He Follows You, page 16
"You don't know what you're saying. You're nothing but a half-wit loser. You're just telling me that to try to make me feel bad. It won't work."
"I don't need to make you feel anything. By the way the reason that I know is because I'm the one who killed him."
A flash of realization hit her as Mitch lifted the tray and slammed it down as everything went black around him.
He wasn't sure how many times he hit her until he looked around and saw the walls of the room shadowed in a fine haze as he looked down. There she was laying there lifeless and best of all, not talking.
Mitch guffawed as he took in the blood on the walls and the bed.
He didn't stop for ten minutes.
* * *
"So how are things with Mr. FBI?"
"I have to say work has gone smoothly today." Alessandra was quick to avoid the subject as she pressed the speaker on her work phone. "Shay's in and out of meetings again and won't be here until late this afternoon, if at all."
"That's great news, but that's not what I was referring to," Lyssa said as Alessandra heard Maddie cooing in the background. "How did last night go?"
Amazing. And we didn't even do anything. Alessandra kept the emotion out of her voice as she replied, "We got all caught up on the case and Dylan even has a working profile of the killer. All in all it was a very good night."
"You're not going to tell me, are you?"
"Lys, there's nothing to tell."
"You're lying," she said and then added, "Todd left this morning."
"How are you doing?" Alessandra asked as she turned to the computer. Is that what I think it is? She asked herself as she listened.
"I'm good actually. Better than I thought I'd be. He's happy and I'm happy. We've also got a schedule together for the kids."
"That's great!" Alessandra said as the computer beeped. It is! "Lys I'm so sorry but I have to go. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. And I'm making it my duty to find out what happened with you two."
"I'll remember." Alessandra hung up.
* * *
Mitch stood in front of the pile of wood. He had to improvise in finding a closer spot. This still works though. He told himself as he looked up at the large trees. They'd be enough to cover the smoke. It was starting to get dark anyway. Mitch focused his attention to the heap in front of him and just like that his world came crashing down.
He sank down to the ground, picking up the plastic in his arms. Five minutes later he moved away. Getting the lighter fluid he poured it on everything in front of him before he lit the matches. One at a time he struck them against the matchbox, watching the flame for a few seconds before throwing each one into the wood pile.
As the flames began to lick higher in the darkening sky Mitch watched the smoke billow higher and higher before hanging his head. "How could you do this to me? This is all your fault. All you had to do was..." He stopped as he looked back down at what had become of his mother. "I wanted to do it but not like this. You've messed up everything now!" he screamed into the silent night.
He watched the fire get a little higher and could feel himself getting a bit calmer. "I suppose this is what you wanted," he muttered as he picked the bag up and tossed her into the burning flames.
He felt the drops on his hand. It's not supposed to rain.
Then he felt the moisture on his face. Am I...crying? Mitch found himself at a loss now. Until this moment he hadn't shed a tear in more than twenty years.
As he watched the woman he loved burn down to ashes and bone he said quietly,
"You know something, Mom? Most days I wish I'd never been born either."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"Look Adam, this whole thing is about to blow up in our faces. We need to do what we can to get out in front of it."
"I'm not worried, I didn't do anything."
"For a CEO of a company you sure can be a moron. You ever heard 'o' accessory to murder? We need to set up a meeting with our lawyers so we can figure out what to say and get our stories straight."
"My attorney said all the evidence is circumstantial."
Aaron gave an exasperated sigh as he paced the area. "You think you're safe jus' cause you got a lawyer? You remember what mom used to say?"
Adam shook his head, "I'm still trying to figure out why we're having this conversation."
Aaron pressed on. "She used to talk about the ants and the bug. Even though the ants were small once enough of them got together they did enough damage to kill even the largest bug."
"And?" Adam asked him blankly.
"That's how you need to be looking at this evidence. By itself it don't mean much but you put it all together and...Bam!" He emphasized by hitting his fist in his hand, "Just like that, we're going down faster than a man without a parachute."
"So what do you suggest?"
"I think we should try to leave the country."
"There's no way I can do that Aaron."
"Me neither. To be honest I'm not sure either. But we need to at least meet with our lawyers. We need to figure out something."
"I'll let you know.:
Aaron stared at his brother, feeling as if he was the last man on a sinking ship. He said nothing while contemplating both of their bleak futures.
* * *
Mitch couldn't seem to get his mood up for anything today. He looked out the window at the gray clouds and saw it as a fitting reminder of his mood. He trashed yet another piece of paper before getting a fresh one and started writing. No matter what he needed to get everything down. No matter what anyone thought, he had his reasons for doing everything.
He couldn't imagine ever being remorseful but at this moment the remorse overpowered him. It clung to his skin like dirt, clawed at his throat like a pair of strong hands and settled in his brain like the worst ache. He felt as if he were in a fog. It was cold and wrapped around him the same as a large blanket. Like the comforters his mom used to tuck him under.
"Why did you always make me scream at you? You got what was coming to you," he said to himself as he continued writing. Now here I am. I don't want to keep living without you here. I thought I hated you but in the end I still love you. Tears formed as he finished the last sentence. "And now I don't want to keep living either."
With that he left the paper on the table. Getting into his truck, he began the two hour drive back to the city.
* * *
"Oh and Alessandra?"
"Yes, Miss Banning."
"I needed you to pull up the file that includes the tree samples."
"It should be up on the computer."
"I don't see it. Did I push the wrong button?" she asked as she scrolled down the screen.
"It was right here," Alessandra said with a frown as she went through the file. Seeing that it was nowhere, Alessandra's mind turned until she came to the conclusion that the file had been deleted. She wouldn't really? Alessandra found it hard to believe the woman would purposely get rid of evidence for an important case.
"You do still have the backup protocol memorized, don't you?" Shay asked.
She would! This was the last straw. Alessandra hit the print screen button on her keyboard to capture every screenshot. I'm getting all of this documented. She could hardly believe this woman would go to such lengths to jeopardize a case. "Move," Alessandra said brusquely. Shay held her hands up and got up from the stool. There was a window of six hours to retrieve deleted files and Alessandra wasn't sure how long it had been and needed to move quickly. This is getting ridiculous. Alessandra frowned just as the door opened.
"Hello Dylan dar..." Shay began but the words stopped instantly as she saw who was with him. "Dad? Director James?"
Dylan could hardly keep the smile off his face as Byron Banning asked, "What's going on here, Shay?"
"What do you mean Dad?
"When I suggested you come to look over things I didn't mean for you to allow your petty issues to get in the way.
"Why Daddy! I don't know what you're talking about."
"You know damn well what I mean. I said free reign but I'm sad to say I trusted your judgment. For God's sake, this is a case. A major one that involves numerous victims. Yet you thought the best use of the lead forensic investigator's time was to rearrange samples?
"Of course not," Shay answered quickly. "I only wanted to make sure that she..."
"Enough with the bullshit," Mr. Banning cut her off. "I've talked to the director already and we've decided your services are no longer needed."
"But Daddy, I—"
"Shay, right now I'm not interested in your reasons. I've never been so embarrassed in my life. Obviously you weren't thinking but right now you need to leave," Before Shay could protest he turned to Alessandra. "I'm truly sorry for any problems my daughter's caused. I remember a time when she only cared about work and not so much about politics and personal business. You have my assurances that she won't be bothering you anymore."
Then the director spoke up, "For the duration of this case, you and Jameson will be working this case together. Between the both of you, your knowledge of the victims and the area is the best. Also I've talked to Jim Bunnell. Based on the outcome you'll be eligible for a promotion."
Surely Alessandra didn't hear him right. Was he saying—?
"Yes. A conviction along with your tenth journal paper being published will be enough to propel you to the number one spot."
Alessandra stood, her jaw slack as she processed what she just heard. "Thank you," was all she could finally manage as she shook the two men's hands before she turned to Shay, "Thank you. It was nice to meet you. Even though you made work a living hell I wouldn't have gotten this opportunity without you."
"No thank you Miss Robillard," the director cut in. "Your hard work has helped with the largest case in the state's history. You deserve it."
"Take care and I apologize again." Mr. Banning said as they turned and walked out.
"I don't believe it," Alessandra finally said as Dylan came over and embraced her in a hug.
"Congratulations," he whispered as he pulled her close.
She moved over to the computer, "By the way, it's a good thing you came. I was going to call you."
"What did you find?"
"I just so happened to be looking at the composition of yet another mud sample when I saw this." Alessandra pointed to a spike on the screen.
"And that tells us?"
"There's a certain area in the preserve where there's a combination of beech, maple, calcium hydroxide and fluoride," Alessandra said as she turned to him. "Although there are initiatives to remove it throughout the state, fluoride is an additive used in tap water. Tap water suggested to me that there could be an area where people lived so I checked and..."
Alessandra typed again and then watched with bated breath as the screen came up and Dylan looked at it. "Here are the cabins people own or get rented out. I got my sample from here so I think that's where we should start." She pointed to a spot on the screen. "We should be able to find the place within that area."
"Have I told you how great you are?" Dylan asked as he kissed her cheek.
"I'm just doing what the state pays me to do."
"It's not just that," Dylan said. "You handled the consultant from hell without batting an eye and now you find something like this? It's the little things you notice. What made you even think to get the extra samples you did when we went there?"
"I've always been attentive like that," Alessandra answered. "I make sure to pay attention to everything."
"Is that why you know exactly how to touch me?" he whispered, his mouth inches away from the sensitive spot under her ear.
"No comment," Alessandra answered softly as her face flushed. She wished he would change the subject. Just when she thought she could handle being around him he would say something that left her flustered. She usually couldn't handle it when he got like that. Especially in public.
"Oh and we got backgrounds back," Dylan added, "The other person's name is Mitch McDonnell."
"That's great."
"I thought so too until I read the report," Dylan said as he sat down. "The condo is the only thing in his name. He has no credit cards, no cars, nothing. I was right about him wanting to be off the grid but that leaves us with next to nothing. We have men stationed at the complex but they haven't seen anything." Alessandra turned and opened a cabinet as Dylan looked at her. "If you hadn't found this, we'd have nowhere to turn. That's what I mean. You found something so small but it blows this whole thing wide open. I need to make a couple of calls to get the ball rolling." He moved closer. "If you'd let me, I'd kiss you right now."
Alessandra felt her heart pound as she took in his words but she didn't say anything. Sure she found her job rewarding yet she liked the praise she got from him. Ever since the first case they worked together it was her personal goal to be as dedicated as him.
She wished she could be more to him. Ever since the other night in her living room she couldn't stop thinking about him. And how much she wanted him in her bed. Alessandra just wanted to be good enough to make him fall in love with her. Like any other woman she wanted to feel wanted.
Dylan was the only man who made her want to drop her defenses. It was bad enough she couldn't imagine being without him. She said it was because of the trial but there was a more pressing reason she couldn't bring herself to be with him.
After two years all it took was one look from him for her to realize she was still in love with him. Once he left her this time she knew she wouldn't recover for a while. Would she get over him?
Maybe. Eventually. Still it wouldn't be the same. No matter how many kisses they shared or how often Alessandra gave her body to him, the fact of the matter was she loved a man who didn't feel the same.
And truthfully, why would he? She had plenty to offer but what did she have that he'd be interested in? Alessandra thought she could deal with it but sitting here next to him the realization hit her all of a sudden. Feeling faint, she needed to get out. She couldn't breathe. Thankfully at that moment the door opened as her intern walked in.
"Nate, hold down the fort for me would you?" Next she turned to Dylan. "I have to go but I'll meet you at the site." Her heels tapped the floor as she hurriedly left the room. Thank goodness the elevator was open. She broke into a run and made it on before the door closed.
Dylan who had followed after her groaned as the doors clattered shut in front of him. Shit. He had to get to her. There was no way she would be thrust into the path of a dangerous killer.
Dylan ran as he got off of the elevator and caught up with Alessandra as she opened up the door to her car. "Why did you run out so fast?" he asked as she looked up at him.
"I needed to get some air," she replied as she sat down.
Dylan went over to the passenger side and opened the door.
This is the exact opposite of what I wanted to happen. Alessandra looked down as she became all too aware of them in the confined space of her vehicle. "What's so important that you had to chase me?"
"You can't go to the preserve," Dylan stated. "We're dealing with a dangerous killer and you can't get hurt."
"You can't be serious! You'll need me there anyway to help identify the remains."
"That may be true, but I want you to stay here where it's safe."
"With all due respect Dylan, that's not up to you."
"Alessandra please. Don't make me go to your boss. I don't want to make things difficult for you."
Really? After the kind of day I've had he'd say that? "You're doing a pretty good job of that already," Alessandra shouted as she turned to him. "You heard the director. If we get a conviction I get promoted. I need to be there to physically look at everything before everyone starts arriving on the scene. It's better when it comes time to go to trial. I can give them an eyewitness account."
"There's ways we can work around it. You guys have cameras, don't you? I'm only doing this because I want you to be safe. Try looking at it from my point of view."
Alessandra looked at her steering wheel. She didn't want to be the bad guy but this was too much. What the hell is this? Now he wants to take over too?
"No."
Dylan had to do a double take. He was sure in all of the time he'd known her that she'd never even said the word...
"No!" Alessandra said again. "I'm used to being at the scene. Even as a student I had to be there. Looking through a camera's not the same! I can't even believe you would suggest such a thing." she added as her eyes filled with tears. Crap. She quickly turned to look outside her window. "What if I told you I didn't want you to execute one of your search warrants?"
"Why would you do that?"
"I wouldn't. Because no matter how much I don't like it I know it's your job. There's always a risk with everything," Alessandra continued getting louder. "Why are you so concerned anyway? I took care of Adam just fine. You think I'm so dumb that I'll get in the way of a killer?"
"Of course not."
"I know I can be awkward at times and that I don't have a lot of friends."
"Alessandra."
"I also have issues when it comes to how I feel about myself and my abilities. I know it's annoying as hell which is why I'm trying. But I think I'm doing better. Right now you're not helping. I'm stronger and smarter than I look. I can handle it. I enjoy doing it and I..."
"I know all those things. That's why I fell in love with you."
"I also don't get why you're being such an a—"
"Did you hear what I said?"
Alessandra, on a roll now, kept going, "And if you think that just because we're working together you can try to take over an investigation then you— " Just then Alessandra processed what he said, "Wait a second. Did you just say...?"
"Yes. I said that I love you. Do you want me to say it again?" he asked as he turned her to him and looked right into her eyes. "Alessandra Robillard, I love you."
Alessandra couldn't believe her ears. "You do?"
"Ever since that night we spent together."
Alessandra turned away before she mumbled, "Me too."
"I wish I could show you how much."
