The Stranger You Know (Forensic Instincts 3)

She was so tired. She should recall the reason, but whatever it was, it eluded her. Dazed, she felt her head droop to one side, and sleep began to take over again. All she needed was a little more rest. Then she’d pop a couple of aspirin for her headache and get back to work.

She felt troubled as she drifted off. There was something she should remember. She wished she knew what. It was important.

But it slipped away as she lost consciousness.

* * *

Glen noticed the minute Casey started to come to. He perked up, then scowled when she faded back into unconsciousness. Damn Jack for giving her the extra chloroform. Glen wanted her awake—now.

He wasn’t going to wait much longer. He’d smack her awake if he had to, rape her until the pain brought her around.

The thought of it made him smile. He didn’t have the chance to play out his fantasy.

He’d barely started getting aroused when Casey moved her head again, this time in a more pronounced manner.

* * *

Casey let out a low moan. Pounding. Her head was pounding. She tried to reach for her temples, to rub them, but her arms wouldn’t move. They were stuck. And she was freezing. Where were her blankets? And why was there such a funny smell in her nose and a bad taste in her mouth?

Something was very wrong.

Slowly, she cracked her eyes open. She wasn’t in her bedroom.

Where the hell was she?

She blinked once, twice, and realized there was a man sitting across from her, staring down at her. Painful or not, she gave her head a slight shake.

Her vision cleared.

The man was Glen Fisher.

The room was a warehouse.

“Finally,” Fisher said, visibly irritated. “It’s about time you woke up. I was about to help the process along.”

Woke up?

Memory crashed through Casey’s mind like an avalanche. The text message. The warehouse that was a decoy. The man in black. The handkerchief. That smell—it was chloroform. He’d knocked her out with it. She’d come to in a car. He’d dosed her with it again.

She was a captive.

She tried to move again, this time more vigorously, but with the same lack of success. She stopped, gazed down at herself and an icy chill shot up her spine.

Dear God. She was naked. Open. Exposed. Arms and legs bound. Totally at his mercy.

She shut her eyes against the image, gritted her teeth to bite back the cry of fear that lodged in her throat.

“Is it all coming back to you now?” Glen asked with a wry grin.

Casey’s eyes opened. “Actually, yes.” She was stunned at her own ability to feign control. Was that really her voice, steady and even? How was that possible when she’d never been so horrifyingly afraid in her life? So afraid that the whole situation felt out-of-body, surreal, like a nightmare she’d force herself to awaken from at any moment?

It must have been, because Glen gave an admiring grunt. “Impressive. You’re one strong, feisty bitch. I’m glad you also have a good memory. It’ll mean less to explain.”

“No explanation necessary. You pulled this off well. Congratulations.”

He looked pleased, like he was enjoying their sparring match. “I appreciate the accolades. What’s more, I deserve them. You’ve made this one hell of a challenge, Red.”

“That was my goal.” Casey twisted in her bonds, trying to see past Glen and to find her friend. “Where’s Claire?”