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“Secondly, I’m not a kid that you can send to bed.”
“Not even if I have an ulterior motive?” Closer. “Not even if I want you to recharge your batteries before I see you this evening?”
Jesus, the size of Dan’s pupils….
“Do I need to recharge them?”
Gary hoped his grin was answer enough. “So… do I take you to the hotel?”
“Sure.” Dan’s eyes twinkled. “Can’t argue with that either.”
He felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t lied—Dan did appear fatigued—but underlying his suggestion was the need to put a little space between them. Dan had provided them with new avenues to explore, but Gary couldn’t think clearly when he was near.
For the first time since Cory’s death, he felt as if the killer was finally within their reach—and he intended keeping Dan out of the killer’s.
Chapter 33
10:30 a.m.
DAN CLOSEDthe door to his room. Gary had been correct—he was bone tired. He kicked off his shoes, removed his jacket, and loosened his tie. The bed had been made, and the sight of plump pillows and the smooth white comforter proved too tempting to ignore. He grabbed the Do Not Disturb door hanger and hung it outside. He took his phone from his pocket and put it on silent. After placing it on the nightstand, he undressed, pulled back the soft cotton bedding, and climbed in.
God, that feels good.The mattress topper was supremely comfortable, and the pillows were the perfect shade of firm. He closed his eyes. His intention had been to search for a clinic where they could get tested, but he was too tired to think straight.
It can wait. I’ll find one after my nap.
11:30 a.m.
GARY STAREDat the list he’d written on the board.Am I on the right track?If Dan was correct, the killer was out for revenge. He cast his mind back to his psychology classes in college and when he was training to be a homicide detective.
Maybe I need a refresher course.
A much simpler—and faster—solution was to call in an expert.
Riley came into the case room as Gary scrolled through his contacts and placed a call. “Kathy, are you available for a quick consult?”
“I will be in a few minutes. I’ll come to you. Are you at your desk?”
“No. If you come down the hallway toward Homicide, we’re in the small room on the right. You can’t miss it. Some joker pinned a notice to it.”
“See you there.” She disconnected.
“Kathy Wainwright’s coming?” Riley asked.
“Yeah. I want to pick her brains.”
“You might’ve warned me.” Riley straightened his tie and checked his shirt.
Gary cackled. “Will you relax? You’ve already said she doesn’t want a boy toy.” He bit his lip. “You might want to smooth your hair down at the back, though.”
“What?” Riley jerked his head. “Why isn’t there a mirror in here?” He reached around to brush his hair flat, and then narrowed his gaze. “My hair is fine, isn’t it?”
Gary grinned. “Gotcha.” That earned him a glare.
“Why didn’t you take that sign down, by the way?” Riley inquired.
Gary snorted. “I do that and there’d be another to replace it. Besides, Serial Killers 101 had a ring to it. And most of the guys out there are only jealous.” He chuckled. “Will Freeman is working on a case of a woman who shot her husband. She claims she didn’t mean to do it and that the gun ‘just went off.’ He told me he’d love to be investigating a serial killer.”
“He wouldn’t love the pressure,” Riley mumbled. He pointed to the board. “What’s that?”
