It was almost seven-thirty when Kaely pulled into her parking spot. She’d talked to Ernie when she pulled up to his guard shack. He’d already been questioned, and the complex searched. Everything was secure. Ernie had apologized for letting Alex in without contacting her. Ernie was a simple man. Easy to read. It was obvious he went along with Alex because he thought he was helping. She was glad they’d spoken. She wasn’t angry with him, but she made it clear he wasn’t to ever let anyone else in without her knowledge. He promised her it wouldn’t happen again and informed her Richard was already here.
“Do you still want me to let him in whenever he comes to visit?” he’d asked.
Richard had permission to come and go as he pleased. She came close to telling Ernie the same held true for Noah, but she wasn’t quite ready to give him the same kind of access she’d given Alex and Richard.
Someone tapped on her window, causing her to jump. It was Richard.
“I’m sorry,” he said, stepping out of the way so she could open her door. “Did I frighten you?”
Kaely smiled at him. “Not really. Lost in thought. Wasn’t paying attention. Sorry.”
He returned her smile. “I stopped by that Chinese place you like. We have more food than we could possibly eat in one sitting. Might take two or three. Sound good?”
Kaely sighed, grabbed her purse and her briefcase, then got out of the car. “You have no idea how great that sounds. Thank you, Richard. How do you always manage to show up when I need you?”
He chuckled. “I have no idea. I just had a feeling you might like some company.”
She’d thought she wanted to spend the evening alone, but now that Richard was here, she was glad. Maybe talking things out with him would help. It usually did.
“I’ll get the food and follow you up,” he said. He hurried over to his car, grabbed several bags, and joined Kaely.
“Wow. You really did buy out the restaurant,” she said. “This could feed me for a week.”
“That was the idea. You forget to eat, you know.”
“That’s what Alex always said.” Her voice caught in her throat.
Richard studied her for a moment. “Looks like we really do need to talk. Let’s get you inside, full of Chinese food, then you can tell me what’s going on.”
“Okay.” Kaely blinked away the tears that filled her eyes. “Thanks again, Richard. I’m so grateful you showed up tonight.”
“Me too. Now, move it.”
She laughed. “Yes, sir.” Kaely hurried over to unlock the door. Once it was open, Richard carried in the bags and dumped them on the kitchen table. After Kaely poured a couple of glasses of iced tea, they sat down to eat. Kaely was hungrier than she’d realized, and after some crab rangoon, she finished off one helping of orange chicken and another of honey-walnut shrimp before she’d had enough. She decided tonight was not the time to worry about whether or not the food was fried. It was a night for comfort food, and this fit the bill perfectly.
“That was delicious,” she said with a smile. “I owe you big-time. When this case is over, I’ll cook something for you. I promise.”
“Sounds good,” Richard said. “You sit there while I put the rest of this in the fridge.” He gestured toward the coffeepot. “Do you want me to make some coffee?”
“That sounds great. I might actually have some pumpkin spice creamer that hasn’t expired yet.”
Richard’s lips twitched. “For you, that’s quite a feat.”
“Hush.”
After putting the food away, Richard checked inside the refrigerator door and pulled out the container of creamer. “Hey, you’re right. In fact, you still have three days until this has to be thrown out. I’m impressed.” He poured them both a cup of coffee and added the creamer.
Kaely giggled. Thanks to Richard, she already felt better. It had always been that way with him. Even before her father was arrested, Richard and Bella were people who’d encouraged her, who’d told her she was special. Her parents weren’t the nurturing type. They did their duty, and they were there for her and Jason when it came to providing the physical necessities of life, but praise was rarely forthcoming.
A few minutes later, Richard carried two cups of hot coffee to the table. “Okay, so what’s going on? Tell me what’s bothering you.”
His comment brought back the emotions she’d felt when she heard Alex had left the hospital. She told Richard that the UNSUB had targeted Alex, but that they’d reached him before it was too late. He’d met Alex several times and looked as shocked as she felt.
“Thank goodness you figured out what the second message from the killer meant,” he said. “You obviously saved his life.”
Kaely nodded. “But now someone on the task force thinks Alex is our UNSUB.”
“He left the hospital. We don’t know where he is. He probably had another reason. Kaely, Alex isn’t a serial killer. Seriously. I mean, I realize he was upset when you told him you couldn’t return his . . . affection. But to do this?”
She clasped her hands together and rested her chin on her fingers. “I don’t know what to think. I mean, it all adds up, Richard. I supplied the trigger, he’s taken leave. Is unaccounted for . . . But how could someone who said he loved me want me dead now?” Before Richard could respond, she waved his comment away. “I know. I know. It’s happened. But these were people who were already unstable, had serious issues with self-esteem. I never saw that in Alex.” She fixed her gaze on him. “Did you?”
Richard didn’t hesitate. “No. I didn’t. I absolutely can’t believe it.” He rubbed his forehead, something he did when he was thinking. “You mentioned he got a message from Fish telling him to go to the school? Why would he tell you that it didn’t sound like him?”
“You mean why bring up a detail like that if he’s lying? People don’t generally do that.”
Richard nodded. “And how could he have put that chain around his own neck? Do you really think he could have set that up by himself?”
“I don’t know. Our Evidence Response Team will take that setup apart. If it turns out Alex couldn’t have done this alone, they’ll tell us. But right now . . . well, I’m confused.”
“If it makes any difference, I don’t buy it,” Richard said. “I believe what he said about Fish. I remember that he used to talk to him a lot. Makes sense that he wanted to make sure he was okay. He hadn’t seen him for months.”
Richard was a talented therapist. His reassurances meant a lot to her and helped to confirm that she wasn’t just seeing what she wanted to see. “Some people on our task force don’t seem to believe Alex should have survived. He was unconscious when we found him. They say he should have been dead.”
For the first time, doubt flashed in Richard’s eyes, and it made Kaely’s stomach lurch.
“Obviously he’d just passed out,” Richard said. “I mean, right before you arrived. It’s the only answer.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying, but between you and me, it would take a miracle of timing.” She hesitated before saying, “They think he did it himself and pretended to be unconscious.”
Richard picked up his cup and took a long, slow sip of coffee. Kaely knew him well enough to realize he was weighing the facts. Trying to find the truth.
“Richard, be honest with me. Is there any chance he’s our UNSUB? What about Jason? He’s disappeared. Said he was coming to see his sister. Isn’t he a better suspect?”
“Yes, he is. In fact, I tried to tell you I was concerned about him.”
“Except he doesn’t fit my profile. He’s been working in an auto body shop. Not exactly the successful professional person I envisioned.”
Richard shrugged. “I guess it’s how you see it. To people in that profession, working at a vintage car shop may be considered successful. It’s just a guessing game at this point.” He sighed and took another sip of coffee. “Weren’t you looking seriously at that reporter? He seems like someone who would do anything to get what he wants.”
Richard frowned. “Heard what?”
Kaely reached up and took out the band holding her hair up. She shook it out. “Jerry Acosta received a package from our UNSUB. Took it to his editor’s office . . .”
“Oh no.” Richard’s eyes were wide with shock.
Kaely nodded. “It exploded. Killed him and his editor.”
“Was anyone else hurt?”
“The last I heard there were other injuries but none of them are life-threatening.”
Richard exhaled sharply. “I guess that’s something.” He looked confused. “Why would your UNSUB want to kill Jerry Acosta? I mean, he wasn’t really a positive influence in your life.”
“I think he set him up from the beginning. He sent him letters, they’re making him famous, he looks forward to them. Then when the package comes . . .”
“He doesn’t stop to think about it.”
“Right.” Kaely couldn’t stifle a yawn. “I’m sorry, Richard. It’s been a long day. I’m exhausted.”
“I’m not sure I helped you much. I’m sorry.”
“Actually, you did. I obviously need to expand the search beyond Alex, no matter what anyone else thinks.”
“I believe you’re right. It’s hard for me to imagine that anyone is looking seriously at Alex.”
She nodded. “Unfortunately, they are. If he’s behind this, I need to quit my job. It’s clear I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Richard reached across the table and took her hand. “That’s self-pity. Don’t you give in to it. You have a wonderful talent that the world needs. Don’t turn this situation inward. It’s a huge mistake, and it could keep you from catching a very bad man.”
Kaely smiled and squeezed his hand. “Thanks. Again, I’m glad you came over.”
“So my advice is better than Georgie’s?”
Kaely chuckled. “Yeah, I would say so. This time anyway.”
Richard laughed and downed the rest of his coffee. “Okay, I’m going. Call me tomorrow and let me know how you’re doing, okay?”
She frowned. “Humor me. Call when you get home.”
“I’ll be fine, Kaely. Your bad guy isn’t coming after me.”
“I don’t think so either, but it would really make me feel better.”
He put his mug in the sink and rinsed it out. “All right. I’ll call as soon as I get in.”
“Thanks.” She started to stand up, but he put his hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her back down. “You don’t need to walk me out. You take it easy.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Kaely. I’m here whenever you need me.”
“I know. Thanks, Richard.”
He nodded and headed for the door. When it closed behind him, Kaely got up and locked it. She got another cup of coffee and headed toward her war room. She had an appointment with a serial killer, and she was determined to leave that room with a name—and a way to stop him.