“Why the hell not?”
“Conscience? Hedging my bets. Who knows?”
The Shark cursed. “Take your money. Take the girl. And be grateful Lady Luck favored you today.”
Now twelve years later, he wanted a rematch. He was all in.
Riley stayed at the crime scene for hours. She hoped that there’d be some bit of evidence that would tell her anything about this killer who had landed in her backyard and was circling around her like a stalking panther.
It was after eight when she walked through the back door of her house after disarming the newly installed alarm. Standing in the utility room, she didn’t turn on the light as she stripped off her clothes, shoved them in a garbage bag, and tossed them outside. They smelled of death, and she did not want the stench coming into her house.
She locked the door behind her, checking it twice, and moved to the shower. Andrews had told her to keep the bandage dry for a couple of days, so she wrapped plastic wrap around her arm and turned on the water. When it was hot, she stepped under the spray, washing off the scent of the crime scene.
She dried off her hair and body and slipped into an oversized shirt before she unwrapped the plastic from her arm. She inspected the small insertion site, and the gravity of the Shark’s reach struck home.
Threading her fingers through her wet hair, she moved into the kitchen and pulled out yesterday’s leftover chili from Duke’s. She popped it in the microwave and hit two minutes. Her doorbell rang and, without a thought, she reached for her gun. She moved to the side of the door. “Yes?”
“It’s Duke.”
She opened the door. “What brings you here?”
“I came to check on you.”
“Alive and well. Come on inside.” He moved into the house. She glanced around, seeing Hanna’s extra junk shoved in a corner and her own coat draped over a chair by a stack of magazines and papers. She didn’t care that Duke was seeing the mess but remembered Bowman had seen the chaos that came with a teenager in her home. She’d scared him off once before, and if she didn’t now with her more complicated life, she’d be shocked. “I was heating up some chili. Can I offer you some?”
He slid his hand into his pocket. “Naw, had my fill of it today. I heard about Jax and Darla.”
“Isn’t that something? Guy tangles with the devil and gets nabbed.”
A frown deepened the lines in his forehead. “What does that mean?”
She smoothed her hand over her head, knowing anything she said to Duke wouldn’t be leaked. “Without going into a lot of detail, the man that Bowman is chasing might have killed them.”
“The man who killed Vicky? I thought he was dead.”
“There’s another man who’s setting up these poker games. The stake in the game is a girl with a very specific look.”
“Shit.”
“You used to gamble a lot. Did you hear of games like that?”
“Life-or-death games. Sure, I heard rumors. But I always figured it was a lot of hype.”
“Yeah. I don’t understand it myself. But if Jax and his girlfriend knew anything, they took it to their graves.”
“Can’t say I’m sorry they’re dead. Scum. I told Jo-Jo. She didn’t say much, but I know she’ll sleep better tonight knowing they’re no longer a threat.”
“How’s she doing?”
“It’s going to be a long haul. And girls like her sometimes never completely leave the street behind. They’re scared. At least she has a decent chance now.”
“That’s all anyone can ask.”
He snapped his fingers, as if remembering the reason for the visit. “Maria wants you and Hanna to stay with us until this is over.”
“Thanks, but I’m not leaving my home. But I will take you up on the offer to keep Hanna.”
He allowed his gaze to roam the house, settling on the windows and the back French doors that opened to a small backyard. “Riley, we don’t like the idea of you being here alone. It scares the hell out of us.”
“I’ll manage. I even have a fancy new security system courtesy of Shield.”
He shook his head. “I can tell by the tone of your voice that your mind is made up.”
“It is.”
“When is Hanna due back?”
“Tomorrow.”
He took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed into the embrace, thinking this is what it must feel like to have a father that loved her. “You’re going to be okay, kid.”
“Right.”
He kissed her on top of her head and stepped back. “I know you’ve had a long day, so I’ll go. Lock the doors after I’m gone. Call if you need anything.”
Unshed tears tightened her throat. “Will do.”
When she locked the door behind him, she leaned against it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Friday, September 23, 6:03 a.m.
Riley’s ringing phone woke her up minutes after six, and she realized she’d overslept. She pushed up and grabbed it, glancing at the number. She didn’t recognize it. Groaned. Then remembering Hanna was traveling, she shoved the phone against her ear and said, “Tatum.”
“Riley, this is Hanna.”
She sat up, glancing at the red digital numbers glowing from the nightstand. The girl sounded agitated—no, terrified, just as she had when she’d first found her. “Honey, what’s wrong? Where are you?”
“I’m at this house.” She pulled in a breath as if trying to stem the tide of tears. “And I don’t know how I got here.”
Riley swung her legs over the side of the bed, her heart kicking into high gear. Her thoughts jumped to the Shark. “Are you sure you’re not in the hotel room?”
“No. I remember the hotel room. We woke up early to get on the road. An hour ago, we were at a gas station. I went to the counter to get a drink. I drank about half, but it tasted funny, so I threw it out. I said I was going to be sick, and some man helped me out to the alley to throw up. I passed out. And now I’m here.”
“Where is here?” Standing, Riley frantically searched for her clothes. Fear circled around her.
Hanna began to cry. “Riley, I’m scared.”
She glanced toward the other side of her bed, noting only the faint impression of Bowman’s head still etched in the pillow. She struggled to keep her voice calm. “I need you to take a deep breath. Stay focused, Hanna.”
“I’m trying.”
“You’re doing just fine.” She hurried to her dresser drawer, where with trembling hands, she yanked out jeans and a clean shirt. “Do you know where the house is? Do you remember any part of the ride?”
“I don’t remember anything.”
“What about sounds. Did you hear anything
?”
“No.” She drew in a ragged breath. “You’re supposed to come. He said there will be a car outside for you.”
Panic rose. She’d thought Hanna would be safe out of town, but now she could see that was foolish. The Shark had found her. She struggled to keep her voice calm. “Who is he?”
“I don’t know. I do know the car will be there in three minutes.” She started to weep. “Riley, I’m scared.”
Her heart hammered as her mind raced to the next step. “It’s okay, Hanna. I’ll be there. I’m coming for you.”
Silence filled the line.
“Hanna!” When the girl didn’t answer, Riley shouted her name again. God, this was her kid, and it was her fault that Hanna was now in danger.
“He said to leave your phone and gun,” Hanna finally said.
“Okay, honey. I’ll do whatever it takes. Tell him, I will do what he says.”
“He’s watching.” Hanna’s voice cracked with fear. “Riley, hurry.”
“Okay.” The line went dead, leaving Riley to stare at her cell. As a cop she’d been trained to act in times of stress and to not panic. But all the scenarios she’d ever run had never involved her own child.
She set the cell on the rumpled sheets of her bed and tugged on her jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt that covered her bandage. “Bowman, if I ever needed you, it’s now.”
She shoved her feet into ankle boots, grabbed her phone and a hair tie, and fastened her long hair into a bun. She smoothed damp palms over her jeans and opened the gun box that contained her service weapon. She shoved her weapon in an ankle holster and strapped it under her pant leg. She also grabbed a pocketknife, which she slid in her boot. She dialed Bowman.
“Riley,” he answered.
Bowman’s deep voice was tense, cutting, and she nearly broke at the sound of it. God, she needed him now. But instead of giving in to the tears, she dug deep and fell back on her police training. “The Shark has Hanna. He’s sending a car for me in three minutes and I have to go.”
“Riley, don’t get in that car.”
“I don’t have a choice. Let’s hope Mr. Andrews knows his stuff.” She didn’t dare say tracker, as her cell phone was likely compromised.