Race Against Time (7 page)

Those were all what-ifs. His friendship with her may have meant nothing.

Truth was none of it really mattered. His job was to solve this case, not to protect Madison. What was it about her that tugged at his heartstrings, anyway? He was usually so good at keeping his distance from the people he served. Some would say that made him a bad detective and others would say the opposite. He didn’t know what he’d say anymore. He only knew that there was something about Madison’s clear eyes, her flawless complexion and her shapely lips that did a number on his heart.

Still he hated to leave the woman right now in what she had to consider the house of horrors.

It would be like Brody having to live in the same apartment where Lindsey had…

He shook his head. He didn’t want his thoughts to go there. He’d tried hard to put that behind him, even moved here to Virginia to get away from his old life.

But would he ever be able to truly put it behind him?

Yesterday had dredged up so many memories of Lindsey. There were so many similarities between the way he’d found Lindsey and the way he’d found Madison. The whole suicide scene brought back the remembrances. The only difference was that he’d shown up at Lindsey’s place in response to a police call. He’d thought the address sounded familiar. But then he’d walked into her house and found her dead. He was still reeling from seeing her lifeless body when he’d found the suicide note.

I gave you my heart, and you walked away. Your arrogance has hurt too many people. You never consider other people’s feelings…

He and Lindsey had met at one of Manhattan’s trendy clubs and dated for three months. Lindsey, a teacher by trade, had been a nice girl, except when she drank—which had happened all the time. Brody had thought if she got some help that the two of them might have a chance at a relationship. But Lindsey wouldn’t even acknowledge that she’d had a drinking problem. Brody had broken up with her, hoping that might be a wake-up call. Things hadn’t ended the way he’d hoped. Not at all.

He shook the memories off. He needed to check with the other detective to see if he’d found out any new information about the other two suicides that had happened in York County since Brody had arrived. What if they weren’t suicides, either? What if there really was a serial killer loose here in York County?

He strode over to Detective Blackston’s desk as soon as he got to work. The detective, long and lean—a former cross-country runner—glanced up from some files on his desk.

“Find out anything yet?” Brody asked.

“I met with Willie’s family this morning,” said Blackston. “Both his mom and dad said they still had trouble believing he would have committed suicide, even with all of the problems he was having emotionally at the time. But there’s also no evidence to indicate that it wasn’t suicide. I’m looking over the crime-scene photos now.”

What Madison had told him about the egg timer remained stuck in his head. It had been an integral part of the crime. Had the other victims heard that egg timer also? None of the detectives would have thought anything strange to see an egg timer in someone’s home. That would be the next thing that Brody investigated. That might just be the evidence that tied all of the cases together.

Brody’s cell phone buzzed. He looked at the number and saw that it was Madison. Immediately, he tensed. Had something else happened? He shouldn’t have ever left her.

“Madison,” he answered. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Look, I was wondering if I could see the suicide note, Brody. Something about it keeps nagging me.”

The suicide note? Now why would she want to see that? “I can make you a copy. How about if I bring it to Kayla’s place after work?”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

Against his better judgment, he called to her before she hung up. “Madison?”

“Yes?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked gruffly.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Brody. Thank you.”

Why didn’t he feel reassured then?

* * *

Madison couldn’t stand being in her own house alone. But she couldn’t bear the thought of going back to Kayla’s house and staying there alone, either. So instead she collected everything she thought she might need—some clothes that she’d left in the laundry room, her camera, her appointment book—got in her SUV and started driving. The open road seemed safe enough.

But even on the open road she couldn’t outrun her memories. The feeling of the noose around her neck, the needle being injected into her neck, the panic that had raced through her began to close in on her.

Just what the killer wanted, probably. Death was too easy. Once it was done, it was done. But for someone twisted, playing these mental games could really give them their kicks.

How had her would-be killer gotten her cell-phone number? Whoever had done this had planned in advance. He’d left the noose in her room, he’d sent her that stupid egg timer, he’d probably studied her to see when she came and went.

This wasn’t a random act of violence. But why Madison? Why, of all the people in Seaford, had the killer picked her to torture? It just didn’t make sense. Did he have some kind of connection to her?

She just had to trust that God was watching over her, and rely on her faith to get her through this. Her faith had been her only comfort in life’s trying times. She knew it could sustain her now, too. It also helped to know that Brody was doing his job and would track down the madman. Trusting both God and Brody was all she could do. She wasn’t one to play detective herself.

Except she did want to see that suicide note. Something had been bugging her. She wasn’t sure what. But the killer had been specific about what she wrote. There had to be a reason for that.

She hadn’t been able to reach the baseball coach over at the high school, so while she was out she decided to swing by there. Kids were on summer break right now, but she knew that Coach Daniel would be at the school. She needed to talk to him about rescheduling.

The school had been a big client for her and she didn’t want to lose the business. Madison took all of the sports pictures for the school, as well as yearbook photos. Thankfully the baseball coach was someone Madison knew from church. Daniel only moved here eight months ago, but he, in some ways, seemed like the brother she never had. They had an easy, lighthearted friendship that Madison appreciated. The man was close to her age and was known for always wearing a baseball cap backward, she assumed to partially cover up his early hair loss.

Sweltering heat surrounded her when she emerged from her SUV. She hurried across the parking lot toward the baseball field. In the outfield Madison spotted members of the varsity team running through drills. She shielded her eyes from the sun and looked for Daniel. She knew he had a makeshift office beside the concession stand, so she decided to search for him there.

She stepped onto the concrete floor of the dimly lit building, bypassed the cabinets stocked with candy bars and chips and headed for the door on the far side of the room. Rock music blared from that direction. She tapped at the door, but heard no response.

“Daniel?” She pushed the door open slightly. A messy room filled with bats, balls and old uniforms came into view.

As the door opened farther she spotted Daniel seated in a ratty chair in the corner. He hadn’t heard her, apparently. In his hand he held a needle, poised in the air.

Madison gasped and stumbled backward. Horrifying memories flashed through her. Daniel? Was Daniel her attacker? It didn’t seem possible. But he did fit the description height- and weight-wise.

“Madison?” He put the needle onto a nearby table and stared toward her. His eyebrows pivoted together. “What’s wrong?”

She pointed to the needle. “You…? You…”

He looked back at the piece of medical equipment. “Do shots freak you out? I know some people hate needles. I’ve had a while to get used to them.”

Madison blinked back confusion. What was he talking about?

“I’m diabetic. I thought you knew.”

Diabetic? Daniel? She’d had no idea. She released an airy laugh.

Diabetic.

“I’m sorry, Daniel. I’m not laughing because of your diabetes. I’m laughing because of my foolish reaction. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s no problem. I was just giving myself a little insulin shot, and I didn’t hear you come in.” He looked at her more closely. “Is everything okay? You’re not looking too hot.”

She self-consciously touched the raw skin at her neck. Though she’d worn a high-neck shirt, she still felt like everyone could see her wound. “I’m okay.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why don’t I believe you? It was unlike you to miss our appointment yesterday. Then you show up today with circles under your eyes, a busted lip and jumpier than a bean.”

She swallowed…or tried to, at least. “It’s nothing. Really. I’m fine.”

He shifted. “Look, Madison, I don’t want to pry, but did someone hurt you? You didn’t start dating some guy who’s bad news, did you?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I just…” How much should she share? Certainly gossip had already begun to spread all over town. That’s what happened in small, close-knit communities like Seaford. She shrugged finally. “A man broke into my home yesterday and attacked me.”

Daniel’s eyes widened. He reached for Madison’s arm in obvious concern. “Madison, I’m so sorry. Did they catch whomever did it?”

“Not yet. They’re still working on it.”

He stepped back and put his hands on his hips. “You’ve got to get Brody on the case. He used to work homicides up in New York City, you know. If anyone could track down the person who did this to you, it’s Brody.”

Madison tilted her head in surprise. “You know Brody?”

“We work out at the same gym. I think all the women there plan their schedules at the times when Brody’s usually there. He’s quite the ladies’ man, apparently.”

Madison nodded, reeling from his proclamation about Brody being a womanizer. “Brody
is
on the case, and I wouldn’t know anything about the ladies’ man part. As far as I’m concerned, he’s just the lead detective.”

“Probably a smart idea. He’s a nice enough guy, just not the family man type.”

Madison had no interest in Brody, so why did Daniel’s insinuation bother her? She wasn’t looking for a family man—any man for the matter.

She nodded toward the field. “Can we reschedule the pictures for tomorrow?”

“Sure thing. I’ll make sure my guys are ready.”

“I appreciate it, Daniel.” She started to walk away when Daniel called to her. She turned.

“I asked Kayla to dinner tonight.”

Madison raised her brows. “Kayla? I had no idea you two were dating.”

He shrugged. “I’ve wanted to ask her out for a while, especially seeing how you’re not interested.” He winked.

Madison waved him off, used to his jesting. “Such a charmer, you are.”

His quick smile slipped. “Kayla said she was making dinner tonight and I could come over, but that you might be there.”

“I can make myself scarce.”

He laughed. “No, no. That’s not what I was trying to imply. I’m just having a hard time getting a read on her. I can’t tell if she’s politely trying to blow me off.”

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll see what I can find out—but only because I feel sorry for you.”

He clutched his heart in mock pain. “Ouch. You reject me, then cut into me with that line?”

“Only because I know you can take it.” She punched his arm lightheartedly. “In the meantime, I’ll see you for dinner tonight.”

“You’re the best, Madison.”

She shook her head with a grin.

The exhilaration of a new relationship. Now that was something that could distract her from the problems at hand…as long as she wasn’t a part of the equation.

* * *

By the time Madison grabbed a milk shake from a fast-food restaurant and then stopped by the drug store for a few items, Kayla was already back at the house with Lincoln. Madison walked in and soaked in the scent of garlic and onions. She only had a minute to enjoy it before Lincoln darted toward the front door and into her arms.

Her body still ached from yesterday, but she could ignore those pains as her son wrapped his little arms around her neck. “How was school today?”

“It was good. I want to go home now, though, Mommy.” His little boy eyes pleaded with her.

“We’re going to stay here for a few more days, okay? Our house got a little messed up, so we have to make sure it’s all back in order before we go there.”

“What happened?” He tilted his head innocently. Madison wanted nothing more than for him to hold on to that innocence for as long as possible.

“It’s nothing for you to worry about it. We’ll get everything back together. It won’t be much longer…I promise.”

“Madison!” Kayla appeared around the corner wearing a white apron splattered with marinara and a wooden spoon in hand. “I was just cooking dinner. Will you be staying here again tonight?”

“Is that all right?”

“More than all right. I’m happy to have you guys here. But if it’s okay—”

“—Daniel is coming over to eat tonight.” Madison finished for her.

Kayla’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

“I ran into him at the school. I’m doing a photography job for the baseball team. And, of course, that’s fine.”

Kayla blushed. “Okay, great. Dinner won’t be anything exciting. I’m just hoping it’s edible, for that matter.”

Madison wanted to ask more questions, but didn’t. She didn’t quite know Kayla well enough to do so. Though Madison didn’t want any romantic entanglement in her own life, she loved seeing budding romance in others. It was such an exciting time. She had her own sweet memories of being in love. It was a once- in-a-lifetime experience for her. “I’m sure whatever you’re cooking will be great. It smells delicious.”

“I’m actually glad you’re both going to be here because I hate those awkward moments that can happen on first dates. I get so nervous!”

Madison smiled. “Maybe it won’t be awkward. Maybe you’ll both have plenty to talk about.”

“Maybe. You probably dated plenty, didn’t you?” Kayla asked. “I mean, you’re gorgeous so I’m sure you have no shortage of men vying for a chance with you.”