No Ordinary Killer (12 page)

“Stay behind me.”

“Like hell. I’ll run round to the back. Give me two
minutes, then enter through the front door.”

Cooper didn’t
question her decision. She was a trained officer and knew what she was doing.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The music of her cell phone rang somewhere in the
distance. Megan lifted her head from crossed-over arms. Flexing numb tingling
fingers she grabbed the phone. “Hello?” she said, pushing away from the desk.

“You meeting me?”

Megan stretched and rubbed her sore, stiff neck. “No,”
she answered, suddenly awake. “Think about it, I see your face and you’ll have
to kill me. It’s better we communicate on the phone and through emails.”

 
“I can be
traced that way, but I’ll bet you knew that. Trying to trap me, Megan, Love?”

“No, I didn’t even think about it.”

“I’m just dying to know who you got your information
from for your book, Megan. What detective did you have to sleep with for the
juicy details?”

Closing her eyes and leaning her head back, Megan wished
she’d never written the damn thing. “I thought we were going to work on the new
book. Why are we wasting time talking about the old one? The first three
chapters are due on my agent’s desk by the end of next week. I haven’t written
a damn word.”

“Now aren’t you glad I called you? Since this is a
sequel to
Malicious Intent
, I thought
we would follow the pattern you set and tackle another three murders. How does
that sound to you?”

“It … um … I’m not so sure about this arrangement. You
have to understand, I only wrote
Malicious
Intent
to piss off Cooper. I was thinking
Positively Divine
would be more of a mystery love story.”

“That’s just not going to happen.
Physical Evidence
is going to be more graphic and more shocking
than
Malicious Intent
ever thought of
being.”

“I don’t think so. It’s my book and I’m telling you
right now, I just can’t keep writing gory murders. They make me sick. Besides,
the public is eating me alive. I want to make money but I don’t want everyone
hating me or accusing me of inciting more murders. I just won’t do it.”

“You will because you have to. Besides, you’ll get
Cooper more than pissed-off.”

“Why?”

“It’s going to prove Cooper Reynolds not only is
leaking information to you, but he is guilty of murder.”

“What do you mean, he’s guilty of murder?”

“I’m going to prove that among the many murders here,
Cooper killed a woman himself and he mixed it in with all the other murders so
no one would suspect a thing. He cleverly diverted all the attention of these
murders to cover the one murder he wanted to commit.”

“No way? Are you serious? We can prove Cooper did
this? I don’t believe it. That … wait a minute. I really don’t think Cooper
would murder anyone.”

“Oh, but he did. And you, darling, are going to share
it with the world. You’re going to be an international best-selling author.
Everyone will know the name Megan Reynolds. Who knows, it might even be made
into a movie. You could play yourself.”

She squealed inwardly, thinking how much the notoriety
would do for her future. Just the thought made her smile. She’d always imagined
herself as a famous actress. “Okay then, I guess we have a deal. You just make
sure all your information is correct. Any slip-ups and it’s going to be my
future on the line.”

“You can be sure all the information I share will be
real,” he said.

She didn’t miss the snicker in his voice. “May I ask
you something?”

“Of course.”

“If Cooper is responsible for one of the killings,
then are you … I mean … who is responsible for all the others?”

“I think you already know the answer to that question,
don’t you sweet Megan?”

“You won’t kill me … will you?” She cringed, afraid of
his reply.

“You can trust me, Megan. Now, the first thing you
need to do is tell your agent, mother, and of course dear Cooper you’re going
away to write. I have arranged for you to stay at The Carolina B&B in
lovely Helena.”

“I’m glad that I only have to travel an hour and what
… twenty minutes, but couldn’t I stay at something lovely like Boulder Hot
Springs or maybe Fairmont Hot Springs?”

“Always wanting something more than you’re offered. My
… my … you are a diva, aren’t you? I did reserve the Courtney Rose Suite for
you. You’ll have the entire third floor. It has a large private living area and
a library for you to write in. Should you be inclined to invite a friend,
you’ll have a private bathroom that includes a jetted tub and shower.”

“By friend you mean?”

“I’d love you to invite me.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Make some calls and pack your bags, Megan. I’ll
expect to see you leave in about two hours.”

“And if I don’t leave?”

“You may not want to be a mother, Megan, but you are.
You want your Tina and Tucker to be safe, you’ll be on the road. Oh, that
includes your lovely mother, Ana Truelee.”

“You bastard. You leave them alone.”

“I guess you better hurry up then, huh?”

The dial tone told Megan he’d hung up. She wanted to
give him a piece of her mind, but decided she just didn’t have time. Packing
for two weeks and all those phone calls to make. She tapped a number in her
contacts and waited while it rang.

“Great Falls Police Department, how may I direct you?”

“Cooper Reynolds desk please.”

“One moment while I ring him.”

“Reynolds.”

“Is that really you, Coop?”

“Cut the shit, Megan. You know it’s me. What do you
want?”

“My aren’t you in
a good mood.”

“I’m busy. What do
you want?”

“Don’t bite my
head off. I just wanted to let you know I’m going to be gone for two weeks to
work on my next book. I’ll have my cell phone with me, just in case you need to
get ahold of me.”

“Like that would ever happen. And Tina and Tucker?”

“They’re still with my mom.”

“Then why can’t I have them if you’re never taking
care of them?”

“I don’t have time for this old argument. I just
wanted to let you know I’ll be busy for a couple of weeks.”

“Tell someone who cares, Megan.”

The loud click confirmed she’d been hung up on for the
second time in minutes. She closed her eyes and drew in a lungful and muttered
under her breath. “You’ll get what’s coming to you … and soon, Cooper Reynolds.

Flipping back to contact and tapping another number,
Megan pulled a suitcase from the closet and opened it on the bed. She wasn’t
going to need anything but change of underwear and comfortable writing clothes.
One or two dinner outfits in case she chose to get out of the suite. Megan
smiled. This second book was going to be something. She’d show everyone that
Megan Reynolds could make it without a man.

“Hi, Megan. I was just telling Tina that it’s about
time her mama called and the phone rang. Here, talk to her—“

“No, Mom, I just don’t have time to talk to the kids.
I—“

“Mama … goo girl.”

“Hi, sweetie. Yes, now be a good girl and hand the
phone to grandma. Tell her I’m in a hurry—“

“No need to, I’m back. It wouldn’t have hurt you to
say more than a few words to the girl.”

“I don’t have time for this now. I’m calling to tell
you I’m going to Helena to work on my next book. I have a deadline in two weeks
and if I miss it … well, let’s say the advance we spent will have to be
returned.”

“Oh, you mean the advance you spent.”

“Don’t be like that. I do the best I can. It’s not
easy being a single mother of two.”

“You aren’t a single mother of two. I’m a grandmother
of two. Once you get this book finished, I’m no longer taking care of the
twins. I’m too old for this. You earn that money, girl. Then you will take your
kids back. They are your responsibility. I’m the grandmother … not the mother.
You hearing me?”

“Yes, mother. Now that we’ve have this lovely chat, I
must pack. Call me if you desperately need me. If not, I’ll call you in two
weeks.” She placed a neat stack of folded tops followed by three pairs of
designer jeans into the suitcase.

“I’m sure you could spare a few minutes here and there
to call us if you wanted to. Two weeks without checking in with us is
ridiculous. What if I need something?”

“What did I just say? If you desperately need me you
can call my cell. Otherwise, I can’t afford to be distracted. You’ll just have
to deal with things. If you can’t reach me, you can always call Cooper. He’ll
drop everything for the twins.”

“Too bad their mother won’t.”

“I don’t deserve that. I do the best I can. I’m
writing this book just as much for them, as I am for me. When they go to
college they will have me to thank for that. This next book is going to be even
bigger than the first. You mark my words, mother. My name will be in the
papers, on every talk show, and even in the movies.” A handful of panties, bras
and socks filled the top netting of her suitcase.

“Well, let’s not count our chickens before they’re
hatched, missy.”

“I hate that cliché and you know it. I’ll call you in
two weeks. Bye.” Megan hung up as quickly as she could. After tossing in a
bathing suit, she zipped the suitcase shut and pulled it to the floor. She had
one last number to call.

“O’Neail and Donahue Literary Agency, how may I help
you?”

“Peggy, this is Megan Reynolds. I need to speak with
Jessica.”

“Oh, Miss Reynolds. I can’t believe the commotion your
book is causing. Things have been so exciting—“

“Peggy, I’m calling to talk with Jessica. Is she in?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rattle on—“

“Jessica please.”

“One moment, let me check if she’s off the phone. Yes,
I’ll ring you through.”

“Megan darling, I was thinking of calling you today.
How is our new book coming along? Please tell me you have at least half of it
finished. I was hoping to have some pages to go over this weekend to be honest
with you.”

“That’s why I’m calling actually. I am going to Helena
to a quaint B&B to do some writing. I’ll be gone for about two weeks, at
which time I’ll have plenty for your reading pleasure.”

“That’s absolutely great news. You know I’m expecting
profound results.”

 
“I can promise
this book will get more attention than any book out on the market. Jessica, I
expect this book to be a real killer.” Megan couldn’t help chuckling to herself.

“That’s a choice word for sure. Well, I won’t keep
you. Fingers to the keyboard, girl. I expect your baby on my desk in two
weeks.”

“You can count on me.” After hanging up the phone,
Megan tossed it into her purse and grabbed her suitcase. Smiling, she locked
the front door and headed for her car. This was going to be an incredible
experience. She hoped for notoriety and smug Cooper’s demise.

* * *

Cooper gave Dallas five seconds to get to the rear of
the house … then moved steady and quiet through the front entrance. From the
sound of it, the perp was in the bedroom. Dallas came toward him, indicating it
was clear so far. He pointed down the hall and led the way. A loud thud as
something hit the floor caused his heart to race. He stopped at the partially
closed door. Moving quickly to the other side, he faced Dallas. Holding up one
finger, then two, finally three … they burst into the room.

“Police, hands up,” Cooper shouted.

“Don’t shoot … don’t shoot. Cooper, what the hell. You
scared the shit out of me.” Sparks held up latex gloved hands.

“Brother, what the hell are you doing in here? I could
have shot you.”

“I can see that. I’m checking something out. Thought
I’d get here before … before anyone had a chance to beat me to it.”

“Could have turned the lights on.” Dallas flipped the
switch.

“Beat you to what? What you talking about? Why didn’t
you turn on the lights?” Cooper holstered his gun.

“The receipt thing. I don’t exactly know where those
eyes were pointing to or at what level, but I remembered there being a ceiling
to floor bookcase in here. I’m looking to see if the killer left a receipt.
Might be the clue we’ve been needing.”

“Why not take Weaver with you? You should never come
to a crime scene like this one alone.”

“Yeah, I know. But Weaver already took off and I was
heading home when it occurred to me. I’d like to contribute something to this
case for a change. I feel like a fifth wheel along for the ride.”

“Sorry, Dennis. Didn’t know we were ignoring you. I’ve
been so wrapped up in what’s been happening here, I wasn’t paying much
attention.”

“Just cause Candy is due any day, doesn’t mean I don’t
want to participate. Weaver has just been weird since he found out Candy’s
expecting. Maybe he thinks now that I’m a family man I won’t have his back
anymore. But I will. Nothing has changed for me, except maybe I don’t have sex
with my wife much anymore.”