Alexia had something on her mind. I could read that easily enough. Perhaps the invitation had been a little too pushy.
When she grasped my hand, all the color drained from her face. A memory had just resurfaced, one harsh enough the visions caught her off guard. I’d seen them in her eyes, one by one flashing across her field of vision, a parade of the macabre. I’d experienced exactly what she was going through with other victims. One minute they were able to keep the wolves at bay.Then out of the blue they could no longer breathe, their thoughts muddled.
That’s what she was going through, demons from her past dragging the beautiful woman into her own private hell. Seeing the terror and pain in her eyes was exactly the kick in the teeth I needed to get my ass in gear.
Chase’s voicemail was a clear indication her instincts were spot on. The two words he’d used had been exacerbated by his tone.
“Call me.”
That was next on my agenda, but I already knew what to expect in my gut if nothing else.
Samuel Wells had a family, a brother to be exact. I didn’t care that there was no concrete proof. My instincts were never wrong. Somewhere in the world, a man with almost identical DNA lived and perhaps continued thriving against all odds.
Perhaps they didn’t even look alike now, their characteristics, likes, and dislikes entirely different. There’d been thousands of studies performed on siblings over several generations. Sibling competition with criminal activity was nothing new. Neither was utilizing the closeness shared.
I’d utilized those studies over the years to solve cases, even manipulating the family relationship to my benefit. Hell, I’d even pretended to be a long-lost brother once to catch a murderer. I’d managed to convince the bastard I was his younger sibling. Not by assimilating the man’s dress code or preferences in food and drink.
But by use of the man’s proclivities against him.
A BDSM club considered his playground had turned into my hunting ground.
I’d become skilled in utilizing the studies to my benefit. The goal? Sliding into the person’s mind without them knowing my intentions.
In this case, Samuel was my playground. I’d need to rely on my instincts, but I’d been there before. But first things first, since Alexia was the target of a monster’s affections.
People would ask why he hadn’t returned to the metaphorical scene of the crime, finishing the creation he’d begun years before. Every person considered criminally insane had their own reasons for their actions, often dispelling scientific or psychological truths. In knowing what I did about the Python Killer, he’d considered her special, her ability to escape providing a reason for respect.
That didn’t mean his sadistic needs hadn’t won in the end. In my mind, I could sense she was the perfect victim, the Mona Lisa of his methodology.
I’d need a foolproof way of protecting her.
I also needed to finish what I’d started years ago, before falling prey to some ridiculous sense of doing the right thing. Eliminating the threat without concern about if I was crossing the line of right versus wrong.
Good versus evil.
Now, I just didn’t care or maybe I knew the ugly truth.
Justice often required a helping hand.
And I was just the man to do it.
CHAPTER 15
Maverick
What the fuck?
I glared at the computer screen, fisting both hands to keep from slinging the keyboard off the table. I was on the main computer screen, requesting access to the Sentinel, the database system housing all pertinent information regarding various cases, both recent and past. Agents were all on a need-to-know basis meaning if they hadn’t been involved with the case.
That was to be expected.
However, given the case was also thirteen years old, even various grand jury testimonies should be available for viewing.
Being denied access into the project file altogether not only pissed me off but was a giant red flag. Why the fuck had I been denied access?
“Goddamn son of a bitch.”
“What’s wrong?” Chase asked. I’d called him just as I’d tried to gain access.
