Lethal (Small Town Secrets Book 1) Read online

  She opened her mouth to protest, then closed it without uttering a word. He was right. Making love with Trent wasn’t going to help her escape the threat of Dryden, the fear of losing Nikki. Needing him, melding with him, losing herself in him would only bring her pain once he returned to Washington alone. But no matter what logic told her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stronger in his arms.

  And where did that leave her?

  Her stomach knotted and her eyes stung. Worst of all was that he had been able to stop. Even as she’d been touching him. Even as she’d been so caught up, she’d only been able to feel. Trent had been able to pull away—just like he had before.

  Risa rolled away from him and climbed off the bed. Forcing her knees to support her weight, she walked across the room and into the bathroom. Closing the door, she leaned against it, the solid barricade pressing along the length of her spine. She looked down at herself. At her naked breasts, nipples red from rubbing against the rough hair of his chest. At the juncture of her thighs, still moist with longing.

  She grabbed a bath towel from the rack and covered herself, wrapping the terrycloth tight. She couldn’t dwell on what would never be. She couldn’t let herself need him, want him. She had to be strong all on her own.

  The only thing that mattered now—the only thing that could matter—was getting Nikki away from Dryden before it was too late. And Risa was done with sitting around waiting.

  She needed to take action, to do something.

  No matter what the risk.

  Trent

  Trent hoisted himself up from the bed to sit with his back against the headboard. He punched the pillow behind him with his elbow. Damn, damn, damn.

  When had he lost control of his senses? When had his sexual urges gotten so strong they eclipsed common sense?

  Rees needed him to protect her. She didn’t need him to tear off her clothes. And even though he’d managed to bring himself under control before he’d really crossed the line, he’d hurt her in doing that, too.

  Hurt her. Again.

  He closed his eyes, pressing the pads of thumb and forefinger hard against his lids until color mushroomed behind his eyes.

  He knew what he was up against. He’d seen the atrocities Dryden was capable of committing. He’d felt Dryden’s darkness stain his own soul, a stain that festered and grew until it choked out every last vestige of light.

  Trent had to protect Rees from all of it. If only he could manage to stop wounding her himself in the meantime.

  The bathroom door swung open and she stepped back into the room. Wisps of dark hair brushed over naked shoulders and cascaded down her back. She’d wrapped a towel tightly around herself, the pressure of the terry cloth mounding her breasts above it. The bottom edge of the towel barely covered the tops of her thighs.

  The image of her naked body, the sweet scent of her, the feel of her, was seared into his mind. Everything she’d just offered him. Everything he’d just pushed away. He stifled a groan and shifted on the bed, trying to relieve some of the pressure in his groin. Trying to calm nerves that were strung tighter than piano wire.

  She set her chin in that stubborn way of hers and looked him straight in the eye. “I know how we can catch Dryden.”

  Whatever she had in mind, he wasn’t going to like it. He could tell by the hell-bent-for-leather tone in her voice. He shot her a skeptical look and waited.

  “This teddy bear thing pretty much establishes that Dryden is after me, right?”

  “Right,” he said, his voice deliberately emotionless and flat.

  “And he will likely follow the pattern he did with his wife, right?”

  “He’ll likely start killing women who look like you, same hair color, same build.” Like Nikki. And though he didn’t say it out loud, he knew Risa was thinking the same thing.

  “And he won’t quit.”

  “Not until we catch him…”

  “Or until he kills me.”

  He forced a nod. Rees had it right except for one detail. Dryden would never stop. If he killed Risa, he’d find another woman who had wronged him. Another woman to avenge himself against. And the whole pattern would begin again. Each time the fantasies would become more violent, his hunger for his victims’ fear and pain more voracious. It would take more to satisfy him. But he would never stop.

  Rees took a step further into the room. “Since Dryden wants me, then why not use that to draw him out?”

  “Have you lost your mind?”

  “You’re always talking about being proactive.”

  His legs tensed with the need to climb off this damn bed and close the short distance between them. His hands opened and closed with the need to grab hold of her and shake some sense into her. “Too dangerous.”

  “And doing nothing isn’t dangerous? Trent, he’s going to kill Nikki and then come after me anyway.”

  He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and lurched to his feet. He wanted to say he didn’t give a damn about Nikki. That he cared only about Rees. He wanted to rip off that flimsy towel, throw her back on the bed, and finish what they’d started. He wanted to wrap her in the safety of his arms and never let her go.

  Of course, he couldn’t do any of those things. But that didn’t make Risa’s idea a valid option. “I’m not going along with this.”

  “You’d still be protecting me, Trent. But we might save Nikki, too. Be reasonable.”

  “Reasonable? You’re suggesting dangling yourself in front of Dryden like a worm on a hook, and I should be reasonable?”

  “Nikki’s running out of time.”

  “I said forget it.” He grabbed his trousers from the floor and yanked them on. Even if it was Nikki’s only chance, he damn well wouldn’t let Rees sacrifice herself to draw Dryden out. “We’ll get him another way.”

  “What other—”

  The electronic tones of Trent’s cell phone interrupted.

  Risa pointed an accusing finger at him. “If this was one of your other cases, if I was just some woman you didn’t know, you’d okay it. Wouldn’t you?”

  “It’s not one of my other cases. And I won’t use you that way.”

  On the second ring, Trent fished the phone from his pocket and checked the number. “Cassidy.”

  He flipped it open and took the call. “Tell me your man is on his way.”

  “No need,” Cassidy said. “Get yourself and the professor to the Lake Loyal PD. She’ll have plenty of protection there.”

  “Task force?”

  “Postponed.”

  “Did you find something at Risa’s house?”

  “Yeah, but that’s not why I’m calling. Man out jogging with his dog found Nikki Dryden’s car. And Burnell? There’s a body inside. Male. Lives in the area. I’ll fill you in on all of it when you get here.”

  Trent ended the call and turned to Risa. “We need to go. Cassidy has something for me to take a look at.”

  “Nikki?”

  “No.”

  She frowned, as if deciding whether or not to believe him.

  “Listen, if it was Nikki, I’d tell you. Okay? Promise.”

  “So where are we going?”

  “You’re going to the Lake Loyal police department.”

  “And you?”

  “Not sure yet.”

  “What happened, Trent?”

  “They found Nikki’s car.”

  “I’m going—”

  “To the police station. If I think you can help, I’ll let you know.”

  “Help? I sure as hell can help.”

  “Not that again.”

  Risa snatched her rumpled clothes from the floor. “Lucky for me you’re merely assisting in this manhunt. Dan Cassidy will jump at the chance to use me to draw Dryden out. And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  Risa

  Risa stared at the closed door to the tiny Grantsville police station’s conference room and chewed her bottom lip. Trent had dropped her off at the station and
left for who-knew-where. Hours had passed before he, Cassidy, and the police chief had returned. Since then, they’d been sequestered in the conference room, joined by nearly a dozen county deputies, neighboring counties’ deputies, and officers from the tiny Lake Loyal P.D. Even a handful of men in suits who looked suspiciously like federal agents had filed into the too-small room.

  She had no choice but to wait until the briefing was over to make her offer to Cassidy.

  “Would you like a little warmer upper?”

  Risa glanced up into the smiling face of the dispatcher. The odor of burned coffee wafted from the pot she gripped in one hand.

  “Sure,” Risa said, despite warnings from her jittery nerves.

  Oneida poured. “You're single, aren’t you?”

  “Um, yes.”

  “Good.”

  Risa hesitated. She took a sip of coffee. Definitely burned.

  Oneida didn’t move. Didn’t look away. Didn’t even blink. “Don’t you want to know why I asked?”

  “Truthfully? I’m not sure.”

  “He’s a great man. One of the best I’ve known.”

  Risa couldn’t help stealing a glance at Trent through the glass sidelight next to the conference room door. All she could see were men’s backs.

  “He likes you. Most I've seen him smile since his wife passed.”

  “His wife… Ah, who are we talking about?”

  “So you are interested.”

  “I didn’t say—”

  “She died in a car wreck, poor thing. He took it hard. Of course it would have been worse if she hadn’t run off the year before.”

  “Ah, wait a second here. Who are you talking about?”

  “The chief, of course.”

  “Chief Schneider?”

  “Haven’t seen him smile as much as today with you around. And since you and Special Agent Burnell aren’t involved…”

  Risa was confused, but she had the distinct impression that if she didn’t bring a stop to this conversation, this woman would have her married off before the end of the day. “How do you know we’re not involved?”

  “He told me. Not true?”

  “No, no, it’s true.” Risa just wished the idea of Trent confiding about the end of their relationship to Oneida didn’t bother her so much.

  “I hate to see unhappy people. And you and the chief would make a nice couple.”

  Risa took another sip of horrid coffee, unsure what to say.

  “I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I’ve been told I can be bossy.”

  “No, it's okay.”

  “I just sensed you needed a sympathetic ear and maybe a little nudge.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You look at Burnell the same way the chief looks at you.”

  “I…” Risa shook her head. Why was she responding to this woman? “I don’t want to talk about this. Any of this.”

  “Often people don’t want to talk about exactly what they need to talk about.”

  “Oneida, please. Can I pay you to leave me alone?”

  “What do you do for a living, if you don't mind me asking?”

  “I'm a teacher. A professor, actually.”

  “Of?”

  “Psychology.”

  Oneida rocked back on her heels. “So that's it.”

  “That’s what?”

  “You know what they say about psychologists, right?”

  “I’m not following.”

  “That you get into the business in an attempt to figure yourself out.”

  Voices and the scuff of shifting chairs and moving feet erupted from behind the closed door. The meeting was breaking up.

  “If you’ll excuse me…”

  “Not a problem. God knows I have plenty of work to do. But just you remember, Burnell’s not the only fish out there. If you need me to have a whisper to the chief, just let me know.” Oneida strode away, her long skirt swishing around her legs.

  The door opened and detectives spilled out of the room. Rubbing sweaty palms against her jeans, Risa tried to pick out Cassidy’s sandy blond hair from the small crowd.

  “Professor Madsen.” The police chief headed straight for her. Although he had to be in his fifties, the man’s stride was forceful and his eyes burned with the intensity of one of her star students.

  “Jeff Schneider. Remember?”

  “Oh yes, chief. I remember.”

  “Great. I didn’t think we were ever officially introduced.” He stuck out a hand. “I have a few questions about your sister.”

  She shook his hand and glanced past him, searching the crowd. She had to admit, she was a little uncomfortable after Oneida’s attempt at matchmaking. But mostly she didn’t want to let Cassidy sneak out the door while she was focused on the police chief. “I’d be happy to answer your questions, Chief Schneider. But right now, I’m looking for Detective Cassidy. I have something urgent to discuss with him. Have you seen him?”

  “Please, just plain Schneider will do. Or better, Jeff.” He waved a hand in the direction of the conference room. “Cassidy’s still in there talking to Special Agent Burnell.”

  Great. Trent was undoubtedly giving Cassidy reasons he couldn’t involve her in the manhunt. Well, good luck. If she’d read Cassidy’s attitude toward her correctly, Trent could talk into next week, and Cassidy would still jump at the chance to use her as a lure for Dryden.

  “Could we set a time to chat later? Where are you staying?” Schneider looked at her expectantly.

  Where was she staying? She couldn’t go back to her house. It was a crime scene now. And besides, she couldn’t set foot inside her foyer again without seeing mutilated teddy bears. Without feeling Dryden’s presence.

  She thought of Trent’s hotel room. The king-size bed. The warmth of his arms. She imagined Trent would arrange for a separate room for her as soon as possible. She’d prefer a separate hotel, maybe even a separate town. But as much as she wanted to block out this morning’s humiliation, the thought of being off on her own didn’t thrill her. “I—I’m not sure yet.”

  “Of course, you aren’t. Everything is happening too fast. I’m very sorry for what you went through at your home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Will you let me know when you get settled?” Schneider pulled a card from his jacket pocket and stuffed it into her hand. “Give me a call anytime. And I’ll be right over.”

  She shoved his card into her jeans pocket and smiled into his overeager eyes. She’d prefer to think Schneider was impatient to prove his little department could solve cases right along with the larger county sheriff’s forces. But after her talk with Oneida, Risa wasn’t sure.

  As long as he was motivated to help find Nikki, Risa supposed it didn’t matter. “I’ll call as soon as I have a moment.”

  Stepping away from Schneider, Risa reached the open doorway of the conference room just as Cassidy ambled out, deep in conversation with a balding detective.

  “Detective Cassidy?”

  His head snapped around, and he gave her a disdainful look. “Burnell’s still inside.”

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “If you want information about the body, I’m not your boy. You go snuggle up to Burnell.”

  “Body? What body?”

  The balding cop smiled. “Smooth, Cassidy. Remind me to never tell you anything.”

  “What body?” Risa repeated.

  “Dryden and your sister killed a man, stole his car.”

  “My sister? Nikki wouldn’t—”

  “Save it. She was there willingly. Packed a suitcase. Clothes, makeup. She might not have actually sprung him from prison, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t involved in this up to her neck. Aiding and abetting. We know she gave comfort to a serial killer. Plenty of comfort.” Cassidy thrust his hips on the last line.

  The balding detective gave her a pained look. Pity, pure and simple.

  Risa felt sick.

  She didn’t have a clue why Cassidy disl
iked her so much, but it didn’t matter. In fact, his dislike was just what she needed. He wouldn’t be concerned with protecting her. He would take her suggestion and run with it. She focused on Cassidy. “I need to talk to you about something.”

  “Your sister’s sex life?”

  “Something else. An idea I think you’re going to want to hear.”

  He shot the detective next to him a quick glance. “Talk to you later, Mylinski.”

  Looking somewhere between relieved and concerned, the balding detective popped a piece of candy into his mouth and sauntered away.

  “I hope you’re not going to waste my time,” Cassidy said.

  “I want you to use me to lure Dryden into a trap.”

  Cassidy’s mouth drew into a hard line. “Does Burnell know about this?”

  “He doesn’t like the idea.”

  “I bet not.”

  “So how about it?”

  A smile crept over Cassidy’s mouth, stretched into a full-fledged grin. “This could be just the break we need.”

  “That’s what I want to hear.” Risa stifled a shiver. It was done. For better or for worse, Trent couldn’t stop her now.

  As if the thought of him conjured him from the mist, Trent appeared in the doorway. One of the well-dressed men with the look of federal law enforcement stood beside him. The two of them were a matched set except for the other man’s shorter height, more pointed features, and jet black hair, so dark it brought out the touch of gray that had crept into Trent’s.

  An uneasy feeling slithered up Risa’s spine.

  Trent’s gaze shot from Risa to Cassidy and back again. His brows pinched in a frown. “Rees, this is Subera. He’s from the Bureau. Milwaukee office.”

  The Bureau. The FBI. Her unease spread into all out foreboding. “And what brings you to the center of the state, Special Agent Subera?”

  “I’m here to get your sister back, Professor Madsen.” The man gave her a smile undoubtedly designed to be reassuring.

  The grin didn’t reassure her at all. And the fact that he was familiar enough with the case to know her name and title without the benefit of introduction worried her even more. She nodded in Cassidy’s direction. “The sheriff’s department is doing a fine job. Why would the Bureau send someone in addition to Trent?”