Кей Хупер - Blood Ties

From another vantage point not so very far from where he was perfectly aware Roxanne watched, the sniper did his own sweep of the town, gazing through infrared binoculars of a highly advanced design, his lips pursing unconsciously as he noted the continued presence of numerous law-enforcement officers.

That wouldn’t make things easier.

Not that he cared. He loved a challenge. Besides, it was a not-unplanned-for development.

He changed the settings on the binoculars as he focused on the brightly lit few blocks around the heart of town, where most of the activity was centered. He spotted one individual in particular down there, tracked the methodical and professional actions with a critical eye, and waited for a moment of stillness and privacy to make contact.

Any trouble?

The response came back immediately, strong and clear.

Of course not. The I.D. is absolutely authentic and so am I. With all the new people here on the scene, nobody’s going to question me. They’ll never suspect a thing .

BJ wasn’t so sure. Maybe and maybe not .

I’m telling you, they won’t expect this, especially if you keep doing your job. And he keeps doing his. Where is he?

You don’t know?

Don’t play games with me, BJ. If you aren’t keeping a leash on him, we’re all fucked .

He’s occupied with his latest toy, all right? He’ll be perfectly happy for at least the next eight or ten hours .

And he won’t be found?

Something else BJ wasn’t too sure of, but he didn’t allow even a tinge of doubt to creep into his response. Not a chance in hell .

Good. So we’re ready for the next step .

We’re ready. Any preference?

With so many profilers around, we don’t want to go getting too predictable. I vote we take out a noncombatant .

It was a possibility they had discussed. In fact, they had discussed just about every possibility either of them had been able to dream up.

Best to be prepared, always.

That’ll be easy enough. Whole town is crawling with them, even at this hour .

So pick your shot. But wait. Until she gets back. Until she can see it happen. We need to keep her rattled and off balance .

BJ considered. Don’t know that I’ve ever seen her rattled .

She needs to feel threatened, under attack .

She doesn’t already?

Some. But not enough, because he’s not here yet .

You’re sure?

Very sure. We can’t finish this, once and for all, until he’s here .

Copy that .

Now leave me alone for a while. I need to concentrate .

Copy that .

BJ closed the door in his mind with the ease of a lifetime’s practice and used his other senses as he continued to scan the busy little town. It wouldn’t be so easy this time, he knew, to take his shot and get away clean. Not even with night providing excellent cover. Because there were more people hunting him now, including the Wolf, who had already come too close too many times in the past twelve or so hours.

He really wanted to take out the Wolf. Both Wolves.

But that wasn’t the plan. Not yet, at least.

He swept the town again and then occupied himself for several minutes mentally going over his escape route, until he was sure there wouldn’t be a wasted motion or a wasted moment.

When he was sure the plan was solid, he went back to scanning the town, considering first this potential target and then that one, deliberately looking for something unexpected.

Something none of them would see coming.

And all the time he searched, he listened for the sounds of a returning helicopter.

Haven

Bailey dropped her shoulder bag onto a chair and sighed as she studied John and Maggie Garrett. “Do you really think this is a good idea?”

“I think it’s a lousy idea,” John said without hesitation.

“I’m not crazy about it myself,” Maggie added. “But she’s absolutely adamant about it, Bailey.”

“She’s twelve years old, Maggie. Do you really believe she should be the one making the decision?”

“Yes. I do.”

Without showing much surprise, Bailey merely said, “And what does Bishop say?”

“You know what he said. He told you to come and get Ruby and take her to Serenade.”

“Serenade. Where a bomb went off and one of our people was shot. Where a serial killer dumped two of his victims and where a sniper—possibly the same serial killer—is at large, still armed and probably still pissed. Where the media is nosing around and way too many cops are tripping over one another, and the townsfolk are scared witless. That Serenade?”

“That Serenade.”

“Jesus, Maggie. I knew Bishop would go out on some pretty long limbs, but I never expected to see you on one of them.”

“There’s a lot at stake.”

“I know what’s at stake. And I know what Ruby is capable of. But she’s just a kid.” Bailey shook her head. “Look, ethics and morals aside, what about legalities? You two were appointed Ruby’s temporary legal guardians, along with Bishop and Miranda, while Ruby’s mother and those other weirdly passive church members are assessed by psychologists and social services. But there are rules about temporary guardianship, and I can’t believe any judge would think it’s a good idea to take Ruby to a town where we have an active investigation going on. Especially one that’s turned as violent as this one has.”

Her voice steady, Maggie said, “Ruby wants to go. One of her guardians will be there. We have legal permission.”

“Jesus,” Bailey repeated.

“Keep her safe,” Maggie responded simply.

Without pointing out all the difficulties in that request, Bailey said instead, “While she does what? And what does any of this have to do with her, anyway?”

From the doorway of the study, a very small voice said, “I have to be there. In Serenade. It’s important.”

Bailey turned her head to look at Ruby. “Why?”

“I can’t tell you that. I’m sorry, but I can’t. It could change the wrong things if I told you. It could make it all worse.”

“Did you tell Bishop?” Bailey asked directly.

“No. But… I think he knows why. Part of it anyway.”

Bailey looked at Maggie with lifted brows. “And that doesn’t make you curious as hell?”

“What do you think?” Maggie sighed. “But if I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that people have to be free to make their own choices.”

“Agreed. People. Not kids. Kids need us to watch over them. We both know that.”

Shaking her head slightly, Maggie said, “In case you hadn’t noticed, Ruby is a very old soul.”

“I am,” Ruby offered gravely. “And I haven’t been a kid in a long, long time, Bailey.”

“Still.”

“It’s okay. I know what I’m doing,” Ruby said.

Her frowning gaze on the serious girl, Bailey said, “Ruby, it’s dangerous there. People have been killed. People have been… hurt. Badly hurt. It’s not a place where you should be.”

“I wish I didn’t have to go there.” Steady though her voice was, there was a forlorn note in it. “I wish…. But I have to.”

Maggie looked at Ruby for a long moment, seemed to hesitate, then said to Bailey, “The jet’s standing by. Galen will meet you at the other end and take you to Serenade. You’ll get there before dawn, and with all the commotion, chances are good nobody will even notice. There’s a house very close to the B&B where most of the team is staying. He’ll get you there safely and keep watch afterward. You’re to keep Ruby inside and out of sight.”