Casanova Killer (11 page)

“I know what you mean. Before Ethan, I was seeing a married man. It can suck, at times.” Jerry tried to guide Kim back to Sonja and Oscar’s outings. “It’s nice that Sonja was able to enjoy herself these past few weeks.”  Jerry winced when she realized what she’d said. Sonja may have enjoyed herself, but she did so with her killer.

Kim didn’t miss the connection. “I know, at least she had fun and fell in love. That’s always such a nice feeling. Why couldn’t it have been real? Sonja deserved better than that.” Fresh tears began to flow.

“I agree, but let’s focus on the good. Sonja had fun; she was excited about new possibilities. Where did they go?”

“He took her to dinner, fancy ones, you know? Once to The Arbors and once to Patron’s, but she didn’t mention the others. He also managed to get tickets to that new club, Diablo’s. She loved that, getting all dressed up and going on real dates.” Kim sniffled.

“Did you ever meet him?” Jerry asked softly.

“No. Sonja said he wanted to keep their relationship private, special. Just between the two of them. That suited her as well. If Randall found out about Oscar, Sonja would be looking for a new place to live, among other things. She wanted to make sure that she had a future with Oscar, before she told Randall anything.”

“That’s understandable.” Jerry offered.

“Oh my God, Randall. Does he know that Sonja’s dead? Does he know that she was seeing someone else? I should have asked that nice FBI agent. Sonja wouldn’t want Randall to know about Oscar. She really did care for him. She just wanted something of her own, you know? Marriage and a family.” Kim began searching for Dylan’s card. “He said I could call him. Do you think I’m being silly?”

“No, you’re not. You’re simply looking out for your friend’s wishes. It won’t hurt to call the agent.” Jerry glanced down at the pastry Kim had left on the plate. “Have you eaten anything today? I’m happy to order lunch or fix something for you, before I leave.”

“I can’t think about food right now, but Charlie’s coming over in a couple of hours. We’re having dinner together. Maybe by then I’ll feel like eating.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you? I can only imagine what you’re going through, I wish I could be of more help.”

“You’ve been great. We hardly know each other, yet you ran right over here when I needed someone. I really appreciate that.” Kim looked at her gratefully. “It’s time I called a few friends who need to hear about Sonja from me, not on the news.” Kim sighed audibly.

“Would you like me to stay while you make the calls?”

“No, thanks. I really think I need to be alone for a while, you know?”

“Sure. You’ve got my number, call me if you need anything.”

“I will.” Kim gave Jerry a quick hug before walking her to the door.

“What’s the word on our friend?” Jerry asked Rodney as soon as she closed the car door. “I see he’s still parked down the street.”

“The plates are registered to a Sarah Besher, but they don’t match the car he’s driving. He must have switched them, so no help there. Nate put a tail on him, even though I haven’t been able to get a good look at his face.” Rodney pulled away from the curve into traffic and watched as the blue sedan followed suit. “It has to be him, though. Who else would be following us around?”

“No one that I know of.” Jerry sat back in the seat and closed her eyes, glad to be away from Kim’s grief. “If it is the son-of-a-bitch, I hope he makes his move soon.” Rodney read the anger in her voice, loud and clear.

“Nate said to tell you that the unsub left no DNA or fingerprints that they could find, but they did get a decent tire track near where the body went over the cliff.”

“That’s something, at least.” Jerry sighed. “Take me home, please, Rodney. And park in the garage. Let’s see if our shadow can talk his way into a secured building.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Ethan’s impatience nearly got the best of him in the bumper to bumper traffic on the way back to the condo. He’d left the crime scene as soon as Rodney had let them know that the unsub was following Jerry. The site was only thirty minutes out of the city, but at the pace they were traveling it would take him nearly an hour and a half to get home. He didn’t want Jerry there alone, no matter what she said about taking care of herself.

The ride gave him a chance to inspect his feelings, without the distraction of her presence. He still couldn’t get over how attached he felt to her, after knowing her for such a short time. The attraction was elemental, primal and something he couldn’t explain if his life depended on it. The need to protect her grew stronger with every passing moment; he didn’t know how to stop it or if he even wanted to.

His mother always told him that one day he’d meet a woman who would bring him to his knees. Amused by his flippant attitude towards dating and marriage, she often used the old adage, ‘the more stubborn they are, the harder they fall’ when discussing his love life, or lack thereof. She was frustrated that his career meant more to him than settling down and starting a family and she never missed an opportunity to remind him that he wasn’t getting any younger.

He wondered briefly what she would think of Jerry, then decided that she’d probably love her. Being a strong, independent woman, his mother would appreciate those same qualities in Jerry. The fact that she was drop-dead gorgeous and would give her beautiful grandchildren wouldn’t hurt either. Ethan smiled at the thought of his mother’s delight if he told her he’d finally fallen in love.

Love.  Children. Where in hell had those thoughts come from? He’d known Jerry less than a week and he was already thinking about marriage? Ethan’s smile turned into a scowl. What in the name of sense was happening to him? Sure he felt a connection with Jerry, more so than he’d ever felt with anyone. But couldn’t the connection stem from the unusual circumstances? He was chasing a killer whom they hoped would target her, that alone could be the reason for his protective instincts. He was living with her after all, pretending to be in love; maybe he was experiencing nothing more than transference. He’d had female partners before, but none had elicited such intense feelings. Jerry made him want to slay dragons and tame lions, just in case they crossed her path.

Now that the killer had noticed her, he wanted nothing more than to never leave her side. But that wasn’t part of the plan. At some point, he had to let Jerry be alone with the monster; it was the only way they could hope to nail him. His gut rolled at the idea of deliberately placing her in danger.

It was simple, he thought. They’d have to come up with a better plan. No way could he allow Jerry to go off with the unsub on her own, no matter how many agents followed their every move. Feeling better about his decision, Ethan relaxed against the plush leather and let his thoughts drift to images of caramel-haired children with almond shaped eyes.

The man Sonja called Oscar drove past the building that his new love called home. The driver entered the parking garage, which likely meant that she would be home for a while. It was just as well, the day had gone better than he’d hoped, surely a sign that she was meant for him. Running into the couple at the café was divine intervention, as far as he was concerned. Discovering her place of residence and getting a description of her car was another coup. Everything was falling into place.

It was time for him to make preparations, the first being to change his appearance. Hair color was so easy to alter; maybe he’d go red this time, or reddish brown. He’d have to give it some thought.

He also needed a new car; the Mas was a bit too conspicuous, but it had done the job in helping attract his victims in the bay area. San Francisco; who knew that this old city would provide such a plethora of beauties for his pleasure?

As he made his way up the hills near the Presidio, he congratulated himself on his selection. It was a stroke of luck that the Forresters happened to be summering in Monte Carlo and offered him their lovely home. Reminding himself to send them a bottle of champagne, he turned the blue sedan into the steep driveway of their ultra-modern home. The garage door was whisper quiet as it closed behind him.

Ethan came through the door with a look of determination that Jerry had yet to see on his chiseled face. He further surprised her by marching directly towards her as she stood by the wall of windows.

Taking her by the arms, he searched her face. “Are you okay?” The earnestness in his voice would have been endearing, if the circumstances were different. As it was, his concern served to piss Jerry off.

“Oh. My. God. I am sick to death of you all treating me like I’m some incompetent female who needs a big strong man to take care of her. May I remind you that I am a trained FBI agent, top of my survival class at Quantico and perfectly capable of kicking your collective butts all the way to that bridge.” Jerry nodded towards the Golden Gate as she maneuvered her arms from Ethan’s grip. “Where do you guys get off reminding me to be careful with every other breath or telling me to stay inside until one of you is with me?” She tossed her phone towards the sofa, Dylan’s text message telling her to stay put still visible on the screen.

Jerry dressed in formal finery for the opera was stunning; Jerry ready to tackle a yoga class made his blood boil, but Jerry in a full-blown snit was magnificent. Ethan lowered his arms and tried not to smile as she continued her rant.

“First Rodney doesn’t think I can walk down the block alone, Nate tells me to go straight home, Dylan texts me to “stay put” and now you come in all concerned for my welfare. Who are you people? Do I need to wear my badge around, just to remind you that I’m  more than capable of taking care of myself?” She began pacing the length of the wall, Ethan moved out of her way.

So we caught his attention, that’s a good thing. That was the plan, was it not? Now we let him make contact.”

“No!” Ethan caught Jerry by the arm as she walked by. “We find another way get him, one in which you are not the bait.”

Surprised by the vehemence of his response, Jerry allowed Ethan to hold onto her arm. “What do you mean, we find another way? This was the plan all along, attract him, then catch him in the act. It’s the only way we’re sure of a conviction; it’s the only way we can absolutely get him off the streets.”

“There has to be another way. I will not let him get close to you.” Ethan turned her around to face him. “No matter how competent you are, no matter that you received top honors at Quantico, no plan is foolproof. I will not risk you.” Ethan grabbed her by both arms and hauled her to him, his eyes sending sparks straight into hers.

Jerry was taken off guard by the passion she saw reflected in his face, but the fire in his eyes kept her from pushing him away. She wanted his arms around her, longed to feel his lips on hers once again, this time with meaning. She got her wish.

The first time she’d tasted him was sweet and caused butterflies to take flight from her center. Now, as he crushed her lips to his, she couldn’t help but be possessed by an all-consuming passion that obliterated any thoughts, leaving room only for a rush of emotion that charged her senses and melded her to him. Her first and last coherent thought was that ‘you really do see stars.’

Ethan felt her surrender in the small part of his mind that still worked. She tasted like honey and heat and the first dew of springtime. As her body molded to his, he tilted her head and took the kiss deeper, blocking out all reason and giving himself to the pure pleasure that swirled around him.

Neither knew how long they kissed, neither cared. It was difficult to say which one held up the other; both were balanced against each other as they fell into an abyss filled with psychedelic colors, shooting stars and the pounding of one heart.

It was no wonder they missed the front door opening. “Ahem,” Dylan cleared his throat loudly, taken aback though he was by the scene he’d walked in on.

Ethan broke the kiss long enough to glance over his shoulder, but he never loosened his grip on Jerry. She didn’t even try to move. “Not now, Dawes,” he growled, then tightened his hold as Jerry came back to her senses and began pulling away.

“Sorry Slick, but I have news about the unsub. You remember, the case we’re working, the reason that you’re here.” Dylan tried to keep it light, but inside he was seething. He knew Slick would try to weasel his way into Jerry’s heart, but he thought she was smart enough to block him. Apparently, he needed to rethink the situation. If what he’d walked in on was any indication, they were either already sleeping together, or soon would be. Jerry deserved better than a player like Barnes, but she was also stubborn enough to have to find out for herself. He’d just have to help pick up the pieces when the son-of-a-bitch walked away.