Cut to the Chase (13 page)

W
ithout a signal, without an account to trace back to, it was nearly impossible for his calls to be linked to him. To increase his chances that he would remain undetected, Scott immediately powered off the burner phone and tucked it into his front pocket. He would dispose of the phone properly at another time. Right now, it was imperative that he return to study carrel five.

Scott saw two teenaged boys exiting the library from a side door. He picked up the pace, getting to the door just before it locked behind them. Scott found his study carrel and the contents he had left on the table undisturbed and sat at the desk. He had to catch his breath and give off the appearance that he was either a diligent student or a professional who took great care in fine-tuning his craft, not a man who had just murdered a woman who was too smart for her own good…

Walking along the sidewalk, Scott noticed Mia's car in the driveway. But more importantly, Whitley's vehicle was nowhere in sight. He didn't want to get his hopes up that she was home. For all he knew, she was still with Whitley, trying to connect the dots to a case that was none of her business. He quickly dismissed the thought, as he peered into the front door and detected movement within Mia's home. His Angel was waiting for him.

Scott heard the sound of whimpering to his left and found a yellow Lab wagging at him. The mutt looked as if it was going to leap over the fence he was entrapped by if he didn't get some attention soon. And although it had just been a few seconds, when his focus had been ripped away by a fucking dog, that was all it took for him to screw things up royally. The movement he had detected had not been caused by Mia, but an older woman, one who had sniffed him out in a matter of moments.

Scott opened one of the medical journals on the desk and pretended to give it his full attention. After a minute or so, he felt his body begin to relax and he actually gained interest in what he was reading. He knew that he would have to remain in the library, securing his alibi for a while longer, so he might as well pass the time engaged in a task that might increase his medical knowledge.

He was reading a case study about a thirty-six-year-old man who had the unfortunate experience of coming down with two extremely rare types of cancer when he looked up just in time to see a middle-aged man briskly walking past his carrel as he spoke into a cell phone. The side of the man's face was shielded by the phone, enabling Scott to notice other details, such as the man's build, his determined gait, the way he turned abruptly at the next aisle of books and walked in the opposite direction.

Maybe he was being paranoid. No one would blame him. He had just killed a woman. But the sight of this man unnerved him and Scott couldn't help but wonder if he had been careless. No, maybe his Angel was just that good at her job. He wouldn't fault her for it if that was the case. She was doing what she was being asked to do, submitting, complying in order to fulfil the needs of others. Ahh…Mia was perfect.

Scott couldn't be certain if he was being tailed, at least not at the moment. But it was something he could find out, quite easily actually, if he was patient. Pretending that he was something he was not would also help matters. With that thought, Scott slung the backpack over his shoulder and then gathered his books. As he walked over to the counter, he scoped out the library staff and found his Plain Jane.

He plopped the books on the counter in front of her and smiled. She stared at him, blushing like some pathetic teenager. Although she may very well be a virgin, had to be, she was not his type. She lacked the other qualities he insisted upon. But he sucked it up, forcing himself to engage in seven minutes of mind-numbing conversation with the woman. With another strained smile, he secured a date to the Starbucks down the street, thus solidifying the alibi that had already begun to take shape.

C
hase waited until Erin was safely tucked away in a cab with Andrew and Mia and halfway down the street when he turned to Paul. “I'll call Andrew's man in New York and ensure that Scott Morris is exactly where he was the last time we checked in…far away from here.”

“And I'll check out the cemetery and the restaurant on the corner,” Paul said.

No other words needed to be exchanged. Although the fucker's identity was still unknown, they both knew what to look for. But after nearly fifteen minutes of surveying the cemetery and its nearby surroundings, they begrudgingly gave up, fetched Chase's car, and headed back to the condo.

“According to Morris's tail, he's tucked away in some study carrel at a university medical library. It looks like we have the wrong guy. Obviously he can't be in two places at once.” Pissed and helpless, Chase squeezed the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. “I need to get her away from here for a while, Paul. I know you may not want me to, but…”

“Leave as soon as you can,” Paul interjected. Paul's eyes were constantly moving, most likely scanning the streets for something, anyone who seemed out of place. “His tone has changed. He's frustrated and more brazen.”

Paul was right. Chase had never received a text from the fucker before. He had changed the rules, making the situation all the more worrisome. Chase couldn't stop thinking about the brief, but telling message:
“Those memories, her virginity, will always belong to me. Your trip to Philadelphia will yield nothing.”

“We'll leave as soon as my jet is cleared for takeoff,” Chase said. Anxious to get home to Erin, he weaved between traffic and then picked up speed the first chance he got.

“Where will you go?” Paul asked.

“I have a vacation home in the Caribbean. It's very secluded. It also has a security system that puts the one in my penthouse to shame,” Chase said, finally turning into his parking garage.

“Keep my sister away as long as it takes. Mia and I can handle the research end of things here,” Paul said.

Chase didn't like the idea of Paul and Mia being left behind to do all the dirty work. But he also knew that he didn't want Erin to spend another night in the same city as her attacker. Paul must have sensed Chase's discomfort because he said, “I need you to take care of her, Chase. Even if that means you have to fly her thousands of miles away to do so. I can't lose her.”

Mia stood at Chase's breakfast bar and nervously strummed her unmanicured nails against the cool granite. She wanted to think like a profiler at the moment, using what had happened in the cemetery as a way of peering into the psychopath's mind. But she couldn't. All she was concerned with was seeing Paul and Chase walk through the door, safe and intact.

Mia heard the sound of Andrew's voice from the other room and practically sprinted to the foyer. Erin was even faster and leapt into Chase's arms. Sobbing, Erin wrapped one arm around Chase's neck while the other reached for Paul. The scene brought tears to Mia's eyes.

“We're okay, love. We're here,” Chase said to Erin. Erin let go of her brother and allowed Chase to gather her in his arms. Seconds later, Chase lifted her up and carried her into their bedroom.

In an attempt to regain some composure, Mia turned around and started back toward the kitchen when she felt a familiar hand envelope hers. Paul whipped her around and looked into her eyes. Standing there, her eyes welling with tears, she'd never felt more vulnerable. And she'd never felt more thankful in her life that he had come back safe and sound.

“Are you all right?” Paul asked, his voice gentle. She started to wipe the tears with the back of her hand, when he reached up and stopped them in their place with his fingertips.

Mia swallowed. She wasn't used to fighting back this unrelenting flood of emotion. It had been so long since she had let herself feel anything. Mainly because it was just so goddamn easy to remain numb. But there she was, falling apart at the seams in front of a man who was making her feel something. “Yeah. I…I was just worried…for both of you,” she said.

The tips of his fingers navigated to her chin. He stared at her for a few moments and then said, “We have some work to do. Are you up for it?” His hand fell away from her face.

Work. Yes. That was what she needed to focus on. Not the incredibly beautiful man who knew just how to touch her. “Looks like we're on our own,” Mia said nodding toward the closed bedroom door.

“Chase, Erin and Andrew are leaving in a few hours for the Caribbean. We think it's best that Erin get away for a while.”

Mia thought about the repercussions that Erin's leaving the country would cause. It may make her attacker even angrier, more frustrated that he couldn't obtain the closure he sought. But maybe that was just what was needed to drive the psychopath to his breaking point and lure him out of hiding.

Mia must have appeared distracted because she heard Paul say, “If this is too much, if you feel that you need to get off this case, we'll understand.”

“No. We are seeing this through,” Mia said. She suddenly felt new tears spring forth. “It may sound strange, especially since I just met you all…but I need this. I
need
to close this case.”

Before she could embarrass herself any further, she brushed past him and walked out into the kitchen in search of a well-deserved beer.

E
rin didn't argue or put up a fight. She wanted out of the city as much as Chase did. Regardless, she took a quick shower, ridding herself of the filthy memories that she'd needed to revive for the sake of the investigation. After her shower, she dressed in comfortable attire and packed her small overnight bag with the few belongings she had brought for a trip that shouldn't have spanned more than twenty-four hours.

“Don't worry, sweetheart. We can get everything we need on the island,” Chase said from behind.

Erin would never get tired of his endearments, how lovingly he could speak to her. But she also loved the other side of Chase, when he took control and told her all the naughty little things he wanted to do to her. However, since he learned of the rape, he had, for the most part, censored himself and refrained from talking dirty to her. He was holding back, as if he was nervous that she was going to break. She needed to rectify the situation and soon. Erin turned around and hugged her beautiful man. Fully dressed and ready to go, Chase dropped his own suitcase and wrapped his arms around her.

“I feel like I'm running away and dumping my problems on my brother and Mia,” she said, her face pressed firmly against his muscular chest.

Chase smoothed her hair with his fingers and kissed the top of her head. “No one sees it that way. In fact, Paul has taken the varnish off my hardwood floors with his pacing. Don't take this the wrong way, but he can't wait until you and I leave, putting a thousand miles between us and Philly.”

Erin appreciated his attempt to lighten the situation and smiled. “Sorry. Just having a moment, I guess. Self-pity can rear its ugly head at any time.”

Erin felt one hand continue to stroke her hair, but the other found her cheek and caressed her skin. “You can have all the ‘moments' you need,” he said.

His voice was so loving, so gentle, that she had to fight back the urge to cry. She didn't want her brother and Mia to see tears in her eyes when she said good-bye to them. As a distraction, Erin stood on her tippy-toes and gave Chase a kiss. His lips were soft but firm and he happily returned the kiss with one that tempted her to push back their flight. But the rational side of her, the side that wasn't influenced by her arousal, decided that it was best they continue it later, possibly in Chase's private jet.

“I think we should go,” she said, releasing his lower lip.

He sighed and then said, “Yeah, let's get out of here before we find it impossible to stop.” Erin loved how she affected him. But she particularly enjoyed the fact that he wasn't embarrassed, nor did he try to hide just how much he wanted her. “Let's go tell Andrew we're ready to head out,” he said with a sheepish grin.

With Erin trailing behind him, her hand secured in Chase's grasp, they entered the kitchen…and immediately detected that something was wrong. Paul and Mia seemed to be in deep discussion with Andrew. Before Erin could get the words out, Chase voiced his own concern.

“What's going on?” he asked.

Andrew withdrew his cell phone and showed Erin and Chase a picture of some mechanical device. Although Erin had no idea what she was looking at, it was obvious from the expression on Chase's face that it was not good. “Something felt off. And the more I thought about the text—that he had sent it to you, and not Ms. Whitley, the more suspicious I became that our guy may not have made the trek to Philadelphia,” Andrew said.

Erin was frustrated with herself that she was not putting two and two together. She was also feeling pretty stupid at the moment since the rest of the group seemed to know exactly what Andrew's photograph meant. “Sorry, but what is that, Andrew?” she asked, swallowing her pride.

“It's a tracking device. I found it attached to the underside of Mr. Montclair's car,” Andrew said.

Erin felt her eyes widen. “So he may not even be here…in Philly, I mean?” she asked.

“Correct. With this particular device, he can track your movements from either a few feet or hundreds of miles away.”

“So, what you are saying is that we cannot rule Scott Morris out, despite the fact that his tail confirmed that he was in New York at the same time we were in that cemetery?”

“Morris fits the profile and should remain at the top of the list. But we need to be sure…which unfortunately can take some time,” Mia said.

“Mr. Montclair, I left the device right where I found it. We don't want him to know that we discovered it. I would suggest you leave the vehicle in the parking garage while you are away. Maybe that will draw him out. The longer he thinks you and Ms. Whitley are in Philly, the more impatient he may become…and that is when he may make the mistake we have been waiting for,” Andrew said.

“That makes sense. Did you get the chance to sweep Paul's car as well?” Chase asked.

Andrew nodded. “Yes, it's clean.”

“Good. I'll drive,” Paul said as he grabbed his keys off the counter.

Chase was right. Paul was chomping at the bit to have her gone. Erin didn't want a mushy good-bye, so instead, she said, “I know when I'm not wanted. Let's move, people.” Mia smiled and quickly retrieved her hooded sweatshirt from the back of one of the breakfast-bar chairs.

Despite Erin's attempts at levity, the drive over to the airport was quiet, as if everyone in Paul's vehicle was lost in their own thoughts. It wasn't until they had pulled into their designated gate, when finally someone spoke. Once they exited the car, Mia pulled Erin aside as the men conversed in hushed tones. “You did great tonight, Erin. I can't imagine how difficult it was for you, and I apologize if I made you feel as if you had to come to Philly.”

Mia appeared worried, as if she alone had necessitated the need for her and Chase to flee the country. “I needed to come here. It was time,” Erin said. Erin hugged her and though she knew it wasn't fair, mainly because there wouldn't be time for Mia to rebuke her, Erin whispered, “Take care of him while I'm gone. He needs you, Mia.”

Erin released her, but shamefully stole a quick glance to assess her reaction. Mia just stood there with her mouth open and her face flushed. Yeah, Erin was totally not playing fair. But at least she now knew that Mia was equally as affected by Paul as he was by her. Erin turned and walked toward Chase and Paul and witnessed her two men engaged in one of those handshakes-turned-half-hugs that guys often do. She cherished the scene, as the respect they had for each other was evident. Erin couldn't have hoped for anything more.

Chase must have sensed that she needed a moment alone with her brother because he excused himself and walked over to Mia and Andrew.

“Don't worry about anything. Mia and I will hold down the fort while you're away,” Paul said.

Erin reached up and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I have no doubt that you and Mia can handle things while I'm gone. Anyone can see how…compatible you two are,” she said. Erin made no attempt to conceal the smirk that had formed on her face.

“You're such a smartass,” he said.

“Yeah, I know.” She gave him one last kiss. “And you, honey, are beyond smitten with that beautiful girl over there.” Erin had enjoyed their banter, the brother–sister back-and-forth, since they were kids. But Paul, being the lawyer he had always seemed to be even in his younger years, possessed the annoying ability to exact the last word. Watching her brother's face turn a sharp shade of red and appear what she could only describe as dumbfounded, Erin couldn't help but savor the small victory.