Unnerved by the image of the labradoodle, Cowgirl, with the local newspaper, Chase threw back the dark blue covers and sat on the edge of the bed just as another text came through from the same number.
Looking forward to the reunion and finishing what I started!
A coffin emoji followed the sentence.
Dread clamped around Chase’s chest like a steel trap. He sent an alert to the team requesting a meeting first thing in the morning.
Having confirmation that the Rocky Mountain Killer was in Elk Valley caused anxiety to riot in Chase’s gut.
Dash rose from his bed and came to sit beside Chase, resting his snout on his partner’s knee.
“He’s here,” Chase whispered, placing a hand on his dog. Acid burned through his veins. It was time to end the serial killer’s reign of terror once and for all.
Burying his fingers into the golden retriever’s soft fur, Chase contemplated the killer’s next move. What did he mean finishing what I started?
Was he referring to the bombing at Zoe’s house?
There was no doubt the RMK was gunning for Trevor Gage. The killer had said as much in his previous messages. But Trevor was with Hannah, far away in a safe house, not here in Elk Valley.
Was there someone else the RMK planned to target? Who? When? Why?
The questions spun around his brain like a revolving door.
The inkling of the plan that had tickled Chase earlier blossomed. He would need to discuss with his team how best to orchestrate a trap for the Rocky Mountain Killer. But first, he needed his boss and the Elk Valley police chief to sign off on the concept that was bubbling inside his mind.
Since he wouldn’t get any more sleep tonight, Chase dressed for the coming day and then leashed Dash. They paused outside Zoe and Kylie’s room. The baby had finally settled down and all was quiet. Mother and daughter were safe and sound.
Chase intended to keep it that way.
Zoe awoke in the guestroom of Chase and Liam Rawlston’s home. Kylie slept nearby in the donated crib. Morning sunlight flooded the room through the window that overlooked the well-groomed backyard.
The soft cream walls were decorated with seascape paintings and the soothing tones of the blue-and-green bed covering were comforting. She would never have imagined herself being here yesterday when she’d awakened at home.
So much had happened in a short time.
Her house had been blown up.
She and Kylie were now living in the Rawlston home for the foreseeable future, and she was grateful to the two men for their hospitality. She hoped Kylie’s fussing in the middle of the night hadn’t kept anyone else awake.
She couldn’t stay here indefinitely. She needed to call her home insurance company and determine when she’d be able to rebuild her house. She mentally made a note to call the mayor and her other clients about their food orders, but she didn’t have a plan yet. She’d have to figure out where she could resume working from. The stress of it all tightened the muscles in her shoulders.
While Kylie continued to sleep, Zoe took the opportunity to shower and change into a pair of jeans and a lightweight sweater she’d taken from the donation boxes.
She returned to a wide-awake baby. After changing Kylie’s diaper, she dressed Kylie in a cute little pants and zip-up jacket ensemble in a peach color with a white onesie underneath. Socks with a ducky motif and a yellow bow for her hair completed the outfit.
Zoe carried Kylie out to the kitchen where she found Liam busy cooking pancakes and bacon. Chase was nowhere to be seen.
His dog, Dash, however, greeted her and Kylie with a wagging tail. The large plume swept through the air, stirring the scent of bacon and making Zoe’s stomach rumble.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Liam said. “It’s not often I get to make breakfast for more than just me.”
“Chase doesn’t eat breakfast?” she asked.
“Not often.” Liam carried a stack of pancakes and a plate of bacon to the already set table. “He’s usually up and gone before I’m awake.”
A strange disappointment settled between her shoulders. “He’s already gone?”
“He is,” Liam said. He held up a sheet of paper. “He left a note.”
From Liam’s tone, Zoe guessed this was abnormal. She arched an eyebrow. “And?”
Liam grinned and read from the page. “Dad, watch over Zoe and Kylie. There’s an officer stationed outside. I’ll be back by lunch.”
Even when absent, Chase was keeping her and Kylie safe. Warmth spread through Zoe. She glanced at the kitchen clock hanging over the sink. “I have to go to the bank and the DMV. Chase said we would do that today. I’d like to get it taken care of this morning. Kylie will need to go down for a nap around one.”
Liam took his seat. “Dash and I will go with you. And we’ll bring along Officer Eric Steve. I know his father.”
“Great.” She and Kylie should be safe with so much protection. “I also need to help the reunion committee pass out flyers.” The stack that she’d had went up in flames. But she could get more from other committee members. She wouldn’t let all the work fall on everyone else without doing her share.
“Then it’s a plan.” Liam forked a pancake and waved it in the air. “Will the baby eat one?”
“She loves pancakes,” Zoe assured him. Her heart filled with gratitude for these kind people. But deep inside, she feared this lull wouldn’t last. How much longer would she have to look over her shoulder to make sure no one was coming after her and Kylie again?
The early morning meeting with the team broke up just after eight o’clock. The shock of seeing Cowgirl and realizing that the Rocky Mountain Killer had indeed arrived back in Elk Valley had everyone on high alert.
“We don’t want to cause a panic with the public,” Chase told his team. “For now, keep the news to yourselves. We will continue investigating yesterday’s bombing of the Jenkins house while working to locate the RMK. If you see anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call for backup. I’d rather we overreact than miss our opportunity to catch the RMK.”
“I’ll see if I can enhance this photo of Cowgirl and the newspaper to figure out where it was taken,” tech analyst Isla Jimenez said.
Chase nodded. “Perfect.”
“I’ve been combing through the nasty comments on the reunion’s social media pages,” Meadow said. “There are some very disgruntled people out there.”
“Tell me about it,” Ashley said. She gestured to Rocco. “We interviewed four names on Zoe’s list yesterday. Each one gave us an earful about how they didn’t approve of the event while the Rocky Mountain Killer was still on the loose. Most find the event in poor taste while some fear it will draw the RMK back. Which I have to say is a legit concern.”
“Yes we’ve established the reunion’s connection to the RMK,” Chase said.
“A few of the real nasty social media comments are by one poster,” Meadow said. “Isla and I are working to find the ISP and the name of the person behind it.”
Rocco spread his hands on the conference room table. “Despite my misgivings, which I’ve expressed to Sadie, the committee members are moving forward with the reunion.”
Which was exactly what Chase would need for his plan to work.
“Boss, I checked into Dr. Webb,” Bennett said. “Squeaky clean. Not even a parking ticket. He was with a patient when I called. He hasn’t called back yet. I’ll follow up later today.”
“Thank you,” Chase said. “Let me know what you find out. Does anyone have an ETA on Ophelia and Kyle?”
“They should be here this afternoon,” Ashley offered.
“Good.” He needed the evidence from Zoe’s house examined, and he wanted Ophelia’s close eye on it. He’d arranged to have her come out with Kyle to work the case.
He considered bringing in Idaho Deputy Sheriff Selena Smith, but she was investigating in Utah and would jump in as backup for Hannah if need be should the RMK show up there looking for Trevor.
After dismissing the meeting, Chase headed to the police chief’s office. An hour ago, he’d requested a meeting with Nora Quan, and his boss at the FBI Special Agent in Charge Cara Haines, who would call in from DC. Both were waiting when he arrived. He broke the news that the Rocky Mountain Killer was in Elk Valley.
Nora stared at the photo the RMK had texted him. “Unbelievable.”
“Send me a copy,” Cara said, her voice tinny over the speakerphone.
Taking his phone back from Nora, he forwarded the image to Cara. Then he ran his idea for trapping RMK by the two women.
“So let me get this straight,” Cara said, the intensity of her tone clear through the speaker. “You intend to go around town telling everyone that Trevor Gage has returned for the reunion.”
“Correct,” Chase said. “I’ll rent a vacation house in his name.” Trevor’s family ranch had long been sold and the family relocated after the first three murders. “And I’ll drive a truck around with his company logo on the side.”
“So, in other words, you’re going to be the bait,” Nora said. She stood behind her desk with her arms folded over her perfectly tailored pantsuit.
“Exactly.” To Chase it made perfect sense. He would pose as Trevor and hope the RMK made a move on him. He needed their approval before he presented the plan to the team. “It’ll lure one of our suspects out. My inclination is to say Ryan York is our culprit because he’s the only one with a registered handgun that could match the bullets taken from the victims.” They’d also never been able to pin York down for an interview. He’d moved out of state years ago and tracking his whereabouts had been impossible. Elusive like the RMK. Because they were one and the same?
“We all know, bad guys can get their hands on a weapon without going through the process of registering it,” Nora pointed out.
“True,” Chase conceded.
“And if the RMK comes after you while you’re posing as Trevor,” Cara said, “you and the team will be ready to take him down? Whether the suspect turns out to be Ryan York or Evan Carr or someone else.”
“Yes,” Chase confirmed. “Once we get everything all situated, between the task force, Elk Valley PD and the US marshals service, we can’t fail. The plan will work.”
It had to.
“Assuming the RMK doesn’t get wind of the plan,” Nora said. “You forget, Chase, this is a small town. Gossip flows down Main Street like rainwater down a gutter.”
“That’s what I’m counting on,” Chase said. “All we have to do is tell a couple of people that Trevor Gage RSVP’d and he’s returning to Elk Valley for the reunion. The wagging tongues of this town will do the rest to lure the RMK into the trap.”
“What about Zoe Jenkins and her baby?” Nora asked.
“We’re working on figuring out who planted the bomb at her house and why,” he told her.
“The RMK?” Cara asked.
“Maybe,” Chase replied with doubt evident in his tone. “The only issue is that the use of an incendiary device deviates from the RMK’s usual modus operandi.”
“Criminals have been known to change tactics,” Cara reminded him. “The RMK included.”
“Agreed.” The first three victims of the Rocky Mountain Killer had been shot in the chest. The last three more recent victims had also been shot in the chest, but the RMK had added a knife buried in two of his victims’ chests with a note taunting the police. In Utah, when Trevor Gage had been within reach, the RMK had opened fire and given chase through the woods to hunt Gage down—a departure from his usual MO of killing his victims in a barn. Still, changing from shooting to bombing was a big shift. “The RMK has proven to be unpredictable.”
“Everyone in town knows Ms. Jenkins is staying with you and your dad,” Nora told him.
Chase sighed. “I’m aware. My dad, Dash and a patrolman are keeping watch over Zoe and Kylie. I will also have one of the task force members stay with her when I’m posing as Trevor.” Though Chase knew none of his team would want to be sidelined from the action of taking down the Rocky Mountain Killer, it couldn’t be helped. “Hopefully, long before this plan comes to fruition, we will have uncovered who targeted Zoe and her baby.”
“Do you have any suspects besides the RMK?” Nora asked.
“We are looking into her ex-husband. Apparently, the divorce was not amicable,” Chase told the women. “Also there have been many in town opposed to this upcoming reunion. We are looking into all those who have expressed a negative response.”
Nora narrowed her gaze behind her glasses. “I don’t like the idea of one of our townspeople trying to solve their problems so horrifically.”
“Nor do I,” Chase said. “Once our team’s crime scene investigator arrives and can look at the evidence, we’ll know more.”
Nora rose from her desk. “Keep me informed. Cara, it was nice to meet you via the phone. We will have to get together in real life one day.”
“Same here,” Cara said. “Chase, keep me in the loop.”
“One moment.” Chase held up a hand. “Just so I have clarity, you both approve of my plan to trap the RMK?”
Nora gave a slow nod. “Yes. Let us know how we can help.”
Cara’s sigh came through the line. “You have permission. Keep Sully in the loop. If this goes sideways, Chase...it just better not.” With that, his boss hung up.
Nora chuckled. “I like her.” She made a shooing motion with her hand at Chase. “Go do what you need to do.”
Chase saluted Nora and walked out of the conference room, satisfied to have a plan of action in place. Drawing out the Rocky Mountain Killer meant Chase needed to be prepared for a final showdown. One way or another, justice would prevail.
Zoe pushed Kylie in a donated stroller along the sidewalk of Elk Valley Park with Liam holding on to Dash’s leash and a patrol officer, Eric Steve, following close behind. The park was located across the street from town hall. The reunion committee had voted to hold the reunion in the event ballroom of the town hall building.
With less than a week to go before the big event, pressure to get everything done built inside Zoe’s chest. The committee needed to decorate the ballroom at least a few days ahead of time. Zoe and Sadie Owens had partnered to cater the event, with Sadie providing a mix of Italian fare and subs, while Zoe had planned some dishes for those with dietary restrictions. Though now, Zoe wondered where she was going to prepare the food. She really needed to find a place.
She’d lost not only her home and all her belongings, but her business would now suffer until she could make other arrangements. It wasn’t fair. Why had someone done something so awful? What had they hoped to gain by killing her?
Glancing sideways at Liam, who’d moved up with Dash and now sauntered beside the stroller, Zoe contemplated asking if she could borrow the man’s kitchen. But that would be a big ask. Liam was so kind and generous, and she appreciated all he and Chase were doing for her and Kylie. She didn’t want to overstep and take advantage of their hospitality. Besides, she needed to think of a long-term solution until her house was fixed and livable again. No, it would be better to ask Sadie to use her catering company’s kitchen.
With that thought in mind, she said, “Would you mind if we stop at Sadie’s Subs?”
“I love their sandwiches,” Liam said and shifted direction.
Zoe aimed the stroller toward the pink-flowered food truck parked at the end of the park’s lot.
Sadie waved from inside the food truck window. A moment later, she exited the truck and hurried to hug Zoe.
Sadie’s pale blonde hair was twisted up in a bun secured beneath a hairnet. Her big, luminous green eyes searched Zoe’s. “I’ve been so worried about you,” she said. “Rocco told me what happened. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“As a matter of fact, a couple of things,” Zoe said. “Since I no longer have a kitchen...could I use yours for the reunion?”
Nodding eagerly, Sadie said, “Yes, of course.”
Relieved to have that problem solved, Zoe said, “I was hoping you have some extra reunion flyers I could pass out.”
“Don’t worry about those,” Sadie said. “The rest of the reunion committee can take care of it.” Sadie winked. “I tuck one into every order.”
Zoe laughed. “Well, that is one way to spread the word.”
Sadie shifted her focus to the men with Zoe. “Can I get you folks anything to eat?”
Liam patted his stomach. “We had a good breakfast. But I might take an Italian sub for later?”
“You got it. I’ll make enough for you all to have some.” Sadie hurried back to her food truck.
“Oh, here comes trouble,” Liam said, though there was a definite lift to his voice.
Zoe followed his gaze to an older woman with graying hair and a flowing outfit that made her look like she was floating rather than walking. Martha Baldwin, Jessie’s grandmother, made a beeline for Zoe.
“Well, hello there,” Martha said. “Jessie told me she saw you at the Rusty Spoke yesterday.” Martha air-kissed Zoe and then bent down to place a kiss on Kylie’s forehead. She straightened and smile at Liam. “Hello, Liam. Nice to see you out and about.” She smiled at the officer.
“Nice to see you, Martha.” Liam’s smile was wide and genuine. “You’re always a ray of sunshine.”
Pink defined the contours of Martha’s cheeks. “You’re always the charmer.”
“I say it like I see it,” Liam retorted with a wink.
Martha shook her head as she moved away into the park.
Zoe had watched the exchange between the two and suppressed a giggle at their flirtation.
Sadie rejoined them and handed Liam a bag. “Italian subs for everyone. I threw in an extra one for Chase.”
“What do I owe you?” Liam reached for his wallet.
“On the house,” Sadie said with a wave of her hand. Turning her attention to Zoe, Sadie asked, “Are we still on for our reunion committee meeting later this week?”
“We sure are.” Zoe was determined to make the reunion a success. Seth would have liked the idea of everyone gathering; he’d always been up for a party. He’d had a playful side that at times turned sour when he was trying to impress his friends. He’d craved attention. Any attention. Good or bad. Seth had had his issues, but he hadn’t deserved being murdered. “I’m not going to let anybody prevent us from putting on this reunion.”
“We’ll see about that,” a deep male voice said from behind Zoe. She startled and whirled around to find herself nose to chest with Chase.
“Excuse me?” Her knee-jerk reaction was a defensive outage. Garrett had been tyrannical, thinking he had the right to boss her around. She hadn’t realized how deeply his autocratic behavior had eroded away her self-esteem until he had abandoned her and Kylie. She had vowed never again to be controlled by someone else.
“We need to find out who destroyed your home and why, first,” Chase said. “And I would prefer if you weren’t out roaming around town making a target of yourself.”
Taking Dash’s leash, Chase turned to glare at his father. “What part of my note did you not get?”
Zoe pushed Kylie’s stroller in between Chase and his father. “Your father, Dash and Officer Steve accompanied me to the bank and the DMV. I hardly think that counts as making a target of myself.”
Chase ran a hand through his hair. A mix of emotions marched across his face. “Maybe not knowingly. I need you and Kylie to be safe.”
Her heart fluttered as she recalled what had happened to his wife and child. She hadn’t thought about how protecting her and Kylie would affect him. She’d only thought of her own agenda and not the pain he was carrying around. She didn’t want to care, but she did. “I’m sorry we worried you.”
Chase gave her a nod and then heaved out a heavy breath. “Are we ready to return to the house?”
Liam held up the bag Sadie had given him. “Lunch for us all.” Liam and the patrol officer walked on ahead as Sadie said her goodbyes and returned to her truck.
Still holding on to Dash’s leash, Chase placed his hands on the stroller’s handle. “I’ve got this.”
Surprised and oddly delighted, Zoe released her hold and let him escort them across the parking lot toward the street corner where they’d cross and head back to his house.
The rev of an engine cut through the air, the loud sound making Zoe wince. The screech of tires spinning on the asphalt made her shudder. She turned her head in time to see a white sedan bolt out of a parking space. The front end of the car was aimed straight at them.