Flashback, page 17
“Good,” Olivia said. “I trust you. Which is saying a lot after you ended up in that garage and almost got Kendra killed.”
“That wasn’t his fault,” Kendra said quickly. “It was mine.”
“Then prove it.” Olivia held out Harley’s leash to Lynch. “Keep her safe.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He took the leash. “As you command.”
“Damn right,” Olivia said. She walked to the front door. “Let me know what’s happening, okay?”
“You bet,” Lynch said. “I’m already hearing from Kendra’s fan club, but there can’t be too many.” He stepped ahead of her and opened the door. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Olivia.”
She nodded. “Yes, you will. Count on it.”
Kendra frowned thoughtfully as Lynch walked back toward her. “You know, Metcalf was probably right about there not being any real threat to Williams. I guess that’s just where my mind is going these days. I’ve been too worried about the disappearance of those Morgan sisters. But the maid said he appeared to be cheerful, and he paid her before he left that morning.”
“Money in your pocket can make you very cheerful indeed,” Lynch said. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t find a way to make sure that you get what we need from him tomorrow when we run him down.”
“But was he alone in the car ?” Kendra asked again.
“As far as she could tell,” Lynch said. “Like I said, he was cheerful and if you’re talking about whether he was being trailed by some creep like the one that murdered that girl in the park the other day, it’s extremely doubtful. There was no real sign he was being followed and the Bayside Strangler was probably a freak of nature and possibly a copycat. The maid just thought he was going away for a trip and would return in a few days. Like I said, I’ll make sure that we know more details tomorrow. Okay?”
“I don’t see why not. Though it seems you’re being very helpful for a change. Are you sure you’re feeling well?”
“I suppose I have to straighten out my reputation after you falsely maligned me to Metcalf. This is only the first installment.” He gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “More tomorrow. I’m going to get a glass of wine. Do you want one?”
She shook her head. “Not right now. Maybe later.” She watched him cross to the bar. He was being exceptionally kind; maybe he was trying to erase the tension that she’d been aware of in the car. Or maybe those moments were his way of distracting her. How could she be certain with someone like Lynch? He was an enigma.
Whatever was true, it didn’t matter. Not now. She watched him at the bar for an instant and then moved past him toward her bedroom. “I wanted to thank you for trying to take the blame for drawing you down to that garage. We both know whose fault it was.”
“Yes, we do, and it won’t happen again. But I won’t have Olivia blaming you. It was a bad enough day for you.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Where are you going?”
“The terrace. I thought I’d get a breath of fresh air.”
He shook his head. “Wait for me to go out with you. Give me five minutes so I can have a quick shower, okay?”
“Whatever you say. But it’s really not necessary, Lynch.”
“Both Harley and his mistress would disagree.” He was already heading toward her bathroom. “Five minutes,” he repeated.
She watched him disappear around the corner. He was everything she wanted. Why not reach out and take it, she wondered suddenly. Take what she wanted. To hell with it being wise or cautious. It wasn’t as if he didn’t want her. He’d shown her that the need was as strong as it had been all during their time together. She was the one who had always hesitated and set up boundaries. Lord, she was tired of those boundaries.
Five minutes…
She could see Lynch’s shadow on the other side of the shower door and instinctively tensed. It had been more than five minutes and he was probably making judgments and trying to decide what she was doing.
“Stop dithering. It should all be fairly clear to you, Lynch,” she said with sudden impatience. “The last time you invited me to step into your shower, I told you that I might change my mind about it later. Well, I’ve changed it. Pauley got in the way the last time. But that wasn’t my fault.”
“No, it wasn’t your fault.” He was laughing, and she could see his movements as she tore off her clothes and tossed them aside. “Though there might be a slight disagreement there. But I yield to your vision. And I certainly approve of your actions.”
Then the shower door was opening, and she was in his arms.
Lord, he felt good. His muscles taut, his lips against her throat, his hands on her breasts… She held him close while the warm water sprayed over them. “I missed you,” she whispered. “I hated to leave you and I wanted to tell you that but I couldn’t do it. It wouldn’t have been fair to either of us. It would have interfered… We both have careers and it might get in the way. I knew you wouldn’t understand.”
“You’d be surprised how much I understand.” His mouth was on her breast as he pushed her back against the tiles. She gasped as she felt his tongue. “Ah, that’s what I wanted. And one of the things I understand is that sometimes you have lousy timing and it has to be corrected. So will you please shut up and let me do what we both want without arguing?” She was on the floor of the shower, her nails digging into the tiles and she groaned as he dove inside her. “That’s better… so good… You’re always so good to me. Now let me be good to you, Kendra… Let me go deep and deeper…”
She didn’t know how many times she screamed as he held her there. She only knew she was limp and shaking with reaction when he finally released her and carried her from the shower to her bed and gently covered her with her blanket. He carefully started to dry her off.
“Something’s wrong…” she managed to say as her hand touched the damp blanket. “Shouldn’t be this…”
“Wet? You’re absolutely right.” He started to laugh. “My fault entirely. I admit to being distracted when you joined me in the shower. So distracted I completely ignored the fact that Harley followed you from the terrace. Somehow he stepped into the shower and sat on the other side without either of us noticing him.” He gave her a quick kiss and pointed to Harley, who was lying at the foot of bed sopping wet and staring cheerfully back at them and definitely smelling of wet dog. “Not my best romantic moment,” he said ruefully. “Maybe he was trying to protect you. Olivia would definitely approve. But then so do I. Don’t move a muscle.” He was off the bed and heading for the bathroom. “I’ll be right back after I dry him off and clean up this bed.”
Kendra watched him for a few moments and then got on her knees and started to help him. “I believe you’re wrong. This may be one of your better moments.” Then she cuddled closer to him. “And Harley is sure that it is. He recognizes kindness. That’s why he’s so fond of you.” She pressed her lips in the hollow of his shoulder. “And though tonight reminded me of the time we spent in Spain, life can’t always be like that. So just hold me and we’ll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. I didn’t expect forever when I seduced you. I just wanted to touch and hold you. No strings. Okay?”
“Very much okay.” He brushed his lips on her cheek as he drew her closer. “And your seduction was amazing. But we’ll discuss strings at some later time when we don’t have to worry about wet dogs and Todd Williams hiding out when I promised you I’d find him for you. I’ll keep my word, Kendra.”
“I know you will. Now hush. You were quite splendid and the only thing you have to do is hold me. That shouldn’t be a bother for you.”
“Not at all.” He cleared his throat. “If you want anything else, feel free to call on me.”
“I will.” She was drifting off to sleep. “Because I always know I can trust you…”
Rod Wallace wasn’t sure why he’d come here to Old Town San Diego. It was never a place that held much fascination for him, though it was popular with tourists and young barhoppers with its western-themed buildings, wooden sidewalks, and numerous bars and restaurants. Maybe it was because he’d missed being here all the years he’d been hiding out in Europe and he’d remembered how exciting and different he’d found those Saturday nights here when the entire town was crowded with people and noise and sometimes provided the blood sport Wallace liked most in the world.
He was driving an ancient Ford pickup truck he’d stolen from a farmer earlier in the day, and as he rolled past the packed bars, he realized that most of these people had no idea who he was and what he’d done. It was as if his mark on the city had entirely faded.
Don’t you realize how important I am?
Don’t you remember pretty young Greta Waters and how the entire town mourned her?
Ah, Greta Waters. She put up a good fight.
He parked the truck and walked down the crowded sidewalk.
Because of me, everyone was so horrified and afraid. They knew then how important I was.
It’s not right that you all just tossed me aside because I was forced to leave here. But I’m back now. You won’t forget me again. I’ll make sure that you won’t make that mistake…
His gaze was searching the crowds pouring out of the bars.
But I should be careful to pick someone who reminds me of Greta and will also show you where your duty lies…
Ah. He smiled as he caught a glimpse of a tall blond girl by the door. A little drunk, but that would only make her more compliant.
Because now, Wallace knew exactly why he had come here tonight. That death in the park had only been a dress rehearsal for all the ones still to come. He’d been right to pay no attention to Krebb and his whining. This was what he was meant to do with Kendra and whomever else he chose. One might even call it… destiny.
The excitement was growing as he started striding across the bar toward this delicate-looking blonde who was to be his next adventure…
CHAPTER
14
Kendra wriggled her toes. “Stop it. That tickles.”
She opened her lids and gazed into Harley’s blue-brown eyes nuzzling her right foot. The tickling didn’t stop. “Stop it, Harley.” He rolled over on his back and tossed his legs in the air and started to crawl up the bed toward her. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” It was then that she noticed the note fastened to her ankle. She reached down and unfastened it, opening the message.
It was a short note from Lynch.
Good morning. As promised I got up early and started to search how to find Todd Williams. I believe I might have an idea or two. You were sleeping so beautifully, I thought I’d let you have a few more hours before I woke you. Though I was having trouble leaving you. You were fantastic… I shouldn’t be more than a few hours. I gave Bill a call and you’ll find him wandering around the halls, very proud of his fine gun and his duty of watching over you. All the doors are locked and you’ll be very secure until I get back. Take care of Harley. Don’t let him boss you around.
He shouldn’t have done this, she thought as she got out of bed and headed for the shower. It violated what she wanted in the relationship and he probably knew it. But face it, she’d been the one who had jumped in the shower and gone after Lynch. She had no right to complain. And at the moment, she had no desire to complain. Her body felt full, tingling, and he had also been fantastic. So accept it and just do the job and enjoy Lynch for this short time. She could straighten out anything else later. In the meantime she had to push Harley out of the shower and not let him back in until Lynch had returned to the condo.
“He told me not to let you boss me around,” she said sternly as she stepped out of the stall. “But you’re part of the team now, so it’s not really bossing around. Let’s just be buddies… Okay?”
Lynch didn’t show up until almost two hours later, and by that time, Kendra had dressed, located Bill, and whisked him down to Olivia’s condo for breakfast. Harley was beginning to get a little impatient.
“She’s just fine,” Bill said eagerly as soon as he caught sight of Lynch. “No problems, I took good care of her. Just like you said, Lynch. Everything went smooth as silk. Olivia just made us a great breakfast. Do you want me to get you a plate?”
“Not right now. I believe Kendra and I should get on the road. She’s probably fairly impatient by now,” Lynch said. “No doubt you’ve noticed that she doesn’t like to wait around when there’s a job to be done.”
“Does anyone?” Kendra asked. “You ran out to do the same thing and left Bill and Olivia to take care of me as if I was a child in arms. Naturally I’m grateful, but I’m also ready to have it over.” She tossed Harley’s leash to Lynch. “Thanks for everything, Bill. We’ll be in touch. You did a fine job.” She gave Olivia a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll let you know if we find out anything.”
“Please do.” Olivia gestured toward the door. “Can we talk outside for a minute?”
“Sure. Lynch and I were just about to—”
“Just you, okay?”
“Oh. Okay.”
Kendra stepped into the hallway with Olivia and closed the door behind her.
“Look,” Olivia began, “I know I’ve been hard on Lynch, and probably on you, too.”
“A little. I thought you liked him.”
“I adore him.”
“So what’s the deal?”
She paused to put her thoughts into words. “I’ve known you most of our lives, and there’s never been a man better for you than Lynch. He’s your perfect match, and I think deep down, you know that, and it scares the hell out of you.”
“That’s a little strong, don’t you think?”
“Is it?”
Kendra didn’t reply.
“Anyway,” Olivia continued, “it’s been keeping you at arm’s length from him. He doesn’t want to suffocate you, so he reciprocates by trying to give you room. Maybe too much room. Whatever I’ve said or done in the past few days, it’s only been because I wanted you to realize how right you are for each other. Maybe I’ve been a little ham-fisted in my attempts, but you two can only play it cool for so long before you might just ruin a good thing.”
Kendra’s eyes stung. “Olivia… We’re not going to ruin anything. And Lynch and I both know you have only my best interests at heart.”
Olivia nodded. “Good.”
Kendra hugged her close then pulled away. “We’d better get back inside. Lynch and Bill are both probably getting antsy with having me out of their sight.”
Olivia smiled. “I’m sure of it.”
Kendra opened the door to reveal Lynch and Bill staring intently at them. “Everything all right?” Lynch asked.
Kendra squeezed Olivia’s arm. “Better than all right.”
Lynch turned back to Bill. “I’ll call you and we’ll have a chat, okay? Thanks for filling in for me.”
“I was glad to do it. She’s a great woman,” Bill said quietly. “There aren’t many like her, Lynch. It’s no wonder you take such good care of her.”
“I do my best. See you later, Bill. Bye, Olivia.” He guided Kendra out the door and toward the elevator. “What was that about?” Lynch asked.
“Olivia wanted me to know how wonderful she thinks you are. More specifically, how wonderful we are together. She didn’t want me to misunderstand her attitude toward us in the last few days.”
“Oh. That’s nice.”
“Yes, it was. She’s a special person.”
Lynch pressed the elevator button. “Do me a favor, will you? Go ahead and phone Bill for me before he leaves here. I have a few instructions for him.”
“Instructions?” Her gaze flew to his face and she inhaled sharply as she saw his expression. “Lynch?”
“Just call him while I get on the road. I don’t know how much time we have.”
“What are you going to tell him?”
“That he’s to stay with Olivia and expect one of the FBI agents to pay him a visit to help protect her.”
Her eyes widened. “Olivia’s in danger?”
“Not as far as I know,” Lynch said. “But I’m not taking any chances. She’s your best friend. You appear to be particularly attractive to that son of a bitch since you decided to hunt for the sisters, and he might enjoy taking a life in your honor.”
“We could go back, and you can tell him all this yourself.”
“I don’t want to take the time. I just got an interesting text.”
“Really?” She moistened her lips. “You’ve heard something?”
“It’s from my source at the SDPD. They believe they’ve found Todd Williams’ car.”
“His car?” Kendra said. “But not Williams himself?”
“Unclear,” Lynch said.
“What does that mean?”
“It means his Camry is at the bottom of a two-hundred-foot ravine. A hiker spotted it less than an hour ago outside of town, at Palomar Mountain.”
“Williams is dead?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. They can’t reach the car yet to see if he’s inside or not. There’s a rescue helicopter en route, but the fire department officers on the scene can’t imagine anyone could have survived a crash like that. Metcalf called me and asked if I wanted to let you know so that we could join in the search for Williams. He felt it was the least he could do since you asked him for help.” He glanced at her expression. “That’s what you wanted, right?”
She shook her head. “There’s no way I wanted anything to happen to Williams. I liked him. He just frustrated the hell out of me. I thought he was holding out on us. Just as I told you, the only thing I wanted was for him to give us more information about what happened to the sisters. Now we might never know what happened to them.”
“Because we’ve run into a blank wall?” Lynch asked. He shook his head. “I told you that we’d find out what happened to them. That’s why we’re on our way to see that wreckage in the ravine. But I’ll bet it wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill traffic accident. It would be a little too convenient to have an appearance of the Bayside Strangler one week and then another death related to the case the next.”
