It was late afternoon when Cody and Jilly entered the station. She picked up a folder from her desk and skimmed the contents. “This is for you.” She tossed it his way.
Cody flipped it open and noticed it was pictures of the victims, sans hair and make-up. “Thanks.” He sank down in his seat and began going through the photos. Jilly got busy on her computer.
“George has identified three of the Hunters Cove victims by their dental work,” she said.
“Great, tell me about them.”
“Okay. Greta Sanchez, twenty-nine, resided in Santa Monica California. She worked as a stunt double.”
“No shit?” A chill ran the length of his spine.
“I know, huh? I bet she was one interesting lady.”
Cody stared at Jilly, whose concentration held to her computer screen.
“She was,” he said quietly.
Jilly’s eyes met his. “What?”
“I dated her not long after I’d moved to L.A. We met at a bar where she was celebrating wrapping up a picture with some of the crew. We lasted maybe three months. I really liked her. Like you said, she was one interesting lady.”
“Why’d you split?”
“We both traveled for our jobs. It made it impossible to carry on a relationship.”
She scooted her chair to the side. The computer monitor no longer blocked his view of her. “You know what this means don’t you?”
He nodded. “I need to recuse myself from the case?”
“Exactly. I’m sorry, but I can’t take any chances when we go to trial.” He was surprised how calm she was reacting.
“Yeah, about that. You know the first victim, Mary Ellen O’Reilly?”
Her eyes became slits. “No.”
“I’m afraid so.”
She jumped out of her chair. “You son-of-a-bitch.” She leaned on the desk. “Were you ever planning on telling me?”
Cody hesitated. “To be honest, I don’t know.”
“You. Being honest? What a novel concept!” She began to pace. “You’ve already screwed this case from Timbuktu and back. I should. . . I should, I don’t know. I’m so pissed right now I can’t even look at you.” Jilly stormed out of the building.
The room was silent.
Cody browsed the bullpen and found all eyes on him. Some faces looked alarmed, while others held smirks. He scrubbed his hand through his hair. He needed to escape and find somewhere to think.
He was halfway to the break room when he realized what he really wanted was a cup of fresh brewed coffee, so he headed toward the exit. Once out the door, he glanced around.
No sign of Jilly.
It was just as well. She’d need time to cool off.
They’d driven to work in her vehicle, so he began to walk down Big Bear Boulevard. He was crossing Thrush Drive when he happened to glance to his left and saw Jilly talking to someone in a pick-up.
She was bent down, her head in the passenger’s side window. Cody hoped to take the opportunity to get everything out in the open while outside the station, away from prying eyes. As he got closer, Jilly turned her head and seeing it was him, tossed a hairy eyeball his way, then resumed her conversation.
Now more than ever, he wanted to see who was driving that truck. Maybe it was one of her boyfriends. She sure as hell didn’t want him around. She ignored him completely as he came up behind her.
Probably because he was about to ruin her fun.
He put on his biggest shit-eating-grin, bent down and stuck his head in the window next to hers.
“And what are you two talking ab–” Shit. Fuck. Bugger. Hell. It’s Delilah. He really wanted to backtrack, but he’d already stuck his foot in it. “Hi, Delilah. How’s it going?”
“Hey, Cody, you look tired. Poor dear. Why don’t you come on over to the Lumberjack Cafe and have a cup of soup? I’m heading there now.”
“I’d really like to, Dee, but we ordered pizza. I was just looking for Jilly to tell her it had arrived. Maybe some other time. See ya later.” He made a hasty retreat.
From across the street, he turned back and noticed Delilah’s truck driving off. Jilly crossed the street toward him, so he waited.
She waited until they were side-by-side before she spoke. “Although I know you did that for your own benefit, thanks. I was having a hard time getting away from her.”
“So am I forgiven?”
“Not by a long shot.” Her face had relaxed a bit. “But I’m not as angry as I was. I don’t forgive you for not speaking up, but I do understand. If it were me, I might have done the same thing. It would be hard to be shut out of a case regarding someone you cared about. But–”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” He wanted to touch her, but didn’t.
“Officially, you are no longer on this case. I need to inform the sheriff. As soon as we get back, you’re going to look at the rest of those pictures to see if you recognize anyone else.
“You seem to have become the center of this investigation, which means we’re going to have to investigate you as well. Starting with your alibi for when Mary Ellen was abducted.”
“That’s easy, I was in Quantico, Virginia at the FBI academy.”
“Which is a short drive to Maryland. You’re going to have to do better than that.”
He stared at the hard set of her jaw. “You’re right. I’ll check the date and figure out where I was, then get back to you. It’s possible this UNSUB may have tortured Mary Ellen to get information about me. One of the victims was dumped in Cody, Wyoming. I was named after Buffalo Bill Cody and so was that town.”
Her eyes grew round. “I didn’t know that.”
“That’s my point. Also my favorite movie, The Godfather. Not just anyone would have that kind of information. It wouldn’t show up in an internet search.”
“So, our killer is not only abducting women you dated, but torturing them to get info on you.” She shook her head. “Nasty.”
“But not the last two victims. I’d only spoken to them, so the killer is close. He’s watching my every move.” Cody glanced around to see if anyone was paying particular attention. “Which means you need to be super vigilant. He knows you’re staying with me and we’ve been doing more than talking.”
“I can take care of myself.” She bristled.
“Under normal circumstances, I’d agree. But in this case, you don’t go out by yourself again. Got it?” He stared her down to let her know he meant business.
She crossed her arms. “I don’t like being told what to do.”
“Well, it looks to me like you need it. You can’t go getting all emotional on my ass and stomping off. That’s just asking for trouble.”
Her hand flew to the butt of her gun. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m armed. I’m not an idiot.”
“I didn’t say you were. But this UNSUB could be someone you know, maybe even trust. All he would need is for you to have your guard down for just a second. We have no idea how he’s subduing his victims.” His hand went to her cheek. “Please, be careful. You mean a great deal to me and I need you safe.”
Her hands relaxed at her side. The tension in her body eased. “Okay. I’ll make sure I’m with someone at all times.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Thank you.”
“We, I mean, I’d better get back to work.” She started to walk again.
“You were right the first time. I still have some information to go over. Since the FBI is still on this case, I’ll call my SAC and get him to send someone to take my place. Until he or she arrives, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“We’ll see what the sheriff has to say about that.”
He reached out and snagged her arm. She pivoted back toward him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that I don’t know how Bud is going to feel about you hanging around the station now that you’re off the case.”
“I don’t give a shit. I’ll wait in the lobby if I have to. I’m not letting you leave this office alone. Got it?”
She patted his hand. “Fine. Now come on. You have me craving pizza. Let’s go order some for real.”
They ate in the conference room where they worked the rest of the evening. Cody called his roommate from Quantico regarding the date of Mary Ellen’s disappearance. Between the two of them, they were able to put together a timeline covering the entire twenty-four hour period in question. Bud told Jilly to confirm it. Once she had, he simply grunted.
Cody was able to identify every woman from Hunters Cove. He had dated, albeit briefly, all the fatalities. It made him sick to think he was the reason they’d suffered such a miserable fate.
He also recognized more than half of the victims from the photos Jeff had altered. Once the seed had been planted, it was like a switch had been flipped in his brain and he’d been transported back in time.
Jilly was right. By taking each one out of their usual environment, their street clothes, jewelry, and make-up. He could see them as he knew them: athletic, natural, earthy.
There was no doubt in his mind that there were more he couldn’t place, but it was late and he was tired. “I can’t do this anymore. Are you about ready to go?”
“Just a sec.” She finished scribbling something in a file as he stood and stretched. He rolled his shoulders, then neck and it popped.
He felt rumpled with his rolled up shirt sleeves and loosened tie. What he really needed was a hot shower to feel human again. He snagged his jacket off the back of a chair and shrugged into it. After picking up the empty pizza box, he tossed it in the trash. By then Jilly was ready to go and they headed out.
When they arrived back at the cabin it was dark, except for the porch light. “I forgot, we have the house to ourselves tonight.” Cody turned off the vehicle.
“Where’s your brother and Meagan?” Jilly unlatched her seat belt.
“They left for Laguna Beach today. By now they’re probably asleep in their own bed.” He opened his door.
Jilly got out of the vehicle and waited for him to join her. “When is the other agent getting here?”
He walked up the front steps with her by his side. “Robin will be here around ten tomorrow morning. I was going to ask if she’d like to stay here. Do you mind?”
Jilly stared at him with her brows raised. “Not at all.”
Cody unlocked the door, flipped on the hall light and punched in the code to deactivate the alarm. “How does a nice hot shower sound?”
“Hmmm, good.” Jilly closed and bolted the door behind her. “Lead the way.”
He reactivated the alarm and headed up the stairs to his room in the front of the house. He slipped out of his jacket and tossed it on the chair, then made haste freeing his neck from the noose commonly referred to as a tie.
“My God. What a view.” Jilly made her way to the French doors and opened them, stepping out onto the balcony. She rested her hands on the banister and gazed at the lake.
Cody came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. The full moon rode just above the highest mountain peak, reflecting on the black surface of the water.
“I never tire of it.” He nuzzled her neck.
She turned around in his arms.
“You ready for that shower now?” He winked.
She grinned. “You bet.”
Cody jolted awake. The room had suddenly gone bright. Jilly was spooning him from behind. He eased out of bed and went to the window. A huge blaze floated on the lake. A boat had caught fire. “Jilly wake up.”
He grabbed a pair of jeans and jumped into them.
“Huh?” She rubbed her eyes. “Where are you going?”
“There’s a fire on the water. Get dressed. Someone could need assistance.” He yanked the nightstand drawer out and grabbed his Glock. He checked the safety before he stashed it in the waistband of his pants in the back where he could reach it easily without shooting off his dick.
Jilly scrambled out of bed and started to dress.
“Go, I’m right behind you.” She shimmied into her pants.
He grabbed his phone and dialed 911 as he bounced down the stairs. “This is Special Agent Cody Thomas and I need fire and rescue sent to 953 Covington Drive. There’s a boat in flames right in the middle of the cove.” He hung up and shoved the phone in his pocket, and stepped into his boots by the door.
“Hurry, Jilly!”
“Coming!”
He ran into the kitchen and snagged the fire extinguisher. Running through the living room, he grabbed a stack of blankets off the couch. He punched in the alarm code and threw the door open.
“Meet me at the boat,” he yelled from the porch.
“I told you I was right behind you.” Her voice was closer than he’d have thought.
He gazed up, she stood at the top of the stairs buttoning her blouse.
“You’ll need shoes.”
She looked down at her bare feet and frowned. “Shit.”
“Hurry, I’ll get our boat started.” He raced toward the dock. Once alongside the boat, he tossed the blankets and climbed in after them.
He rested the extinguisher gently on the floor. After he turned on the ignition, he spun around expecting to see Jilly running down the hill toward him.
She wasn’t there.
He glanced back at the fire. If someone was aboard, they were toast now. “Jilly!” He waited a beat or two, and then shut down the motor. “What the hell?” He jumped out of the boat and ran back to the house. The front door stood open. He leaned in, bracing his hands on the door frame. “What’s the hold up?”
No answer.
Nothing but dead air.
Cody’s blood turned to ice in his veins.