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***
“Punch in your code and leave a message.”
Mallory tried one more time and got the same message, so she punched in the code Monroe had created for her after the first night they met and waited for the tone.
“Hi, it’s me. I wanted to tell you I think I’m going home a little early, so I should be home by five. Can you let me know you got this? If I don’t hear from you, I’ll assume you are still busy and will just go home by myself. In fact, let's count on that. I love you.”
Monroe must be pretty busy not to answer, or likely he was out of range. She told him she was leaving around five today because she had left at four the day before, but something was off. Her gut was unsettled, and there was a sense of dread. Maybe she would leave between four and five. The decision eased her some, but not completely.
She knew everyone was working on finding out if there were any more clues to the accomplice or copycat, and today should determine that. If not today, then in the coming days. They hoped. And Mallory had to put her trust in that happening. The strain was getting to both of them, and they needed to end it.
The anticipation she felt thinking she could finally identify the faceless ghost that presented in her nightmares more often than not was sickening and exhilarating. A typical reaction, according to the therapist that Ivy had recommended. Mallory spoke to her once a week whether or not she thought she needed to, and just that conversation with someone unrelated to the events eased her.
Mallory contemplated calling Garrett or someone else to tell them the change of plans, but she decided she wouldn’t. She didn’t feel unease about going home. It was about staying later. No need to disturb others because she knew to the core of her being that as long as there were missing women that fit the profile, and so long as Romaine kept saying to the Feds, “keep looking,” they would continue to scour every clue to locate every woman. She needed to block that out and create a new normal. No, she would get herself home tonight.
Mallory looked at the clock, 4:35, time to go home. Her belly was jumpy again, and she felt an enormous urgency she hadn’t experienced to this degree since the kidnapping. She closed out her office work and locked everything up. Flipping off the computer, she waited until it had shut down and then she grabbed her purse and headed out the door. Locking her office, she said goodnight to the others and put her hand on the pharmacy door.
As she exited and took the few steps toward the outer door, the customer bell sounded, grabbing her attention. The person who entered was wearing a ski mask, and Mallory froze in place. She could see the intruder, but a partition hid Mallory. When he presented a gun, she knew what she had to do. Getting help would be better than being there, and honestly, she wasn’t sure she could deal with the fear.
Hoping she was making the right decision, she keyed in “0@R” into her cell and turned the ring tone off while praying she had enough battery for what she would need before shoving the phone in her front pocket and slipping out of the door.
***
This space was cramped, and if the bitch didn’t come out of the building soon, she would have to go get her, which would mess up the plan. She had promised the homeless man he could stay at master’s brother’s home if he pretended to rob the store, but it was taking too long. She could hear her master say very clearly, “Impatience will be punished. Stay the course, and I’ll reward you.”
She would earn that reward.
Chapter 21
Monroe and Carter entered Jacquard and Associates at 4:20 p.m. Monroe had just enough time to debrief Jac and get to the Apothecary to follow Mallory home. Carter sat next to him in front of Jac’s desk and began talking.
“Seems like a woman is living there alone.” Carter described the living room to those gathered. “It appears most of the living was taking place in the main room. We found no clothing that would typically belong to a male, but items like newspaper clippings were in a stack. She or they taped those with photos of Mallory to the wall behind the articles, all with stick pins in her face.”
Monroe scratched his head. “No computer, no landline, no television. Since the woman wasn’t there, it was hard to know if she had a cell phone. She does have a vehicle because it is leaking a little oil and the tracks are fresh. She seems to sleep on an old sofa. There was minimal food in the fridge and garbage in the can, and very little else looked to be disturbed except the bathroom, minimally. But a woman wouldn’t be able to do what was done to that last victim.”
Sharlee walked in, followed by Kaden. “Why not? And you look like shit, by the way.”
“Brat. You obviously need a round with my rubber paddle, but I’m too tired to do that, so I’ll leave Jac to be the attitude adjuster.”
“Charlotte, we do not appreciate your bluntness today.”
Sharlee gave a little sound of outrage before changing it to sympathy for Monroe, giving his shoulders a short massage. “Okay, again, I ask, why not? I promise you; women can be as cold and calculating as men. Besides, it fits.”
Jac leaned forward. “Explain.”
“Mallory has always maintained Romaine spoke of a wife. And let's face it, if you’re married to a monster of this magnitude, then you are assisting or turning a blind eye.”
Kaden sat on the edge of the desk. “This is the first proof that she was right about the partner, but not about the wife part. There are no marriage records anywhere, so unless they married in a foreign country, which didn’t happen because Romaine has no passport, then no wife. Maybe they have a Master/slave relationship, and he has her living in his brother’s old place.”
Monroe called Mallory while the others debated the likelihood of a woman murdering the latest victim and the call went to voicemail. Monroe heard a ping come through on his phone and hit the message. It was probably from Garrett. He punched in his code and heard Mallory’s voice telling him she had changed her plans. Checking the time, he knew he had missed her, but Garrett would have known the change as well and gone to follow her home.
Monroe called Garrett, and when he didn’t pick up, he tried Mallory. Same thing.
Jac called Gutierrez. “I’m not lead on this investigation any longer, Jac.”
“Understood, but I needed to tell you this information because every time I steer information to your jackass superior, he blows me off after taking down the info. I’d say, if you want a little credit for the work you’ve done, this is the place to check out. It’s up to you, but it’s a good lead.”
Arturo hesitated for a few seconds. “Okay, you haven’t sent us on any wild goose chases yet, so your intel is solid. Give me what you have.”
