Carson seemed to be thinking the same thing. “Lock the door behind me. Don’t open it for anyone except me. I mean it, Nora. No one.”
“I will.”
He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something else. Then he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead—gentle and lingering and full of promise.
“Two hours,” he said. “I’ll be back in two hours.”
Then he was gone.
Nora locked the door behind him and engaged the deadbolt and the chain. Then she stood in the middle of the too-quiet hotel room and tried to convince herself she was safe.
Eugene was caught. In custody. Facing serious charges.
So why did she still feel like someone was watching her?
***
Carson made it to the station in fifteen minutes, breaking at least six traffic laws in the process.
Captain Holloway was waiting in the interrogation observation room, watching Eugene through the one-way glass. Eugene sat calmly at the table, his shoulder bandaged, his lawyer whispering in his ear.
“He’s not giving us anything,” Holloway said without preamble. “Invoked his right to counsel immediately. Lawyer’s already filed a motion to suppress the evidence from the storage unit.”
“On what grounds?”
“Claims we didn’t have probable cause for the search.”
“We had financial records showing he was renting it. That’s probable cause.”
“His lawyer disagrees.” Holloway turned to face Carson. “But that’s not why I called you here.”
Something in his tone made Carson’s stomach sink. “What happened?”
“We ran Eugene’s phone records. The burner he used to text Nora, the one he used to call you at the storage unit—both purchased with cash, both untraceable.” Holloway paused. “But we found something else. Regular calls to and from a number registered to someone at Nora’s workplace.”
Carson’s blood ran cold. “Who?”
“Dan Morrison. Works in accounting. Same office as Nora.”
The name triggered a memory. Nora had mentioned Dan. Said he’d been acting weird, making comments about how she used to smile at him.
“Bring him in,” Carson said immediately.
“We tried. He didn’t show up for work today. And when we sent a unit to his apartment, he was gone. Place was cleared out. Looks like he left in a hurry.”
“Son of a bitch.” Carson’s hands clenched into fists. “Eugene wasn’t working alone.”
“That’s what it looks like. We’re pulling everything we can on Morrison—background, financials, known associates. But, Carson?” Holloway’s expression was grave. “If Morrison was working with Eugene, if they were coordinating... Eugene’s arrest might have triggered him to act. He might come after Nora himself.”
“She’s at the Grandview Hotel. Eighth floor. I’m going back there right now.”
“I’m sending a patrol unit to sit outside her room. And, Carson?” Holloway grabbed his arm. “You did good today. You saved her life. But be careful. This isn’t over yet.”
Carson was already halfway to the door.
Because Holloway was right.
This wasn’t over.
