Chapter Twenty-Four

Olivia swallowed roughly, dreading what they would see when Alex played the video. He was so in tune to her feelings, he reached back and clutched her hand. She clung to it like a lifeline.

Callie’s face appeared on the screen and Olivia winced. Her eyes were red and swollen and mascara ran in black rivers down her cheeks.

“M-my name is Callie Graves and I…please don’t make me do this!” There was a small sound and Callie gasped. Olivia turned away, willing the seven course meal she’d feasted on earlier in the evening to settle in her stomach. It was hard enough to watch a person being tortured, let alone someone you know. She gathered her strength and turned to the screen again. Callie blinked, her eyes barely open. “My name is Callie and I stole an envelope addressed to Olivia Larrson. I knew what it was and I did it for my career. I wanted the recognition she was getting. I’ve been at the station longer. It was wrong and I apologize.”

White text on a black background scrolled across the screen. This is not to be played on air. It was personal. But let this be a warning…disregard my instructions and there will be consequences. Since Callie Graves was acting alone and I am not a monster, I will give closure to the families of Mr. and Mrs. Wicks and Morris Clarke. An address popped up, with a note that indicated their car would be found at the bottom of the lake.

Alex navigated to the next video and hit play. This man looked resigned. “My name is Gordon Long. I killed my wife, Erica Long. I wanted a divorce, she said over her dead body, so I did what I had to do.” The video ended with the same instructions that Olivia introduce the clip on Monday night.

Alex closed the laptop and ran a hand down his face. “I should call Benson and Kramer. They’ll need to call in a dive team to drag the lake.”

“If the Vigilante sticks to his MO, they’ll find Morris Clarke’s body as well,” Sawyer pointed out.

Olivia couldn’t stop shaking. “What about Callie? Do you think she’s dead?”

Alex’s voice was gentle. “I can’t imagine he or she would let her live if she saw a face.”

Olivia closed her eyes and swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I need to call Jonah.”

“It’s going to be another long night,” Sawyer murmured.

#

Olivia knew she should protest when Alex scooped her out of the SUV and carried her to the hotel room. Usually she was the one taking charge. She was strong and focused and determined but right now, all she felt was weak and heartsick and defeated. She had no strength left.

It had taken a dive team less than thirty minutes to find the car with the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Wicks inside. Morris Clarke’s body had also been found at the lake…along with Callie Graves.

Roddy and Phil arrived and she gave a breaking news report, leaving Callie out of it for now. Her family hadn’t been put on alert.

Much like Darla, she and Callie had never been friends, but her death still hurt. Callie had been selfish, secretive and vindictive, but character flaws weren’t worth losing her life. Whereas before, the Vigilante was eliminating people who’d gotten away with murder, Callie’s sins were minor in comparison. The Vigilante crossed the thin line from justice-seeker to cold-blooded murderer.

Olivia jerked awake when Alex placed her on the bed. She must’ve nodded off on the ride up the elevator. He carefully removed her shoes and massaged her aching feet. Once again, he read her mind. When she was almost asleep again, he coaxed her to sit up so he could remove her dress. The bodice had a built in bra, so as soon as he pulled it over her head, she was left in only a lacy black thong. She didn’t even try to cover herself. She didn’t have the energy and Alex had already seen every part of her body. He eased her back down and slid her legs under the sheets. She really needed to stop being such a wuss. She took care of people…not the other way around.

Once he had her settled on the pillows, he dusted a kiss across her lips and turned off the bedside light. She made a desperate sound in her throat and held out her hand. “Please, stay.”

He clasped her fingers and swept a strand of hair from her forehead. “I’m just going to get out of this suit and take a quick shower. BeBe would kill me if I wrinkled the tux. It’s a rental.” He kissed her again and padded to the bathroom.

She jerked awake again when the bed shifted and Alex slid in behind her. He smelled like soap and mouthwash and something that was uniquely him. She curled into him and he pulled her close.

She buried her nose against his naked chest and fell into a deep sleep.