“Caucasian male. Thirties. A loner. Socially awkward. Most likely dropped out from high school...”
“Below average I.Q.”—Riley chimed in—“highly emotional, physically weak and afraid of authority figures.” Her gaze swung up to Noah’s. “Other than him being a white male in his thirties, this sounds nothing like the kind of guy we’re looking for.”
“She’s right.” Maggie stepped forward. “The man who abducted these women is strong enough to overpower them. He’s smart enough to convince them to feel safe with him, and he’s intelligent enough to outsmart authorities for at least the past three years, if not longer. I can’t speak to his emotional state, but your psychologist appears to have put together a profile that’s nearly the exactoppositeof what it should be.”
Admiration glittered behind Noah’s eyes as understanding smacked Eric square across the face.
Son of a bitch.
“That’s the whole point, isn’t it?” He locked eyes with Noah. “You want Riley to go on TV spouting off this crap in order to purposely piss this guy off.”
“I’m impressed.” The arrogant prick’s mouth curved slightly. “Captain Vogel told me you were a quick study.”
“You’ve just asked my partner to put an even bigger target on her back. Impressing you is the last item on my list of things to do today.”
“I have a partner, too, Detective, so I understand you wanting to keep her safe. I can assure you, we will do everything in our power to do just that.”
“Forget it.” He looked at his captain. “We’ll find another way.”
“This guy chose Detective York, Eric.” Killion continued arguing his case. “Yes, she has the same physical attributes as the other victims, but it’s different with her. He sees her as a challenge, and we can use that to—”
“I don’t give a fuck how he sees her, she’s not—”
“I’ll do it.”
Both men turned toward Riley, who was currently giving him a look that said she meant business.
“Riley, please. Just...take a minute to think about this.”
“I’ve had threeyearsto think about this, Eric.” She placed the folder containing the fake profile back on the desk. “This guy slipped through my fingers once, already. I’ll be damned if he does it again.”
Eric’s gut churned. She was going to do this. She was going to dangle herself out there like a fucking carrot for the crazy son of a bitch, and there was nothing he could do to stop her.
He’ll come for her.
It was a certainty he felt in his bones. This man, this monster, would see her and come after her.
And Eric would be ready.
Because Riley wasn’t just his partner on the job or the lover in his bed. She was the woman heloved.
The woman he’ddieto protect.
