Authors: Kris Norris
Her gaze clashed with his. “Me? But I don’t fit the profile, either.”
“You would have a couple of years ago. And I have a strange feeling you were on Davies’ list, but we got lucky and caught him before he was able to do more than stab you.”
“That doesn’t make sense. If he wanted to kill me, why kill my mother?”
“Because she was an easy target. And because he knew it would hurt you.” He raised his hand and cupped her jaw, tracing a line back with his finger. “Maybe this is payback for you besting him. For his failure. Or maybe he’s just plain batshit crazy. I wish I had the answers, but I don’t. All I know is that it’ll be a cold fucking day in hell before he lays a finger on you.”
Mallory’s eyes softened and she reached up, drawing him down for a soul-searing kiss. He opened willingly as her tongue swept into his mouth, tangling with his. She swallowed his moan as he slid a hand behind her back, pulling her flush to his chest. Tiny buds poked at him, the hard peaks begging for his attention. He nipped at her neck when she released him, whispering his intentions when a raspy breath sounded behind him.
“You know, if you’re trying to keep your relationship a secret, you’re doing a lousy job.”
Sawyer sighed and glanced over his shoulder, glaring at Cole as the man stood a few feet away, his one good arm crossed on his chest. Rain dotted his coat and it looked as if he’d been standing outside for a while.
Sawyer resisted the curse poised on his tongue and eased back, giving the room a quick scan. Several other agents were scattered around the bar and more than a few sets of eyes were focused their way. He thought about releasing his hold on Mallory, but decided against it.
He slid his fingers around her side, taking her hand in his. “I think we’re past the secrecy part.”
Cole chuckled. “Good, ’cause I think Fisher snapped a few shots before he left with Daniel…said something about winning the pool.” He scraped back the stool beside Mallory, sinking into it with a weary breath. “Is it too late to join you for that drink?”
Mallory shook her head. “We were just about to make a toast.”
“It looked more like you were just about to find a vacant wall, but whatever.”
Mallory hit him in his good arm as she signalled for the bartender. The man brought over Cole’s usual beer and moved on, helping another customer. Cole twisted off the cap then turned to look at them, the bottle gripped in his hand.
Mallory took a deep breath then held up her glass. “To Pamela Reeves and the night she saved my life.”
Cole glanced at him over Mallory’s shoulder as he raised his beer and took a long drink. Though he didn’t say anything, Sawyer could see the concern in the man’s eyes. He knew she’d wanted to say more—to add in the part where she hadn’t reciprocated the favour—but the slump in her shoulders said it all. He tried to think of something comforting to say, when Mallory placed her glass on the counter.
She looked over at Cole. “So, are you going to tell us what Fisher had to say, or do we wait until Davies calls again to tell me personally?”
Cole set his beer down, giving Sawyer a hardened glance before swearing under his breath. “Now’s not really the time, Mal. Take a break.”
“Why, because that asshole’s going to? He killed my mother to make a point. I’d like to make sure I don’t miss what that point is.”
“There wasn’t much new, other than the picture of you on the sash.”
She tilted her head. “And?”
Cole shrugged. “And what?”
“And what else? Don’t shit me, Cole. You can’t tell me Davies altered his entire MO just to put a picture of me on the damn sash. This goes much deeper than that. And if we want to finally catch the bastard, it might be best if we figure out his next step before it bites us in the ass.”
Cole sighed and took another swig, downing half of what was left. “It’s not what he left behind that’s odd, it’s what he omitted. For starters, there was no evidence of rape, though he probably wouldn’t have had the time. There weren’t any ligature marks on her ankles, either. We’ll have to wait for the coroner to give a positive cause of death, but Fisher’s pretty certain she bled out from the stab wound…wounds. There were several of them, actually. Most of them on her back.”
Mallory glanced back at Sawyer, her brow furrowed. “Back? Since when the hell does Davies kill his victims by stabbing them? And why the back? He always struck from the front based on the evidence and Davies’ testimony.” She pounded one fist on the counter. “None of this makes sense.”
“There’s one other thing.” Cole looked them both in the eyes. “There was a trace of foundation on the sash. Not enough for DNA, but it’s the first time. I suppose there’s a chance it belonged to your mother, but she wasn’t wearing any makeup when they found her.”
“She rarely wore it. I suppose it stemmed from not wanting any additional attention from my father. But I don’t see her dolling herself up in prison.” She looked away for a moment. “Wait. How many times was she stabbed?”
Cole snorted. “Sorry, Mal, I didn’t count. I just heard Fisher mention it as something unusual, especially since the guard identified Davies at the scene. He thought it was odd the guy would alter his approach so much. To be honest, this one was a bit hard to swallow.”
Mallory patted his hand. “Thanks. For staying.”
“I figured it was the least I could do for you.” He motioned to the bartender. “Want another?”
She shrugged.
Sawyer palmed her shoulder. “Maybe it’s best if we head home. We can go over the details there if you want. Just do me a favour and hang with Cole while I use the men’s room.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
Cole huffed. “Good, ’cause I’m not wiping your ass if you have an accident.”
Mallory sighed. “Fine. Go do your business. Cole’s already offered to buy me another drink.”
Sawyer ran a finger down her jaw as he gave her a smile. “I’ll be right back.”
Mallory watched Sawyer head for the hallway. She’d never seen him this protective before, not that she was really complaining. His concern was touching, and after everything that had happened, she could use a shoulder to lean on. Hell, she could use an entire body. She looked back at the counter as the bartender filled her glass. The scent of the rich brown whisky billowed around her, but it only made her stomach retch. She didn’t want the alcohol. She wanted Sawyer. Wanted him holding her in their bed. Wanted him telling her it would all be all right, even if it was a lie. She closed her eyes, wondering when she’d turned so soft, when Cole’s chuckle drew her attention.
She turned to him, drawing her brows together. “What the hell are you laughing about?”
He smiled. “You. Damn, Mal, you’re so in love with him, you can’t even see straight.”
“I can’t see straight because of the whisky.”
“I’ve seen you down half a bottle and still kick some creep’s ass. You’ve barely touched the stuff. Face it. This is all Sawyer.”
“And if it is? Is that a problem?”
“Not as long as you two do it right this time.”
Mallory resisted the smile tugging at her lips. “I didn’t realise there was a wrong way to do it.”
“Apparently, for you guys, anything involving the use of a bed is wrong.”
“Very funny, Cole.” She glanced at the hallway. “Shouldn’t Sawyer be back by now?”
“He’s probably kicking the walls to see if any are strong enough to withstand a quick round.”
She sneered at him and slid to her feet. “Then I guess I’ll go check. Save him the hassle of dragging me all the way back there.”
Cole followed suit. “I’ll tag along.”
“Hoping to become that third after all?”
“Let’s just say I don’t want to get on Sawyer’s bad side where you’re concerned.”
She gazed at the hallway again. “Shit. He told you not to let me out of your sight, didn’t he?”
“He’s just worried about you, as am I. This thing with Davies… It’s gone way beyond a simple case, and neither of us are willing to put your safety on the line. So if you’re going to pout, do it now, ’cause things aren’t changing any time soon.”
“Men. Did it ever occur to you that you’re both in just as much danger?”
Cole winked at her. “We’re your partners. That’s just a given where you’re concerned.”
“I take it back. You can sleep at the foot of the bed instead of in the middle.”
“I’m going to tell Sawyer you said that.”
“Snitch.”
“But I’m yours, honey. And apparently Sawyer’s, too.”
Mallory shook her head as she walked across the room and rounded the corner. The washrooms were down the hallway and around another bend. Already the sounds from the bar were dimmed, only the faint clanking of glasses echoing along the small corridor.
Cole grabbed her arm as she reached the halfway point. “Do you hear something?”
She tilted her head towards the corner. “Just a bunch of drunks singing—wait. It sounds like scuffling.” She inhaled sharply. “Sawyer.”
Cole held firm, unholstering his gun as he motioned towards the corner. She palmed her gun, darting to the inside of the turn. A flash reflected off the wall, followed by a grunt as something hit the floor. Hard.
Bile crested the back of her throat. God, she couldn’t lose Sawyer. Not now. Not after finally getting him back. Cole met her gaze and counted to three, then stepped out. Mallory followed, sweeping the area with her gun. Sawyer was on the ground, his body spasming as another man darted for the rear door. Cole yelled, but the guy disappeared into the adjoining alleyway, nothing but a blur of black amidst the shadows.
Mallory beat Cole to Sawyer’s side, checking his pulse while Cole holstered his weapon and did a quick body sweep.
“He’s okay, Mal. That bastard hit him with a Taser…a few times. But it’s nothing life-threatening.”
Mallory dropped to her knees, cradling Sawyer’s head. “Fuck. How long were they fighting?”
Cole lifted Sawyer’s shirt, exposing a string of marks along his ribs. “Several minutes judging on the wounds. Looks like the impact sites were across his ribs. Not as many nerves or muscles to pass along the signal. Probably what allowed him to fight back, though it must have hurt like hell. Most likely saved his life, though.”
She clenched her jaw, fighting back angry tears. This was it. The point of no return. Either they caught the bastard or he won. She glanced at the door. It’d only been a minute. He wouldn’t have that far of a lead, especially if this was part of some larger plan like she suspected. A hand grabbed her arm and she looked down.
Sawyer stared up at her, his face distorted with pain. “Don’t…eve…thi…it.”
His words were garbled, but she got the gist of it.
She bent closer. “Who attacked you?”
He closed his eyes as if talking took more energy than he possessed. “Dav…vies.”
She patted his hand, hoping he’d understand. “This ends tonight.” She shook her head when he tried to lever himself upright. “We both know he’s planning much more than abducting you. And now that you’ve ruined it, he’ll be off kilter. This is the first time things haven’t gone as planned for him. The first time he’s not in control. We need to capitalise on that.” She pulled out her phone and held it up. “You can track me with any one of those GPS apps. I’ll turn them all on and set my phone to vibrate. Just be there when I need you. Both of you.”
She pushed up when Cole stepped in front of her.
He shook his head. “This is crazy, especially if you think I’m going to let you go alone.”
“I won’t be alone, at least not for long. Just let me confront him. That’s what he wants. Sawyer was right. Davies wanted me to be his last victim. If we show up together, he’ll just disappear again and we’ll be left with nothing more than another dead body.”
“What makes you think he’s got another girl?”
“Because he always had a backup plan.”
Cole scrubbed his hand down his face. “You don’t even know where he is. Shit, Mal, he’s got minutes on you.”
“He doesn’t want to lose me, Cole. Trust me.” She reached for his hand. “I’m counting on you.”
She blew Sawyer a kiss, mouthing for him to be there then ran for the door.
Chapter Thirteen
Rain pelted against Mallory’s face, stinging her skin as she ran down the alley, stopping at the rear street. Passing lights illuminated the drops, casting rainbow-coloured streaks in the puddles lacing the road. She searched each direction, looking for any hint of movement, anything remotely out of place that would prove she was right and that the bastard wanted her to follow him. Signs creaked as the wind gusted down the narrow road, but everything seemed quiet.
“Fuck!”
She headed for a nearby alleyway, guessing that Davies wouldn’t stick to the main roads, and ducked down the entrance, squinting to see through the shadows. A garbage can clattered near the rear, followed by the muffled sound of footsteps.
She cursed. Why did it always come back to alleyways?
Mallory crept down the corridor, sticking to the sides, encasing herself in the dark. Distant thunder rumbled across the sky, adding a slight vibration to the air. She took it slow, knowing she had time. If it was Davies ahead, then she’d been right, and the bastard had grander plans than striking at Sawyer. The thought sent a rush of ice water through her veins. If Sawyer hadn’t fought back, if he wasn’t as strong as a damn ox, Davies might have dragged him off.
She shook the images from her mind. Sawyer had just been the bait. Something to get her on Davies’ turf. She was his real target and even without Sawyer as leverage, Mallory knew the man would have alternate arrangements. Something or someone else to bargain with. It didn’t matter what or who, it only mattered that more than just her life would be on the line.
She reached the end of the alley and stopped, listening for more movement. Something crashed off to her left. She peeked down the small cross street, clearing the other side before starting down, still keeping to the edges. Rain dripped down her forehead, chilling her skin as she followed the road, coming to another street. This one was larger than the others, with small houses occupying the other side. She studied the area when something twigged. She’d been here before, a few years back. They’d raided a house Carter had insisted belonged to Davies, but it’d been a bust.