Karen Rose - I’m Watching You

„If you want something done right,“ he muttered. Bending, he scooped her gun from the floor, pulled Aidan’s from its holster, then rolled the dead body and took the intruder’s gun from the waistband at his back. „Miss Mayhew, you’re coming with me.“

„No.“

He looked amused. „No? And how do you propose to stop me?“

Her heart hammering like a wild thing, she took a step back, then cried out when he grabbed her arm. The phone rang, the double ring of her fax machine, and they both turned. The first man had disabled her phone, but not her fax. Fascinated, Edwards watched as the printer spit out the page.

Kristen’s stomach turned over. It was Owen’s driver’s license. Edwards’s brows shot up in surprise and his mouth curved in a wicked smile. „Working overtime, Miss Mayhew? Is this someone special?“

Her mouth dry, Kristen couldn’t think of a reply.

„I knew you were close, but is this the cigar? The grand prize?“ He folded the paper and slid it in his pocket. „Come. I make a practice never to kill cops. A dead cop makes me a lot of enemies and cops never forget. However, if you make so much as a peep, I’ll make an exception for him.“ With a last desperate look at Aidan’s unconscious form, she helplessly walked out of her house to the cruiser parked at the curb. Behind the wheel sat a stranger in uniform. The stranger saluted her with a mocking smile. Where was Mclntyre ?

Drake Edwards was kidnapping her in broad daylight in a police cruiser. Her eyes shot up to his face in disbelief, finding his mouth curved in genuine amusement. „So many comings and goings at your house lately, Miss Mayhew. So many bodyguards. Nobody will notice one more.“ He was right. Nobody noticed anything. Edwards opened the rear driver’s side door, and she saw the slumped form of Mclntyre in the front passenger seat, blood trickling from one ear. But his chest rose and fell, so at least he was still alive. Edwards bent down, his mouth next to her ear. „Don’t try anything or those two little boys riding bicycles down the street will die.“ She watched the children ride by and knew Edwards would do as he promised. He was Conti’s main henchman, rumored to be a sick bastard. But the authorities had never been able to find evidence to make a charge stick. She wondered if they would now, or if she herself would become just one of the rumors.

„Where are you taking me?“ she asked when he climbed in.

„You have an appointment, Miss Mayhew. I’m sure you don’t want to be late.“

Saturday, February 28,

2:15 p.m.

Mia returned to the church hall, Miss Keene’s high school annual under her arm, seeking Spinnelli. „Abe’s not back from talking to that man at the hospital?“

Spinnelli shook his head. „Not yet. He said he called you and gave you the update on the latest.“ He shook his head. „Poor Kristen.“

Yeah, after everything else, and now a shock like this. She looked around with a frown. „Where is Kristen?“

„Back at her house resting. Abe’s brother went over there to sit with her.“

„Well, at least she’s not alone.“

„What did you find out at the hat lady’s? You were gone forever.“

Mia sighed, opening the annual to the page she’d marked. „This is him. Robert Barnett. I stopped by the art department and got them to mock up a picture of what he might look like forty years older.“ She showed him the sketch. „I’ve never seen him.“

„Neither have I,“ Spinnelli frowned. „I was hoping it would be the big ah-ha.“

„Me, too. We know he’s Genny O’Reilly’s son and the nephew of Paul Worth, the old guy in the nursing home, but other than that, I’m still stymied on the connection.“

„Hi.“ A young girl bounded up to them, a social smile on her face. „I’m supposed to mingle and make sure everyone has enough to eat. I’m Rachel.“ She scrutinized them. „And I bet you’re Mia and you’re Lieutenant Spinnelli.“

Mia needed no introduction to recognize Abe’s little sister. They had the same eyes. „It’s nice to meet you, Rachel. This is a nice party your family’s put on.“

„It’s okay. It would have been better with pizza.“ She looked curiously at the annual, then bent closer, her expression intent on the sketch. „Is that Kristen’s?“

Startled, Mia glanced up at Spinnelli, then back at Rachel. „Why would you ask that?“

She shrugged. „That looks like her friend.“

„You’ve seen this man?“ Mia exploded and Rachel’s eyes widened in alarm.

„I think so. Why?“

„Where did you meet him, honey?“ Spinnelli asked soothingly.

„He brought her a sandwich last week. I’d gone to see her at work and he was just leaving. His name was Owen something.“ She looked anxious. „Why?“

Mia grabbed her phone. „I need to call Abe.“ She grimaced when it went right to his voice mail. „He’s still in the ICU ward talking to Kristen’s friend Vincent. His phone’s off.“

„Call Kristen.“ Spinnelli was gesturing for Todd Murphy.

Kyle Reagan approached, frowning. „What’s wrong?“ He was a retired cop. He knew when something was up.

Mia clenched her teeth. „It’s just ringing. Dammit. Kristen’s not answering.“

Kyle grabbed the phone. „I’ll call Aidan.“ A few moments later, he paled. „He’s not answering either.“

Spinnelli pulled out his own phone and punched numbers furiously. „Send a unit out to ASA Mayhew’s house. Full sirens, as fast as possible.“

Spinnelli looked at Murphy and Kyle Reagan. „Keep everyone calm and keep them here . Mia, let’s go.“

Saturday, February 28,

2:45 p.m.

The phone rang, surprising him. No one ever called him at home, except for telemarketers. In fact, the last legitimate call he’d received had been from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office about Leah’s suicide. Setting aside his pen, he answered. „Hello?“

„Mr. Madden, this is Zoe Richardson. I take it you’ve heard of me?“

His jaw clenched, his hand tightening over the telephone. „I have.“

„Well, the jig’s up, Mr. Madden. I know who you are.“

Don’t panic . „I don’t know what you’re talking about.“

She chuckled throatily. „That’s fine. I just wanted you to know I’m preparing tonight’s report. I’ve uncovered evidence that ASA Mayhew has a personal relationship with the vigilante killer and she’s directing his efforts. It should be a fascinating piece.“

In spite of his fatigue, his blood started to pound. „You know that’s ludicrous. Kristen has done nothing wrong.“

„Perhaps, but her career was in jeopardy before. After this, no courtroom in the country will have her.“ Her voice grew clipped. „I’ll have a report on the air tonight, Mr. Madden, one way or another, if you catch my meaning. I can hide your face and disguise your voice. You can go right on doing your deeds, I just want an exclusive when you do. Do you have a pen?“

„Yes,“ he gritted.

„Good. Write down this address. I’ll be waiting.“

He flipped the page he’d been writing on and took down the address. „You’re filth.“

„Well, birds of a feather, Mr. Madden. Birds of a feather.“

He stared at the address, then made his decision. Kristen’s life would not be ruined by his actions. He ripped the paper from the notepad and stuffed it in his pocket Then opened the glass cover of his gun rack. He’d killed so many. At this point, what was one more?

She handed him the cell phone. „How’d I do?“

Drake smiled. „Perfect, just perfect“ He slipped a hundred-dollar bill in her coat pocket. „Buy yourself something nice. And be sure to give your mother my love.“