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  “No problem. I understand.”

  Danny started toward the door, but came back, leaned down, and whispered in Ellen’s ear. “Next time maybe I can stay longer and you can tell me what you really wanted.”

  Ellen waited until Danny was completely out of sight before she climbed out of the booth. She set the ten-dollar bill on the tray of a passing waitress and left the bar. Danny’s words echoed and the tickle of her breath lingered.

  Next time. She hoped there was a next time.

  *

  Danny cleared the door of the bar and sprinted toward her truck. She hadn’t expected another call so soon. The timing sucked, but when she considered that George had his life interrupted on a regular basis, she resolved it was a small price to pay to be involved in a big case. And this was shaping up to be a whopper. George had been brisk on the phone: “We’ve got another one.” He’d given her the address and hung up. She knew the neighborhood and accelerated toward it while thinking about the woman she’d left behind.

  It was clear Adair’s wasn’t Ellen’s kind of place. Danny had her pegged as a cosmos and couches, not cans and hardback booths kind of woman, but Ellen had taken the dive in stride. One check in the plus column. And she was attractive and quick-witted. Checks two and three. The attraction between them was palpable, and she suspected Ellen’s motive for meeting in person to share her nugget of information was a smokescreen. Perfectly fine by her since she was already plotting an opportunity to see Ellen again. She glanced at the envelope Ellen had given her and vowed to follow up.

  A few minutes later, Danny pulled up in front of the address, but she had to circle the block to find a parking space. Patrol officers, detectives, and a crime scene unit took up the area in front of the house. She pushed her way through the crowd of gawking neighbors and flashed her district attorney badge to the young cop who stood guard at the edge of the yard. She found George deep in conversation with the medical examiner, and interrupted them. “Seriously, George, we have to stop meeting like this. I was about to have dinner with a hot date.”

  She watched as he tried to hide a shocked expression. Only took a few seconds before he quipped, “And miss the fun? Be glad you didn’t eat dinner. I had a rack of ribs and potato salad before I got the call. The perfect food for a bloody crime scene.”

  “Ick. Maybe if you’d stop talking about it, you’d feel better. Besides, you should be used to this stuff since you see it all the time.”

  George shook his head. “You never get used to it.”

  Danny figured that was probably true. Hard to believe less than an hour ago, she’d been in the presence of a beautiful woman and now she was in the presence of evil. Rita Randolf, spread-eagle on her bedroom floor, noose around her neck. Dead. Just like the others. “This is number four. He’s escalating.”

  “You sound like that hot chick from Criminal Minds.”

  “Which one? And does your wife know you fantasize about other women?”

  “I think she counts on it.”

  “Seriously, Alvarez and the Chief are about to go crazy trying to keep a lid on this before it gets out that we have a serial killer on our hands. Shit, it’s only been a little more than a week since the last one. He could strike again at any time.”

  “You’re so cheery. Why don’t you wait outside while I talk to the crime scene folks? I’ll be right out.”

  Danny wanted to stick around, but she knew she was mostly in the way. If George wasn’t around to run interference, the rest of the law enforcement crowd combing the house would have run her out a while ago. True, they were all on the same side, but she knew they viewed her as an overseer, sent to make sure they knew how to do their jobs.

  They were partly right. Alvarez wanted to make sure that if these murders did turn into a high profile case, his office was involved from the beginning, and every aspect of the investigation would stand up under intense press and public scrutiny. She went out front and scanned the crowd while she waited for George. Maybe the killer was lurking among the neighbors, watching the police pick apart his handiwork. They usually did on TV. If she was a character on Criminal Minds, she’d probably know what she was looking for, but she didn’t have a clue what a person who could do the damage she’d just seen would look like.

  “Danny, come in here. I want to show you something.”

  She turned at the sound of George’s voice and followed him back into Randolf’s bedroom. Danny noticed the medical examiner, Dr. Winter, in the corner of the room, dictating notes into a digital recorder.

  “What’s up?” Danny asked.

  George pointed to the body. “There are a couple of differences here.”

  “You think we have a different killer?”

  “Hard to tell,” he said. “Everything else is the same, but there are additional markings on the body. If we had a copycat, I’d expect to see details missing, not added. We’ve managed to keep a lid on the specifics. Would be pretty unusual if a copycat added their own touches.”

  “Show me.”

  George walked her over, using a path he and the others had taken to minimize their presence in the room. “Doc, can you point out to Soto what you found?”

  Danny knew Dr. Olivia Winter well. She’d used her as a witness in numerous trials and was impressed by how well she performed on the stand, even under the most intense cross-examination. She squatted next to the sturdy, practical doctor and followed along as she pointed out her findings.

  “See these marks on her thighs? These weren’t present on the other bodies. They almost look like the killer was trying to draw a picture. Small arrows or spikes of some kind. Why do you think the killer went in for these extras?”

  Danny shook her head. She didn’t have a clue, but she knew it was significant. A defense attorney would have a field day pointing out the differences at trial. If she couldn’t offer a plausible explanation, then she would have delivered a big load of reasonable doubt to the other side. Unacceptable. “George, let’s talk, but first make sure the CSU techs get every angle of these markings. And have them get me copies by tomorrow.” She walked away before Winter or George could continue the conversation with her. She wanted to speculate, but not here, where everyone involved in the investigation could listen in.

  Twenty minutes later, George walked out front and joined her in the yard. Hands crossed over his chest, he gazed at the now dwindling crowd.

  “See the killer?” she asked.

  “Maybe.”

  “How do you know what you’re looking for?”

  “They look all different kinds of ways. Mostly, I’m seeing who gives me a creepy feeling. I trust my gut way more than I trust my eyes.”

  She could relate. During trial, she had to rely on instinct. Strike this juror or that one? Ask one more question, or save it for argument? Her gut rarely let her down. “Are you done here?”

  “Yes. I’ve got a few officers canvassing the neighborhood, and I’ve got to write up my report. Let’s get the same warrants that we got for Lawson.”

  “Yep. Something’s off, but there’s definitely a connection between this murder and the others. Alvarez’s going to want a report tonight. He’s not going to be happy.”

  “I hear that. You going to call him now?”

  “Night’s already shot. May as well get this over with.”

  “Sorry you had to bail on your date. Anyone I’ll ever get to meet?”

  Danny started to say, actually, you already know her, but she bit her tongue. George and her family hadn’t tried to hide their concern after her last breakup, and she knew they would all be relieved to hear she was wading back into the dating pool. But she wasn’t ready to answer a ton of questions about a new woman in her life, especially not one that they’d just questioned in a case. “Maybe. Someday.” She fiddled with her badge while she spoke the words to keep him from reading anything into her expression.

  He clapped her on the shoulder. “I won’t bug you about it. You should date up a storm
. Give all us married Joes something to dream about.”

  Danny faked a smile. A dating machine, that was her. Yeah, right. “Frankly, right now I’d rather go on a dozen bad blind dates then have to tell Alvarez what’s going on.”

  She made the call on her way home and, as she anticipated, Alvarez grilled her on the details and told her he wanted full reports by noon the next day. She sent a text to George, letting him know she’d need to be fully briefed before then and then rummaged in her bare kitchen for something to eat. I should’ve had a burger at Adair’s. Crime scene or not, at least a few bites would’ve staved off the intense hunger she felt now.

  Had Ellen stuck around to eat? Doubtful. Maybe she should’ve suggested somewhere with a little more swank. She stopped mid thought as self-doubt crept in. She wouldn’t be suggesting anywhere else because Ellen had called her about a case, and there was nothing else to discuss. Besides, she didn’t need to try to impress a woman like Ellen with fancy places that weren’t normally on her budget. Her modest county income was comfortable, but not lavish. Beer and burgers fit nicely in her budget, and besides, she liked simplicity. No need to get mixed up with someone whose tastes didn’t mesh with hers. No need to get mixed up with anyone at all.

  But she did owe Ellen an apology for rushing out. She pulled out her cell phone. Damn. She only had an office number. If she tried hard enough—maybe called George—she might be able to come up with a home number, but then he would ask questions and Ellen might think she was a bit of a stalker. She’d call Ellen in the morning. On her office line. Like a professional.

  Right. Because her desire to see that smile, hear that laugh, and admire those legs again was purely professional.

  Whatever.

  Chapter Six

  Ellen pulled into the parking garage the next morning, tired and grumpy. She’d gone by Cedar Acres after she’d left Adair’s, hoping to salvage the evening by doing something productive, but her visit had been anything but. Her mother was stuck on whatever was bothering her before, insistent that she speak to her husband, certain that it had to be right away. There was no consoling her, no breaking through. It was as if she wasn’t even there.

  When she’d gotten home after seeing her mother, Ellen had called her father, but he wasn’t in or didn’t care to answer. She left a scathing message, not worried about running him off with her anger. Not like he could get any farther away. She didn’t feel any better for the venting. A glass of wine later, she fell asleep in her clothes on the couch, waking up this morning to the sound of a text on her phone from Jill, letting her know she had a visitor at the office.

  She consulted her calendar before taking a quick shower. She didn’t have any appointments scheduled. Jill usually ran off solicitors, so whoever was waiting must be important or persuasive enough to merit a pass from the gatekeeper. She’d sent a text asking the identity of her early morning visitor, but Jill’s response—you won’t regret coming in early—had been vague at best. Forgoing her usual coffee, she had dressed and sped to the office, hoping her blouse matched her suit.

  Her phone rang while she was waiting for the elevator. Assuming it was Jill to ask where the hell she was, she answered without glancing at the number displayed on the screen. “I’ll be right there.”

  “Ellen?”

  “Dad?” She hadn’t expected a call back, and she certainly hadn’t expected a tentative voice on the other end of the line. “This isn’t a great time. I’m running late.” For what, she didn’t know, but anything was better than having this conversation in the lobby of her building.

  “I know you’re angry with me.”

  No defensiveness, just the simple statement. It was hard to keep her anger going when she heard the pain in his voice. “Angry isn’t the word. Frustrated. Disappointed. You can change all that. It’s an easy fix.”

  “Not for me it isn’t. I don’t expect you to understand.”

  “Do it for me.” She hated herself for the pleading tone of her voice. If she thought anything else would work, she would’ve tried it first. Her fear was that even her most pathetic plea wouldn’t move him.

  Her fear was well-founded.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Death knell. She’d heard it enough when she was younger. “I’ll think about it,” “maybe,” “we’ll see.” All half promises she heard countless times, only her adult self wasn’t about to give her usual tacit response. “Well, you better think about it soon. You may not care about her anymore, but I’m still your daughter and you can’t go to court to get rid of our connection. I need you, Dad. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t.”

  She clicked off the line before he could respond, unable to stand any empty platitudes. He’d show up or not, but she wasn’t going to hold her breath waiting to see which.

  When she finally reached her office, she heard voices and remembered Jill’s urgent message. She wasn’t in the mood for an unexpected visitor, but Jill popped out, cheery and exuberant. “Hey, Ellen. Danielle Soto’s in your office.” In response to her look of surprise, Jill added, “She made me promise not to tell you she was the early morning visitor. I’d get you coffee, but I think she brought you some.” Without another word, she took off down the hall and Ellen stood fixed in place. Danny was the surprise visitor? With coffee?

  She walked into her office and found Danny sitting on her couch. Comfortable, beautiful, and with coffee. Two cups. She cleared her throat to announce her presence.

  “Did we have an appointment?”

  Danny stood up. “No. I wanted to apologize in person for my hasty departure last night.” She reached down and lifted a cup off the table. “And bring you a drink you might like better than the one I offered at the bar.”

  Ellen instantly felt like a jerk for her brash welcome, and she smiled to soften her words. “I’ll give you my right arm if there’s coffee in that cup.”

  “Prepare to lose an arm.” Danny handed Ellen the cup. “It’s a mocha. I imagine the whipped cream has probably melted by now, but there might still be sprinkles.”

  “If I’d known you were coming, and bearing coffee, I would have been on time.” Hell, she would have been early. And she would’ve worn her favorite suit. “Do you deliver coffee to all the women you interview about a case?”

  “Not all of them.”

  “Cagey answer, Ms. Soto.”

  “Actually, I have a couple of follow-up questions.”

  “Oh.” Ellen bemoaned her inability to mask her disappointment. Of course Danny was here on business. She was working on a case to which she was tangentially connected. “Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll help however I can.”

  “I can’t stay and it’ll only take a minute. Will you have dinner with me?”

  “What?”

  “Dinner? With me? Tonight?”

  “Are those your ‘few’ questions?”

  “Well, that’s really only one. The others were something along the lines of ‘should I pick you up’ and ‘what kind of food do you like’ since clearly burgers and beer aren’t your thing.”

  “That’s a lot of questions.”

  “Are you stalling so you can figure out a way to say no?”

  “Maybe I’m stalling so you don’t rush off.”

  Danny walked toward the door. “I wish I didn’t have to, but I have to be somewhere”—she glanced at her watch—“about twenty minutes ago. You have my number. Give me a call if you make up your mind.”

  “I don’t need to. Yes and yes. Italian. Do you need my address?”

  “If I told you I already have it would you think I’m a stalker?”

  “I’d think you were resourceful.”

  “Keep thinking that. I’ll see you at seven.”

  Ellen watched Danny leave her office, her eyes firmly fixed on her nice ass. Seven o’clock couldn’t come soon enough.

  *

  When Danny reached the courthouse, she made a quick stop to talk to the investigator assigned to her court. She hand
ed him the information she’d gotten from Ellen and asked him to find out what he could about Joyce Barr’s death. She didn’t think whatever he learned would amount to anything, and she didn’t see any point stirring up shit until she found out more. With that task out of the way, she rushed through the doors of her boss’s office suite twenty minutes late. Any reprimand would be totally worth it. Ellen was cute in the morning, when her sophisticated self gave way to a sleepy and slightly rumpled version. Coffee had been the perfect touch.

  Danny studiously ignored the glare of her boss’s secretary and when she wasn’t looking, punched George on the arm for his not very well hidden smirk. Seconds later, Frank Alvarez appeared in the doorway and ushered them into his office, where the chief of police was waiting.

  “Have a seat,” Frank said. Danny and George settled into the two remaining chairs and waited for one of their bosses to start. Larry Dunbar, the chief of police, went first.

  “This situation is already out of control. I’m getting pressure from the press and we’re not going to be able to keep a lid on this much longer. Frank and I have placed a call to the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI. They’re sending two of their best out here first thing in the morning. They’ll work with us, but for now, we retain control of this investigation.” He paused and then added. “But one more dead body and I’m afraid we’ll get shut out. That would be unacceptable. This is a Dallas case and it needs to be closed by the servants of this city. Are we clear?”

  Danny nodded because it was expected, but she knew this was only a prelude to chaos. Once the feds arrived on the scene, the local U.S. Attorney would make a play for the case. She and George needed to huddle with their team and get a handle on the evidence they had so far.

  “We’re clear.”

  While George gave a rundown of the evidence they had so far, Danny realized her prospect for a date tonight was dwindling. They’d have to work round the clock, and even then it was unlikely they’d solve anything by morning. She’d leave here and head directly to the autopsy of the killer’s latest victim, then meet with the crime scene folks to review the evidence they’d processed from the scene. This was the first time she’d been involved in an investigation this early on. Challenging, but definitely demanding. Not like her work was ever conducive to a personal life, and the last time she’d put a woman ahead of her work, she’d been burned. But she’d been looking forward to an evening with Ellen, more than she was looking forward to working on the case. As soon as the meeting was over, she pulled George aside and told him, “I need to make a call before we head over to the ME’s office.”