CHAPTER EIGHT
SHE’D COME WITH HIM. Holy hell, but that had been a gamble. He’d been pretty sure Dawn would tell him to screw off with his offer of a safe house. And if she’d said that...
Then there would have been no choice. He would have been forced to take her into protective custody because there was no way Tucker could leave her on her own.
“There were only nine roses in the bouquet.” The words slipped from him as he drove through the city. He risked a quick glance at Dawn and saw that she was staring out of the window, as if searching the crowd.
“I have nine rose tattoos on my body, just nine.” Her voice was soft. “He knew.”
Yes, because... “I think he knew Jinx.” He stopped at a red light. She had turned her head to look at him, but it wasn’t bright enough in the SUV’s interior for him to see her eyes. He wished that he could see them. “If this guy has been coming into your home like you said—and I fully believe that—then he had to be using the passage from her place for a while.” It had looked like some kind of old-school dumbwaiter. “So this was a man that she let into her home.”
“Jinx didn’t let some jerk break into my home! She didn’t let some guy terrorize me!”
The light changed. He accelerated even as he shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t think she was involved in anything he did. I think the guy was using her...”
Silence. “In order to get to me?”
“Yes.” He had been building a profile on this perp, one step at a time. “I think we’re looking at a meticulous killer.” He had to be, in order to duplicate the Iceman’s work so completely. “And he wanted to be sure he was capable of committing the perfect crime, so he needed a trial victim.”
“Heather.”
A victim from Jason’s old stomping grounds. Homage to the master? “And then he had to get rid of Jinx because she knew who he was.” That was part of the reason. He didn’t tell Dawn the other part—that Tucker believed the bastard had killed Jinx...in order to hurt you, Dawn. He knew she was your friend and he wanted that pain to rip straight through you.
And it had. He’d seen Dawn nearly collapse when she’d opened that freezer.
There were many forms of torture. The worst kinds didn’t always involve the slice of knife.
“We have to find Red.” Her voice had sharpened. “He saw the killer, too. We can get him to the police station, have him work with a sketch artist...”
Tucker wasn’t sure how reliable Red’s memory would prove to be, but he was willing to give the guy a shot.
“There’s a restaurant on the next street. The owner, Jones, usually gives the day’s leftovers to the homeless. Let’s stop and talk to him.”
After everything that had just happened, she wanted to keep hunting? He wanted her off the streets, he wanted—
Her hand curled around his wrist. “Please, Tucker. Please. I need to do this. Jones is a friend of mine. He can help us to find Red. I meant to call him earlier, but then...”
Then she’d found Jinx dead.
“I have to do something to help her. It won’t take long, I promise. Just a quick stop. And you’re with me. I’m safe when you’re with me, right?”
Always. Without another word, he turned at the next street. Dawn knew the city and the people there. If she had a contact that would help them find Red, he would use it.
“It’s that one.” She pointed. “Dressed.”
The small restaurant seemed packed. Lights glowed from inside and he saw a line of customers spilling out from the entrance.
“Jones has the best po’boys in town.”
Dressed. Right. The name made more sense now. Dressed—with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayonnaise—well, that was the only way to eat a good po’boy. He parked at the curb. There were plenty of people strolling on the streets. Tourists always seemed to be out in this city.
Dawn jumped from the vehicle, but she didn’t head toward the front of Dressed. Instead, she went to the back, snaking through a small alleyway, and Tucker followed right behind her. She rapped on the door back there, and it opened a moment later. A man stood there, towering over Dawn. He had bright white hair and dark skin—and forearms that looked decidedly like tree trunks. The man wore a faded white apron and he held a white paper bag in his hand. But he blinked when he saw Tucker and Dawn.
“Hi, Jones.” She gave him a weak smile. “Do you have a moment?”
Jones put the bag down on the counter. Then he grabbed Dawn, pulling her close in a crushing hug. “Been too long.”
Tucker saw Dawn squeeze the man back. “I know. Julia’s been sneaking me your po’boys because she understands I need my fix.”
He grunted and released her, and a wide smile spread over his face. “I thought she was taking a bit extra when she came to the restaurant.” His gaze slid to Tucker. “And just who is this?” His stare turned assessing as it slid over Tucker. Jones studied Tucker a moment, then accurately called him out as, “FBI.”
Tucker inclined his head. “Guilty.” He offered his hand to the man. “My name’s Tucker Frost.”
“Jones.” He gave a brief, strong shake. “It’s the suit that gives you away.” The kitchen workers were hustling behind him and a dozen tantalizing scents drifted in the air. “I can always spot you guys from fifty paces.” His smile was gone as he focused on Dawn once more. “Why are you bringing a Fed to my back door?”
“Because we need your help.” Her hands were at her sides. “There’s a man doing some very bad things in this city, and so far, there’s only one person who has actually seen him.”
One person who was still alive. There had been a hitch in Dawn’s voice when she spoke and he could tell by the sudden stiffness in Jones’s shoulders that the other man had noticed. She’s in pain.
Tucker hated Dawn’s pain.
Jones narrowed his eyes. “Tell me more.”
“He’s killing, Jones. Julia is working on...on another of his victims tonight.” Her breath whispered out. “This victim was my friend.”
The man’s face hardened. “What can I do?” His hand squeezed her shoulder.
For a moment, Tucker thought Dawn would cry, but instead she pulled in a long, hard breath. “We’re looking for a homeless man named Red.” She gave a quick description of him. “If he comes knocking on your back door, will you keep him here? Keep him here, call me...and Tucker and I will be at Dressed as fast as we can.”
Jones nodded. “I can do that.”
“Thank you.” She gave a brisk nod. “I know you need to get back to work, but we had to stop by. Word about your place has spread. I know if Red needs a meal, he’ll show up here. And maybe you can put the word out to the others...when they come for food...let them know we’re looking for Red, and that I can pay them for information.”
“I’ll put out that word.”
“I need him to stay safe.” She rubbed her face. “I gave him a hundred dollars. That could last him a while or...or he could drink it away in a night. Just...if he comes here, you call.”
One of the cooks yelled out to Jones.
“We’ll let you get back to work,” Dawn murmured.
Jones dropped his hand from her shoulder. But there was still worry in his eyes as he stared down at Dawn.
“Thanks for your time, sir,” Tucker said. They slipped away. As they were leaving, a woman with long blond hair and hunched shoulders hurried toward the back door. She knocked, and Jones opened the door to hand her that white bag. The woman whispered her thanks and hurried off.
Tucker paused in the alleyway, watching the scene. “How long has he been doing that?”
“Ever since he opened the business five years ago. Jones has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.”
“And let me guess—” he thought of Malone “—you met him while working a PI case? Who did you find for him?”
She frowned at him. “I met Jones when his daughter, Julia, brought me here for the best po’boy of my life.”
Julia. The coroner. No wonder they’d been talking so casually about her.
“He’s helped me on a few of my cases. No one knows the city better than Jones. If Red comes calling, we’ll know.” She turned and stalked down the alley. He followed behind, and then found himself reaching out to touch her shoulder.
She stilled.
“Why did you come to New Orleans?”
“I couldn’t stay in Baton Rouge any longer. It hurt too much.” She turned toward him. Their bodies brushed. “But Louisiana is in my blood. New Orleans just seemed to...call to me at the time. Plenty of people escape here. Plenty of people start over here. And that’s what I needed. A place to start over.”
Only that fresh start was being destroyed. “I’m sorry.”
Her head tilted back. “For what?”
“My family wrecked your life.” His family. His fucking twisted family. And most folks thought Jason was the only problem in their family tree.
Those folks were wrong. Jason hadn’t been the first monster in the family. What if he’s not the last?
“You never hurt me, Tucker.” She stared up at him. “But I hurt you.”
“Dawn...”
“I couldn’t see past him, when I looked at you.” Her voice had become a whisper. “And I’m sorry for that. You were the person I needed most back then, and you were the one I pushed away the hardest.”
He wanted to pull her into his arms. Hold her tight and never let go.
“I won’t do it again.” If possible, her words were even softer. He had to lean in close to hear her. “I swear, I won’t.”
* * *
“SO HOW DID an MD wind up working for the FBI?” Julia Bradford asked as Macey followed her into the morgue.
The victim hadn’t arrived yet. A special crew would be bringing her inside any moment. Macey shivered a bit as she stood in the lab. She didn’t have a whole lot of experience when it came to working with the dead. “A necessary career change.”
Julia quirked one brow at her. “That sounds mysterious.”
Macey had been a senior resident when the stalking had begun. Small things, at first. Simple things. She’d been so busy that she hadn’t paid them much attention. She glanced down at her sleeve. “I wanted to be a doctor so that I could help people. My mother...she died of cancer when I was a kid. I thought being a doctor would let me make a difference. That I could change lives.”
Julia stared back at her.
“Then I learned there were other ways to help people.” Ways that called to her.
And she also hadn’t been able to step back inside an operating room. Not after what he did.
“Your hands shake when you get close to the exam table.” Julia’s voice was quiet.
Surprise rushed through her. I know. I can’t help it. “You’re very observant.”
Julia smiled. “My dad taught me that. Said you have to watch the world around you. See the things that others miss. That way, you have an advantage.”
“Sounds like some dad you’ve got there.”
“He’s incredible.” She turned away.
Macey bit her lip, then asked, “Why do you work with the dead?” Because it was her turn to watch closely, Macey saw the slight stiffening of Julia’s shoulders. “You’re an MD,” Macey pushed. “Why not work with the living?”
“I was going to focus on pediatrics...” Julia’s voice had turned musing. “Make sure kids grew up strong and healthy. I even had plans to start up a clinic back in the parish where I grew up.”
“And your plans changed.”
Julia turned to face her. “My brother was shot and killed one night on Bourbon Street. In the middle of that crowded street, with a hundred people staring at the shooter. Those hundred people? They should have been able to identify his killer...but I swear every single damn one of them gave a different description of the perp.”
Macey waited. Her heart ached for the pain she heard in Julia’s voice.
“Some of those people were too drunk to remember shit. Some didn’t look at the killer, they just looked at the vic—at my brother. But others...they stared straight at him, and they couldn’t pick him out of a lineup.”
“I’m sorry.” She’d heard of it happening before. Eyewitness testimony was actually one of the weakest forms of evidence. Two people could describe the exact same attacker in wildly different ways.
Or a hundred people could fail to see the killer right in front of them.
“I was afraid my brother wasn’t going to get justice. I went to the police. My dad stood in front of the station for days. And then you know what happened?”
She shook her head.
“My brother spoke.”
Macey blinked.
“The coroner—Dr. Burns—he never gave up. He examined my brother again and again. He found trace evidence from where my brother had grabbed the bastard who came at him. Evidence that tied the piece of trash directly to the crime. He’s locked away now and will be rotting for the next twenty years. All because the coroner did his job. He was thorough. He didn’t give up.” She sucked in a quick breath. “Sorry, I just... I get emotional about that.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me.”
Julia’s smile came again. “When my brother’s killer was convicted, I realized I didn’t have to be in my own clinic to make a difference. I realized the world needed more people like Dr. Burns.”
“I’m glad you’re on this case.” She took a step closer to the exam table. Her hands started to shake and she balled them into fists. “And I’m sorry about your brother.”
“And I’m sorry about the pain you carry.” Julia’s head cocked to the side. “Did they catch the man who hurt you so badly?”
Macey sucked in a sharp breath. There hadn’t been a need to catch him. “I killed him.”
“Good.”
The door swung open behind them before Macey could say anything else. She looked back and saw Detective Deveraux standing there. “They’re about to bring in the victim.” His face was grim. His gaze darted to Julia, then back to her. “Where’s your partner?” he asked Macey.
“He’s taking Dawn to a secure location for the night.”
If possible, his face hardened even more. “The PD has plenty of safe houses that she can use. I can guarantee her around-the-clock protection.”
Julia laughed. “You know Dawn isn’t going to be locked away. That isn’t her style.”
“For her safety—”
“Tucker is taking care of her tonight.” Macey kept her voice firm. “The rest of our team will be here before daylight and we can reevaluate then.” She didn’t want a pissing match between their departments. To catch the perp, they needed cooperation, not competition.
Anthony gave a quick nod and backed away. He exited the doors, his steps fast. Angry.
Julia pulled on a pair of gloves. “He needs to let that go.”
Curious, Macey lifted her brows.
“He and Dawn are not happening. He might want that to be the case, he may want to play her knight in shining armor, but...” Julia sighed. “Dawn doesn’t want someone to save her. That is the last thing she wants. She shuts down guys like him faster than you can blink.”
“You know her well.”
“As well as anyone can know her. Dawn doesn’t exactly let a lot of people come in close. I just found her weakness, so I was able to worm my way closer.”
“What’s her weakness?”
“Po’boys.” She pulled on her exam coat. “And, if I had to guess...I’d say your partner.”
Macey didn’t let her expression change.
Julia checked her instruments. The scalpel gleamed on the nearby tray. “If you think she hasn’t told me about him, you’d be wrong. He’s the man who’s haunted her for seven years. He’s the guy she’s never been able to let go.”
* * *
“THERE ARE TWO rooms in the suite.” Tucker pointed to the room on the right. “You can take that one, and I’ll be in here.” He moved his hand to indicate the door on the left. They were on the top floor of the hotel, the club level. The only way to access that level was via a special key card. Added security that he’d wanted for the night.
“Where will Macey be staying?”
“She has a room across the hall.” And two more rooms were reserved for the other team members who’d be coming into town. His gaze swept over Dawn. She was too pale. Her eyes were too dark. And her body looked far too fragile. “You should get some sleep.”
“I’d rather get a drink.”
He blinked, surprised by her response, but...hell, yeah, they could both use a drink. He made his way over to the bar and checked the selection. “Looks like we’ve got wine, beer and some Jack.” He didn’t remember her liking whiskey, but...
“Wine.” She’d come toward him, moving silently on the lush carpet.
He poured her a glass of the deep red liquid. Wine for her, Jack for him. He gave her the glass and watched as she drank it. God, but he’d missed her. Sometimes he’d find himself reaching out for her at night.
Sometimes...he’d found himself searching for her.
Sometimes I just had to see you. How fucked up is that?
He downed the Jack in moments and set the glass back down with a bit too much force.
She watched him, her gaze shadowed. He needed to step away. She was hurting, her friend was dead, and the woman was being hunted. She didn’t want him—
“I missed you, Tucker.”
Fuck.
Every muscle in his body tensed. “Be careful.” The warning slipped out of him.
Be careful, baby. Don’t push me too far. My control only works with other people. Not with you. I’ve wanted you too long. I might not be able to hold back, not now that we’re finally alone.
I can’t walk away from you again.
“I have been careful. I’ve always been the careful one. I was the good girl in college, and that got me a swift trip to hell. I’ve been careful in New Orleans, and now my friend is dead. I’ve come to the conclusion that careful sucks.”
He hated her pain. “Dawn—”
But she shook her head. She put her glass down next to his. “Good night.” Then she turned on her heel, starting to walk away—
Can’t let her go.
He snagged her wrist, curling his fingers around her delicate bones. “Do you still see him?”
She looked up at him. Her eyes were even bigger. So big he could get lost staring in them.
“When you look at me...” His voice was gravel-rough. “Will you always see him?”
Her lips trembled and he knew the answer. How could he not know? He let her go. “You’ll be safe here tonight. Just...if you need anything, I’m here.”
Like she needed him.
We look too much alike. Every time she sees my face, she will always see him.
He paced toward his room.
“Tucker...”
His shoulders stiffened.
“I want you.”
He kept walking. The last time they’d tried to be together, the night had ended with her screams. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, do that again.
Because she’d looked at him as if he were the monster.
And she’d been right.
He shut the door and knew he needed one hell of a cold shower to get through the night.
* * *
DAWN LAY IN the bed, the covers soft against her skin. She stared at the ceiling but she saw the past.
Tucker.
Her.
In bed.
“Baby, I want you so fucking much.” His touch had been so light. His fingers had slid down her neck. “I need you.”
Her heart had thundered in her chest. She needed him, too, but she hadn’t spoken. His lips feathered over her throat and she couldn’t help but stiffen. The wound had faded. Weeks had passed since the attack. She had a scar on her neck now, but...
As Tucker touched her so carefully, she couldn’t help but think...
Jason put his hands on me there.
Tucker’s fingers trailed after his lips and she had to squeeze her eyes closed.
Jason choked me there, just for fun. Just to show me that he could. He choked me, then he sliced me. Not deep enough to kill me. Just enough to forever mark me.
“Dawn? Dawn, look at me.”
Her eyes had opened. All of the lights had been on in that room. A hotel room because they’d fled to escape the reporters. The crowd. Everyone else. People who just wouldn’t let their story go.
At Tucker’s command, Dawn looked just over his shoulder.
“At me.”
Her gaze came to his. Jason stared back at her. Jason had Tucker’s eyes. Jason had Tucker’s face. She shivered.
“I would never hurt you.”
No, Tucker wouldn’t. Jason had lied. He’d lied.
Hadn’t he?
Tucker had kissed her and tears slid from her eyes.
“Baby?” He had tried to pull back because this had happened before. He’d tried to touch her before and she’d lost herself to terror. Jason took this from me. He took us away.
He’d broken the bond she had with Tucker, just as he’d promised to do.
No, she couldn’t let that happen. Her nails had bit into Tucker’s skin as she’d held him tighter. “Stay.” The only word she’d spoken to him. She could feel his arousal pressing against her. He’d taken off his shirt, kept on just his jeans. His skin was hot and his muscles were strong. He was powerful and—
Dangerous.
She had kissed him, wanting the passion that had been between them to flare once more. When she made love with Tucker, the rest of the world faded away.
She had needed that. She needed their oblivion. She needed their pleasure. There was too much pain. Her stitches were gone but the jagged marks remained on her skin. The memories were burned into her soul and she needed something to numb them.
I need him. Tucker is what I need most.
So why did she fear him?
He had stripped her. Kissed her body. She trembled beneath him. She parted her legs for him. She shoved his jeans down.
“Baby, we can go slow...”
She turned her head away. That voice... Their voices were even similar. Dawn shook her head, frantic. She didn’t want slow. Slow let her think too much. She’d wanted fast oblivion. She’d wanted the pleasure they’d had before. She’d wanted the life they’d had before. She wanted it all back.
But...it’s gone. Jason took it away.
Tucker had moved between her legs. She felt the long, hard ridge of his arousal pressing against her.
“You’re not ready.” His words were a growl. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
No, she wasn’t getting ready. Her body wasn’t turned on because her mind was in chaos. But she needed this. Her nails bit even deeper into him and she arched her hips against him. Her head turned. Their eyes met—
Jason smiled.
“No!” Dawn shoved against Tucker, fear clawing at her. When he didn’t let her go right away, she had screamed. She couldn’t stop screaming when he touched her.
And that had been how it ended.
A tear slipped down her cheek as she stared up at the ceiling, coming back to the present. She’d fought for seven years to get her life back. To take control once more. And now a killer was back. A man who was trying to tear her world apart.
She couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t be a victim again. She wouldn’t let fear control her.
Not ever again.