Faces of Evil [2] Impulse (26 page)

Was the lookalike working for him or against him? Whatever the reason, Spears had at least one more move on his agenda. If she was right, she could move first and usurp his finale. . . but if she was wrong, both Lori and Dan might end up paying the price.

A horn blew behind them, forcing Harper to start moving again.

“I need to speak to Deputy Chief Black before the briefing.”

There was no way to know which man, Spears or his protégé, had intercepted Dan. There was no way to estimate the timeline one or both were working on. Or if they were working together. . . if they had always been. And absolutely no way to validate her conclusion one way or the other.

“With all due respect, ma’am,” Harper protested, “you didn’t answer my question.” Harper waited for a break in the traffic to make the left turn into the downtown parking garage. And he waited for her answer.

“I need you to trust me, sergeant. Giving up is not on my agenda.”

Seemingly satisfied, he made the turn and parked in his assigned slot.

He reached for the door handle. Jess touched his arm and he hesitated. “Do you trust me, Chet?” She was the one needing an answer now. Jess felt herself holding her breath. She had one last preemptive strategy and if it didn’t work. . . she couldn’t go there.

Harper held her gaze for a long moment. “Yes, ma’am.”

The numbness eased a bit with a spark of hope as her plan formulated at an unprecedented speed. “Then I need you to give me your word that no matter what happens in the next few hours you will not question my words or my actions. You will go along with whatever I say and do. If you trust me, you’ll know that whatever happens, it’s the only way. Can you do that?”

His hesitation was longer this time. He gave Jess a nod. “I can do that.”

She managed a smile. “All right then. Let’s do what has to be done.”

The walk to the entrance of BPD headquarters reminded Jess that she was not dressed for a briefing and certainly not for a press conference. The jeans and tee shirt and sneakers she’d been wearing last night looked far from professional but she wasn’t out to impress anyone this morning.

Funny, she realized, mostly because her brain needed a distraction, no one else seemed to have that problem. Harper, Gant, Deputy Chief Black had all traipsed around that murder scene in their suits and their polished leather shoes. She and Dan had shown up in their jeans and tees.

And then Dan was gone.

Her lips trembled as she smiled.

Don’t worry, Dan. I’m going to save
you
this time.

Her cell rang out with that old-fashioned jangle. She paused in the BPD lobby and fished out her phone. Took forever. Damn, she needed to get organized. “Harris.”

“We got a print match from the Miller crime scene.”

Her breath trapped in her chest.
Gant
. “Spears?”

“Not Spears, but we may now have the identity of his accomplice.”

She had no idea how they could possibly have made a connection this quickly but she was ready for any kind of break.

“Matthew Reed, Caucasian, 28. Dallas, Texas.”

“Why didn’t we get that with Howard’s business card?” The man hadn’t been wearing gloves according to the two witnesses at the florist.

“You wouldn’t have since he’s not in any national databases. But he is in the SpearNet database.”

“This Matthew is employed by Eric Spears’ company?” Adrenalin fired, igniting the urge to act. Spears had provided the Bureau with access to his company’s files as well as all personal files. He had been so damned sure of himself.

“Was for three years. His file went inactive two years ago.”

Fury twisted in her belly. “I guess so. Matthew couldn’t exactly go to work wearing his boss’s face.”

“Exactly. Let Chief Black know I’m en route. I’ve been waiting for confirmation. This,” Gant said, anticipation in his voice, “was worth waiting for.”

Jess dropped her phone back into her bag. Yes, this was worth waiting for. A smile tugged at her lips.
I’m gonna get you, Spears
. He’d made his own little clone for his evil purposes. Just went to show what a man with too much money and a warped mind could do.

Deputy Chief Black waited at the elevator. Jess hurried to catch the car that arrived.

“Good morning, Chief Harris, sergeant,” he offered.

Along with the professional suit, he wore that same tired and troubled expression as everyone involved with this investigation sported.

“Morning, chief. I need a few moments of your time,” Jess told him, “in private before you start the conference.”

The older man’s eyebrows reared up. “Most everyone has arrived already. Is it necessary to make them wait?”

“It’s essential.”

“Very well. We can talk in Chief Burnett’s office.”

“Thank you. Oh, and Agent Gant is running behind but he has an important development to share.” Jess could feel Harper’s gaze burning into her again but she couldn’t make eye contact this time. Not and maintain the necessary composure until this was done.

“I hope this development will point us in the right direction.”

Jess didn’t elaborate on Gant’s news. No need to steal his glory. She had her own breaking news to announce this morning.

The elevator doors opened and she exited and headed straight for the chief’s door. Black was right behind her.

“Deputy Chief Harris,” Harper called after her.

Dammit. “I’ll be right there,” she said to Black.

He glanced at his watch before moving on, a silent reminder that they had a conference room full of people waiting.

When he’d continued into Burnett’s office, Harper asked, “Ma’am, you didn’t say why you’re meeting privately with Deputy Chief Black.”

Harper was worried but he was also suspicious. “Remember, sergeant. You said you trust me. Don’t back out on me now.”

“I do, ma’am, but I know Chief Burnett would be very upset if I allowed anything to happen to you.”

Damn these hard-headed southern men.

“You made a promise and I’m counting on you not to let me down. Now go down to the conference room and let the others know that Black will be there in just a minute. And brace yourself, Agent Gant has good news.”

Harper hesitated, then walked away.

As long as he kept his word until she was out of this building, she would be good to go.

In the chief of police’s waiting room, a teary-eyed Tara offered her a weak smile but didn’t say good morning. Jess nodded, couldn’t quite summon even a fake smile. Everyone here was worried about their chief. They all loved Daniel Burnett. Jess’s throat threatened to close. She forced back the emotions and went to Dan’s office.

Deputy Chief Black stood in the middle of the room waiting for her. “What’s this about, Harris?”

Jess plunked her bag on the small conference table. “I have to give you this before you start your meeting.” She dug for her pad and pencil as she spoke.

“Have you learned something new?”

His patience was scarcely holding under the circumstances. Jess understood. Hers had already cracked. She quickly wrote the necessary words on the page, signed her name, tore off the sheet and gave it to him. While he read the note, she tucked her pad and pencil away and shouldered her bag.

“What’s the meaning of this?” He stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.

She probably had. “I’m not required to give you an explanation.” Jess turned for the door.

“This is unacceptable, Chief Harris.”

She hesitated at the door but didn’t look back.

“Whatever this is about,” Black resumed, “you will need to take it up with Chief Burnett. I will not accept your resignation.”

Jess walked out the door. She didn’t bother with the elevator. Waiting for someone to notice her leaving would just create a scene she did not need or want. By the time she was outside on the sidewalk, her heart was pounding and her nerves were frazzled. She looked around at the busy morning traffic.

Damn.

Her car was at Dan’s.

No problem. A taxi would work. As long as it got her out of here fast. There was just one other thing she needed to do first and for that she needed Gina Coleman.

19

10:28 a.m.

“She’s still alive.”

“I can see that.”

Matthew watched his mentor as he spoke. The way his lips moved mesmerized him. But it was the sound of his voice that truly, truly inspired him. Deep, soothing.

He would do anything for Eric. Anything at all.

But Eric was disappointed. Angry even. His voice, of course, did not reflect either of those emotions, but Matthew knew. He recognized that his work was not up to the expected standards.

“Have you been feeding her?”

“Of course. Ensure. When she would have it.” Which was only twice since he’d taken her. No need for Eric to learn that part.

“What methods have you used for self-gratification?”

Matthew shook his head. “None. I saved her for you and Jess.” It was a lie. . . he hoped Eric wouldn’t notice the subtle change in the timbre of his voice.

“Really? Then why the bruising?” He indicated her cheek and the swollen lip.

Fear trickled inside Matthew. “She’s rather a stupid little twat. No appreciation or respect for rules. So I taught her a lesson.” He lifted one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “She’s terrified of drowning.” He laughed, relishing the memory of her screams and pleas. He’d gotten rock hard playing that game with her. “I gave her a few dunks for starters. Then I tried the water-boarding made famous by our esteemed military. It’s quite interesting to watch the subject’s reaction. Especially one as phobic as this one.”

The water-boarding had caused him to ejaculate twice but he wouldn’t share that with Eric either. Discipline was vital to his mentor. Matthew had shown little discipline the past few days.

But he would do better.

“You injected her every day?”

“It was the only way to keep her under control.”

Her body was completely relaxed now. He’d gotten rid of her slacks and under garments. Such nice breasts. Slim, narrow waist with nicely flared hips. He found it interesting that she had not removed her silky tuft of pubic hair. So many young women bared those thick lips, leaving nothing to the imagination.

“I think she might have cracked just a little with the water-boarding.” He smiled, ignored the pain that pierced his damaged lip. The bitch had come at him like a wildcat, more than once. “Exquisite, isn’t she?”

Eric surveyed Lori Wells’ nude body stretched out on the old wooden table. “Quite. Just like Eve in the Garden of Eden.” He sighed. “Her beauty brings out the worst in man and for that she must be punished.”

“Indeed.” Matthew had known he would approve.

When Eric lifted his gaze back to him, Matthew saw disapproval rather than the approval he had anticipated. A rush of apprehension tightened his body.

“You’ve made quite a mess, my friend.”

“Yes.” He bowed his head in humility. “In my eagerness to carry out your wishes, I may have overstepped.”

“Harris’ career with the Bureau was destroyed,” Eric noted. “All went exactly as planned. The message I left at her home added the perfect touch.”

Of course, Eric’s work was always flawless. Still, hope thrust aside the apprehension. Her career at the Bureau had been destroyed and that was
Matthew’s
work. “Pretty little bird flew against the wind. Got her wings broken.”

“But the damage was only temporary.”

“I watched her as you asked and she redeemed herself by finding those missing girls.” Matthew shook his head. Jess Harris was far too clever. “I knew Burnett would want to keep her, both at work and in his bed. Obviously her talents extend beyond her investigative skills.”

Matthew glared at the man silenced and bound to one of the two steel support columns in the room. Burnett had ruined everything. If he hadn’t called Jess. . . she would still be in Virginia facing the demise of her career, floundering amid doubt and self-disgust. Right where Eric had wanted her.

“So you failed.” Eric inclined his head and studied Matthew. “Your marginal success could not be sustained.”

“That would seem to be the case.”
Marginal?
There was nothing marginal about his work in Virginia, but he knew better than to argue with Eric. “The damage was not sufficient to ruin her. But she has suffered another blow. That luscious reporter, Coleman, announced this morning that she had inside information that Jess Harris resigned under pressure from the department. My strategy is working still.”

“Is that what you believe?”

Matthew went rigid with renewed uncertainty at the mocking tone Eric used. “Is there reason to believe otherwise?”

“Whether she has resigned or not is no longer relevant. I was forced to terminate the federal agent assigned to my surveillance,” Eric admonished, “so I could come here straightaway. My patience for your chaotic and rudimentary tactics is at an end. You were to watch her after her arrival in Birmingham, nothing more. Instead, you have set in motion Armageddon for us both.”

Matthew swallowed the tiny whisper of pride he had allowed. “I’m prepared to properly finish the work. My lacking performance is inexcusable, but you are well aware that I’m far more talented than this. I have proven my worth numerous times. I
will
salvage this situation while you escape to safety.”

“But then you would only break more rules. Your lackluster performance allowed one to live. Did you give the other a fighting chance at survival before ending her useless existence?”

“There was no time.” Sweat dampened Matthew’s body. He had come here prepared, with the necessary tools and a plan. He had done everything to draw attention to himself. To protect Eric. Matthew knew nothing of this city. He could not have his prey running about in those final hours before her death. The risk had been far too great.

“You showed your face – our face – time and again, did you not?”

He was angry. “I. . .” Matthew steadied his voice. “I was forced to take desperate measures.”

“Measures for which
I
will pay the consequences.”