Always Watching (19 page)

“But?”

He sighed. “But what if the killer catches
her
first?”

“She never showed up to visit her family, Liv,” Haley said. Olivia pressed the Bluetooth device tighter into her ear and gripped the steering wheel as she maneuvered the streets of the cute middle-class neighborhood.

She figured it had been built back in the early eighties. Trees lined the entrance, giving it a soothing and welcoming feeling. Olivia decided it would be a great place to live and made a mental note to check out any houses that might be for sale. “And they weren't worried?”

“No, apparently she texted her sister and said something had come up at work and she wouldn't be able to leave until sometime next week.”

Olivia followed the GPS directions until she came to a two-story home on a quiet cul-de-sac. She parked, looked in her rearview mirror, studied the area around her, and frowned. “That's weird.”

“Why?”

“Because I just got off the phone with the manager of the
restaurant where she works and the woman told me she's not working this week.”

“That doesn't sound good.”

“I know. I need Valerie's cell phone number.”

“I can probably get it for you, but it may take me a few minutes.”

“Okay, you try on your end and I'll see if I can get it too. Text it to me when you have it.”

Within sixty seconds Olivia was on the phone with the manager of the restaurant once again. “I know you said she wouldn't be back until Wednesday, but I have something super important to talk to her about. I also know it's probably against the rules, but would you mind giving me her cell number?”

“You're right, I can't do that.”

Olivia decided to crank it up a notch. She didn't want to drive all the way downtown to get the number, which she knew she could do. All it would take would be a quick flash of her official-looking identification she used when she worked jobs for the police department.

Or she could just wait until Quinn or Bree was ready to talk to the woman and tag along. But she was antsy, with an itchy feeling that wouldn't leave her alone until she'd talked to Valerie. “Look, she never showed up to visit her family. She said something had come up at work and she would have to stay home.”

“What? That's not true! I'm telling you she's not on the schedule.”

“I know. Something's not adding up and I'm concerned. I just want to check on her.” Not a lie. She was concerned.

She sensed hesitation on the other end of the line. The woman was weakening. “Or you can call her and give her my number,” Olivia said. “I'm open to whatever it takes to get in touch with her.”

“Now you've got me worried. I'll call her. Hold on while I switch to another line.”

“Thanks.”

Olivia heard the click and waited. Impatience made her want to fidget. Instead, she stared at Valerie's house and waited.

“She's not answering,” the manager said a few short minutes later.

“Then let me try. I'll call until I get her.” More hesitation from the manager. “Look, I promise not to tell her how I got the number, but if she's in trouble . . .”

“Fine. Fine.” The woman rattled off the number and Olivia quickly jotted it down on a receipt. “And remember, if I wasn't worried, I wouldn't have given it to you. She's not just an employee, she's a friend.”

“I know. Thank you so much. Oh wait!”

“Yeah?”

“What's your name?”

A sigh. “Ginger.”

“Ginger, do you know if Valerie had a boyfriend or was seeing anyone? Had she been acting different or missing work lately?” The woman didn't answer and Olivia wondered if she'd pushed too hard. “Never mind. I'll ask her when I see her.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Just a hunch.”

“You sound like a cop.”

“I used to be one. Now I work for another agency.”

“And you need information on Valerie for this agency?”

“I'll be honest with you. Like I said, I'm not a cop. You don't have to tell me anything at all. The only reason I'm asking questions about Valerie is because I'm concerned about her welfare. She said she was going to visit her family and she didn't. She said she had to work and she didn't. That bothers
me enough for me to look into her whereabouts and make sure she's all right.”

“I see.” She paused and Olivia waited hoping she was going to share more. “Your hunch is right on,” Ginger said.

Thank you
. “Why?”

Another, longer sigh filtered through the line. “Valerie's been working the morning shift for a year now. She recently started being late all the time. That wasn't like her. When I asked her about it, she told me she'd met someone—or was interested in someone.”

“Did she say who?”

“No. But—”

“But?”

“She said the reason she was staying up so late was to listen to some guy's radio show and that's why she was having a hard time getting to work on time.”

“So she was interested in the guy doing the show?”

“I guess. She never came right out and said it was him, but she sure doesn't want to miss listening to his show.”

Why the woman decided to open up and share all of this information was a mystery, but Olivia decided not to question it. She just appreciated it. “Did she say anything about sending this person some gifts?”

“Gifts? Like what?”

“Concert tickets, expensive jerseys, candy.”

“No way.” She gave a short laugh. “Valerie is practically broke. She lives in a pretty nice house that her grandfather left her, but it's not paid off and the mortgage payment eats up her little paycheck. I know for a fact her credit cards are maxed out. She can barely afford to keep her lights on, much less buy anyone expensive gifts. Her brother even had to send her the money for the visit this week.”

“When was she supposed to get there?”

“Yesterday. Will you let me know what you find?”

“Of course. Thank you so much.”

“Sure.”

Olivia hung up and dialed the number. It rang four times, then went to voice mail. Olivia disconnected and considered how she wanted to approach this. She wasn't a cop anymore, but she knew how to handle an investigation. But since this wasn't her investigation, she couldn't go in and just start asking Valerie questions.

Maybe if she sat there long enough, the woman would come out to get her mail, go for a jog, or something. Assuming she was even home. She was supposed to have visited her sister, but never showed. Her family thought she was working, but she wasn't. Olivia found that more than a little concerning. Although it could just be the woman wanted some time alone and had told a couple of white lies in order to make that happen.

Or she could be making it convenient to stalk Wade without having to worry about work or family checking up on her. Establishing an alibi? But such a poor one? Surely she could come up with something better than that. It would be too easy to prove she wasn't at either place.

Olivia got out of the car and walked up the front porch steps. She rapped her knuckles against the door and waited. Silence echoed around her. A car drove down the street and slowed as it passed hers. She turned and waved. The person waved back, then kept going.

Olivia pulled her phone from her pocket and tried Valerie's number again. It rang in her ear—and from inside the house. She tried the door and found it locked. But the phone kept ringing.

Olivia unsnapped the strap that kept her weapon in the hol
ster. She had no reason to believe anyone would cause her harm, but old instincts died hard.

Assume the worst, hope for the best.

She moved off the porch and to a window, trying to see inside. The blinds were drawn and she couldn't even see around the edges except for the light filtering from the living room. So she was going to be gone, but left her living room lights on?

Olivia held her weapon in one hand, her phone in the other. She pressed the button to redial Valerie's number. Again she heard the phone ringing from inside the house. She cut the connections and dialed Quinn's number. It went to voice mail and she figured he was busy with the missing persons case. She tried Bree on the off chance she could answer.

“Yeah, Liv, what's up?”

“I'm at Valerie Mathis's house. I can hear her cell phone ringing from inside but no one's answering.”

“Maybe she forgot it.”

“Maybe. Lights are on in her living room too.”

“You think something's wrong?”

“I do. Nothing's adding up. I'm going to get inside and see if she needs help.” Olivia frowned. “She might be hurt.”

“Or she might not be there. Don't put yourself in possible danger.”

“There's no danger. I think she's incapacitated in some way or not here. Don't worry, I won't be stupid.”

“Why doesn't that comfort me?”

“Seriously, if she's hurt, she might need help fast.”

Bree sighed. “Be careful.”

“Right.” Olivia hung up and stepped around the corner of the house. The grass hadn't been cut recently, but it wasn't overgrown or neglected. She walked around to the back. The windows were covered. No seeing in there. She kept moving
until she came to the side carport. She moved inside and tried the door that led to the kitchen.

The knob turned.

The stalker waited in the shadows. Watching. Following Olivia had proved to be a worrisome task. She constantly looked over her shoulder, keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings. Like she
expected
to see someone. But she hadn't noticed anyone following her.

When Olivia had sat outside the house and just talked on her cell phone, the stalker thought she might decide to leave without going inside. And that would be fine. But no. Olivia had gotten out of her car and was going in. So now Olivia would have to die. The car door opened, then shut with a quiet click.

Olivia stepped inside Valerie's kitchen and wrinkled her nose at the odor that greeted her. She shut the door behind her and her belly churned. She knew that smell.

She swallowed and automatically reached for the Mentholatum that she used to carry while on duty. She slapped an empty pocket. Right, she didn't need that anymore. Usually.

“Valerie? Are you here?”

No answer. But then she hadn't really expected one.

She hesitated. So. Wait on backup or go see what—who—was making the house stink? In her heart, she figured she knew the answer to the second part of her question, but her mind wanted to deny it until she saw the proof. Could be an animal had crawled into the house and died. Nothing sinister about that at all.

She could only hope that was the case.

She moved through the kitchen and into the den, breathing through her mouth as she moved, trying not to gag. Using the hem of her shirt, she flipped the den light on. Nothing looked disturbed. She moved toward the hallway, pausing at the base of the stairs that would lead to the second floor. She heard nothing from above.

Her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen. A text from Bree.

Bree

You all right?

Olivia

According to the stench, there's a dead body in this house. Looking for it now.

I'll send backup.

Let me make sure it's human. If it's Valerie. I'll need the ME and most likely CSU. If it's a dead animal or something then, I'll let you know.

When she got no immediate response from Bree, Olivia figured the woman was probably notifying someone to stand by and be ready to roll out to Valerie's house.

Olivia checked the living area, a bedroom, and a bath. Nothing set off her alarm bells. She turned back to the steps and started up.

One at a time, the butterflies did the frantic dance inside her stomach at the thought of what she was going to find. Every horror movie she'd ever watched played through her mind. Every crime scene she'd ever covered flashed in Technicolor slides behind her eyes.

She couldn't help her antsiness. She took comfort in the feel of her weapon against her palm.