Page 93 of Breathe Me In

“Now we move on to the next takedown.”

“It’s hard to let a serial killer dictate where a takedown will be. I’m worried it’s such a populated place.”

“Yeah.” Smith whistled. “Do you think he’s onto you? Or does he really think it’s his friend, Gumbo?”

“No clue, but we’re going to go with it.”

“I know you have an idea who it is.” He looked hopeful I’d spill it.

“Sorry, Smith. It’s just an idea.” I followed him out, and as the door closed behind us, I added, “And I really hope I’m wrong.”

I cleared my thoughts as I sat in my car. I needed the quiet to regroup. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind. Kennedy waved from where he’d parked, then rolled down his window.

“Are you ready to catch this sick SOB?”

“Damn right, I am.” I gave him a thumbs-up.

Later that night, as I sat in my car in the parking lot, I filled my cheeks with air, then blew it out hard as I steadied myself. I prayed that all this would come together as I hoped. I glanced at my watch and knew I had fifteen minutes. I bit my lip as I thought about Bree and how angry she was going to be at not being part of it. I picked up the report of her accident at the lake and thumbed through it. I had the same sick feeling as when I’d first read it. What if she had drowned? What if he got his hands on her? I’d always cared for Bree, and now she was back in my life, and I wanted a chance to do something about it. It made me want to protect her with every fiber of my being. It was why I’d decided to keep her out of the plan. I wanted her home safe and sound. I slammed the car door and headed toward the ticket stand.

I zipped my jacket up to my chin when a cold breeze sent a chill through me, and I got my head into the plan. I flashed my badge and was quickly waved through the fair gate. I was glad Cap had gone along with my idea. As I looked around at all the people enjoying their taffy apples and caramel corn, my mind went back to Timothy Ford. If there really were so many foxes, then I was on my way to catching another one—and I was sure this was the last place he’d think we’d strike. I looked around, then squeezed the button of the radio in my hand. “Cap, I’ve got eyes on the south entrance.” I scanned the crowd again.

“Copy that, Stone. I’ve got eyes on the west.”

“Kennedy, are you in position?” I glanced up at the haunted house, where he had a bird’s-eye view of more than half of the place.

“Brad, check your nine o’clock.” I caught his tone and turned and held my phone up as if I were reading something on the screen. I raised my eyes and saw Bree and Hayne.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I muttered. What the hell? I wanted her home. Why was she at the friggin’ fair? I’d been avoiding her calls all day. I knew she’d been wondering what I was keeping from her, and if I dared to try to explain that I wanted her to stay home, she’d fight me on it. “I don’t want her here.”

“Good luck telling her that.” Kennedy chuckled. “I guess Charley didn’t get your message to run interference.” I should have called him instead of texting.

Hayne motioned her toward a ring toss game, and I heard her laugh and clap as she tossed the ring and it landed over the neck of the bottle. She must have felt my eyes on her, because she suddenly turned and locked eyes with me.

I don’t want her here, I repeated in my head as she came closer. When she got near, I saw her face and realized she was pissed.

She looked pretty in her tight jeans, and the black shirt she wore was swooped low in the front. Then her perfume found my nose. It was the kind that turned off all rational thinking and . . . Stop.

“Are you purposely avoiding my calls now?” She narrowed her eyes at me.

“Sorry, it’s been a day.” I kept it vague.

She tucked her hands into her pockets. “I thought we were supposed to be partners.” When I didn’t respond, she studied me. “Are you all right? What aren’t you telling me?”

I searched the faces around us. Someone caught my attention, and I shifted my gaze there. Bree moved to stand next to me. She followed my line of sight.

“You seem on edge.”

“Yeah, it’s all good. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Yeah.” She lightly chuckled. “I get that.”

I knew she did, and I felt some comfort in her answer. I glanced at Hayne, who kept his distance. “So, you and Hayne seem to be spending some time together.” I was digging. She knew it, and so did I.

She held up a finger to Hayne to let him know she’d be another moment. Then I could tell something caught her attention. “Why are Ellis and Adam over there?” She squinted in a different direction as my stomach tightened. “Are you working? Is that Cap?”

Shit. I needed to do damage control. I’d made a mistake in not including her.

“Hey, look at me.” I moved in front of her. “Don’t be pissed.”