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Colby gaped.“You’re asking for—”
“Not asking.I’m telling you.I will be taking some personal time while I investigate to see what the hell is happening with Lark.I want to be free to follow the leads wherever they may take me.”
Worry flashed on Colby’s face.“You…you really think the wrong guy might be locked up?”
He should worry.Because a mistake this major would have the Bureau looking like fools in the press.Colby often worried about the press.By often…every single day.The man was image conscious to the extreme.Narcissist, self-involved, inflated ego.Oliver could profile Colby in his sleep.And that was why Oliver knew that Colby would go for his plan.“If Lane Lawson is innocent, I’ll be the one to take the blame.I was the one who centered in on him, who brought in the evidence…I’lltake the fall.You can very publicly fire me.”
“Shit.You’re actually serious about this.”More worry.
“And if he is innocent,” Oliver continued grimly, “you know I am not going to stop until I have the real murderer locked away.There is no way I will leave him out there so that he can hunt again.”No way in hell.“That’s why I’m taking time off.But, I still want full access to the Bureau’s resources.Full access,” he emphasized.“I will not be working other cases.I will be off book, and I’ll be recruiting some…friends to help me.”The Ice Breakers counted as friends, didn’t they?Most of them, anyway.He’d use the Ice Breakers, and a few other associates he’d be pulling into the fray.
He'd already called one of those associates on the way to the Bureau’s Vegas office.An old buddy that he could count on when things went to hell.
“You sure sound demanding for someone who is already walking on thin ice.”
Oliver glanced at the floor.“Don’t see any ice.”Just some shitty carpeting that needed to be replaced.He looked back at Colby.“I do see a man who might come across as a prick most days, but at your core, you’re only half an asshole.You don’t want an innocent man locked away any more than I do.You don’t want a monster still out on the streets.”
Colby’s jaw tightened.
“You know I can do the job.Not like it will be the first time I use unorthodox methods.”He was the master of those.The whole reason he wasn’t technically in the FBI’s hierarchy.He did things his own way, and he got results.
“It’s on you if he’s innocent,” Colby said, voice flat.“You admit you fucked up.You take the fall for the press.And when you catch the real killer…”
When, not if.Nice to know the man had some faith in him.
“I’ll handle the press conference,” Colby concluded.
Of course, he would.Oliver rose from his chair.Automatically, Colby backed up a few steps.“Then I guess we’re done here,” Oliver said.He turned for the door.
“I know your big deal is that you get into the heads of the killers.You think just like them.Which, honestly, is some scary shit.”
Oliver hesitated.
“Lark Lawson is still the key in all this, isn’t she?The one that the killer seems focused on.Either her brother was killing women who looked like her or…or the real murderer is now coming after her.Either way, it all goes back to Lark.”
Oliver looked over his shoulder.“Your point?”
Colby’s hand rose, and he scratched his chin.“Are you using her as bait?”
“Never.”
A nod.“Then, next question…are you sure you’re the one who wants her?Is your obsession with her real?Or are you just still so linked to the killer that you want the same prey he does?”
“Lark is not prey to me.”Anger churned in him, but he didn’t let the emotion slip out.
“No?Then what is she?”
Everything.Without another word, he marched for the door.
Chapter Six
Lark’s gaze darted around Oliver’s office.Small, with a window that overlooked the busy street below.No photos on his desk.Perfectly organized with zero clutter.
She knew that he often traveled around the country with his special team.Hunting the worst predators out there.Why is he even still in Vegas?After her brother had been locked up, she’d expected him to leave.
And, he had.But for only a few weeks.
Then he’d come back.
