Asher’s eyes widened. “This is huge. Could he describe the car?”
“He did. Although it was afternoon, it was getting dark. But there was a light at the side door of the church. He’s positive the car was white. Four doors. Thought he saw a Toyota emblem. He said the car had no license plate. At the time, he didn’t think much of it.”
“The killer removed the plate from the car, then drove to attack Tracy,” Asher surmised. “That car was found abandoned in a shopping center some distance from Tracy’s house. It couldn’t have been used in the latest attempted kidnapping, though.”
“He’s stealing cars to grab his victims. He doesn’t want anything to be tied to him.”
“Sounds like it. The car he used at Tracy’s was stolen the day before the attack. It belongs to an older couple in Vicksburg.” The distance from the crime and the site of the stolen car surprised Asher.
“That’s some way. He wasn’t taking any chances.”
“No. The couple lives in a quiet neighborhood. The car was left parked in the drive. They didn’t have a doorbell camera, but some of their neighbors did. We’re having their footage sent over.” Asher ran a hand through his hair. He hadn’t slept for more than a couple of hours in days. Too much coffee and vending-machine food. “We need a break. This guy is so unpredictable that he could change his MO at any moment. He has already.”
Olivia smiled sympathetically. “We’re getting closer, I believe it.” She looked around. “Where’s Declan and Luke?”
“Declan stayed behind to help canvass the latest would-be victim’s home. I’m not sure about Luke.”
The words had barely cleared Asher’s lips when Olivia whispered, “Uh oh. Here comes trouble.”
Asher turned in time to see Director Holden storm into the room. When he spotted Asher, he beat a direct path his way.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The director demanded.
Asher had no idea what he was talking about. “I beg your pardon?”
“You and your partner here. You’ve been keeping information to yourself.” He looked at Olivia and then back at Asher.
Asher steeled himself for the director’s attack. “With all due respect, Director Holden, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Olivia and I aren’t withholding evidence. We’re doing everything in our power to bring this killer to justice.”
“Are you? Are you telling me you haven’t been in touch with Lizzy Grayson?”
Asher had expected the question. Why was the director so focused on Lizzy when a killer was out there? “Yes, I can tell you I haven’t spoken to her.”
“And what about you?” He glared at Olivia.
Olivia’s chin lifted. “I haven’t spoken to her either.”
The director’s eyes blazed. “And what about Sheriff Callahan, who by the way appears to be unavailable for conversation with me?”
Asher suppressed a grin. He knew he liked the sheriff. “Only to ask him if there’d been any sighting of the man who attacked Lizzy. And there hasn’t been. I told you that the last time we spoke.”
Holden’s gaze narrowed at Asher. He stepped to within a few feet. “If I find out you’ve been anything but above board on this, I can promise you it will be your job.” His anger slid to Olivia. “Both of your jobs.”
With that threat ringing in Asher’s ears, the director spun on his heel and left the room with the same amount of huff with which he’d entered.
◆◆◆
He was like a caged animal. All he could think about was finding his next victim, and they had ruined that for now. He’d make them all pay. Dearly. He paced the room. Tried to put the dark man back into his place. Staying in control was what got him through Buckley’s nightmare. That and being smarter than his mentor ever hoped to be.
His cell phone rang. He brought it out of his pocket, saw his wife’s number, and grimaced. She’d become even more annoying lately. The time he kept for himself had made her suspicious. She thought he was being unfaithful.
Disgust rose inside, and the dark man threatened to free himself. How many times had he imagined what it would be like to end her life the way he had his latest?
“Hello, sweetheart.” He forced a warm tone into his voice. One day she would push him too far and he would take her life. But that was for another day.
“What took you so long to answer?” The suspicion was clear. Did she think he was seeing someone else at work?
“I am at work, dear.”
She sucked in an audible breath. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I was wondering what you wanted for dinner tonight?” She didn’t believe him, but she was trying to be pleasing. He was her whole world. They had no children. Most of her family lived in California, and she only saw them every few years, which suited him fine.
“Oh, I don’t know. Why don’t you surprise me?” It amazed him how sometimes the pleasant persona could come so easily.
She giggled. “Seriously, dear.” They’d been married for many years, and yet at times she still acted like a schoolgirl.
“How about your famous fried chicken? That’s always delicious.”
Another giggle. “If that’s what you want.”
She’d graduated from university, and yet all she wanted to do was be a housewife. The woman had no ambition.
“It is. Now I must go, sweetheart. I’ll see you at the usual time.”
“But—” He ended the call without hearing whatever else she wanted to say. Many times he wondered how he’d ended up with such a simple person for a spouse. But in many ways, it kept her from asking questions. Prying into his past.
He stopped by the window and looked out at the D.C. skyline.
As far as she knew, his parents had died in a car accident and he’d gone to live with a distant relative until he was old enough to leave. He’d told her his relative had passed before he began his college education. She was trusting enough to believe him.
The smug smile on his face disappeared. His opponents were changing the game. Trying to shut him down. But they couldn’t because he was unstoppable.
He’d set it all up. Everything was taken care of. Soon, they would be gone, and the would-be killer would be known. And he would be free to continue his quest. Perhaps he would finally take care of his nagging wife. Move on to a new location. A new killing field.
He smiled at the promise of the future in another part of the country. Perhaps the world. Maybe he’d find himself an apprentice. Train him in the art of killing and then ruin his life. But there were loose ends to clear up first. He couldn’t just pick up and move without handling them. First he’d have to get rid of the cabin. There was always the chance that someone might connect the house to him and figure out the truth.
He couldn’t allow that to happen. No matter what it cost him or who he had to kill to keep it hidden, his dark past must never be revealed.
Chapter Seven
“Let’s take a walk,” Olivia reached for Asher’s arm and led him from the building. He moved like a man in a daze. Holden’s latest threat was taking its toll.