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“Are you suggesting this is a direct association with the two patients who were killed, perhaps the one you believe to be following you?” Inching closer, he crowded her space. He’d read quite a bit on Dr. Blade. She was well known in her field, having written several industry White Papers on the subject of various psychosis, including demonic possession, cutting, and the effects of white slavery. However, she hadn’t delved into the dark art of the kink world that he could tell. Still, her words were prodding. Making a connection to the BDSM community was startling. Her patients had a correlation indeed.
“I’m not suggesting anything. You’re the detective. I’m merely asking a question.”
Against his better judgment he took a gulp of the drink. The scotch was surprisingly smooth. After swallowing he looked down at the knife. Whoever this patient was, he’d rattled a woman he knew instinctively was formidable. “I can’t give you but so many details about the two cases, but I can tell you that the wounds signified being shackled for an extended period of time. Marks on their wrists and ankles suggest a chain of some sort. Flecks of metal were embedded into their skin.”
“And?”
“And welts crisscrossing their bodies would further indicate being whipped systematically. I’m no expert either, but I would have to say the person wielding the whip was trained.” He realized he was giving her far too much information, but his gut told him there were clues to be found.
“As if the killer knew what he was doing? A practiced sadist for example?” The words lingered in the air. She smiled and held up her glass. “I do my research as you do yours, detective.”
“I can tell. For all practical purposes I’m drawn to the believe someone in the BDSM community knows or has seen something.”
Destiny shifted, closing the distance between them. “You also don’t believe the killer has finished. Do you?”
“At this point, I can’t rule anything out.” She was a beautiful woman, obviously intelligent. He was far too attracted to her, but he had no time for passion or complications in his life. The passionate vision was nothing more than some innate yearning given his lack of anything resembling sex for far too long. “Is there anything you can tell me about your patients that might help in any manner?”
“I’m afraid not, Detective Givens. As you can imagine, I’ve looked at every detail, trying to make a connection but there just isn’t anything concrete, except they were troubled individuals who came to me for counseling.”
“Then why the question about BDSM?”
“A hunch. Nothing more.”
He sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to say anything else. After easing the glass onto the counter, he took a step back and grabbed his business card from his wallet. “If you think of anything, please give me a call.”
When she accepted their fingers touched. The second jolt of electricity shared showed in her expression. She looked away almost instantly. “I will.”
Montana sucked in his breath. This time the vision was clouded but definitely the same.
She twisted her head until she was able to into his eyes and for a few seconds, her desires melded with his. Inching backward, she glanced down.
“I’d be careful of your other patient as well. If his behavior has altered from the norm, there’s been a change in his life. You need to protect yourself.” The attraction was evident.
“Thank you for your concern, but I refuse to succumb to fearing one of my patients,” Destiny said quietly. She fingered the card. “I was simply spooked. Nothing more.”
Montana walked toward the hallway. “Your instinct seems to be spot on, Dr. Blade. I wouldn’t take what you experienced tonight lightly.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.”
He opened the door, lingering as his thoughts became jumbled. “Do you believe in the occult, Dr. Blade?”
“I believe there are forces we can’t control. I also believe in fate. We’re all here on this earth to serve out a purpose.”
The words were interesting, and a shudder trickled down his spine. There was more to this story than either one of them could control. Control. The word had dual meaning.
As she closed the door behind him, Montana shoved his hands into his pockets. He stood on the porch for a full minute, studying the neighborhood. While he’d garnered little from his meeting with Dr. Blade, he was very clear and certain of one thing.
She was the catalyst. Now he needed to figure out why.
* * *
You know I’m the only man who can understand you, give you everything you need.
Jerking awake with a start, Destiny panted as she struggled to free her legs from the confining covers. “What do you want?” The words slipped from her mouth. She grabbed her pillow, hugging the soft material to her chest. The dreams were much more vivid, detailed to a degree she could almost taste his lips. The scent of his cologne lingered on her hands and arms. There was another smell, one that horrified her.
Blood.
A chill slithered down her spine just as a wafting breeze blew a strand of hair across her face. Did she leave the window open? She scanned the perimeter of the darkened room, her mind muddled from several glasses of liquor. Her hand shaking, she pushed the hair behind her ears and slowly lowered the pillow to the comforter. Throwing back the covers, she planted her feet on the floor.
