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Arturo nodded. “It’s a strategy worth pursuing.”
Sharlee spoke up. “If Romaine calls himself the master, either he has a slave or is into some psychological brain game. He could be fantasizing that if there really is an accomplice in the duo, he, Romaine, is the brilliant one. He must control his environment.”
Gutierrez shook his head. “Possibly, but not all people who want control are psychos.”
Jac and Monroe spoke simultaneously. “Of course not.”
Sharlee rolled her eyes, and Monroe felt his hand itch. He had to remind himself that Sharlee was Jac’s now, so no one else could make any attitude adjustments. Monroe looked at Mallory as she sat so straight in the seat, wound tighter than an eight-day clock. She rolled her shoulders, and he reached to massage them but stopped, knowing she wouldn’t appreciate that gesture right now. She needed to retain her power.
Mallory spoke. “Or he is the puppet, and now that we separated him from the puppeteer, he believes he’s the master instead of the peon. No matter how this actually plays out, he is the one who kidnapped me, and I don’t want anyone to lose sight of that fact. Slave or master, he is a kidnapper, first and foremost and a murder. A serial killer. I want him to never hear my name or lay eyes on me ever again.”
Arturo sighed. “Mallory. You’ll have to testify.”
“What if I don’t? I mean, no one can make me face that monster again. He didn’t keep me long enough to have any major damage except to my psyche. Eventually, I’ll push through that, but all semblance of safety will dissolve if I have to be in his presence again. I just don’t know if I can do it.”
The agent leaned forward in what Monroe could only assume was an effort to connect with Mallory, but she wasn’t having it. She leaned back and crossed her arms. If she had done that with him, Monroe would have addressed her show of disrespect, but he was not inclined to redirect her attitude in this situation. Arturo had overstepped his bounds, and he knew it.
“It is likely going to be almost a year before we go to trial. We are still investigating. Don’t decide now. Just relax and get back to your life. I’m going to bank on the longer it is, the more likely you won’t feel threatened when it’s time to actually make that decision.”
Monroe could see his girl had shut down, her manner cold, but he was proud that she was willing to finish. “Anything else you need from me?”
“Yes, I have a few more things to tease out.” Arturo continued asking his questions, and Mallory appeared exhausted by the time the FBI agent stood.
Monroe closed the door behind Gutierrez, and the weight of his tightly held body and concern over how Mallory would fair, lifted, leaving him stiff and achy but relaxed. Monroe walked back into the den and stood behind the sofa where Mallory sat and rubbed her shoulders.
“I’m more sure than ever that we should focus our efforts on the little parties and munches that Mallory attended prior to the incident.”
“Agreed.” Jac turned to Mallory. “Now tell me the places again, and let’s go over the list of places to see if we can find CCTV for those particular nights. It’s possible we can locate Romaine there and if there was anyone with him.”
Sharlee nodded. “I’ll keep up what I’m doing for name searches and facial recognition but do that in the background. I’ll focus my energy on the cameras and then sit with Mallory to identify some players.”
Monroe, Ryker, and Jac joined Sharlee when Mallory went to the bathroom. “How do you think your girl is holding up?” asked Jac.
“Pretty good, but the signs are there that this is taking a big toll on her. I’d rather take her to the safe house in town if it’s possible.”
They discussed the possibility for a few moments. Monroe still advocated hard to get Mallory in a safe place. While they would have cameras strategically located, he needed to get her alone. Start to build a new normal she could live with for now.
Jac stopped to think for another moment. “Yeah. So this is my thinking. Let’s keep surveillance on her house while we move the things she will need out of there and any valuables. Just in case.” Monroe understood, but Mallory came in on the last part and seemed confused.
“Just in case, what?”
“Mal, Jac is worried that if there is an accomplice, they will get into your house and make away with your valuables, important papers, and the like.”
It was at that moment Monroe knew he had to protect her. “My house? Do you think someone might go into my house? Might know where I live, maybe even have watched me?” She was shaking, and her voice was unsteady when she spoke. “How will I ever be comfortable living there again?”
“You might not be, baby, but it’s better if you take control and not let this jackass or his asshole helper, if there is one, keep you in fear, controlling you, enjoying your pain. We will get him, but we have to be smart about this.”
Sharlee piped up. “Or her. Don’t forget it is likely a woman.”
Jac sat on the other side of Mallory on the sofa. Monroe had her hand in his. “If we are proactive, then we won’t need to worry about being caught off guard because we won’t be. We’ll be prepared for any eventuality. So Monroe wants to take you to the safe house, and I agree.”
Sharlee added, “Your name hasn’t gone out yet, but I will lay you odds that any moment that will not be the case. Your name will be plastered all over the news, and if you are in a safe place, one that has a safe room in case of an emergency and is in the middle of an older neighborhood, I would say you are well protected.”
Monroe nodded. “Yes, I’ll be there, and we will have one other person and the outside cameras keeping the place watched. Nothing will happen without us knowing so we can slip into the room safely.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“Mallory, what other choice do you have right now?” asked Monroe. “Your house will be swarming with every reporter trying to make a name for themselves, every person fascinated with the whole thing, and every crazy wanting the same experience will follow this story and how it plays out for their own future terror. I can’t allow you to be where you will be a target for anyone. Don’t ask me to.”
