Casanova Killer (17 page)

“Sounds wonderful, but more than a little time consuming. I do have a few weeks of vacation coming, though.” Jerry began to share his enthusiasm.

“See, we’re already compromising. After our tour, we’ll decide where we’d like to live. I can tell you now, that as long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy.”

“You always know the right things to say.” Jerry turned her hand to link her fingers with his.

“I’m happy you think so. Let’s have brandy by the fire.” Ethan brought her with him as he stood, then led her to a cozy setup he’d arranged earlier.

“When did you do all this?” Jerry was surprised by the pillows spread in front of the fire, along with a tray holding two snifters and a glass decanter filled with warm amber liquid.

“While you were having a bath. One of the wonderful things about Northern California is the possibility of cool nights, even during the summer. Makes it easy to set the stage for romance.”

“Is that what this is, romance?” Jerry teased.

“Yes ma’am, and a prelude to seduction. How am I doing?”

“Let’s see, dinner was wonderful, your company was and continues to be delightful and, though I’ve never had brandy, your thoughtfulness is noted and appreciated.” Jerry smiled and accepted the crystal snifter from Ethan. “But if truth be told, ‘you had me at hello,’ to paraphrase an old movie.”

Ethan flashed a devastating smile and settled in beside her. “You’ve never had brandy? It’s high time we change that. Like opera, most people either love it or hate it.” He held up his glass in the glow of the firelight. “Swirl your glass, like this; watch the colors of the liquid flow together.”

Jerry did as he advised, enchanted by the ritual.

“Now absorb the aroma,” Ethan held the crystal to his nose and breathed deeply; Jerry followed suit. The heady flavors of the brandy warmed her from the inside out, before she’d even taken a sip.

“Now taste it.” Ethan pressed his lips to the glass and tilted, closing his eyes as the amber liquid touched his lips.

Jerry felt an instant flush spread from her core to her fingertips. Watching Ethan sip brandy was one of the sexiest things she’d ever seen. Holding her own glass suspended, she gazed at his beautiful face, mesmerized by the moment.

Ethan opened his eyes to find Jerry staring at him, pure lust reflected in her eyes. His answering smolder said more than words as he placed his glass on the table.

Without taking her first taste, Jerry lowered her snifter to the table while keeping her eyes locked on his. The space between then was suddenly nonexistent as Ethan gathered her into his arms and lowered her to the floor.

Jerry woke to the feel of strong muscle beneath her cheek and strong arms wrapped tightly around her. She’d never felt more relaxed, or cherished, in her life. Moments passed as she recalled the tenderness Ethan showed as he made love to her for the first time. Recalling how his body glowed in the light of the fire as he poised over her made her tingle from head to toe. She never knew that a man could delay his passion just to prolong hers, but she’d forever be grateful that Ethan was just such a man. Grateful and determined that turn-about was fair play; he’d made her scream his name in mindless passion repeatedly before he gave her what she craved. She intended to return the favor.

With a sly smile, she remembered the quick fire that took them both off guard, moments after he lay spent inside her for the first time. One clutch, one twist of her body and he sprang to life again, taking them both over an insatiable cliff with wild abandon.

Desire bloomed fresh once more as Jerry felt every inch of his luscious body sprawled beneath her. Fluttering her lashes, she tickled his chest and slowly ran her hand from his waist to his hip.

Ethan moaned and tightened his grip as her fingers closed around him. “Are you trying to kill me, woman?” His voice was husky with sleep and desire.

“Not hardly,” she whispered and trailed kisses down his torso. “You don’t even have to move, I just want to explore.” Her lips found their target, already pulsing with need. Ethan shuddered and buried his hands in her hair as she closed her mouth around him.

“I don’t think I’ll ever move again.” Ethan lay on his back, sweat still glistening over his body. “You are a heartless vixen, sent to make men powerless.” His grip tightened around her, belying his words.

Jerry laughed, thoroughly satisfied with her revenge. “That’s not what you said a minute ago. As I recall it went something like ‘oh…….my…….God….YES!’ she raised her voice on the last word, mimicking Ethan’s shriek of passion.

“That wasn’t me. I think I blacked out when you started doing that thing with your tongue.” He teased.

“Oh yeah? Well I guess we need a repeat performance; wouldn’t want you to miss anything.” She began to lower her head again, prompting Ethan to grab her shoulders.

“Oh no you don’t, I’ll never survive it again, not this soon.” He drew her up to him for a prolonged kiss.

“Are you sure you can’t move?” Jerry asked when she could breathe again. “I’d like to go to the bedroom. It’s much softer in there.”

“Will you let me sleep?” Ethan grinned, but his eyes were closed.

“Probably not.” She answered promptly.

“Then yes, I can move.” Without warning, he rolled over, scooped her up and carried her off to the bedroom, laughing at her expression of surprise.

Chapter Sixteen

“I
really
don’t want you to go.” Jerry buried her face in Ethan’s shoulder as they stood at the door.

“I
really
don’t want to go.” He told her quietly as he stroked a hand over her hair. “I’m still not comfortable letting you be alone with him.” His voice turned possessive. “And I can’t stand the thoughts of his hands on you.”

“I know. I promise I’ll do my best to keep that to a minimum. You know we have to let him think I’m falling for him, but I’ll keep it strictly G-rated.”

“See that you do.” Ethan crushed her in a bear hug. “They’ll put me in prison for killing him just for touching you, then where will we be?” He kissed her forehead, trying to lighten the mood.

“Just know that I’m doing my job. Not only does this creep deserve to pay for what he’s already done, but by putting him away we’re saving countless women’s lives.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Just be careful, please. I can’t lose you, now that I’ve finally found you.”

Jerry felt warm all over at his words. “I’ve no intention of losing you either.”

“You look like death warmed over,” Dylan greeted Ethan when he came into the local FBI office.

“Shut-up, Dawes.” Ethan was in no mood to parry with the other man. As if leaving Jerry wasn’t bad enough, the decoy flight he’d taken just in case the unsub was watching the airstrip was bumpy and turbulent. To top it off, the ride back to the office from the godforsaken field they’d finally landed in was stop and go. Ethan had had about enough already from this day; he didn’t need Dylan making things worse.

“Rough trip?” Dylan ignored the storm warnings crossing Ethan’s face and rubbed it in.

“What’s happening with Jerry and the unsub?” Ethan ignored Dylan’s taunt.

“So far, he’s followed her to yoga, the café and back home. He never made contact.” Dylan frowned. “He’s driving a black Lamborghini, brand new. We haven’t had a chance to tag it yet.”

“Well it’s a damn good thing he hasn’t made contact. What are you people thinking? We have to track him at all times. Jerry’s life depends on it.”

The vehemence behind Ethan’s words surprised Dylan. “He picked up the car this morning; we’ll tag it as soon as he leaves it. You don’t have to tell me anything about Jerry’s life.” Dylan got in Ethan’s face.

“Apparently I do.” Ethan didn’t back down. “Under no circumstances is she to get into that car with him with tracking being enabled.” The men were standing toe to toe, practically nose to nose. Dylan read fear and something else in the glare of Ethan’s eyes.

Taking a step back, Dylan perched on the corner of a desk. “You really care about her.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Hell yes, I care about her. I plan to …” He stopped talking before he could tell Dylan that he planned to marry Jerry. Jerry deserved to be the first to hear that.

“You plan to what?” Dylan narrowed his eyes.

“None of your business. I care very much for Jerry and I don’t intend to let your imbecilic moves endanger her life.”

“Jerry’s been my partner since she joined the agency. Don’t you worry about me endangering her life; I’ll protect her with my own.”

“As long as we’re clear.” Ethan resisted the urge to poke Dylan in the chest. “Jerry is mine. I’ll scrap this assignment before I let any harm come to her.”

Dylan heard the truth in Ethan’s words, clear as day. The man was staking his claim with a seriousness that Dylan hadn’t believed he was capable of. “You’re in love with her.” He mumbled, the heat leaving his tone.

“I’m not discussing that with you.” Ethan backed off, returning to his chair.

Confused, Dylan didn’t pursue the subject. His own thoughts turned to the vision he’d had of Jerry crying her eyes out and Ethan nowhere to be seen. If Slick didn’t leave her voluntarily, he thought, maybe something happens to him. Dylan began to pace, ignoring Ethan completely. It was possible; love skews a man’s instincts, makes him react before he thinks. Dylan knew that all too well.

He briefly considered insisting that Ethan return to Interpol, but he knew the man wouldn’t go. Besides, if he sent him away behind Jerry’s back, there’d be hell to pay. It was as obvious as the nose on her face that Jerry was head over heels for Slick. Crap.

The sound of his cell phone ringing jerked Dylan out of his internal dilemma. “Dawes,” he barked in answer to the ring.

“He made contact.” Agent Rhodes, one of the local FBI force charged with monitoring the unsub’s movements, barked back.

“Where?” Dylan’s voice was crisp and no-nonsense.

“He approached her as she left her building. Seems to be asking for directions.”

Ethan joined Dylan by the window. He could tell by the Dylan’s stance that something had happened.

“Where is Jerry right now?” Dylan asked.

“She’s standing by her car, talking to the unsub.”

“Where is Rodney?”

“He’s in the car. He got out, but Jerry told him she was fine, to wait while she helped the nice man.”

“Sounds like Jerry. Send a visual feed to my phone.”

“Will do.”

Within seconds, an image of the unsub, leaning casually against Jerry’s car and Jerry, standing comfortably in front of him, filled Dylan’s phone screen.

“Dammit.” Ethan cursed as he looked over Dylan’s shoulder.

“They’re just talking; Rodney’s in the car.”

“Does she know we haven’t got a trace on his car yet?”

“Yes, she knows. Chill out, Barnes, or I’ll send you back to Europe.” Dylan threatened.

“You can try.” Ethan growled back. “Why can’t we hear anything?”

“The agents are too far away. You don’t want ‘em to be made, do you?”

“Why the hell is Rodney in the car? He should be closer.”

“Jerry told him to stay put. Look, Barnes, I know how you feel about Jerry, but you’re gonna have to accept that she knows what she’s doing. You know they’ll have to be alone together, behind closed doors, before this thing is through. The sooner you get a grip on that, the better.”

Ethan didn’t respond. His focus was totally and completely on the phone screen. Jerry looked beautiful, but then she always did. Her body language was relaxed and even a little flirty, exactly the way she should have been playing it.

Ethan’s eyes shifted to the unsub, resting against the back bumper of the town car like he hadn’t a care in the world. His smile appeared genuine, his hands were in his pockets and his legs were crossed at the ankles. To a casual observer, he was one hundred percent non-threatening, perhaps even a little charming. Ethan hissed.

As they watched, Jerry gave him her hand, which he slowly brought to his lips. She smiled and nodded agreement with something, then allowed him to open the car door and assist her inside.

“Bastard better not get in behind her.” Ethan mumbled, then watched as the unsub closed the door with a smile and a wave. His sigh of relief had just escaped when Dylan’s phone rang.

“What’s happening, Jerry?” Dylan placed the call on speaker.

“We’re meeting in an hour for coffee around the corner. He said his name is Elliott Carson James, just arrived from London.” Dylan was already walking with the phone to his computer.

“I’ll run it, but we already know it’s an alias. What else?”

“This guy is
smoooooth
,” Jerry exaggerated the word. “I can understand how so many women fell for him. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I’d just met a prince.”

“You did,” Ethan chimed in. “The prince of darkness.”

Jerry laughed. “Glad to hear you made it full circle, Ethan.” Jerry felt a glow just hearing his voice. “You’re right, of course, but I’ve met a lot of serials and I can tell you that this one is different. His eyes are bright and engaging, not blank like the ones we’ve captured alive in the past.”

“How did he approach you?” Ethan asked.

“New in town, looking for directions. He also established his wealth right away, made sure I knew that the black Lamborghini was his.” Jerry paused. “You know, his need to overcompensate could mean that he’s impotent.”

“None of his victims showed signs of sexual assault, but we assumed that any sexual relationship he had with them was consensual.” Dylan turned away from his computer. “You may be onto something there, Jerry. The flashy cars, the wining and dining, the entire romantic build up to his kills could indicate impotence.”

“Do you think he kills them because he can’t have sex?” Ethan asked, cheered by the possibility that Jerry would not have to make excuses to the unsub for not sleeping with him.

“It could be frustration, but it could also be a replication.” Dylan answered. “The physical similarities between the victims indicate that he’s killing the same woman, over and over. If we knew the identity of that woman, we’d know a lot more about our killer.”

“Do you think the woman he’s repetitively killing is dead or alive?” Ethan questioned, warming to their new theory.

“That depends. If she’s his mother or some other ideal that he’s set up on a pedestal, she could still be alive. The repetitive killings indicate his desire to take her life while emphasizing his inability to do so; i.e. another form of impotence.” Jerry explained. “If he’s already killed her, something about the murder either did not satisfy him and he’s killing to achieve the gratification he was denied, or her murder was so satisfying that he’s repeating it strictly for the thrill.”

“What do you know about the first woman he killed?” Dylan asked Ethan. “Something more than what’s in the file.”

“The first two bodies were discovered months after the actual murders. The rate of decomposition made it difficult to determine which one was killed first. According to the medical reports, both women were killed within days of each other.”

“That’s the only time that his kills are so close together.” Jerry offered. “That’s significant, from a profile standpoint, but it fits either scenario of killing to find denied satisfaction or killing to repeat the thrill.”

“We need to take a closer look at those first two women. One of them may hold clues to his identity.” Dylan looked to Ethan. “I assume you checked if either woman reported having a stalker or had been part of an abusive relationship of any kind.”

“None of the victims in England or in Italy had reported anything of that nature.” Ethan told him. “We know how to look for red flags.”

“Did you interview friends of the victims; sometimes women don’t report stalkers or abuse, for various reasons.” Jerry chimed in over the phone.

Ethan opened his briefcase. “I came on the case after the third victim was discovered. By the time I interviewed friends and families of the first two victims, months had passed and no one had anything significant to offer.” He retrieved several files and began flipping through the pages. “I do seem to recall an odd coincidence surrounding one of the first two victims. Elizabeth Rogers had a fiancé who was missing at the time her body was discovered. For a time, the police thought he might be responsible for the first two killings, but parts of his body were later discovered in a nearby cave. He was an avid hiker and his death was attributed to a fall as evidenced by significant depressions to his skull. The fact that only a few body parts remained seemed to fit the scenario, thanks to the high concentration of wild animals in the secluded area where he was found.” Ethan recapped the case.

“That’s a convenient coincidence, the victim’s fiancé being killed within the same time-frame. What if our unsub killed the fiancé and disposed of the body where he knew animals would take care of the evidence?” Dylan began to pace.