Mariah Stewart - Last Breath

“As best we can piece things together, our man-the killer, or someone working with him-came into the library around eight-thirty last night. Disconnected the surveillance camera, somehow lured the guard into the basement where he bashed him over the head and apparently left him for dead. We found him on the floor near the back door after the ambulance took you to the hospital.”

“His hands…?”

“He’s a lucky man. He’s still alive and in one piece. After that, the killer managed to get the few students who were in the library to leave-we’re not sure yet how-but once everyone left, he removed the hard drive from the computer and smashed the machine. According to the two interns, they heard all of this, but didn’t see the killer. When they heard Mrs. Weathers running up the steps screaming and heard the man running after her, they locked themselves in a supply closet under the stairs. That’s where the police found them, huddled in the closet, scared out of their minds.”

“Where are they now?”

“On their way back to their homes. The police took their statements and let them leave with their parents about an hour ago.”

“Poor kids.”

“Smart kids. They’d have been added to the body count, if he’d known they were there.”

“There was supposed to be someone else there, wasn’t there? A second librarian?”

“An assistant had been scheduled for last night, but she had car trouble and never did make it in,” he told her.

“He was still in the building, then, when we arrived,” Daria said softly.

“It looks that way. He was probably on his way out when we got there, most likely took the back steps down from the second floor when he heard us come in. The steps come down into a small hall behind the room you were in. He must have seen you there and figured he’d take you out before you could turn around and see him.”

“You think it was an accident? That he only attacked me because I happened to be there? You don’t think he was after me, specifically?”

“Knowing that someone broke into your house the other day makes me inclined to say yes, he was after you specifically. But I think if he was going to kill you, he would have.”

“How would he have known I’d be in the library?”

“I don’t think he did. I don’t think he knew who you were. I think he just wanted to make sure you couldn’t ID him.” He squeezed her hands and asked, “Have you thought about maybe going back to your parents’ place until we catch this guy?”

“No. If someone’s going to come after me because of my connection to this, it won’t matter where I am. If he went to Connecticut to get to his last victims, there’s nothing to stop him from coming to South Carolina.”

“I’ll send people with you. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

“I won’t put anyone in my family between me and him. I don’t want them involved in any way.”

She tugged on his hand. “Besides, you’re here, right? You’re not leaving Howe yet?”

“I’m not leaving until this bastard has been dealt with.” His eyes narrowed to dark blue slits. “One way or another.”

“Because, if he comes back…well, next time, he might get lucky.”

“I’m afraid his luck has run out. He blew the only shot he’s going to get at you.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Believe it.”

“Ahem.” The figure in the doorway coughed before entering the room. “Have I just ruined a moment?”

Connor looked over his shoulder. “Yes. Go away.”

“Not on your life.” The tall dark-haired woman laughed and came in anyway.

He sighed. “Daria, meet my cousin Mia Shields.”

“Hi.” Daria reached out to take the hand Mia offered.

“Good to meet you.” Mia smiled.

“When I said ‘Come now,’ I didn’t mean right now,” Connor complained.

“Well, then, perhaps next time you could make that distinction before I drive two hours to answer your call for help.” Mia sat on the opposite side of Daria’s bed from Connor. “Isn’t there someplace you need to be?”

“Yes.” He turned to Daria. “I didn’t have a chance to tell you I’d asked Mia to drive up and hang out with you while I tend to a few things.”

“By hang out, you mean babysit,” Daria said flatly.

“No, no,” Mia said before Connor could open his mouth. “There are no babysitters in our family. Armed companions, when the situation calls for it, but no babysitters.”

“There are some things I need to do. I can’t leave you without protection, whether you’re here or at the house.”

“There’s a policeman outside the door, isn’t there?” Daria asked.

“Yes. And I’m sure he’s competent. But he isn’t…he isn’t one of mine. And right now, I need one of my own with you. Someone I trust.”

“Why, Connor, that’s one of the nicest things you’ve ever said to me.” Mia put a hand over her heart. “I’m truly touched.”

“On the other hand, if her sarcasm becomes too much for you, you can boot her ass out and bring the cop back.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Daria smiled. “Thank you for being concerned about me. And thank you, Mia, for coming here on short notice.”

“You’re welcome. And much more gracious than Con.” Mia turned to him. “See? We’ll be fine. You can go…do what you were going to do.”

Connor stood and leaned over Daria and placed a kiss on her forehead, then hesitated before placing another on one side of her mouth.

“I’ll see you later. You have my phone numbers if you need me.”

“How long will you be?” she asked.

“Not sure. I just need to talk to a few people.” He pointed to Mia as he left the room. “Behave yourself.”

Mia rolled her eyes and turned to Daria. “Now, tell me how you got that lump on your head.”

“I need the names and phone numbers of the people who were in your office when you spoke with Daria on the phone last night.” Connor stood in front of Louise’s desk, his hands on his hips.

“Connor, have a seat and I’ll-”

“With all due respect, Louise, I don’t have time. I have a lot of ground to cover.”

“All right. Dr. Bokhari was here-you already met her in the hospital. I saw her when she got back to campus earlier; she said Daria is doing better.”

“She’s doing much better. Who else was here?”

“Nora Gannon, she’s the chair of the board of trustees. And Olivia Masters. She’s a long-time member of our board and a former television journalist. She’s agreed to take on the role of public relations director until this nightmare is over. Oh-and Stefano Korban, one of the archaeology professors.”

“I don’t recall that you mentioned he was here.” Connor frowned.

“He picked Sabina up at the airport. The other two were already here. I was bringing them up-to-date on my dealings with the bank and the insurance company when Sabina and Stefano arrived.”

“Where can I find him?”

“He lives on campus, as does Sabina. I can give you their phone numbers, as well as Nora’s and Olivia’s. But I’m not sure I understand why you need to talk to them.” Louise thumbed through her Rolodex.

“Other than Daria, me, my boss, and two FBI agents who were enroute to Howe, no one knew that the e-mails to the victims had been sent from the university library. Until you called Daria and she told you. I’m assuming you repeated the story to the others when you got off the phone.”

The color drained from Louise’s face.

“I…I did.” She sighed deeply. “Dear God, I did. It never occurred to me not to.”

Her eyes met Connor’s across the desk.

“You couldn’t possibly think that one of them had anything to do with what happened in the library.”