“Thanks, Swede,” Avery said.
“Glad you’re doing better. You had Grant scared.”
“Tell Hank thanks for getting me down here so fast,” Grant said.
“Roger,” Swede said. “Out here.”
“Out here,” Grant said.
Avery ended the call. “Should I ask how Swede has access to everything?”
“Probably not,” Grant said with a grin. “All I know is he’s one of the good guys and he makes things happen. He was also a Navy SEAL.”
“Good to know,” Avery said. “Or not to know. Whatever gets us the information we need to solve this case before he hurts anyone else.”
“Something you need to consider,” Grant glanced her way, “is that the victims are all in their thirties and about your height and have long black hair.”
“Okay, so he has an M.O. when choosing his victims.”
Grant shook his head. “Sweetheart, I just described you.”
Avery frowned. “You think he’ll come after me?”
“You fit the description. All the more reason to stick with me at all times until we find the bastard.”
“You think he was in San Antonio to cut my brakes when he found his victim?” Avery stared out the window. “Why cut my brakes but take another woman?”
“He might have wanted to slow you down on your way to Shadow Valley.”
“So that my doppelganger could get in place before me?” Avery’s lips pressed together. “Are we doing the right thing by not blowing her cover?”
“I really hope she leads us to him.” Grant slowed as they neared the outskirts of Shadow Valley. “She’s turning into the Good Night Motel.”
He slowed even more as he approached the hotel and passed it.
“She’s going into one of the rooms on the bottom floor... I think it’s room 21.” She lifted Grant’s phone.
“What are you going to do?”
“Call the hotel.” She looked up the phone number and placed the call. “Please connect me to Avery Hart in Room 21.” She waited a moment and then ended the call. “The operator didn’t hesitate. That’s the right room number, and she did use my name to secure it.”
“She had to use a credit card.”
Avery cocked an eyebrow at the motel. “I bet this place takes cash as well.”
“Agent Bradley and the sheriff were heading back to the sheriff’s department. We could go there or...”
“Stake out the imposter. If she is in cahoots with the killer, she might try to get to him.”
Grant’s lips pressed into a tight line. “We could use some listening devices about now. She might just call him.”
“True.” Avery tapped a finger to her chin. “I don’t trust her. It’s all too coincidental that she showed up in my place after I had an accident that might not have been an accident.”
“What I’m hearing is that we’re going to hang around and see where she goes next. She’s supposed to meet with Agent Bradley at TJ’s Bar and Grill at seven this evening, I assume to discuss the case.”
Avery’s eyes narrowed. “In order to stay one step ahead of the investigation, while feeding the killer everything they’ve discovered.” She glanced at the cell phone display. “That’s an hour from now.”
“Do you have anywhere else to go?” Grant asked.
