The haunted appearance of her eyes kept my rage increasing. “Tell me.”
“Because the blood rusted the mechanisms and made it easier to escape. Do you know how I was painfully aware of the reasons for what he was doing?” The sound of her voice was almost maniacal.
“How?”
“Because that’s why I was able to break free from the chains. His cleaning frenzy was the only reason I was able to get away from that… fucking bastard.” Her entire face twisted in a horrific bout of fury. “If only I’d stayed. Maybe I could have avoided all this by slaughtering him just as I’d intended.”
While there was nothing that could cause her beauty to diminish, what she’d endured and had yet to come to terms with had changed her personality forever.
Unless I could gift her the very elimination she wished had occurred thirteen years before. I gripped both her arms, pulling her close. Now was the right time to disclose what few truths had already been discovered. “It’s quite possible our instincts were correct and Samuel has a brother.”
“I thought that’s what we’d already determined was the only possibility of how Samuel could be innocent.”
“Some paperwork mentioned baby number one.”
She didn’t seem as bothered by the idea as I’d thought she’d be. “Then we need to find baby number two. Don’t we?”
Nodding several times, I was beginning to realize just how strong the woman truly was. “I promise you I will discover whether or not Samuel is the killer.”
“We. I will help you and there is nothing you can do or say that will stop me. Nothing. We have a deal. A handshake. Remember?”
“How could I forget? I’m headed to the penitentiary where Samuel is being held.”
She clawed my arms, more excited than when we’d shared passion. “Then I’m going with you.” After she managed to get away, I remained where I was. Fidgeting, she acted as if she was already gathering her things for the trip.
“If you’re there, it’s doubtful he’ll talk and that’s what we both want, a confession that he had nothing to do with the murders.”
“I disagree. If rattling Samuel is the objective, then by all means, let’s do everything we can. I can provide details no one else can. Including you.”
Whether or not we were playing a game of cat and mouse or simply one of who would take control of this investigation, the posturing was both endearing and annoying to a man like me. One used to being the one in charge. But she had a point, although her appearance would be a clear indication that we were working together.
Although the plan wouldn’t matter if Samuel was the killer.
Why did it appear as if the Python Killer had been even more cunning than originally believed?
There was no pouting or begging on her part. She was simply telling me with every aspect of her body language that she was going with me whether I liked it or not. “Fine. But we do this my way. Let’s get ready. We have a four-hour drive ahead of us.”
“Fair enough. Now you can call off your buddy from the Justice Served group.” She swayed her hips as she walked away.
“For what reason?”
Stopping short on purpose, when she tipped her head over her shoulder, she gave me one hell of a salacious look. “To tell him there’s no need to babysit me any longer. Yes, I’m telepathic.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“We’ll discuss that on our trip. Then you’ll still have plenty of time to tell me all about your secret group. And on the way back, we’ll stop and purchase you a suit.”
“A suit?”
“For our date?” she cooed.
“Oh, that. I own a suit.” I shut down the computers, grabbing my phone. This was going to be a fascinating day trip.
“Not one crafted any later than the nineteen-nineties. I already checked. Change that. You need a tuxedo.”
“What? I don’t want to look like a penguin.”
“Tough.”
