“Now observe the cropped, close-up version I made of that same picture.” He pressed another key and the screen changed. “What’s worse than two different killers?”
She gasped in shock. “A tag team of killers, partnering together.” She stared at the close up of Avarice Lowe and Chris Larsen standing in the crowd, side by side, watching with riveted interest as the police worked one of the Kentucky Ripper crime scenes.
“Congratulations, Teagan.”
She tore her gaze from the screen. “For what?”
“You were right all along. Lowe was the Kentucky Ripper. But so was Larsen. None of us saw that coming.”
“You did,” she said. “You created two profiles.”
“Yes, well. My mistake was in not following through and pursuing both after the police went after Finney. I assumed I’d messed up. Instead, I should have pushed for more investigating. Maybe then, Finney wouldn’t be in prison. Lowe would be in prison, along with Larsen. And then you’d have never been hurt. I’m so sorry.” His jaw tightened.
She shook her head. “No. Don’t you dare go there. What happened to me was not your fault. It was Larsen’s.”
He swallowed. “Thank you for that. But it gets even worse. I’m not sure it’s just Larsen’s fault. It may be Lowe’s too. Remember that you said, even after knowing Larsen had abducted you, that he didn’t seem like the right man, that he didn’t fit your memories except for his voice?”
It took a moment for his words to sink in. When they did, she pressed a shaking hand to her throat. “Oh my God. You think that I was abducted by...both of them?”
He gave her a short, clipped nod. “I don’t have any real proof. Just theories. But I think we should tell the police and the FBI to consider that they may have been a tag team on some of the same crimes, including what was done to you.” He took her hand in his again. “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have even told you that.”
“No, no. I don’t want any secrets between us. I want to be included in everything.” She forced a smile. “Honestly, it’s not as huge of a shock as you’d expect. I was wrestling with my own doubts because some things didn’t seem to fit with Larsen. Now, well, it kind of all makes sense.” She squeezed his hand. “I assume you already told Mason about this?”
He kissed the back of her hand before letting go. “I was discussing it with him when you walked in. He’s corroborating some data, but as soon as he saw that picture of Lowe and Larsen together, he was convinced. He’s pulling the Seekers onto this right now.”
“I guess everything’s in good hands, then.”
“The best.”
She pushed to her feet, still feeling a bit nauseated and shaky after the latest revelations. “I need to push all of this ugliness out of my head for now. I’m going to go call my mom and let her know I’m still alive. She’s gotten a bit paranoid after this last...episode. She made me promise to call her every day, but I fell asleep last night and never did. I’m surprised she’s not already blowing up my phone this morning.” Her face heated. “Sorry about falling asleep with you as my pillow. But thanks for putting me to bed. Next time maybe you can join me.” She gave him an outrageous wink, desperately trying to lighten the mood.
He gently cupped her face and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. “One day, very soon, sweet Teagan. I’ll do more than just join you in that big bed.”
She sighed with longing, already feeling better. He always made her feel better, even in her darkest moments.
He put his phone in his pocket before turning off the equipment. Backing away from the table, he said, “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride.” He arched his brows in a suggestive manner.
She laughed and eased herself onto his lap so she wouldn’t jar his incisions. When they reached the family room, she carefully got up. “I’ll call Mom from the bedroom.”
“And I’ll make breakfast. Toast or an omelet? Those are the only two breakfast meals in my culinary arsenal.”
“Omelet. Always.”
“Good choice. My toast always comes out burned. Meat lover, veggie lover, or deluxe?” He wheeled toward the kitchen.
“Deluxe. With sour cream on top, if you have it.”
“You got it,” he called back.
She smiled and went into the bedroom. But after three tries on her cell phone without the call going through, she gave up and headed to the kitchen.
He’d left his wheelchair sitting by the island and was leaning on his cane as he pulled ingredients for the omelets out of the refrigerator. He glanced up in surprise when she started helping him. “That was a quick call.”
“It wouldn’t go through. I think there must be a problem with the cell tower or something.”
He frowned as he set a carton of eggs on the counter. “Is your battery low?”
“No. But there weren’t any bars. No connection. I tried three times. All I got was static.”
