You are also struggling with a justified fear that she will be taken from you, like your brother. Your emotional instability and your push for a declaration of permanence both stem from a desire to counteract uncertainty.”
“You think I’m on edge, and want to push for something solid with Katie because I’m not over my brother’s death?” He repressed an automatic defensive scoff.
“I would be surprised if it were not a contributing factor. Regardless, your choice is simple. Either you address the rift between you and Miss Ballard in order to pursue the relationship, which brings the attendant risk of heartbreak. Or you can sever the relationship, and potentially live with regret.” A sharp click came from Adler’s end of the call. “I’m afraid I do not have further time for discussion. I would express hope that my observations have been useful, but your level of emotional distress suggests you were not prepared for them.”
She hung up, and Ben stared at his phone. As much as he’d hated hearing it, Adler was right. He couldn’t leave with things unsettled between him and Katie. They couldn’t develop a healthy relationship with him in Denver, and her on tour. One of them would have to make a sacrifice, and take a chance.
~ ~ ~
“Wanna talk?” Aggi asked, leaning against the doorway to Katie’s bedroom.
“Not especially.” Katie faked a smile as she hastily tucked her shell hair clip out of view. It had survived the attack and the van crash. She’d kept it within reach ever since.
Aggi flopped onto the bed. “Wanna eat ice cream out of the carton, and listen to sad music?”
“No. But thanks. We didn’t actually break up. We’re seeing each other in a few days.” They were making their relationship work like sober, responsible adults. Why do I feel like crying all the time?
“Well, I broke up with Trevor.” Aggi beamed with pride.
Katie eyed her suspiciously. “You did that before all of this happened. You know, because of the cheating on you thing.”
“We’d been talking about getting back together before the whole Aggi gets kinky story. I felt lonely watching you and Ben. So I considered it.” Aggi shrugged. “Then I saw Ben tearing out of the Fair to find you and, oh my God, it was amazing. He didn’t care about anything except getting you back safely. He refused to leave your side, even after the doctors kicked me out. Me! My celebrity powers were useless. They tried to make Ben leave, and he just looked at them, and they backed off.”
Katie fingered her shell clip. I miss him.
“Next, after his absolutely perfect display of devotion, he steps back because you asked him to go slow. The very last thing he wants to do, and he still did it. Because he cares more about you than he does about him. That’s when I decided if a guy can’t do the same for me, then I don’t want to be with him. I finally told Trevor to hit the road.”
The doorbell rang downstairs, and Mrs. Beauchamp’s shoes clicked toward the front door.
Katie bit her lip. “How’d he take it?”
“Told me I was a vicious bitch-tease who broke his heart. Further proving his lack of suitability.” Aggi sobered. “So why aren’t you with your man?”
“It’s complicated.” Katie got up.
Aggi raised one eyebrow. “You’ve been miserable since he’s been gone.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Honey, you’ve been old school country music level moping,” Aggi teased. “How many songs of doomed love have you written since he left this morning?”
Five. Katie crossed her arms over her chest defensively. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re a horrible liar.” Aggi laughed. “I should totally get a new manager.”
Mrs. Beauchamp tapped on the door. “Miss Katie? Miss Agatha? The service has your things from the hotel. Shall I have them bring up the boxes?”
“Yes, please.” Aggi jumped to her feet, and grabbed Katie’s arms. “Honey, when doing the right thing makes you this miserable, then it wasn’t the right thing to start with. We’re going back to San Diego to fix this mistake.”
Katie shook her head in exasperation.
Aggi skipped away, still laughing. Two large men appeared in her doorway, bearing her suitcases and an open box. She directed them to leave everything inside the door, eager to be rid of strangers in her space. Her comfortable bedroom suddenly felt like an alien prison instead of a retreat.
She picked up Ben’s jacket before it could be squashed under a box. His warm, masculine scent permeated the leather, and she inhaled deeply. Aggi’s right. Screw being cautious. I want to be with him.
She slipped the jacket on, and fastened the shell clip into her hair. I’ll call him. As she picked up her phone, she noticed a folded paper with her name typed on it. A message from the hotel? She opened it, and read the two lines inside before the paper fell from her numb fingers.
If you make a sound, your sister and the housekeeper will die.
Your faithful admirer and servant, Walter.
Chapter 42
“Do pick up the message, Miss Ballard.” The soft male voice came from behind her.
Katie bent down to retrieve the fallen paper. Denial numbed her brain the same way adrenaline numbed her fingers. He’s dead. This can’t be happening.
“Now close, and lock your door.”
She obeyed, her hands shaking.
“I am sorry to resort to crude threats, but you’ve proven surprisingly resourceful. You may turn around now.”
He stood in front of her window holding a long black pistol. The barrel might be aimed at the floor, but Katie had no doubt that he would fire if she rushed at him. After the van, she held no illusions of being fast enough to dodge a bullet. Will he still kill Aggi and Mrs. Beauchamp if he’d already killed me? I can’t take the chance.
She cleared her throat. “I thought you were dead.”
“Of course you did. I went to great efforts to convince everyone, especially Special Agent Orlund. He’s quite pleased to have executed his vengeance. Once the initial flush of success wanes, I expect he’ll discover it’s not as satisfying as he thought it would be. Still, I’m told the FBI has access to many excellent therapists.”
H
er phone lay on the desk. She took half a step closer, trying to mimic a swaying faint. “Who was the man in the van?”
“Sit down, and take notes. I need you to remember this.” He smiled indulgently. “Your phone is disabled, so you shouldn’t waste effort signaling for help. In fact, write that down first.”
Katie sat in the desk chair, making sure she could still see the Director. She fumbled for her notebook and pencil, writing MY PHONE DOESN’T WORK in block capitals across the top of the page.
“The man who kidnapped you from the Fair was a long-term project of mine. I’d realized Mr. Orlund would never relinquish the hunt for me. Frankly, I’d begun to despair. I created magnificent masterpieces, transforming failures into the pinnacle of success for one shining—” He frowned. “You’re not writing this down.”
Katie began taking notes. Her heart pounded in her ears, but her mind had shaken off the shock paralysis. If he wanted her to play the secretary, she’d do it. Especially if it kept him from hurting Aggi or Mrs. Beauchamp.
“Someone should appreciate my efforts.” He tugged his jacket hem straight. “I knew I would need freedom from pursuit. I found men who enjoyed hunting and hurting women. They were despicable facsimiles of human beings.”
Unlike you? She kept the comment locked behind her teeth.
“I chose men similar in appearance to myself. I procured their DNA and fingerprints. When I told your kidnapper where to find you, I swapped his records for my own.” He seemed to be waiting for her to applaud his efforts.
The jacket felt like armor, ready to protect her from whatever Walter planned. It gave her the courage to challenge him.
She sat straighter in the chair. “Why come back for me? You could be anywhere in the world.”
“You are still my project, my dear. And I’ve never left a project unfinished.” He made a tsking sound. “You clearly need my help more than ever. Wasting your potential on a man? No matter how talented he is in bed, you should be ashamed at such weakness. You need me to remind you of the true power of your gift.”
“I’m happy where I am. I don’t want whatever your grand vision is.” She stared at him defiantly, hoping he would walk away. She would forget, but at least she would survive.
“You only think you’re happy.” His tone would be suited to a father explaining to a child why more candy would give her a bellyache. “You can’t comprehend the satisfaction awaiting you because you’ve never experienced it. Once you do, you’ll realize how hollow and pathetic your life has been.”
The fanatical glow in his eyes made her want to vomit. “And then you’ll kill me.”
“It is a kindness. Once you achieve the pinnacle of your life experience, there is only failure and disappointment waiting. The ancient Greeks understood it. Ulysses didn’t mourn the tragedies of his life, he regretted surviving them, and forever being cast in the shadows of his own legend.”
Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote that poem in 1833. It has nothing to do with the worldview of the ancient Greeks. Anger stained her cheeks red.
“I’ll make certain you don’t face such a fate.” His patronizing tone made her want to snap at him. “The only way to truly find a happily ever after is to end the story after the triumph. Your success will last for the rest of your life.”
His reasoning sicken her, a twisted perversion of hope and joy. I can’t let him take me.
“You are feisty. Even now, you still seek to escape. You believe you can tell others about me, or perhaps you believe your Investigator Morgan will ride to your rescue. After all, he gave quite a touching performance during your abduction.” Walter moved closer to her. “You care deeply about one another. It’s why I’ve allowed him to live.”
Katie stood up, anger giving her the courage to overcome fear. “I’m not one of those frightened fools who surrender to the bad guy because he threatens the people around them. You’re one man.”
He laughed. “One man who can slip past even the most alert guards. One man with access to every computer network. One man who remains uncaught despite a vengeance driven manhunt.” Suddenly he stood beside her with his hand wrapped around her throat, and the barrel of the gun prodding her belly. “Do not make the mistake of defying me. You are mine, and I will not let you go. Try to run, and I will slaughter every person you ever cared about. I will hunt you down, and in the end you will still be mine. But you would no longer experience happiness. Instead your life will be defined by terror and guilt. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes.” She choked out the word.
“Write it down!” he thundered, releasing her.
She did as he ordered. I CAN’T ESCAPE. I CAN’T TELL BEN OR AGGI. EVERYONE WILL DIE.
“Now, it’s time for you and I to go.” He tugged at his jacket hem.
“Shouldn’t we wait?” Her mind raced. Once they walked out of this house, her chances of survival shrank. “If I disappear, people will be suspicious.”
“Not when you’ve been considerate enough to leave a note.” His free hand dipped into his pocket, and her laptop turned on. “Open it.”
Katie obeyed slowly, trying to buy time. A document waited once the screen activated.
I can’t go on like this. It’s all too much. For years, my stepsister and stepmother treated me like an invisible servant. I pretended to love them in hopes it would get better, but they stole my music, twisting it to their own purposes. I won’t let my work be perverted anymore, so I’m ending it the only way I can.
“Once we’re gone, this note will print and be found. Your letter of resignation will be sent to your stepsister, lawyer, and other business associates.” He sounded amused.
If she failed to cooperate, others would die. She had no doubt Walter would carry through with his threats. She couldn’t live with more deaths on her conscience. He didn’t mention Ben. Whether it was due to maliciousness or oversight, it gave her a sliver of hope.
“Where are we going?” she asked dully.
He plucked the shell clip out of her hair. “First things first, disposing of these tacky garments. Leave that disgusting leather jacket here.”
The shells clinked against the inside of the garbage can. Katie shrugged off the jacket, feeling naked without its protective shell. As she put it down, she reached into the garbage, and snatched the clip back, slipping it into her pocket. It wasn’t much of a signal, but hopefully it would prevent Aggi and Ben from believing the suicide note.
“Take your notebook. I don’t want to waste our time together having to re-teach you not to cause problems.” His fingers curled around her jaw. “You aren’t the one in charge here. I am. You were mine from the moment I sent the first note. You never had a chance to escape me.”
~ ~ ~
“Ben, is Katie with you?” Aggi sounded terrible.
“No. I’m on my way to the Malibu house.” He’d kept the rental after dropping Ray off at the airport. He wasn’t leaving California until he and Katie settled matters.
“Shit.” Her voice trembled. “She was upset after you left, and when I went to talk to her again, she was gone. Patrick said she sent him a letter of resignation, and told him not to contact her. And then . . . and then . . . .”
Ben’s foot dropped harder on the accelerator. “Then what?”
“Mrs. Beauchamp found it. It looks like a suicide note, but she wouldn’t do that. She couldn’t!”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes, hang on.” Fifteen if he didn’t run into any cops issuing speeding tickets. “I’ll have to hang up to get someone to check her phone.”
“Hurry. I’m really scared.” From her tone, Aggi was on the verge of a nervous collapse.
“I will find her. I’ll be there soon.” He managed to keep his voice reassuring but inside, alarms whirled and screamed.
Ben barely w
aited for Aggi to disconnect before ordering his phone to contact Adler. Ray would still be unavailable in the air. He reminded himself to breathe. She wouldn’t be suicidal. She’s already been through the worst possible situation.
“Investigator Morgan,” Adler answered. “Director Delacroix is not pleased at your choice to remain in California. He’s interrupted twice today to inquire about your activities. It’s disrupting my work.”
“I’m going to disrupt it more. I need you and Lucy to track down a location using a phone number,” Ben said grimly. “I know she’s taking time, but this has to be done fast and right. You two are the only ones I can trust.”
“I take it you don’t have a warrant for this information.”
“Katie has disappeared, and her sister is frantic. I need to find her.” He stopped himself from adding before it’s too late.
“I’m reluctant to disturb Lucy’s personal time—”
“Adler, please. Something is wrong.” He held his breath, wondering if she would refuse.
“I will ask Lucy to track the number, and then I will contact you with the information.” Adler disconnected, giving him no chance to thank her or argue with her.
A dim corner of his mind felt sorry for bothering Lucy. He’d have to make sure to check on her when he got back to Denver. But concern about a colleague took a distant second place to his worry about Katie.
He arrived at the Malibu house, leaving the car haphazardly parked in the drive.
Tears streaked Aggi’s face. “I don’t know what to do.”
“First, take a deep breath.” This wasn’t the first hysterical witness he’d dealt with. The key was to start small, with questions they knew the answers to. “When did you last see her? Take me through it step by step.”
Deadly Potential Page 28