Deadly Deception (3 page)

“Fantastic. Well, looks like it’s back to doing things the old-fashioned way.”

“I smell a road trip.”

Mallory shook her head. “I wouldn’t call canvassing the neighbourhood a road trip, but…” She held up her keys. “I’ll drive.”

“You drove last night. It’s my turn.”

“Doesn’t your truck still have that check engine light on?”

Cole snorted as he headed for his desk, snagging his coat off the back of his chair. “Since when are you one to shy away from a dangerous situation? Nice deflection, but I’m driving.”

“Have it your way. But that means you’re buying coffee.”

“Just don’t spill any on the leather seats, okay?”

Mallory swatted him on the shoulder as she walked by, knowing it was probably the last easy moment they’d have until Seattle’s latest killer was caught.

Chapter Two

Mallory palmed her head, trying to rub away the growing headache. After hours of scouting the area and a few more talking with the victim’s family, they hadn’t been able to confidently add a single person to their list of possible assailants. And seeing as their prime suspect was sitting in the morgue, there was little to go on.

“It’s four o’clock. Why don’t you just call it a day and head home? I’ll call you when forensics has any news.”

Cole’s voice ghosted over her and she looked up, smiling at the warm brown eyes that met her gaze. He was a large man, well over six feet, with bulging muscles and black hair. His mocha-coloured skin accentuated high cheekbones and perfect long lashes she’d wished for on more than one occasion. But it was always his eyes that intrigued her, deep brown and brimming with intelligence and compassion. He was, without a doubt, her best friend.

She leant back in her chair, accepting the handful of pills he gave her. She reached for her water bottle, downing them in one gulp. “You’ve been here the same amount of time and I don’t see you grabbing your keys.”

He shrugged. “Yeah, but we both know I’m tougher than you so…” He chuckled as he dodged the wadded-up paper she threw at his head.

“Jackass.”

“Ah, but you say it so nicely.”

She pushed to her feet, ready to launch her water bottle at him when Director Henderson walked over to her desk.

She gave Cole a sideways look then turned towards Don. “Something on your mind?”

“I need a few minutes of your time.” He waved in the direction of his office.

Cole tapped him on the shoulder. “Just her, or do I get to come along, too?”

Don shook his head. “Mallory’s right. You’re a jackass.”

“But I’m your star jackass…sir.”

Mallory rolled her eyes. “Just one question, Don. Should I bring a notepad or a lawyer?”

He grimaced. “Just come on in.”

She looked over at Cole, but the man simply shrugged and followed the director into the room. She sighed and pushed her chair back, hoping her legs didn’t wobble as she moved down the aisle, slipping past the door Don held open for her. She headed for his desk, taking a spot beside Cole as the man shouldered against the far wall, gazing out the window towards the park across the street.

Don angled the door on a forty-five then walked over to his desk. He didn’t ask them to sit, just eased into his chair, grabbing a mug as he leant back. “Quite a mess we’ve got on our hands with this new…development.”

Mallory scanned the room then settled on his face. “Quite honestly, sir, it’s a bit early to panic. All we know for sure is that a woman’s dead and it has similarities to another string of crimes.”

Don chuckled. “Similarities? Damn, Mallory, are you sure you don’t want to go into politics or something? ’Cause you sure do talk the talk.”

“It’s not just talk. Though I know my partner has doubts, it just doesn’t seem possible that John Davies was in any way connected to this murder. And I stand behind our original findings.” She moved closer, palming her hands on his desk. “That son of a bitch was as evil as they get. Not only did he rape and kill those girls, he enjoyed doing it. Every piece of evidence we found linked him to those murders, not to mention the fact we caught him bent over the last victim’s body!” She pushed away, resisting the urge to draw her fingers down her scar. “The bastard confessed for Christ’s sake, not to mention refusing every attempt at an appeal. So regardless of this
recent
development
, his sentence was justified, no matter how you look at it.”

Don sighed and shifted forward in his chair. “Easy, Mallory. I didn’t bring the two of you in here to question your competence. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.” He cleared his throat, taking a swig of coffee before meeting her stare. “As you can imagine, Washington has quite a vested interest in how we proceed with this investigation. With Davies’ body still warm in the morgue, they’re hoping that we’ll do everything in our power to keep the details of this case, shall we say, private. As such, they’ve decided to appoint a small, three-man team to head this undertaking—”

“So just like that, we’re off the case?” Cole stepped forward, his massive body taking up most of the space on Mallory’s side of the desk. “What kind of bullshit is that? High profile or not, nobody knows Davies’ MO like us. Hell, it’ll take a new team weeks just to go through his old file—”

“Cole. If I may finish.”

Cole grumbled something under his breath but nodded, finally taking a seat in one of the chairs.

Don ran a hand through his hair, giving Mallory an exasperated look. “As I was saying. Headquarters in DC has picked a team, and they’d like the two of you to be part of it. As you mentioned, Cole, no one knows Davies like the agents who worked the original case. I have a feeling that knowledge will be indispensable in this matter. So effective immediately, you’re to forego any other cases and ensure all your resources go to putting whoever did this in jail.” Don looked them both in the eye. “Any questions?”

“Just one.” Mallory leant forward, resting one hip on the edge of his desk. “Why did you bring us in here to tell us? Seems you could have just mentioned it in passing at our desks?”

The man fidgeted at his desk, shuffling papers as he mumbled beneath his breath. He finally raised his gaze to her, an apologetic smile gracing his lips. “As happy as you are to be part of the team, there’s a small aspect that might cause some friction.”

Mallory furrowed her brow, not sure where the director was heading, when Cole cursed and slapped one hand on his leg. She turned to him, eyebrow raised in question.

He gave her a knowing look. “The third guy.”

She glanced from Don back to Cole. “Third guy? What are you talking about?”

Cole motioned towards Don. “Don said Headquarters was putting together a three-man team. And if they want agents who worked on the original case, then…”

“Ah, shit.” She glared at Don. “They requisitioned Carter, didn’t they? Damn, he’s a whiny, arrogant jerk. I personally celebrated the day he transferred.” She sank into the other chair and ran a shaky hand through her hair. She’d hoped she’d never have to work with the man again, but…

“Mallory.”

She looked up as Don’s voice broke through her thoughts. She met his gaze, not sure if he was amused or agitated. “Yes, sir.”

“Carter isn’t part of the team. He quit and went private a year ago, shortly after leaving here. And you’re right, the man’s an ass.”

Mallory sighed then felt her breath hitch in her chest. There’d only been a few agents involved with the Davies case, and if they hadn’t picked Carter… She forced herself to swallow as she stared at the director. “So who’s going to be the source of my…displeasure?”

“That would be me.”

She froze, the familiar deep voice starting a chain reaction in her body. The quick breath she’d been taking stalled, lodging tight in her chest as the hairs along her arms prickled to life, following a cascade of goose bumps across her skin. A rolling motion rumbled through her stomach, fluttering back and forth as a warm feeling took root in her groin. Her nipples hardened against the confines of her bra as a searing heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks. And despite everything she’d told herself for the past two years, a sense of relief washed over her.

She heard Cole curse again as his chair scraped back and he rose to his feet, nudging her in the shoulder. But she couldn’t move—still couldn’t breathe—and she knew if she tried to stand now, she’d make a fool of herself and fall flat on her face.

A heavy sigh covered the short distance, sending an unwanted pang of desire pulsing through her. Damn, the man could still make her tremble with nothing more than a word or a sound. There was just something about his voice, dark and gravelly, that short-circuited her brain and put all her resources into preparing her body for a loving that would never come.

Old feelings resurfaced, and she pushed to her feet, clenching her jaw as she turned, instantly pinned by his blue eyes and sexy half-smile. She ignored the sudden pounding of her heart, praying he couldn’t see the way her pulse thrashed beneath her skin. Two years, and he hadn’t changed, other than looking better than ever. His hair was slightly longer, teasing his eyes as he pushed a hand through it, tousling it about his head. His shoulders blocked out most of the door behind him, making the room seem smaller than when she’d first entered, and his jeans still hugged his lower body like they’d been painted on his skin.

Don moved out from behind his desk, walking over to doorway. He extended his hand. “It’s been a while, Sawyer. Good to see you.”

Sawyer glanced at her again, his gaze travelling the length of her body, before darting back to the director as he shook the man’s hand. “I’m not sure
good
is the word I would have picked, but thanks, it’s nice to see some familiar faces.”

Don turned towards her, his mouth pulled tight. “I realise this situation may be a bit
uncomfortable
at first but…there’s not much any of us can do about it. The orders came directly from Washington, and they weren’t in the mood to discuss any changes.” He looked at Sawyer. “If I were you, I’d tread very lightly. The lady’s been practicing a bunch of that mixed martial arts bullshit, and quite frankly, she’s damn good at it. That, coupled with a memory befitting an elephant…not a good combination where you may be concerned.” He slapped Sawyer on the shoulder, glancing back at her. “Mallory—play nice. And if you have to shoot him, make sure you use Cole’s weapon. You’re much easier on the eyes than he is.” Don chuckled at Cole’s muttered rebuke and stepped through the doorway, pausing halfway. “Just for argument’s sake, there isn’t anything I should know about the two of you that didn’t come to light after the stabbing, is there?”

Mallory flicked her gaze to Sawyer before focusing on Don’s face. “Like what?”

Don shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe something along the lines of you two getting married?”

Her stomach fell to her feet as she fought to keep her expression even. She forced in a gentle breath as she tilted her head slightly to the side. “Married? We haven’t seen each other for the better part of two years. Don’t you think that if we’d done something as foolish as that, one of us would have ended it by now?”

Don scrutinised her face, swinging his gaze over to Sawyer before swearing under his breath. “Fuck. You know what? Forget I asked. ‘Cause if this blows up the way I think it might, I want plausible deniability.”

With that he left, leaving a sudden void in the room. Mallory shifted restlessly on her feet, not sure if she should stay or push past Sawyer and head back to her desk, praying a hole would open up and swallow her.

Sawyer cleared his throat, at least having the decency to look slightly uncertain. He glanced at Cole, then back at her. “So. You really into that mixed martial arts stuff now?”

She raised the corner of her mouth into a grin. “Eighteen months. Just had to wait for my ribs to heal enough.”

“Weren’t you badass enough before?”

Sadness tumbled through her stomach, but she tamped it down. “It’s like that old saying. You never know what you’re going to need until one day you turn around and don’t have it.” She tried to shrug off the uneasy memory of that night as it clawed at the edges of her consciousness. “Now I have it.”

Sawyer’s mouth drew tight at her words. He sighed, leaning against the door as he continued to stare at her, his gaze repeatedly running the length of her body. She didn’t flinch, wondering who would look away first, when Cole snorted and walked to the door.

He stopped beside Sawyer, patting the man on the shoulder as he turned towards both of them. “As much as I love being in the middle of awkward situations…I think I’ll head back to my desk and let you two fight it out on your own.” He gave her a smile before looking at Sawyer. “I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”

Sawyer watched Cole leave, glancing at her when he’d disappeared beyond the glass panels. “He’ll be right outside? Jesus, Mal, what the hell does he think I’m going to do?”

She chuckled, resting her ass against Don’s desk. “Actually, that comment was for your benefit, in case you thought you needed him.”

Sawyer arched his eyebrow. “Me? Then I suppose the question is, what does he think you’re going to do to me?” He nodded at her. “Attack me with some of your new moves?”

She waved her hand in the air to dismiss the notion. “Don’t be silly. I wouldn’t attack you, Sawyer.” She narrowed her gaze on him. “I’d just shoot you.”

He flashed her a wide smile, accentuating the dimples in his cheeks. “Now, darling. That sounds a bit simple for your tastes.”

The endearment sent another shiver skittering down her spine, and she had to squeeze her thighs together to keep the empty feeling growing in her groin from taking control. Despite what her body clearly wanted, there wasn’t a chance in hell she’d do more than glare at him, not when she already knew the outcome.

She sighed, resting more of her weight against the desk. “I’ve grown to appreciate the simple things in life. Less chance of them turning around and biting you in the ass.”

The vein in Sawyer’s temple danced as he took a few steps forward, closing the distance between them. “Technically speaking, I believe it was you who wanted the marriage annulled. I just got out of the way.”