Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“It’s not uncommon for a killer to embed themselves into their own investigation,” Bonds tells me what I already know. “Or return to the crime scene.”
I point to the lab report. “There’s evidence that the card stock for the most recent letters matches the paper he used before. He might have returned to the warehouse and raided his own supplies.”
“And kept them all these years, just in case he needed to start another letter-writing campaign?”
I have to brace myself before I ruthlessly explain. “The Green family was murdered in the same way my family was. And Emily Rodriguez looked a lot like me.” It’s taking everything in me to sound detached, like I’m talking about a case and not my own life. “It’s possible BK is angry that I got away from him and now he’s come back to finish the job.”
“Fuck me.” Bonds throws down the papers and scrubs his face with his hands. The details are finally dawning on him. “If this is true, we’ve got a serial killer resurfacing after, what, sixteen years? And targeting his former child victim, who happens to be an actual detective working on the case?”
“It’s true.” I’m impatient for him to catch up so we can start tracking the Bondage Killer down. Rex believed you right away, my mind points out. I have to admit, it’s nice when Rex is on my side. The thought that right now, he’s doing all he can and scouring the city for clues makes me feel better.
“All right. I’ll set this as a line of inquiry.”
I start to interrupt, but he holds up a hand. “No, Detective. You’re too close to this. I’ll need a profile from you, but you’re too involved in this. You’re off the case until further notice.”
White hot rage slices through me. “Are you seriously sidelining me? I’m your best bet to understand how he acts, how he thinks—”
“Like I said, I’ll take a profile. I shouldn’t even allow you to do that, but you’re right. I need you. But other than that, I don’t want you anywhere near this case.”
I’m speechless. I’m ready to give my all for this case, and now I’m being ordered to stay away? Does he think I’ll be too emotional to keep a clear head and do the work? Because that’s fucking sexist.
Bonds doesn’t meet my gaze as he stacks up the papers I delivered and heads out. I was also supposed to tell him about the dead birds in my townhouse. Rex has a team there analyzing everything, so now I think I’ll find out what they have to say before letting the department know. With my luck, Bonds will insist I go into protective custody because the killer is targeting me. Rex will be thrilled.
Maybe Rex was behind this.
I pull out my phone before I can second-guess myself.
Me: You promised to stop meddling
Sir: I did.
Me: They took me off the case
My phone rings. I usually don’t have any cell reception in an interview room, but somehow, Rex is able to get through.
“I thought we had a truce.” I want to sound angry, but I can’t keep the hurt out of my voice. I need you on my side.
“They took you off the case?”
“Yes. Conflict of interest. I thought you were done interfering.”
“I had nothing to do with this.”
And why should I trust you? I want to shout. “You’re sure? Swear it to me, Rex. Swear it on your parents’ grave.”
“I swear.”
I sag back in my seat. He didn’t hesitate. Maybe it wasn’t him.
“You don’t need access,” Rex says. “Anything they have, we can get, so it doesn’t matter. The PD is several steps behind anyway, and even if they aren’t, we can get any information you need.”
He’s right, of course, but it was only a few hours ago he was dead set against me being a part of the investigation, and I’m still raw. I’m still getting used to the idea that he’s serious about helping me.
“If I find out you’re behind this, I will never forgive you.”
“I understand. Give me a chance to prove myself.”
“All right.” My voice betrays how much hope I have in him.
Damn this man.
But if Rex makes good on his promise to help, I will have full access to any evidence NRPD turns up, plus the resources of his lab and anything else we might turn up.
It’s too easy to step outside the bounds of the law, so I’ll have to make sure any evidence we find sticks when it’s time to go to trial. But Rex is right; this will go much faster if I’m not hemmed in by procedure. I’m willing to break the rules if it’ll save lives.
I wonder if that’s how Rex feels.
I snort. If Bonds thinks he can stop me, he has no idea what I’ve already overcome just to come into the station today. I’m working this case, and that’s final.