Phoenix. Cobb called cops. Vacate. Now.
CHAPTER
34
Heath drove quickly and kept an eye on the world outside as the winter storm increased in strength. Wind threw ice and sleet at the borrowed Jeep, and the whole day had turned a stormy gray. Malloy had taken his own car—probably back to his station to investigate Heath. Cobb had called Malloy. Was he fishing, or had he found them?
Anya sighed next to him. “Thank you for coming to get me.”
“Always.” His heart had all but leaped out of his chest. Even now, he just wanted to gather her close and hold her for good. “We need to talk as soon as we get to safety.”
“I know.” She settled back down. “I’m done with secrets. It’s you and me, and I’m finished acting like it isn’t. You’re going to give me all of it.”
“Yeah.” He’d never cared for a woman like he did for her. Was that love? Hell, he didn’t know. He always figured he loved his brothers, but this was different. More primitive. It ate at him. The truck skidded on the ice, and he corrected, leveling out.
What was he going to say to her? He didn’t want to hurt her, but he wasn’t sure about taking her on the run for the next several years. The thought of leaving her made him want to punch through the window. For now, she was still in the serial killer’s mind. She wouldn’t be safe from him until he was taken down.
Heath’s phone dinged, and he pressed the speaker, needing both hands on the wheel. “Denver? What do you know?”
“Got your message—we’re mobilizing. Do you have Anya?” Denver asked.
“Anya is with me now, and we’re heading for the safe apartments to pack. We’re getting out of here,” Heath said. Damn, it was getting hard to see through the storm.
“I’ll meet you there,” Denver said. “Ryker and Zara are finishing closing the decoy offices, and I’ll help you close down the main apartments in a few minutes. Should take about thirty minutes, and then we all head separately for safe house Alpha.”
Anya lifted an eyebrow but didn’t speak.
Heath nodded. “Copy that. Don’t only worry about Cobb. You guys stay alert in case the killer makes a move now.”
“He’s got his victim, Heath. He’ll stick to his pattern,” Denver said.
Yeah, the guy did like to sneak in and out without a trace. It was too much to hope that he’d try to take Anya right in front of them. Heath gripped the wheel tighter. “I know. Speaking of which . . . what have you learned?”
“Victim’s name is Jolene Landers. Twenty-six, brunette with possible red highlights, and ex-wife of a cop in town. She lives in a bungalow on the west side, and the killer got in through a backyard entrance and took her around dawn.” Denver typed some more. “The FBI and local police are coordinating to find her.”
“Agent Reese said a patrol car was on her street,” Heath said, maneuvering carefully around a corner. The truck fishtailed, and he quickly regained control.
“Yeah. They didn’t see or hear anything,” Denver said.
Heath slammed his fist on the steering wheel. His temples pounded, and his stomach rolled over. “We have less than a week to find her.” As soon as they got to a secure location and Anya was safe, he’d start working the case. But Cobb was definitely breathing closer, if he wasn’t already in town. Anya was safe for now, but there was still a chance to find the victim before she was killed.
Denver said, “I’m still running a deeper check on Reese, but so far nothing has popped.”
Anya shook her head, sending her pretty red hair flying.
Heath ignored the clear message. “Keep digging. There’s something I don’t like about him.”
“You don’t like that he took Anya from you,” Denver returned evenly. “But I’ll dissect his entire life. See you in about ten minutes.”
“Drive carefully. This storm is strong,” Heath said, ending the call.
Anya held her hands closer to the heater vents. “You can’t suspect Reese.”
“I can.” Heath turned the final corner and pressed a button to allow entry to the parking area of the apartments. “Okay. We’re in and out in thirty minutes.”
She grabbed his arm. “We can’t leave town, Heath. Agent Reese pretty much ordered us to stay here.”
“We’re leaving.” Heath didn’t have time to explain. “It’s time to go, sweetheart.”
