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Three
Mark had asked Colleen to appear feminine and attractive.
She had certainly managed that.
Nothing overboard. But her hair was in a sweep around her face and shoulders with a shimmer like a sunset. She’d chosen a skirt suit with a white blouse that offered a slight fringe around the neckline—one that dipped a little, but wasn’t overly provocative. Her heels added to the athletic shape of her calves while still being moderate. She had managed everything he had envisioned; she was extremely attractive while still giving the appearance of a professional at work.
Red woofed a greeting and his tail wagged so hard it was almost a lethal weapon.
Naturally, she greeted the dog first.
Then she looked at Mark with a little frown.
“Is this outfit all right?” she asked him, indicating her clothing with a sweep of her hand as she slid into the passenger’s seat.
“It’s...perfect,” he said honestly.
“Oh. Good,” she said, looking ahead. She glanced his way. “Any instructions for me while I’m speaking with him?”
“I’d wanted to go to the hospital first, but they’ve asked us to come a bit later. I don’t want to waste any of the morning.” He paused for a minute, knowing the woman’s health came first, but wishing they could talk to Sally before seeing Carver.
She just might be able to give them something that could help.
“Mark?” Colleen asked.
“Right. Sorry. Don’t accuse him of being The Embracer at first. All we have on him right now is that he kidnapped a woman and was holding her prisoner in his basement. Talk to him about Sally. Why did he take her? What was his intent? Gradually ask him about other women in his life.”
They reached the jail where Carver was being held. Ragnar was waiting for them at the entry, and he nodded as Mark introduced him to Colleen.
She offered Ragnar a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Special Agent Johansen.”
“Ragnar. Please, we’re informal when it’s just us. Just call me Ragnar. Yeah, I know—interesting name. Norwegian parents,” Ragnar said.
“I think it’s a cool name,” she told him, smiling.
Ragnar smiled back and then looked at Mark.
“I take it we’re sending her in first?”
“You agree?”
“Oh, yeah. I tried talking to him last night. He ignored me and acted as if he was the injured party. We have about an hour, then he goes to arraignment.”
“Let’s do it then,” Mark said.
Red followed them in.
Red had the right credentials to get in anywhere.
Their weapons were checked, and they were brought to an observation room. Carver had already been brought in. Mark was glad to see his cuffs were chained through metal loops at the table where he had been seated.
“Any last notes?” Colleen asked, looking from Ragnar to Mark.
Ragnar glanced at Mark.
“I told her to talk about his kidnap victim and women in general,” Mark said.
Ragnar nodded.
“He may decide he needs more attention and confess,” Ragnar said, smiling grimly at Colleen. “But that’s doubtful. Still, you might just throw him off his game.”
The deputy at the door opened it for Colleen; she thanked him and walked in.
Mark watched Carver’s eyes light up as he saw Colleen enter. He straightened in his chair.
“My, my!” Carver said. “Who do we have here?”
“Special Agent Colleen Law, Mr. Carver. FBI. How are you doing? Have they been treating you fairly?”
Carver’s brows shot up. He lifted his hands. “I have been more comfortable.”
“I’m sorry. I’m actually a guest here. I have no control over the cuffs,” she told him.
“Well, at least you are comfort for the eyes!” he told her.
“Thank you. Well, of course, I’m here to talk about Sally Smithson.”
“Ah! You’re a friend of hers?”
“No. I’ve never met her.”
“Then what is there to talk about?” Carver asked, a grin on his face, as if he were especially clever. Then he leaned forward. “She asked me to take her, you know.”
“She asked you? You were friends?”
He shrugged. “Women like Sally...so pretty, so sweet. And always with the wrong guys. She was a kinky one. Wanted all kinds of rough play!”
“She did?”
“Oh, you bet! Hey, more women than you would imagine like it rough. Here’s the difference: I really care about them. I’m going to get out of here, and then...well, you’ll see. Sally will want to run right back to me.”
“That’s not what she’s said,” Colleen said, grimacing.
“What? She’s still al—I mean, she’s talking to you? Lies, all lies,” Carver said.
“Well, it’s good to hear your side.”
“She dated a real jerk. He left her. I picked her up. She wanted a man who would love her!” Carver spoke and then inched closer to Colleen. “I love them, and I embrace them!”
“Them?” Colleen asked.
