“If the gentleman who bought the gowns returns, please don’t tell him I was asking about him.”
“No problem.”
“And call me right away.” Emerson left her card.
“Did he do something wrong?”
“He’s a person of interest in two homicides.”
The woman gasped. “Am I safe alone here at night?”
While the shop owner didn’t fit the killer’s profile, she wanted to encourage her to be safe. “You can lock the door when you’re alone or change your policy to appointments-only in the evening. If a man comes into your store and you’re not comfortable, call 911.” Emerson thanked her for her time and left.
As she drove away, her hope fizzled. Emerson believed she’d found her guy, but she had nothing beyond that. No contact info, no description. Then, the realization hit her. The killer had purchased four dresses.
He’s hunting his third victim.
* * *
Stryker smiled like a proud papa as his computer systems came online. His entire staff had gathered in the atrium and cheered while the monitors on the far wall lit up. It had taken an extra day, but they were back in business.
“Team, we’re up and running,” he announced. “Government accounts are suspended until the investigation is completed. Check with your manager for your short-term assignment.”
Stryker had spent the past two days meeting with his executive team to ensure his employees were reassigned during the Bureau’s investigation. Company rumors had been flying that his government hackers would be laid off. No one was losing their job.
As the teams made their way back upstairs, Cooper strode into the building.
“Hey, great timing,” Stryker said. “We’re back in business.”
“We need to talk,” Cooper said. “Now.”
“My office.”
The two men jumped into an elevator with several chatty employees. Normally friendly, a silent Cooper stared straight ahead. Floor by floor, employees hopped off, leaving the two men alone on their way to the top floor. “You look pissed,” Stryker said.
“I am pissed,” Cooper said as the doors slid open and the men walked to Stryker’s office.
Once there, Stryker closed the door. “I musta done something.”
“You sure as hell did.” Cooper pulled up a video on his phone. It was of Stryker visiting Spinetti in prison.
“What’s the problem?” Stryker asked. “I paid an old man a visit. Kinda nice of me, don’tcha think?”
“Are you fucking kidding me? I told you to stay away from him. I get that you do not like being told what to do. I’ve known that forever. But this? This is unacceptable. How the fuck am I supposed to go to bat for you when you pull this kind of crap?” Cooper glared at him.
“Relax,” Stryker said, but his words were futile. Cooper looked like he was gonna breathe fire out his nostrils.
“He told his lawyer you threatened him,” Cooper continued. “I walked in to a shit storm this morning. You do this again and I won’t bail you out. The Bureau will suspend TCS indefinitely and take their time investigating your company. You will have to fire your employees. You will lose business. Your attorney fees will be insane. This will drag on for months.” Cooper stared at him. “Am I clear?”
“Spinetti is guilty of orchestrating the B&E. He’s not coming after the Bureau. He’s coming after me. For some reason, this is personal. And I sure as fuck will stand up to him.”
Stryker’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. He read it and a growl shot out of him. It was Spinetti. “Perfect timing,” he said, and showed Cooper.
The text read: “You won’t beat me.”
“Hmm,” Cooper said.
“I helped the Bureau put Spinetti away,” Stryker said. “Thatfavormeant nothing to me. It’s one of dozens I’ve done over the years. I didn’t think twice about Spinetti until he called and threatened me. Have I ever backed down before?”
