But then she’d vanished. Disappeared from the city like a thief in the night. Not long after, another man took the fall for his hard work and dedication, so Gregory took it as a sign that it was time to move on and he left New York.
He’d controlled his urges for a while. Spent his time helping the sick and injured of Colorado and Wyoming.
Then late one night, he’d been cruising the seedier parts of town when a woman approached his car. One with long, dark hair and that same, lost look in her eyes.
He was unable to resist the urge, and the tantalizing floodgates of pain and torture opened up again.
Before the FBI could close in on him, Gregory decided to move on, yet again. To find a new feeding ground. One where it would be easier to hide.
Fate had chosen well this time around, placing him in Dallas, Texas. The exact same city as his lost angel of peace and harmony.
He was shocked the day he spotted Riley having lunch with that boorish partner of hers. For a minute, he’d considered leaving town to avoid crossing her path and having her recognize him.
But there was just something about Detective York that drew him in. So he’d stayed in order to begin a new game.
One with an even greater prize at the end.
Unable to resist, Gregory had left his special detective a note. One that had gone unanswered.
Then he left her a body. Three, to be exact. Again, he received nothing in return.
So this last time, Gregory decided to make certain his Riley was brought into the investigation.
Leaving the body in her district, in a spot where he knew she would be assigned the case was the first step. Addressing the note to her had been his second.
Yes, he’d left no room for doubt this last time. And it had worked like a charm.
But now she wanted to play a different game. One she thought she was in charge of.
“Tsk, tsk, Detective York,” Gregory began the press conference a final time. “I make the rules, not you. Perhaps it’s time for a reminder.”
Staring at the small screen in his hands, he chose to focus on something other than Riley’s face. Instead, Gregory slid his gaze to the woman standing to the left of the podium. The one with dark, curly hair and a cute button nose.
The woman who’d just given his Riley a supportive nod and a sweet smile.
“Ah, yes.” He smiled at the well-dressed woman. “I think you’ll do quite nicely.”
