With Visions of Red (Broken Bonds#2) (5 page)

I turn to face Colton, and his arm stays firmly in place around my waist. “The killer contacted me.” The words blurt from my mouth before I can stop them. But if Colton knows anything, anything at all that could help me shed light on who is fucking with me, I need that information
now
.

His eyes widen, hard gaze drilling right back into mine. “What?”

The accusation hangs heavy in the air between us. I’ve accused him of omitting pertinent information from me, when I’ve done just that to him.

I lift my chin. “There’s no time to discuss this, Colton—”

“Make time.”

With a tense exhale, I say, “The killer either knows me personally, or thinks he knows me personally. Either way, the crime scenes have been targeting me. If the killer could be a member…or if a member could possibly identify him based on the profile…I need to know.”

His lips press into a hard line. “And you’re just now telling me this. You’ve been out there, away from me for a week, and…” he trails off, looks away. “Go straight home and wait for me there.”

I balk, breaking out of his hold. “That’s not going to happen. There’s been another murder.”

“So you’re going to go right where he wants you?” The fury in his voice gives way to his desperation. He drags a hand over his face, and his eyes pin me with a fierce stare. “Don’t go.”

I may always have reservations when it comes to Colton. Whether they’re based off of my own twisted insecurities or fact, they’re present, and they may never have a chance to evolve into the trust we both desire so badly. But right now, in this moment, it’s the first time I feel that anything between us could become real.

“I have to go,” I say. “It’s not just about my job. I won’t let anyone, ever again, dictate my actions.” I step closer and take his hand in mine. “And you’re right; you’re not my informant, but I’m asking you to do something that I can’t. Not to get involved…I won’t have you in danger, but you have access to information the department doesn’t.”

“Shit.” Looking down at our hands, he laces his fingers through mine. “You’re asking for a lot, goddess. Not that I’m unwilling, you know you only have to ask—” he looks up and brushes the backs of his fingers across my cheek “—but I wish you’d let me in. Confide in me what happened to you.”

I swallow hard. “Eventually.”

Which is more than I can offer anyone. He accepts that for what it is, and says, “Stay with me. We’ll get whatever it is you need, but do it here. Or hell, somewhere else, but don’t go.” His stony blue eyes plead.

“I’ll contact you later.”

Releasing his hand, I step away and rush through the exit before Colton can convince me otherwise. The fear in his voice just made this situation all the more real, and I desperately need the security of routine to comfort me right now.

As I step onto the sidewalk, the sound of something breaking from inside the club crashes through my resolve.

Carson stands by the car, door open. “Everything all right?”

I don’t look back at The Lair. “I hate surprises, Carson. And I really hate underhanded tactics. Unless you want
my
wrath coming down on you your first week, you won’t pull a fucking stunt like that again.”

T
he white gauze
covering my knuckles turns a bright red as blood seeps past the thin threads. I pump my hand a couple of times, letting the blood flow, watching the shade deepen.

Julian will be pissed about the mirror. And the barstool that crashed into the mirror—and then my fist—but he’ll get over it once I tell him what we’re up against. That will take precedence over everything. Even his engagement.

Once Sadie starts digging, she’ll uncover the truth.

And her fucking job—so black and white. She won’t see the gray—the pain, the destruction, the inevitable; she will be forced to do her
job
, and those will be the very words slung at me. Once I witness that look of disgust in her eyes…there will be no reasoning.

Maybe it’s time. I’ve carried the weight for nearly two years, and it’s been a festering black hole threatening to implode and swallow me for just as long.

The abyss has called my reckoning.

I was stupid to ever think it would end any other way.

Pulling out my key ring, I weed through the many keys until I find the right one, then insert it into the lock on the desk. I tug open the heavy metal drawer, and the resounding
bang
detonates my anger.

“Dammit,” I shout. Gritting my teeth, I dive into the files, collecting them all at once and dropping them on the desk.

Lilly Anne chooses this moment to enter the office. She stands paused in the doorway, hands fisted on the shiny leather of her hips, little mouth rounded in an O. “Wow. That little detective girl sure got a rise out of you.”

I shake my head. If she only knew.

“I know it’s Julian’s engagement party today,” I say, taking a seat to try to settle my nerves. “But maybe give him a call. Let him know officers paid the club a visit.” That should motivate my brother to get his ass over here.

With a hesitant step forward, she enters the room. “I thought that’s why you were here. You’re taking over for him, right?”

I haven’t made a final decision yet. I thought that maybe I could, if it meant a steady life to keep me here…near Sadie. But now there’s a more pressing issue: do I stay in this city or run?

That’s laughable.
Run where
? The only place I want to be is with Sadie. Whether as her lover, her devoted worshiper, or as her prisoner.

I guess, really, they’re all the same.

A smile twitches at my lips as I give the Dominatrix her answer. “Yes. I’m taking over. But there’s some loose ends that my brother needs to tie up before then. And it needs to be handled today.”

She nods assuredly. “Right away, sir.” Then she heads off to do as told. Only the one in charge of the club could get that kind of respect from the feisty Domme. She’s accustomed to giving orders, not taking them.

Driving a hand through my hair, I look down at the member files. I’m not sure where to begin. We don’t keep accounts on a computer—nothing that can be hacked into and accessed. This is going to take ages to sort through. And I’m not positive my time won’t be wasted searching for a needle in a haystack. Or if the needle I’m looking for is even here.

A sneaking annoyance pulls at my conscience, suggesting this is Sadie’s way of keeping me busy and out of her way. Busywork for her main suspect. Keep me where she wants me—where she can find me. All she had to do was ask. Speak one order and I’d gladly stay put wherever she directed.

She still doesn’t get it.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I plunge into the stack and locate a specific folder. If someone is using the club to vet victims, I’ll find them. I’ll deal with them—personally. And if I discover they’ve used this means to stalk Sadie and hurt her…

I’ll murder them.

Once you’ve taken a life, it shouldn’t be difficult to take another. I already owe plenty for my sins, what’s one more life?

Resolved, I pick up the office phone and hit a special speed dial number. It rings and rings, then goes to voicemail. I dial it again. On the fifth ring it’s answered. The voice on the other end isn’t thrilled this number is blowing up his phone.

“I thought we settled up,” Captain Wexler says. “I don’t owe—”

“This isn’t Julian,” I interrupt. I don’t care to know about my brother’s personal dealings with the police captain; I just need his connections. “I’m running The Lair now, so whatever deal you had with Julian, you now have with me.”

Holding up Wexler’s member file, I scan his interests and hobbies. The things I’m sure his wife and kids would loathe just as much as his department if they discovered them. Not that I’d ever out the guy, but fear is a powerful motivator for most people.

A deep exhale sounds through the earpiece. “How can I help you?”

I smile. “I need copies of everything you have on the recent serial killings. Specifically, the whole profile. The pertinent parts that haven’t gone public.”

A deep boom of laughter, then, “Are you serious.”

“Deadly.”

There’s a long pause on his end before he replies. “That can’t happen. Do you know what a major leak in the department would do? I don’t care how you threaten me; you can tell the world I”—his voice lowers—“like to wear women’s clothing and be spanked by a Domme. I don’t give a shit. I can’t just hand over sensitive information on victims and confidential case material to you.”

I stand and march over to the door to close it. “It’s my understanding that there’s already a leak in your department. One profiler in particular has been stalked by the killer, and from what I’ve heard, you’re doing nothing to protect her.”

“How do you…?” Another pause. “Shit. I can give you early access to what’s going to the media at the end of the week. That’s it. The best I can do.”

“You know where to send it,” I say, then end the call. I slam the portable phone down on the desk. Sit back in the chair. Look down at the stack of folders. It’s going to take fucking forever to compare that information to every member.

Time Sadie may not have.

Fuck.

The tension building in my neck reminds me I’ve had no release for the past week. The unexpected visit from her didn’t help. I can still taste her on my lips, feel her slick, hot flesh all over me. My dick throbs just thinking about our moment in the hallway. I could’ve carried her off to my room and spent hours…

I shut down that train of thought, or else I’ll be tempted to go find her. Right now.

But if I did—just blow off every impending fear I’m bottling up to be near her—at least I wouldn’t be sitting here, waiting. Wondering. Imagining her out there with some fucking psychopath stalking her. I should’ve kicked that asshole detective out of the club and tied her little, stubborn ass up.

I reach into my pocket, groaning as I nudge my hard cock aside to grab my rope. Running the course length over my palm, I close my eyes, feel and taste Sadie. Just for a moment to stave off the cruel sting of patience.

It’s a virtue I have very little of right now.

T
he marshy river
smell floats over the crime scene on a delicate breeze. My gloves stick to my palms and fingers, the humidity not yet ready to yield to fall. As I step directly behind Quinn, my Tyvek-covered feet half the size of his footprints, I study the shoe impressions filled with white plaster in the mud.

“CSU has already started on casting shoeprints,” Quinn says. “They’re only making molds of the freshest tracks. It might help, since the crime scene confirms the vic was murdered somewhere else and brought to the river.”

As we near the taped-off area, he directs one of his unis. “Handle her delicately. I want a detailed tape-lifting procedure. She may have evidence on her from the kill site. Every fiber, every hair, every grain of sand or dirt…bag it and tag it.”

“Who reported the body?” I ask¸ coming to a halt behind him.

When my eyes discern the naked woman among the river grass to our right, I exhale a long breath. Her flesh is so battered she’s nearly the same shade as the dirt and marsh concealing her.

Pointing to an older man just off the bank talking to uniforms, Quinn says, “Just a guy out looking to throw his pole into the water.” He faces me, a grimace tugging at his worn features. “She was dropped here recently. If he hadn’t found her when he did, she would’ve been fish bait when the tide came in.”

Which makes no sense if someone wanted to hide the body. You don’t leave it on a riverbank, in the middle of the day, with cars traveling above and likely fishermen visiting a well-known fishing spot and high tide just hours away.

Unless the perpetrator got scared and tried to dispose of the body quickly. An amateur making a major rookie mistake, or a freaked out lover. Which denotes a crime of passion—but by the faded look of some of her contusions, she was tortured for hours if not days. This was not a spur of the moment murder.

“This isn’t our guy,” Quinn says. “Doesn’t match his ritual. Not sure whether that’s a relief or not, though.” Kneeling next to the victim, he sets down his evidence kit and lifts a section of the vic’s matted dark hair to reveal the side of her face. “Jesus.”

Red welts and deep cuts mar her pale skin, forehead to chin. This vic is unidentifiable by her features, and will need the M.E.’s full workup.

“Are you sure about that?” I ask him, studying the jagged laceration across her neck. “We’ll definitely need Avery’s expertise, but the wound looks like it could be a match to the other victims.”

After moving her hair aside to fully expose the slash that severed her carotid, he sits back on his heels. Props his elbows on his knees and looks at me. “It can’t be. Granted the UNSUB has been inconsistent before…but this derails completely from his MO.” He ticks off on his fingers. “He moved the victim. She’s not posed. And once we get an identification, we’ll check her home, but I’m going to make the call that she wasn’t held captive there while the perp tortured her.”

“I agree.”

His eyes squint. “So the offender abducts her, takes her to his turf, then dumps the body here. Why?” He looks around the marsh. “It feels…sloppy. Too spontaneous for our guy. Not at all like the calculated and methodical scenes he’s crafted so far.”

Inspecting the neck wound closer, I say, “Okay. Then a copycat? Someone trying to pin a murder on the recent serial killings.” I look up at Quinn.

He shakes his head. “A copycat of a copycat,” he says with disgust.

“Isn’t all murder just a vicious reproduction in the whole scheme of things?”

“Point taken.” He stands, brushing his gloved hands down his slacks. “But still, that would mean a huge leak in the department. Nothing about the rare murder weapon has been on the news or in the media. It’s a slim chance that someone out there knows the specifics, and just happened to have a flamberg sword handy.”

“You’re arguing my point, Quinn.” I get to my feet, stretching out my back. “So it’s less likely that someone is trying to pass this off as one of the serial killings, and more probable that the actual killer is changing his MO.”

“Son of a bitch.” Turning his gaze out over the river, Quinn rolls off his gloves. Then, “All the crime scenes have left a message linking his killings to Bathory.” He looks at me. “We need to find that message. And we need to start unraveling the meaning behind them or else we’ll never be able to predict this psychopath.”

I glance down at the victim, remembering the very specific message the UNSUB left at the last crime scene: the slashed collarbone. It was loud and clear, aimed directly at me. Only I’m still unsure if it was executed in homage or as a threat.

“Bathory was known to torture her victims for long periods of time,” I say, walking a path around the yellow crime scene tape. “It’s expected that he’d escalate to more precise measures. He’s probably convinced we’re on to the Bathory connection. Doesn’t feel it necessary to leave clues anymore. Instead, he’s taking his kills to the next level, showing us just how devoted he is to his work. He wants us not only to recognize, but to appreciate his dedication. His grandness.”

“He’s vain.”

My head snaps around at the interruption. Carson stands with his hands to his hips, looking up at the bridge.

“That’s an obvious observation,” I say, not concealing the annoyance from my tone.

Pointing toward the bridge, Carson says, “I took the liberty of scoping out the scene from above. He put the vic on display. He’s got a god complex, and doesn’t fear being caught.”

Quinn clears his throat. “Carson, why don’t you let the profiler do the profiling, and get to work marking evidence.”

“Oh, I have been,” Carson says, not allowing Quinn’s reprimand to deter him. “Check this out.” He brings up his phone and taps the screen, then hands it to Quinn. “I’ve already done a quick Internet search. Looks like this is the Blood Count’s work, Detective Quinn.”

Quinn’s gaze drifts from the image on the phone up to Carson. “What the hell did you just say?”

Carson grins, either completely oblivious to Quinn’s ire or asking for more. I cringe, backing away from the both of them.

“It’s a crest,” Carson says, nodding toward the device. “In the reeds. Right over there.” He motions past the victim to the high marsh grass. “He probably tracked the design for a good while to get the impression right. Then—and I’m guessing here—coated the grass with the vic’s blood. Color looks like dried blood to me, and the design matches the Bathory crest.” His eyebrows hike as he aims his attention my way. “This is your area of expertise, right? Take a look.”

He goes to take the phone from Quinn, but Quinn drops it to his side. “What the hell did you call the UNSUB, Carson?”

Carson’s head jerks back. “The Blood Count.”

“And where the hell—?”

“It’s all over the news right now. That’s what the media has dubbed the serial killer.” Carson shrugs. “I think it has a better ring to it than the Arlington Slasher, which is what’s going nationwide—”

Before Carson can finish his sentence, Quinn has him by the collar, yanking him upright. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

I’m there in a second, pushing on Quinn’s arm to break his hold. “Quinn. We have media hovering around out here now. Back. Off.”

With a growl of frustration, Quinn releases Carson. He spears his fingers into his hair and curses. “Fucking…mother fuck.” The tirade continues as he pivots, searching the crowd of officers. “Smith!” he shouts, and the officer wearing a Tyvek suit lifts his head. “Get that damn what’s his face on the line. The press fucker from this morning.”

“Jerry Renaldi?” Officer Smith offers helpfully.

Quinn snaps his fingers. “Yeah. That guy.”

“Someone’s about to get a thorough ass-reaming,” I whisper to Carson, trying to diffuse the tension. And I might be gloating a tiny bit that some of that has deflected to the arrogant detective. I won’t lie; having Quinn’s focus away from me for the time being is exactly what I’m counting on with this diversion. Still, Carson doesn’t deserve to get thrashed this harshly for his ignorance.

“What the hell?” Carson says. “What is his deal? Every serial killer ever has had some kind of moniker before they were apprehended.”

“John Wayne Gacy didn’t,” I say, picking up the evidence kit and starting toward the high reeds. Carson follows.

“Uh, the Killer Clown—?”

“Nope,” I interrupt. “That didn’t stick.”

“Fine. Serial killers at large for a good amount of time typically get nicknames. Anyone ever tell you it’s annoying to be so…right all the time?” Carson motions toward the grass, directing me. Despite my annoyance with him, I smile. Quinn never lets me forget it. Really, I don’t mind if Carson needs to vent a little after he was just chastised by his superior. “There. See the matted down grass?”

Although I’m loath to admit it, Carson is right. Someone purposely tracked a pattern into the grass. As I bend to touch one of the blood-coated reeds, I discover it’s still fresh. The stem was broken recently. Logically, during the same time as the body dump.

I take out a Heme-Stix from Quinn’s kit and run the swab along a blade of grass, then break the end of the stick as I drop the swab into the clear tube. I crack both ends of the tube and watch the liquid mix and cover the brown tip. It turns blue. Positive for blood.

A very daring move. Either the UNSUB is so devoted to his work, to his delusion, that the risk outweighs the fear of being caught, or he’s someone of authority who doesn’t worry about his actions being questioned.

“Let me see that pic, Carson.” I look up at him.

“Damn. Quinn took my phone.” He shoves his hands into his slacks’ pockets, coming off like a pouting child rather than a skilled detective. I haven’t spent much time with him, haven’t looked into his past, but I’m probably not too far off with the assumption that he was raised in a distant home. No siblings. Parents preoccupied with their own life and jobs. Where he had to go to extremes to gain their attention.

His overzealous nature might come across as cocky and abrasive, but I’m starting to see he’s merely looking for approval. Like from Quinn, who he was trying desperately to impress. Almost makes me feel sorry for the guy. Almost.

“It’s fine,” I say, standing and lifting up onto my toes to get a better areal view of the design. “You’re probably right, anyway. It looks like a very basic design of the Bathory coat of arms. Three horizontal dragon talons, but it was usually depicted in a more simplistic style with horizontal triangles representing the talons.” I glance over to see him fighting a smile. “In the middle ages, not everyone had the means or talent to create accurate artwork. Nice work, Carson.”

My praise brings out his full, hundred-watt smile.

When you can figure someone out, you can usually coax the response you want from them. Not that I take advantage…usually. But right now, I need Carson on my side, and I need him to be wary of this case.

“So it is the same killer,” Carson says, rocking on his feet. “He’s putting a calling card on this place, letting us know this kill is linked to the others. Why Bathory?”

“Why not?” I take out my phone to snap my own pics of the area. “She was methodical and dedicated. Powerful in a time when women held little power. Devoting a lifetime to torturing and killing takes its toll even on the most devout serial killers. Most need a cooling off period. If there was ever a killer to emulate, one for the sadistic to praise, she’s an ideal choice.”

As I continue to maneuver around the grass, taking pictures from different angles, a long lapse of silence builds between Carson and me. I lower my phone and look at him. “What?”

He ticks his head to the side in a half shrug. “You sound like
you’re
praising her rather than profiling a killer, Agent Bonds. I understand that you’re a Bathory expert, but…”

“But what? I shouldn’t offer her my respect?” I slip my phone into my pocket and walk toward him. “Let me give you a little advice, detective. I know you’re experienced, I know you’ve put the hours in. You’ve got a real handle on despising the enemy.” His features shift into a confused expression as I go on. “But don’t try so hard to put up a barrier between yourself and the damned. Understanding that we are all capable of some measure of sin is what keeps our guard up. Separating yourself from your enemy with such clear precision comes across as fear. And fear leads to the dark side.”

He shakes his head. “Did you just quote Star Wars to me?”

I offer him a smile. “George Lucas is a freaking genius.” Then I start back toward the crime scene, saying, “But seriously. Every killer you hunt deserves some of your regard. Psycho analysis and great sci-fi aside, there’s a fine line between hate and fear. Sometimes the lure to become the thing we fear—just to alleviate that fear—is too great a temptation.”

Words of wisdom once given to me by my mentor. And though I’ve kept that advice close to me through the years, it didn’t save me in the end. My monster just shouted louder.

As we approach the scene, Quinn is hollering into his phone, giving the lead reporter at the local news station a royal ass-chewing.

“And to answer your question from before,” I say to Carson. “We don’t want to give serial killers nicknames because it fuels them on. Yes, the UNSUB is vain, and the media egging him on, when he’s already demonstrated he doesn’t need an audience to go on a killing spree, only suggests that he’ll become bolder.”

Carson groans. “Quinn’s going to put me on desk duty, isn’t he?”

I shrug. “Maybe for the rest of the day. But he gets over things pretty quickly.”

“So how was the third victim linked back to the Countess?” Carson asks suddenly.

My chest prickles with apprehension, and I don’t look his way. “I’m not sure yet.”

“But if you don’t know, then who does? If the UNSUB is mutilating women based on the Blood Countess’s murders, then—”

“Carson. The UNSUB’s methodology is evolving. Even though he’s emulating Bathory, he’s still his own killer.” I face him then. “He’s a sadist who derives pleasure from torturing and killing his victims. He’s delusional—he’s built an alternate reality for himself where Bathory plays a role, but he’s still feeding his own sick need to kill. He’s capable of anything, really.”