When Derek called back to tell him everything was a go, he also asked his brother to hack into the building’s security, as well as the area’s CCTV camera feeds.
He was done with this prick’s bullshit. They were going to find him, and soon. Eric just prayed it was before he had the chance to hurt anyone else.
“Detectives, you’re going to want to see this.” One of the forensic techs hollered from Riley’s bedroom doorway.
With acid swirling in his stomach, Eric followed Riley and Cap down the hall to see what they’d found.
The tech handed Riley a plastic bag with something inside. “This was found inside your nightstand drawer. We’ll have our handwriting guy take a look, but I’m certain it was written by the same guy as the others.”
Riley read the note aloud. “Sorry I missed you at the farm.”
Eric let out a stream of curses before yanking the baggie from Riley’s hand and smacking it against the tech’s chest.
“That’s it.” The words hissed through a set of tightly clenched teeth. “I’m done.”
Turning her angered eyes onto him, Riley asked, “What does that mean, ‘you’re done’?”
“It means I’m getting you the hell out of the city. Now.”
She blinked. “We have a killer to catch. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are. Cap?” He turned to their boss for support.
“He’s right.” Cap agreed. “This guy, whoever the hell he is, has escalated.”
“Which is exactly why I need to be here. So we canstophim!”
“Look around, Riley!” Eric yelled, pointing toward the scene behind her. “He left a fucking body in your apartment. In your goddamnbed!”
Ignoring his outburst—and him—Riley looked their captain in the eye and said, “You can’t take me off this case, Cap. Not now.”
“Riley—” Cap started to respond, but she cut him off.
“We’re getting closer. I canfeelit.”
“Riley—” he tried again.
“Damn it, Thomas, if I leave now, we could lose him!”
The fact that she’d used Cap’s first name showed just how desperate Riley was getting.
“Detective York!” Captain Vogel’s raised voice boomed.
Everyone stopped what they were doing...including Riley.
“I’m not taking you off the case,” their boss spoke quieter now. Calmer.
“You’re not?” It was clear by the look on Riley’s face that he’d surprised her.
“No. But Eric’s right. This guy’s not like most serials. He’s changing things up, which makes him unpredictable. And, for whatever reason, he’s chosen you as his personal opponent. Now, you can still work the case—”
“Thank you.”
“But not from here.”
“What?”
“I want you and Eric to leave town. Today. I’ll have the team send you electronic files on everything we have so far, and we’ll be in constant contact.”
