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Ella glanced at theGPS. Three miles from their destination. She thought of the scene: a barrenlighthouse, the place where her unsub's life took the turn that changed himforever. The fact it would be empty was bittersweet, because it meant therewere less people to get caught up in the killer's storm, but it put his hostagein the crosshairs. Whatever way Ella looked at it, it didn't look good for GailBanks.
But she wasn't aboutto let a fourth body fall in her lap.
'Because our perp isgoing to be there,' Ella said.
'He'll be there?'Caldwell asked. 'How do you know?'
‘I'll explain later,but listen, we're going to need backup at the lighthouse in ten minutes,’ Ellastated.
‘Ten minutes?’Caldwell's tone was incredulous. ‘That's optimistic. It'll take my men thirtyto get there through this downpour.’
‘Then tell them todrive faster,’ she said. ‘But keep your distance. No lights, no sirens. Stayback, because if our guy knows he's surrounded, then he'll either kill hishostage or himself.’
One was morepreferable to the other, Ella told herself, but a dead suspect meant noconfession. Yet, the immediate task was clear: save the hostage, secure thesuspect.
‘Understood,’ Caldwellinterjected. ‘I'll get as many guys there as I can, but the land around thelighthouse is pretty big.'
Ella thought back tothe photograph. 'It will be behind the lighthouse, where no one can see them.Right on the shore.'
'Got it,' Caldwellsaid, 'and you're certain about this?'
'Death and taxes,'Ella said. The GPS pinged. Two miles to their destination.
'Alright, I'lldispatch some guys immediately. We won't get close. I'll have them park at theend of the pier and pursue on foot. You can only get to the lighthouse from thebridge too. You can’t drive up to it.'
'Got it. Thank you,chief.' Ella hung up and turned back to her partner.
Ripley's brow furrowedas she navigated a particularly treacherous bend in the road, her handssteadfast on the wheel.
‘How can you be sosure the killer will be there?’ she asked, stealing a glance at Ella.
‘It's where everythingbegan,’ she said, eyes fixed on the horizon where the lighthouse should soonappear. Her brain churned with scenarios, each more dire than the last. Theunsub was like a coiled serpent; provoke him, and he'd strike without mercy. GailBanks' life hung by a thread—one wrong move would sever it.
‘Remember what wediscussed,’ Ella pressed on. ‘When he feels cornered, that's when he's mostdangerous. We can't risk a bloodbath. We have to hope to God he isn't armed, orwe're not getting out of here without any casualties.’
As their car continuedits relentless push through the storm, a shape began to materialize from thethick, swirling mist—a ghostly figure standing firm against the onslaught ofnature. The Pierhead Lighthouse emerged like a specter from the lake.
As they drew closer,the details of the lighthouse became more pronounced against the backdrop ofthe grey sky. The structure stood tall and resolute, a solitary landmark on therugged coastline, defying the barrage of wind and water that pummeled its aged,weather-beaten facade.
But before they gotthere, Ella had one more thing she needed to say.
‘Promise me you'llstay back,’ Ella said.
'Me?' Ripley asked.
'Yes, you.'
'But we're a team.'
'Yes we are, but thisis my decision. I brought you out here, I'm putting us in the firing line.You've got a future to think about, one that doesn't involve serial killers,and I'm not going to let some maniac put that at risk.'
Ripley was silent fora moment. 'And what about you?'
'You said it yourself.I wake up every day and choose to do this. If something happens to me andyou're there, caught in the crossfire because I dragged you into this... Icouldn't live with myself. All it takes is one stray bullet, and Martin will beon his own.'
'You're not going outthere alone, Dark,' Ripley said. 'Yeah, you wake up and every day and choose todo this, but I never said that I didn't either.'
‘Ripley,’ Ellainsisted, her hand reaching out to grasp Ripley's arm, compelling herattention. ‘Trust me. I know this guy. I know what he wants.’
