The Last Move (Criminal Profiler 1)

Kate sat back, doing her best to emit a relaxed confidence. “The killer asked for me by name. But given my recent media exposure, it’s not unexpected. Nothing to worry about.”

Sylvia shook her head. “You’d think I’d be used to all the talk about killers after all these years. But I still worry. Every day I dread a phone call like the one I received—”

The weight of blame grew heavier. “You can say it. The day my ex-boyfriend shot and killed Dad.”

Her mother laid her hand over Kate’s. “That boy shot you, too.”

“But I didn’t die.”

Her brows knotted. “I never blamed you. I’ve told you that a hundred times in every way I could.”

Mitchell had said as much, and all she could do was cower behind her logic. Never in her life had she ever found the words to express her feelings of regret and guilt.

Her mother stared at her, and she sat back and sipped her coffee.

“I pictured you as a scientist toiling happily away in your lab, not chasing killers like your brother and dad.”

She was proud that she was as much like them as she could be. “Genetics is hard to fight.”

“Your father was never more excited than when he won over a jury and sent a criminal to jail.” She patted Kate’s hand. “I thought at least one of my two children would have a little of me in them. I see so much of your father in you.”

Kate traced the rim of her cup with her finger. “Then why didn’t Dad and I ever spend more time together?”

“He never knew what to do with a girl. Never knew the right things to say. It’s why he drove you to school for the evening chess meets. He wanted to spend time with you.”

And he’d been killed.

As if sensing Kate’s thoughts, Sylvia said, “Tell me about your case. Don’t think you’ve deflected me from finding out more about this killer.”

Kate smiled. Her mother was sharp. “Do you remember Nina Hernandez? She was the housekeeper for the Bauldrys.”

“I saw her once or twice at the school. Her daughter was a little older than Mitchell. Nina was a striking woman. Very quiet.”

“What about her daughter, Gloria?”

“I never spoke to her, but your father did. She got into trouble when she was about seventeen. The senior Mr. Bauldry spoke to your father directly and smoothed things over.”

“What did she do?”

“She vandalized the car of one of the cheerleaders. A stupid prank that ended up doing quite a bit of damage to the car.”

“Anything else?”

“No. Or if something did happen I never heard about it.”

Kate dabbed a crumb on her plate with her thumb. “I saw Mitchell.”

Her mother’s posture stiffened. “Really.”

“He came by my hotel.”

“Did he behave himself?”

“He was very gracious. He said he was sorry.”

“He is. You know him. He’s not a talker. But every holiday you weren’t here after Sierra died troubled him.”

She shook her head. “I should accept his peace offering and move on.”

“Will you?”

She’d missed her family. They’d all lost, but she’d lost her home, father, and brother. “I’ll try.”

Her mother waited until Kate had finished eating. “Back to this killer, Kate. Who is he?”

“Have you heard from William Bauldry?”

Her mother straightened, and the softness around her eyes and mouth vanished. “I know he’s been out of jail since January 5. Has he been bothering you again?”

“No. I haven’t seen him. Has he contacted you?”

Her mother’s lips flattened. “No.”

“No odd sense that you’re being followed? No notes or letters or flowers?”

“None of that. Do you think he would do all that again?”

“No. I’m just reviewing all the angles. He was pretty obsessed with this family and especially me toward the end.”

“None of us realized he’d go to such extremes.”

“Do me a favor and be extra careful. I think he’s close and he’s watching, just like he used to.”

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

“I would like you to go and stay with Mitchell until I finish this.”

“I love your brother, but I’m not staying with him. I can take care of myself.”

Her father had spoken similar words before he’d been shot. “What about staying with your sister? Aunt Lydia always likes to see you.”

“You’re chasing a killer, and you expect me to run off like a frightened child and stop worrying about you?”

“I’m partnered with Detective Mazur. He’s a good cop and has my back. I’ll be fine.”

“Detective Mazur sounds like a man who has sense.”

“He’s very reasonable.” There was a calm steadiness around him she found appealing. “But I would feel better if you visited Aunt Lydia.”

Her mother shook her head. “Hell no, I’m not running.”

“Just for a week or so, Mom. I could send you and Aunt Lydia on a cruise.”

“We don’t need an expensive cruise.”

“I can’t afford expensive, Mom. You’d both be getting the economy cruise.”

Her mother laughed. “I love your honesty. But I’ve made up my mind.”

“You need to. I know William. If he’s out there, he needs to believe he can get to me. He won’t, of course. But he needs to believe it. I can’t do my job and worry about you.”

“You sound like your father.”

“Mom, please. Do it for me.”

Her mother gathered up her cup and Kate’s plate and let out a sigh. “I’ll drive up to Dallas and see my sister for a week or so. But I’m calling your brother and telling him what’s going on. Last I checked, I’m still in charge of this family.”

“Mom, William knows that the best way to throw me off or hurt me is to kill you or Mitchell without a second thought.”

“No one cares about me. And your brother is a Texas Ranger and a former Army Ranger. I think Mitchell will be fine.”

“Dad was a former cop and prosecutor.”

Her mother raised her chin, then shook her head. “We all underestimated William back then. None of us will do that again.”

“Okay. Tell Mitchell. He listens to you better than me.”

“Of course. Now, would you please get some sleep? You look exhausted.”

Kate stifled a yawn. “I could use more sleep. I’m still running a deficit.”

“Go on. I put clean sheets on the bed when I saw you on television.”

“You were so sure I’d visit.”

“I hoped.” Her mother kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Kate rose and walked back to her room. She pulled the comforter back; the scent of laundry soap rose up from the sheets, and it reminded her of her childhood. She checked each of her three windows to make sure they were locked and secured. Only then did she lie down and shut off her light. Moonlight cut across the white ceiling and the pencil drawing of a horse her father had done for her when she was six and afraid of the dark.

Tears filled her eyes and slid down the sides of her face. It was good being home.

The shrill sound of Kate’s phone yanked her from a restless slumber. She glanced at her phone. The display read BLOCKED. It was 4:59 a.m. She hesitated, then clearing her throat, answered the call. “Dr. Hayden.”

“Katie.”

Half awake, the soft-spoken voice didn’t register immediately. “Who is this?”

“You don’t know?”

A familiarity in the speaker’s tone sent an uneasy tremor up her spine. “Who is this?”

“This is William.”

She sat up and pushed her hair out of her eyes. Her heart raced into high gear, pounding against her chest. “How did you get this number?”

“Don’t you remember how good I am with computers, Katie? I

t’s easy.”

“I remember. Where are you?” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and moved to her briefcase. She dug out a minirecorder, clicked it on, and held it close to the receiver.

“I’m traveling. My housekeeper told me you came by. Why did you come to see me, Katie? Did you miss me?”

Katie. It was the nickname reserved for her family, and for the few months they’d dated, she’d allowed him to use it. “It’s Dr. Hayden.”