Iris Johansen - Blind Alley

“That's true.” He smiled. “I just thought I'd bluff a bit. I don't like being left in the dark but I'll be patient. I know I'll be the first you'll tell when it all comes together.”

“Why?”

“Because you realize I'll help you. I won't argue. I won't try to keep you from sticking your neck out. If you have a chance of getting him, I'll let you run the risks.” He paused. “Even if it means taking you away from Eve and Quinn and that blanket of protection they've wrapped around you.”

She was disappointed, she realized in surprise. Why? It was what she'd expected, what she needed from him. “Good. When can you have the list for me?”

“Tonight. Is that soon enough?”

“It will have to be.” She turned away. “And I'm going to be busy this afternoon anyway.”

He stiffened. “Doing what?”

“I'm going to the mall and then to have a pizza at CiCi's.”

“What the hell? And you think Quinn will allow that?”

“Not without a fight. But he'll let me go in the end. He won't want to miss the opportunity of drawing Aldo. I'll ask Eve to go with me and Joe will have Singer assign someone to follow us.”

“I suppose I don't have to guess why you've decided that you have to go shopping and are ignoring the fact that Domino's delivers?”

“He'll consider a crowded mall safe and a restaurant will give me a chance to display his little gift.” She lifted her hand so that the sunlight caused the stone to blaze with color. “He has to see me. I have to push him. I have to make him angry and uncertain. He's killed twelve women that we know about, and never been caught. That must make him feel confident, even godlike. He probably thinks all he has to do is wait for an opportunity and he'll chalk up number thirteen.” She smiled without mirth. “But we have to make sure thirteen is his unlucky number. Catch him off balance and keep pulling the rug from beneath him until he topples.”

“And you think flashing that ring is going to help?”

“It's a start. If it doesn't shake him, I'll make sure it irritates him.”

“I'm sure you will.” He was silent a moment. “I'd enjoy seeing you in action. I may have to go along and watch.”

She shook her head. “You have work to do. And I don't want him to see me under any obvious surveillance. It's much more effective to seem to have only Eve with me to show him how little he matters.”

“He wouldn't see me.”

“I thought you were going to let me take my own risks.”

He shrugged. “It's not as easy as I thought. I'm working on it.”

“Work harder.” She started toward the cottage. “You stay here.”

She was flushed, radiant, beautiful.

And triumphant.

Aldo tried to suppress the anger that burned through him while he watched her laughing with Eve Duncan as they crossed the parking lot toward the restaurant. Now the bitch was gesturing, every motion causing the ring on her hand to glitter.

It had been the same in the mall. She had been glowing, every feature of her face animated and so alive it had been like a slap in the face to him.

She was taunting him not only with his gift but with her living presence.

She wasn't afraid. The ring had meant nothing to her; the implied threat had brought only laughter.

He could feel the rage break free and tear through him. How dare she? Couldn't she see that her time had come and he was the sword that was going to stab her to her black heart?

Keep calm. She would learn. Every slight would be revenged in time. He'd carve that smile from her face.

Bitch!

But he couldn't tolerate the knowledge that she had been so scornful of him, that she'd dared to treat him as if he were of no importance. He couldn't sit here and let her do that. He had to show her. He had to make her realize with whom she was dealing.

Satisfied?” Eve asked Jane quietly as she drove up the road toward the lake cottage. “You look like a truck ran over you.”

“I feel like it.” Jane leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. “I never imagined being this cheerful would be such a strain. I'm exhausted.”

“So am I,” Eve said dryly. “But I'm tired from glancing discreetly over my shoulder.”

“Very discreetly.” Jane opened her eyes and smiled. “Thank you for that. It wouldn't have done me any good to show how uncaring of Aldo I was if you were looking worried.”

“I know that.” She parked the car in front of the cottage. “And I wasn't about to go through all this stress for nothing.” She turned and looked at Jane. “Was it for nothing? Do you think he was watching?”

Lord, I hope he'd been there, Jane thought wearily. “I don't know. A few times I felt as if . . . Maybe. It was worth a try.”

“Once,” Eve said. “Joe and I went along with you but you'll have a battle if you decide to make this a daily outing.”

Jane nodded as she got out of the car. “Definitely not daily.”

“That's a little noncommittal,” Eve said. “I meant a permanent end to—” She stopped. “Okay, let's be reasonable about this. If you continue, you'll form a pattern of behavior and the last thing you want is to be predictable. That can be fatal.”

Jane smiled. “I agree. We won't be predictable.”

Eve relaxed. “I'm glad you said ‘we.' You're getting a little too independent for Joe and me. It scares us.”

Jane shook her head. “I came to you and asked you to come with me, didn't I? I don't want to be independent if it means closing you out. I was too much alone when I was a kid. It sucks.”

Eve chuckled. “Yes, it does.” She took Jane's arm and climbed the porch steps. “As you put it so delicately. It sucks big-time.” She looked out over the lake. “Pretty sunset. I never get tired of them. They soothe the soul.”

Jane shook her head. “Not for me. I take a lot more soothing than a sunset. But you do the job just fine.”

“Do I?” Eve looked at her uncertainly. “You never showed me you needed soothing.”

“Because you were always there. You didn't have to do anything.” She opened the screen door. “Do you want me to help with dinner?”

Eve shook her head. “I'll make a salad and sandwiches later when Joe comes in.”

“Then I'll get my computer and sit out on the porch and do some homework.” She went down the hall toward her bedroom. “Don't bother to fix me anything. I'm not hungry after that pizza. I didn't taste much of it, but it filled me. . . .”

She'd barely opened the computer when her cell phone rang.

“Whore. Bitch. Prancing and wriggling like the prostitute you are. Are you proud of yourself? Do you really think you proved anything by wearing that ring? It meant nothing to me.”

She froze.

Aldo. His words spewing rage, ugliness, and malice.

Don't fall apart. She should have realized he'd be able to find her cell number. Don't let him see the shock and fear. “It meant nothing to me either. Just a little trinket. Why shouldn't I wear it? I'm sorry you're so disappointed.”

“It's from your mountain, the one that killed you. Doesn't it bring back memories? I hope you choke on them.”

“I've no idea what you mean. And do you believe I'd actually let you keep me penned up in this cottage? I'll go where I please. Do you know I got a compliment on this ring from the waitress at CiCi's? I told her it was given to me by a man who followed me around like a lost puppy. We both laughed about it.”

“Lost puppy?” She could hear the rage vibrating in his voice. “Do you realize how powerful I am? How many women with your foul face I've slaughtered?”

“I don't want to know.” She paused. “Why are you calling me now, Aldo? You've never done it before. I think you lied. I did manage to get under your skin.”