Chapter 15

A while later they walked out of the police station together. “Who do you think are the old friends he’s talking about?” She slid into the passenger seat of his rental car.

“Jeremy and I are working on a theory right now. Mind you, we’re building the evidence trail.” He clicked his seat belt. “We think the guy’s name may be William Mallory. He’s had several aliases so you might not know him by that name. He was the big man who got into an altercation with Professor Irwin when you were interviewing the professor about the stalking case at NYU. He also got into your face and threatened you. The story hit the TV news and cost him his job. He was not a happy camper.”

“I think I remember the interview, but not the man.” She frowned trying to recall the incident.

“At the time, he was going as Brett Peters. I don’t know if he’s our suspect, but he fits the profile. It’s also possible that one or both of the men at the bank are accomplices or inadvertently helped him.”

“Do you mean Randy Wallis and Jordon Daniels?”

He nodded. “Did you know the professor dropped off the radar after that interview? No one has heard from him or seen him since. His wife also mysteriously vanished the year before.”

“I hadn’t heard that.” She shook her head.

“Did you know Joel Cummings, the owner of Java Joe’s, is Jason Cummings’ brother?”

“How could I have not put that together?” She scrunched her face.

“Here’s the kicker; William Mallory served his time with Jason Cummings in the same prison where T. J. Booker is being held.” He pulled over and parked. “I don’t know if they knew each other for sure yet, but this note tells me I’m a part of the game. The last two cases were high profile, and I would think we both probably made some powerful enemies.”

“Wow, I didn’t see that coming.” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “So what’s our plan?”

“For now, the plan is to find Adriana and keep you safe while trying to flush out our perp. I think an article for the paper about Adriana being tracked to somewhere in the Palm Springs area might stir a little controversy.” He laced his fingers through hers. “We’ll start with that.”

She smiled at him. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I tried to stay away, but too much is happening now to let you go it alone.”

She gave him a sheepish look. “You’re busy enough keeping order in Blue Cove without having to follow me other places. I can’t expect you to come running every time I find myself in a little bit of a bind.”

“We’re a team, and you’re my partner. I got involved when the note came through your mailbox and we found the equipment in your attic. You got that!” He gave her a stern look. “Being partners means we watch each other’s back, and we work together. There is no way I would let my best girl and partner face a stalker alone.”

Jessie frowned. “I don’t know why it’s so hard to ask for your help.”

“That’s easy enough to answer. You’re too darn stubborn.” He watched her shake her head. “Yes, you are but that’s one of the many reasons I’m hooked.”

“I don’t want you to have to come to my rescue. I should be able to handle this. I did in New York.” She turned her face away from him and looked out the window. She tried to pull her hand away, too.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” He grinned. “You’re not getting away with that. I’m not rescuing you. I’m your partner, here to help. Who saved whom the last time? I imagine Booker wasn’t very happy that a woman reporter took him down with one shot. The other prisoners must tease him every day. The once notorious hit man was taken out by a mere woman reporter.” He could see her fighting a smile. “Besides, if anyone gets to whine about someone coming to their rescue, let’s see. When I lay on the ground with a gunshot wound, you were the one running to get the bad guy. I’m embarrassed just talking about it.” He heard her giggle and started the car. “You save me, I save you. We’re partners. It’s what we do.” He slipped his hand out of hers, and when she turned to look at him, Matt gently pulled her face close to his. He kissed her. “One more time, sweetheart, we’re partners. It’s what we do.”

“Do all partners kiss? I’ve never seen you and Dylan kiss, or Kip and Gary.” She grinned at him.

“Hell, they’re not as pretty as you.” He kissed her again and then pulled onto the road.

****

Jessie woke with a start. The room was very dark. Something seemed off when she sat up. Slipping out from under the sheet, she fumbled to the chair. All the while, she could hear Katie’s even breathing. What had awakened her? She leaned back closing her eyes. She heard the faint cry again. Help me, please someone help me. It sounded too real to be in her mind. She pulled on her robe and opened the bedroom door. She took a few steps and Matt sat up.

“Where are you going?” He grabbed his pants off the chair and pulled them on.

“I’m sure I heard a woman’s cry for help.” She paused, trying to feel her way in the dark room.

“Are you sure it’s not in your head?”

“Of course, I’m sure. I know the difference. Listen, there it is again.” She walked toward the door, and he grabbed her.

“I can hear her, too. Let me get my gun, this could be a trap. We’re going together.”

Once outside, Jessie found her first. She wasn’t far from the suite, lying on the ground, struggling to sit up. “It’s okay. We’re not going to hurt you.” She could see the fear in her eyes. “I’m Jessie,” she said. “Let us help you.”

“Jessie?” The woman’s eyes got wider with a mix of fear and relief. Jessie knelt beside her while Matt called for an ambulance. The next call was the police.

“What happened? Is there someone we can call for you?” Even in the dark, Jessie could see how battered she was. Bruises shadowed her dark eyes and scratches marred her arms and legs.

“My husband is probably worried about me.” She told Matt the phone number to call.

“What’s your name?” Matt dialed the number.

“Maria Gonzales, sir.” She winced when she moved her arm.

“Maria, be real still just in case your arm is broken. It isn’t hanging right. I have an ambulance on the way.” Matt walked a short distance away to talk to her husband.

“Can you tell me who did this to you?” Jessie let Maria lean against her for support.

“I was leaving work and a strange man came up to me and asked for directions. I told him. When I started to walk away, he grabbed me and told me to be quiet, or he would kill me. He shoved me into the trunk of his car. I don’t know where we went, but when the car stopped, he pulled me out of the trunk and starting beating me. He kicked me, and I fell to the ground. He hurt me so bad. I prayed to the saints.” Tears ran down her face. “I didn’t do anything to him, why would he hurt me like this?”

“I don’t know, Maria. Some people are just cruel. How did you get here?” Jessie watched Matt walked toward them.

“He threw me on the ground, right there.” She pointed. “He told me to come to this place and tell you something from him. I couldn’t make it to the door. I was afraid he would come back and see that I didn’t make it and kill me.”

“Oh, Maria, I’m so sorry this has happened to you.” Jessie gently stroked her face, pulling a strand of dark raven hair that had slipped across her blood-crusted lips back behind her ear. She could hear the wail of the siren approaching until the ambulance turned into the resort. Then the night became eerily quiet.

“The man told me to say to you that your worst nightmare has arrived, and he wanted you to see what you deserved and will get.” Maria grimaced. “Go somewhere safe, he’s crazy. I could see it in his eyes.”

“I’ll be safe. You work at getting better for your family.” Jessie saw the paramedics getting the stretcher and bags out of the ambulance. She moved out of their way and let them get to work. She turned away when they put the IV in Maria’s good arm and felt sick when they put the splint on her bad one to keep it immobile. Jessie wiped the tears running down her face. Maria was in pain, and Jessie knew she would never forget the fear she’d seen in her eyes. Would the mirror show the same fear in her eyes?

“Your husband will meet you at the hospital, Mrs. Gonzales.” Matt bent down to tell her. Her patted her hand and said something Jessie couldn’t hear. He stood up and walked toward her with a grim look on his face.

“He’s watching. I can feel it. He wants to see if we’re scared.” Jessie started to pace.

“Are we?” He watched her walk back and forth but then stopped her by pulling her into his side.

“No, but I’m angry.” She frowned at him. “In fact, I’m going to tell him.” Her eyes followed the slight rustling as the wind blew through the palm trees and brush of the thickly landscaped area. He was somewhere close by, gloating. She could feel him. “I know you’re hiding out there watching. I’m counting on you being able to hear me. Anyone who beats an unarmed innocent woman is a coward, and that’s what you are. You’re coward, afraid to show your face. Well, I’m not scared, but you’d better be.” She looked at Matt. “I have no idea where he’s at, but I know he can hear me even if it is only in his head. Let’s get this guy.”

“Calm down, sweetheart, we’ll get him, but we’ve got to use our heads. I know you’re upset by what you saw.” He stopped, turned her toward him, and rubbed her shoulders. “We’re going to get him.”

“You sound confident.” She saw the certainty in his expression.

“I am. It’s only a matter of time.” He stood in front of her and lifted her chin. “You need to be careful. He’s crazy enough and calling him a coward might not be a good idea. Neither is giving him the invitation to come after you.”

“I know.” She looked up into the starry sky. “I wear my emotions on my sleeve, and I hate what he did to her. How do you remain so calm? I want to hit something.”

“I’m not calm, but I won’t let him know that.” He stood with his arms folded and his feet apart. “Maria put up a hell of a fight. The hospital will gather the evidence under her nails, on her skin and clothing. We’ll know his identity quick if he’s in the system.”

“So we wait.” Her voice was barely audible. She rested her head on his shoulder.

He frowned. “We wait.”

Jessie went back inside while Matt talked to the police. By some miracle, Katie and her grandmother had slept through it all. Grams sometimes wore earplugs and she’d been tired, so she must have stuck them in tonight. Jeremy had slept through it too, she guessed. She sat down in the chair to wait for Matt. Rubbing her temples, she closed her eyes.

She could see a small figure, her head hanging down, bound to a chair. Suddenly the woman lifted her head as if she sensed Jessie was observing her. A piece of tape covered her mouth. Jessie’s heart raced, it was Adriana. Jessie watched her look around the room as if seeing it for the first time. It was a mess. Dishes piled high in the sink and counters. Everywhere she looked, junk littered the floor. Thoughts were flooding Adriana’s mind so fast Jessie could hardly keep up.

Not sleepy. I need to get free before he gets back. Please help me. She started working at the knots. She got one hand free and patted her stomach. I hope you’re okay, little one. She kept working until she loosened the rope just enough to wiggle her other hand free. She winced when she yanked the tape off her mouth. The rope securing her feet was next. Her fingers wouldn’t work. The knot was too tight. She strained to hear any sounds that said he had returned. Please don’t let him back come yet. She kept working at it, cries of frustration punctuating her failure, but she didn’t give up. Suddenly with one more tug, she was free. She stood up and stretched her cramped body. How long had she sat there? How many days? Why couldn’t she remember? She was wet and smelly. No time to be embarrassed. She rummaged through stuff, tossing junk aside. I know it’s around here. She almost gave up and then she found it stuffed in a bag on the table. She held up the flashlight with a cry of victory. She grabbed some bottles of water and a box of crackers and shoved them into a plastic bag. She opened the door and peered into the darkness. Breathe. You can do this. She would rather take her chances against the desert than with him. Adriana found the road the car had come on and she followed it off to the side in case she saw the lights of his car and needed to hide. I need help. I wish someone could hear me.

“I can hear you. Keep sending me your thoughts and I will find you.” Jessie felt suspended—wanting to get up but was unable to. She watched Adriana race into the darkness. She ran with her until she no longer could see her. Jessie’s breathing returned to normal, and her eyes opened. She jumped up when the door shut, and she ran to Matt. “We have to find her Matt; we have to find her.” She dissolved into tears.

“What happened, Jess? You’re shaking.”

“I saw Adriana, and she’s free. She’s out there somewhere in the darkness, and we’ve got to find her before he does.”

He pulled her onto his lap while she told him what she had seen. “I called Frank earlier today, and he’s arriving tomorrow. Agent Henderson and Chief Balasco agreed to it. I have one of her shirts that Evan gave me, so we’ll start as soon as the dog is ready.”

****

Crouched behind the large landscape rocks and the lush shrubbery, he had watched it all unfold. He didn’t like her calling him a coward. He wasn’t, and he would prove it to her, soon. He could make her happy. All he needed was a little time. He stood up when the final police car left, and the cop went back inside. Sweat dripped down his neck. His hands were scratched and bleeding from pulling the leaves from thorny bushes. He got riled just thinking of that cop touching his Jessie. She belonged to him. He might scare her, but he would never hurt her. She was his queen. He had to do away with the cop, though. He was getting extra money for killing him. His eyes darted back and forth making sure no one saw him. He didn’t like the cop touching her. His body twitched, and his skin crawled. That feeling was coming over him. He could taste it. He had to get away, or he wouldn’t be able to stop himself. He started up his car and drove away. Mile after mile he drove through the darkness, the voices in his head getting louder till all he wanted to do was scream.

A wave of nausea engulfed him, his palms were sweaty and his face clammy. Jessie hadn’t meant to embarrass him. He would forgive her; once she understood how it was going to be. It was rising again, clutching at him, threatening to take over him. Wait, wait, calm yourself. It’s not time. He pulled off the highway onto a dirt road and stopped the car. “Shut up,” he yelled banging his head on the steering wheel. Finally quiet, his head aching and foggy, he slumped sideways on the seat. The quiet darkness settled around him.

He was in his world, and he was at rest.