“What’s his cousin’s name?”
She cocked her head for a second. “Funny, I don’t know. He must have said it when I introduced myself, but I didn’t catch it. Bob maybe?”
Alex showed her the cell picture. “Is this Brian’s cousin?” She smiled. “Face isn’t clear, but it must be. I recognize his ring.”
“Ring?”
“The one with the L on it. He said their grandfather gave one to him and one to his cousin.”
Deke and Alex thanked the woman and walked back to the car.
“Cousin.” Deke studied the house. “Brian Lawrence, the real one, was an army vet. Served with distinction and started a towing business. Has a solid reputation. He has no connection to Leah Carson that I could find. Who’s the cousin?”
“Care to make a bet? Philip Latimer. He’s back in town, and I would bet money he killed Brian and took over his identity.”
“If it is Latimer, why has he waited all this time to come after Leah? He’s had four years to kill her. Why now?”
“Stalkers can take breaks, but you’re right. That’s one of the puzzle pieces I haven’t placed yet. You check the DNA on the body found at the warehouse?”
“As a matter of fact, I’m having it cross-referenced to the body parts found by the river as we speak.”
“Good.” Everything pointed to Philip Latimer. Everything. And yet the puzzle was missing a key piece.
Deke studied his brother, reached in his pocket, and pulled out a fresh packet of crackers. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks. I feel like a million bucks.”
Deke glowered. “Mom had a dry sense of humor like that. Drove Dad crazy.”
Alex unwrapped the crackers. “Dad liked the slapstick stuff. Falling-on-banana-peels kind of humor. But considering what he saw on the job, I can’t blame him.”
“Mom went for subtle humor. Slightly dark. Like you.”
Alex bit into the cracker, realizing just how hungry he was. “Since when did you become the mother hen?”
“Since you landed in the hospital with bruised ribs. I’ll go back to ignoring you in a day or two.”
Leah arrived home at two. Stressed and unable to concentrate, Dr. Nelson had given her the afternoon off. She had texted Alex a couple of times but hadn’t heard back from him and knew she was on her own. Her skin itched with worry and dark anticipation.
Again, she considered stuffing a bag full of clothes and running. Dr. Nelson would give her some time if she explained. Just a few days to buy time.
Time.
Laying low might chase away some of the biting energy that nipped at her now, but it wouldn’t solve the problem of Philip in the long run.
Philip would find her, and she had no desire to prolong this evil dance. Better to stay. Face the demon. And if he didn’t appear? Or if he were a figment of her imagination? Then she’d begin the long wait until this time next year.
Inside her town house, bright lights waited for her. She shrugged off her coat, dropped her purse on the table by the front door, and hung up the coat. She crossed to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. Coffee this late in the day would rob her of all sleep, but she didn’t care. She wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.
Remembering the listening device in the living room, she switched on soft music. She checked all the closets in her town house and under her bed. When she was certain they were all empty, she returned to the front door, double-checked the chain, and then checked every window. All locked. Satisfied, she moved into her bedroom and stripped off her work clothes. She turned on the shower, pinned up her hair, and, when the water was hot, stepped into the spray. The heat felt good against her skin, but she didn’t dare linger in the shower. She quickly dressed and moved into the kitchen for her coffee. As she reached for a mug, her front doorbell rang.
She moved slowly toward the front door and looked through the glass. Alex’s stern gaze lifted to hers, as if he knew she was there. He looked tired, his features drawn.
She leaned closer to the door, her fingers poised over the dead bolt. “Alex?”
“Yes. And I’m alone.”
With a trembling hand, she turned the dead bolt and opened the door.
His gaze roamed over her. “May I come in?”
“Sure.” She stepped aside and caught the barest hint of his scent as he passed. “You’re looking a little rough.”
“It’s been a long night and day.”
She closed the door and locked it, double-checking the door handle with a twist of her wrist. If Philip was listening now, he’d be furious that she had a man alone in her place. Good. Let him get an earful. “Did you get my text?”
“I did. I spoke to Gail. I just missed you at the clinic. There’s not much she can tell me about her guy.”
“No. She thinks I’m crazy now for sounding the alarm.”
“Better crazy than dead.”
“Come on in. Sit down. God, you must be sore. Can I get you something to eat? Coffee?”
Carefully, he tugged off his jacket and hung it on the peg beside hers. His gait was almost even, but she noticed it wasn’t as fluid as it was when he ran. “I just made coffee.”
“I’d love a cup of coffee.”
“I can pop a pizza in the oven.”
“That would be great.”
She went into the kitchen to put the pizza in the oven and pour him a cup of coffee. “How do you take it?”
“Black’s fine.”
She handed him his cup and took a seat beside him on the couch. As he sipped, she reached into the side table for a pencil and pad and wrote in clear block letters: REMEMBER, I FOUND A LISTENING DEVICE. SOMEONE IS LISTENING.
Alex read the note as he sipped and nodded. Many men would have been afraid, branded her too much trouble. In a clear voice, he said, “I think Philip Latimer is in Nashville.”
To think it could be true was one thing. To hear it from Alex added frightening depth and meaning. “You’re sure?”
He settled back on the couch, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He spoke as if they were discussing the recent cold snap. “I think he killed Deidre and a man named Brian Lawrence.”
“Brian Lawrence? Gail’s date was Brian Lawrence. He’s the man who dropped off the dog at the clinic a few days ago and never claimed her. I even called him myself and left him voice-mail messages.”
“Really?”
She nodded her head. “The instant I saw Charlie, I remembered a dog I’d had as a kid. Philip would have known I’d fall for that dog right away.”
“Where’s the dog now?”
“Somewhere safe. I didn’t dare bring her home tonight.”
“You think he’ll strike on the anniversary?”
“I know he will. The date meant a lot to him.”
He set his coffee cup down and reached for her hand. Slowly, he turned it over. Tempted as she was to pull her hand away, she held steady and allowed him to trace the tip of his finger along her palm. A dark frown deepened the lines on his face.
He raised her palm to his lips and kissed it. She closed her eyes, savoring the explosion of warmth that spread through her body. “Very, very brave.”
“I’m afraid. All the time, I expect him to return. I hate that.”
“Philip thinks he’s in charge of the game. He’s not. You are. I am.”
She wanted to believe, but even now, with the two of them alone, they both sensed Philip listening. Lurking.
Having Alex this close gave her a sense of courage. She’d wanted to touch him and kiss him since the first time he’d asked her out. But fear had kept her at bay. No more. She leaned in and kissed him on the lips.
“I told you, it’s bugged. He’ll hear us,” she whispered.
He cupped her face. “I know.”
“You know he’ll come after you again.”