I checked my watch. “About an hour from now.”
“I’ll have a man standing by at your house for after you leave. Don’t worry. They’ll keep a watchful eye.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“We’ll be ready to move if we discover there’s a brother.”
She was finally walking closer, studying my comprehensive computer system as if she hadn’t seen the wall full of them before. When in fact, we’d spent the better part of three hours sitting in two desk chairs, talking about the case as if we’d been old partners.
Without any personal details.
I’d learned two valuable pieces of information from her. One I’d heard but had forgotten about. I’d checked my notes and a witness who’d been the last to see one victim while she was alive had overheard the same question.
Do you dream in color?
I’d made a mental note to use the question on Samuel if it came up in a good place in the conversation. That way I could try to trip him up or potentially confirm that he was the killer and our concerns were unfounded.
But she’d alluded to a second phrase. Perhaps one day she’d trust me enough to tell me.
“I’ll hold you to that, bro,” I told him.
As soon as she was close, she shifted her eyes to the computer screen behind me, frowning as she noticed the shut-out within the FBI.
“I’ll let you go. Let me know happens at the prison.”
“Will do.” I tossed my phone, immediately taking one of her hands into mine.
“You’re looking into my boss?”
“Knowing all the players around us will help solve the riddle.”
She tipped her head. “I didn’t know we were dealing with riddles, but you’re right. The monster used flowery words like poetry. That’s how he lured his victims.”
“Like being able to dream in color.”
“Exactly.” She took a sip of coffee and I could feel her tension. “Have you been at this all night?”
I pulled her icy hand to my lips, rubbing them across her knuckles. While she didn’t try to pull away, the immediate tension I noticed in the erratic pulse of her veins on the side of her neck was a clear indication she was still hesitant about her feelings for me.
“Not all night. Just trying to work out a few details. Did you get any sleep?” She’d been hesitant to stay until I’d put my foot down. After hearing about the phone call I’d received, we’d both come to the conclusion that there was potentially significant danger. A phone call to either one of us could be shoved aside as a crank hungering for fame.
Not two.
“A couple hours.” Now she pulled her hand away, glancing at the bank of computers. “You’re no longer allowed into the FBI data system.”
“Evidently not.”
“Is that typical for a former employee?”
“Could be new protocol.”
Every time she smiled, it was as if she was already developing mischievous ideas. “But you don’t buy it.”
“Not even a little bit.”
“Then who do you believe is controlling the situation?”
I shoved my hands into my pockets. “I honestly don’t know, but I’m playing this as if it doesn’t matter. However, their identities will if Samuel is purposely taking the blame for the crimes and that comes to light.”
