A Killer's Agenda (7 page)

Before he could knock at the door, it opened and a doe-eyed, dark-haired woman embraced him long and hard. As well as she could, considering her very round stomach.

“Brad, it’s so good to see you again.” Rosa pulled back and

searched his face for a long moment. “You should have called when Ellie died. She was a very special person. We would have been there.”

Brad squeezed her shoulders gently. “I know you would have.”

She gave him her best jury glare. “Don’t you dare let months go by without visiting us again, you hear me?”

He nodded, linking her arm with his and they walked inside the large, bright foyer. “Yeah, haven’t seen you in awhile and look at the weight you’ve gained,” he teased.

She smiled, putting a hand on her protruding belly. “Isn’t it wonderful? I was thrilled the first time I had to wear maternity clothes.” She slipped her hand from his and motioned toward the

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deck. “Miguel’s out back with Alex. He’s barbecuing steaks. I’ll just grab the salad and be right with you.”

Brad walked through the glass doors and stopped just outside, taking in the picture in front of him. Alex sat at the patio table, her titian hair flowing down her back, laughing at something Miguel was saying. She was casually dressed in jeans and a green blouse that matched her eyes.

Miguel saw him first. “Brad, old man, hope you’re hungry

because I spent half my salary on these steaks. I figured this reunion deserved something special.”

“I’m always ready for steak. Afternoon, Alex.”

“Hi, Brad.” She rose gracefully. “I better go see if Rosa needs any help and let the two of you do your man thing.”

Both of them watched her leave. Miguel tossed a look toward

Brad. “She’s a pretty special lady, amigo. Not to mention she’s not so bad to look at either,” he finished innocently.

“Can it, Miguel,” Brad warned, slinging one long leg over a bar stool and settled against it.

Miguel flipped the steaks and lowered the flame. Walking to the bar, he offered Brad a can of soda. Popping his own, he took a long drink and then leaned back against the rail.

“How’s the investigation going?”

“Haven’t really started yet I’m planning to meet with the

husband of the woman killed in Charlotte a few months before my aunt. Name of Russell Ferron.”

“He agree to see you?”

“I haven’t called him yet. I thought it would be a good idea to talk to both you and Alex before I arranged a meeting.”

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Miguel’s eyes narrowed as he turned to tend the meat. “Russell Ferron. I don’t know if the name sounds familiar because I read about his wife’s death or for some other reason.”

Rosa walked outside in the middle of their conversation. She placed a large bowl of salad on the table while Alex began setting the plates and silverware. “That’s probably because you’ve heard me mention him a few times.”

“Now that I think of it, you’re right.” Miguel agreed, moving to check the steaks again.

Rosa poured herself a glass of lemonade and eyed Brad

thoughtfully. “I met the man on several occasions before we moved south. In the court room a few times and socially once or twice. I heard through the grapevine about his wife. She was a very nice lady and definitely the classier of the two. Came from big money and rumor had it she set Russell up in practice.”

“Was he a good lawyer?” Brad asked.

“Adequate. Smooth, slick and very aware of his good looks. It isn’t a stretch to say he was successful primarily due to his wife’s very prominent name and influence.”

“How was their marriage?”

“I wasn’t close enough to either of them to know. What I can tell you is that the woman was definitely in love with him. I’m not so sure he felt the same way about her. He had a roving eye and rumor had it that there were some affairs his wife didn’t know about.”

“Nice guy,” Alex said cynically.

Miguel brought over a huge platter filled with sizzling steaks and they all sat down.

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“This is delicious, Miguel,” Alex said, taking another bite. “It’s been ages since I’ve had a good steak.”

Rosa smiled. “It’s so wonderful to have you both here.” She

patted her stomach. “Now that I’ve slowed down, I hope we can make time to do this again.”

“Assuming Junior doesn’t decide to put in an early

appearance,” Miguel said.

“So what are you going to name this munchkin?” Brad asked,

helping himself to some salad.

“We’re not sure yet because we didn’t want to know the sex.

Makes it more fun that way.”

Miguel shook his head. “She’s just afraid I’ll come up with

something off the wall.”

Rosa rolled her eyes. “You bet. After he threw Percival and

Dexter at me, I figured either he was teasing or I’d have to wait until he wasn’t around and forge his signature on the birth

certificate.”

The lighthearted banter continued through dinner and dessert with all of them catching up on each other’s lives. It was pleasant and relaxing and Alex found her gaze straying to Brad on more than one occasion. There was something about the man that

definitely appealed. He was comfortable with these people, but she could detect a reserve within that prevented him from totally letting down his guard. She had a feeling she was going to have to fight the urge to discover the reason.

The men helped cleared the table and moved back outside after dinner while Rosa and Alex put food away and rinsed dishes. Rosa put the last plate in the dishwasher and then turned to Alex.

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“So what do you think of Charleston’s most eligible bachelor?”

she asked, tossing a look out the patio doors at the two men.

“I haven’t formed an opinion yet.”

Rosa’s gaze flipped back to her. “Tell that to someone who

believes such nonsense. Of course you’ve formed an opinion. You wouldn’t have taken his case if you hadn’t.”

Alex perched on one of the breakfast stools. “Okay, he’s tall, dark and handsome. Satisfied?”

Rosa shook her head. “No way. Come on, give. What do those

very acute senses of yours tell you?”

“The man is successful, smart and has hidden depths.”

Rosa settled onto a kitchen chair, her dark eyes sharpening

with interest. “Tell me more.”

Alex took her time answering. She trusted Rosa and knew

anything she was to say would stay with her friend. “If you’re asking if I’ve messed inside his head, the answer is no. However, I’ve caught glimpses of things. He was devastated when his aunt died and he firmly believes she was murdered by someone with an agenda. Underneath that, he’s giving me vibes about a strained relationship with his father. Am I right?”

Rosa shook her head in amazement. “Woman, you are

incredible! Brad and his father have been at odds for a long time. I don’t feel comfortable going into more than that, but you’re right on target. He’s been hurt, Alex. That’s a part of him that he very seldom lets anyone see. Of course, if what Miguel tells me is true, the two of you are going to spend some time up close and personal so maybe you can burrow into his psyche.”

“No way, Rosa. I learned a long time ago to keep my

clairvoyance firmly in check. I sleep better that way.”

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Their conversation was interrupted when Brad and Miguel

walked in.

“What, the two of us smell or something?” Miguel teased,

wrapping an arm around his wife.

“Well, we didn’t want to say anything…” Alex responded,

holding her nose.

“You never used to be such a smart ass.” Miguel retorted. “My old roommate must be rubbing off on you.”

“Nope. Learned it all on my own.”

Miguel glanced at Brad. “I hope you know what you’re getting into, hiring this lady, buddy.”

“I’m learning,” Brad said, lips twitching.

“Speaking of that, what say we go over what you’ve got so far?

Line things up once more. Maybe I can give you some insight if I study the timeline in black and white.”

“I figured as much.” Brad said as he stood and lifted a briefcase sitting on the floor. He pulled out several sheets of paper. “I’ve made copies of what I’ve put together. God knows I’ve stared at it long enough.”

Miguel took his time studying the papers. He finally leaned

back in his chair, his brow furrowed. “I’ll tell you right now, Brad, I’m with you on this. These killings are too precise, too clean, not to have been done by a professional. Four of the six victims, including your aunt, were shot once, fatally, according to the police reports. Only the two teenagers were murdered by a spray of

bullets.” He crossed his arms, leaning back against the counter.

“Your killer is bright. I wouldn’t be surprised if those two boys were murdered to cool the trail a bit.”

“A decoy?” Alex asked.

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“Precisely. I can’t give you any more without additional data.

What I can tell you is that I’m getting a stronger and stronger feeling that this isn’t just someone with a thing against the law.

People who hold grudges that powerful aren’t usually methodical in their revenge and they usually aren’t skilled marksman.”

“Well, if that’s the case, it shoots my theory to hell,” Brad said.

“Only way I could link all six murders was with that connection.”

“That’s what he wants us to think,” Alex said quietly.

Instantly all eyes were on her.

“How do you know that?” Brad asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know how I know, I just know.”

“If you’re right, then what
is
the connection?”

She closed her eyes briefly. “This man, and it’s a man, is afraid of a woman. Afraid of what she knows. What she might do. He kills because of it.” She opened her eyes, regretfully shaking her head.

“That’s all I can tell you at the moment.”

“Well that’s as clear as mud,” Brad muttered.

“I was under the impression you wanted my help,” Alex said

curtly, turning toward him.

“I do.”

“Then I suggest, instead of ridiculing what my senses are

telling me, you file it away in that methodical brain of yours for further use. It would be more productive.”

“She’s got a point, amigo,” Miguel said, grinning. “If this guy has a motive then that leads credence to your suspicion. Now you need to find out what that motive is.”

Alex saw the conflicting emotions on Brad’s face, could feel his unease in believing in what he didn’t understand.

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“Remember what I said about my criteria for taking a case,

Brad?” she asked coolly. “You’re not the only one making the decisions.”

Rosa squeezed Alex’s hand, frowning. “Excuse me for being

blunt, Brad, but don’t be a fool. If you feel firmly that your aunt was murdered, then Alex just gave you the confirmation you

needed. So go with it, for crying out loud.”

Right or wrong, Alex’s natural curiosity compelled her to

glimpse inside Brad’s mind. What she saw saddened her. Fantasy and the illogical weren’t part of his upbringing or his makeup. He’d never pretended as a child, wasn’t allowed. There were numbers and hard facts and strict routines but no day dreams. Unexpected tears glistened in her eyes, tears for the small boy and not the grown man.

He shrugged. “I guess I don’t have any choice, do I?”

“Yes you do, Brad,” she said evenly. She rose, shouldering her purse and leaned down to kiss Rosa on the cheek. “I’ll give you a call next week and we can meet for lunch. Take care of her, Miguel, and call me the minute something happens and thanks for a truly wonderful meal.”

She turned to leave but didn’t get far as Brad captured her

wrist, spinning her back toward him as he stood.

“You’ve got to curb that quick temper of yours if we’re going to work together for the next few weeks, lady. Won’t get much

accomplished otherwise.”

The resentment slowly faded as she caught the message behind the words. “That will never happen. My parents have worked on it for years.”

“Your family all have the same temperament?” he asked wryly.

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Her lips tilted. “To varying degrees.”

“God help your mother then.”

“Actually, I think I inherited hers.”

Brad moaned as Miguel rose, laughing, and slapped him on the back. “Good luck, buddy. You’re going to need it.”

Rosa swatted him with a towel lying on the counter and slipped an arm around Alex’s waist. “All jokes aside, you two, be careful.

The criminal mind works in strange ways. Miguel and I can both attest to that. If this nutcase thinks you’re getting close, there’s no telling what he’ll do to stop you.”

“Speaking of close, it would seem the logical start would be to visit this Russell Ferron.” Brad turned to Alex. “You up for a road trip?”

“I will be Monday. My parents are due to arrive back from

vacation tomorrow and I can relinquish the family reins and move home after that.” She hugged Rosa again. “Which is why I have to get moving. God forbid Mom arrives and the house isn’t in tip top order.”

She was aware Brad wasn’t comfortable with family and

suddenly she wanted to change that. She barely knew the man, but she could feel the pain inside of him and the hurt he had buried deep. What was more, she knew without a doubt that there was something between them. Wasn’t sure she liked it but it was there nonetheless. She intended to find out what that something was.

She waited until they reached her car. Tossing her purse

inside, she turned to look up at him. “To be honest, I could use some help tomorrow afternoon if you have the time.”

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The surprise showed in his expression. “What kind of help?” he asked warily.

“Alan has a football game tomorrow morning and Alicia has