Chapter 11

Kendra jumped into the passenger seat of Lynch's car and immediately looked at her phone. "Sorry, I may be on a call for a while."

"Problem?" Lynch asked.

"Olivia tried to phone me three times while we were at that crime scene. She finally texted me. She wants to know if I'm okay. I think that the word is out about the Bayside Strangler's return. I texted her back, but she wants to talk to me. She insists we stop at her condo as soon as we get back."

"Uh-oh." Lynch chuckled. "It sounds like she's in a demanding mood."

"Yep. She's the most loyal friend you could ever ask for, and you've already seen how protective she can be. When Paula Chase was killed, you'll remember she encouraged an eighty-eight-year-old retired police sketch artist to grab his gun and leap into action."

Lynch nodded. "I had a few problems with her choice of a bodyguard at the time."

"Well, if she knows the Bayside Strangler is back, she might be calling in the National Guard. I grew up with her, and you have no idea how hardheaded and determined she can be when the notion strikes her."

"Yes, I do. I got a taste of it when she was reading me the riot act telling me that I wasn't doing everything she expected of me. I fully expect to have a similar experience when I see her tonight." He sighed. "But I'm willing to suffer through it."

"Well, I'm not," Kendra said flatly. "For the most part you've been very helpful today. You don't deserve that kind of flak."

"Really?" He smiled. "And it only took the emergence of a genuine monster to make you see me this clearly?"

"It's a question of comparison. Don't let it go to your head."

"Too late. I'm filled with confidence now. I might even be able to handle our Olivia."

"Don't count on it."

"I have to count on it." Lynch shot her a glance. "Because I have to prove I'm worthy of your trust. You've officially already declared me to be worthy of battling with monsters. I think that's something like being a knight in armor. Now I only have to go and face the dreaded magician Olivia. That will be another battle, but I'll find a way to win her to my side."

Kendra was shaking her head. "Lynch, you're a complete idiot." She had to stop laughing.

He nodded gravely. "But one in whom you have total confidence?"

She nodded. "You might say that. I'll let you know after I see how Olivia handles you."

"That will go well," he assured her. "Because I already know a few of her magician's secrets. Now lean back and relax and I'll whisk you to Olivia's stronghold. Don't worry about anything before we get there."

"Whatever you say." She obediently leaned back on the headrest. "But I have to warn you, Olivia often manages to concoct new and more powerful magic at a moment's notice."

"Then you might have to help me. I'll look forward to it." He smiled down at her. "It's always more fun if we do it together." He covered her hand with his own. "Isn't it, Kendra?"

She was quiet for a long moment. "In most cases." She forced a smile. "As long as it has nothing to do with monsters or things that go bump in the night. I'm afraid I'd draw the line at either of those. No magician's castles or knights in armor. The minute you start going after the monsters is when I bid you goodbye and take over the job myself. Because that's the way it should be from the beginning. I don't believe I could bear the thought of causing you or anyone else to become a victim for my sake. It would hurt too much." She blinked hard. She was not going to cry, dammit. "So make up your mind about all that nonsense. I couldn't stand it."

"Then we'll have to make certain it doesn't happen."

He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her cheek. "No big deal. Heaven forbid I inconvenience you. We'll just go forward as we intend to go on. Okay?"

"Sounds good to me." She adjusted herself in the seat and looked straight ahead. "Now get me to Olivia's condo so we can find out if the FBI has found out anything more since we left the park."

The minute Kendra left the elevator as they reached Olivia's floor she knew what Olivia probably had in mind when she asked her to come here. And by the time they had reached the door of her condo she knew definitely. She grabbed Lynch's arm. "Hold on to your hat. The magician is starting to work her magic."

Lynch gazed at her inquiringly but a minute later he heard the howl and he understood. Another howl and he flinched as Olivia threw open the front door. Olivia's huge sandy-colored dog with his big ears and one brown eye and one blue was immediately on Lynch in an ecstasy of greeting, with his paws on Lynch's shoulders and licking his ears. "Hello, Harley." Lynch fought him off and gave him a pat as he gazed at Kendra. "I was wondering why Harley didn't show up last night when Olivia came to your condo."

"He's been in the country at the trainer's," Olivia said as she pulled Harley down and gave him a pat. "But he always loved you, Lynch, and you were excellent with the training. I thought you might as well be useful at something since you're obviously being fairly inept when it comes to keeping an eye on Kendra."

"Now, that hurts," Lynch said.

"Then find a way to get rid of that damn strangler," Olivia said. "And keep Harley with you all the time. He's probably smarter than you are. His trainer says he's very intelligent."

"I believe you. And I'll keep Harley by our side whenever possible. I'm not taking any chances, Olivia."

"See that you don't," she said sternly. "You can start by taking Harley up to Kendra's condo tonight. But right now I want you both to tell me all the details of what happened in the park tonight. I can't understand it. Why did that beast just suddenly reappear on the scene after all this time?"

"We don't know that yet, Olivia," Lynch said quietly. "I wish we did. I'll search every avenue I have to find out. But you can bet that we'll know very soon. The only thing we can be certain of so far is that something appeared on the scene that wasn't there before, triggering the killing," Kendra said. "Maybe if we talk about it we might find a clue."

Lynch reached out and took Olivia's hand. "I realize I disappointed you, but I promise I'm going to find out. Right now, we're going to take Harley up to the condo and get him settled for the night. Is HGTV still his favorite TV network?"

Olivia nodded. "Yes. I have to turn on the TV for him every afternoon. And now he barks and runs around the room every time Property Brothers comes on. You spoiled him rotten. It took weeks for the trainer to put him back on the right track the last time I let you puppy-sit when I went out of town."

"I'll watch it this time," Lynch said. "Kendra will keep an eye on me. But a little spoiling doesn't do any harm. He was missing you. The two of you are a team, and he needed a little pampering."

"Kendra," Olivia said, "I'm relying on you."

Kendra was already pulling Harley toward the front door. "We'll see you in the morning. Everything is going to be fine. We'll talk and maybe we'll come up with something."

"You'd better," Olivia said. "I'll see you in the morning and I want answers." She gave Harley's throat a final pat. Then she brushed a kiss on Kendra's cheek. "Tomorrow," she said again. "No excuses."

"We hear you," Kendra said as she pushed Lynch out into the hall. "So much for confronting the magician," she continued as they headed for the elevator. "But you didn't do all that bad. You sounded sincere. That's important to Olivia."

"I couldn't have been more sincere," Lynch said as she unlocked her condo door. "Every syllable." He watched Harley running around the condo for a moment before the dog stretched out lazily on the couch. "But you've had a bit of a rough time tonight and you should rest." He gave her a light kiss. "I'm going to do some research and see if I can put all this together." He turned toward the French doors. "But first I believe I'll search the terrace and make certain we don't have any visitors."

She stiffened. "Do you want company?"

"No." He smiled. "I want you to go to bed and let me work on finding the solution I promised Olivia. I really did mean it when I told her I'd do everything I could to keep you safe."

She was disappointed. They had spent most of the day working and talking together and she felt a little sense of abandonment. "Would you like a glass of wine before you go hunting for the bad guys?"

He shook his head. "Stop trying to take over. I have a duty to perform that the magician decreed."

"Whatever." She headed for her bedroom. "May you and Harley be very happy together."

"I'm just trying to please your best friend." He followed her to the bedroom. "Though I might be persuaded to change my mind."

"I wouldn't think of inconveniencing you." She kicked off her shoes and pulled off her clothes. Lynch smiled, but she made a shooing motion. "Go forth and conquer. I'll join you for breakfast with Olivia in the morning. If that won't get in your way. Heaven forbid that happens." She climbed into bed, reached over, and turned off the bedside lamp. "Go do your duty to Olivia. But you damn well better come up with an answer by morning. I'm tired of being left out in the cold while you take over the action. I thought we already had that discussion."

"Kendra…"

"Out," she said and turned over in bed. "You'll have to be a good deal more persuasive the next time we come together."

"I promise I will. Evidently I couldn't be worse. And I won't make the attempt until I'm on solid ground."

"Good thinking."

He gave a low whistle as he closed the door behind him.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

Kendra's hand clenched on her pillowcase as she saw the lights go on in the living room. She wanted to go to Lynch and make things right again as they had been all evening.

She'd been difficult and a bitch and she knew she wasn't going to sleep tonight. Why couldn't she be like other women who could accept being softer and less demanding? She knew the answer. Because it wasn't her nature. Because she had fought too long and hard to become who she was, and Lynch was part of who she had become. She pounded the pillow one last time and then drew a deep breath and closed her eyes. Tomorrow was another day and she would probably never be what he wanted her to be. But maybe she could be what she wanted to be, accomplish all she wanted to do. Throw in a little more patience and kindness and that would be good, too. That might be enough. Yes, that might be enough…

The first thing Kendra heard when she woke was Lynch's shower pounding in the guest room next door. The second thing she heard was her door opening and then Lynch was on the bed beside her. "It's time to get up." His lips were buried in her throat. "I'm heading for the shower but I want company."

Her fingers instinctively went to his hair and began stroking it. "You didn't want it last night."

"I wanted it. When the hell have I ever not wanted you? You're an addiction. I was being noble and trying to please the magician and still making sure you had a good night's rest."

"And did it do any good? Was it worth it?"

"No, not worth a damn. I'm not good at noble. Especially not after I watched you get naked and slide into bed just a few feet away. So do you want to take a shower with me? We have time before we go down to breakfast."

She couldn't think of anything she wanted more at this moment. "Too late," she said regretfully. "I was restless and took my shower in the middle of the night."

"Do you want another one?" He was grinning mischievously. "I promise to make it worth your while."

"I know you could, damn you. But I just can't stop thinking about those sisters. I want to know what you discovered last night."

He leaned back slightly. "I've been thinking about Olivia's observation about there being no file for Detective Williams. I decided to research him."

"Good idea. What did you find out?"

"A very good record, in the police department and before that as a naval recruit. His navy career was undistinguished, but he found his groove with the San Diego Police Department. By all accounts, an outstanding detective, and he even received a meritorious service award shortly before he retired. He's divorced and has a daughter who lives in New Mexico. There's nothing in his background that suggests he can't be trusted."

Kendra nodded. "I want to talk to him again."

"We will. In the meantime, my shower offer is still open."

"I'll think about it."

He bent and gave her an especially sweet kiss. "Think hard. I'll be waiting." Then he was heading for the door. "But I do take rain checks."

Which made her want to run after him. Of course.

She sighed and got up and headed for her bathroom. If she didn't change her mind, she'd finish getting dressed so that she'd be ready to leave the condo when he came out of the shower. If she did change her mind…

She was fully dressed and was brushing her hair when her phone buzzed on the counter. The caller ID number looked familiar, but it wasn't one listed in her directory. She answered it. "Kendra Michaels."

"Dr. Michaels, it's Pauley, down in the garage."

"Pauley… Is everything okay?

He sighed. "Well, some idiot whipped into the garage and clipped your car's left rear taillight and bumper."

"Just to get things straight, we're talking about my car, not Lynch's Lamborghini, right?"

"Oh, God, no, not the Lamborghini." Pauley seemed happy and relieved that it was her car, not Lynch's, that was damaged. "This guy has his phone out, and he's taking pictures all around. He's making noises like some of the damage was already there."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, he's a jerk. You should probably come down here and swap insurance info. I already snapped a pic of his license plate in case he decides to take off."

Kendra muttered a curse. Just what she needed. "Okay. Keep him there. I'll be right down." Kendra cut the connection and immediately called Olivia. "We may be a little late for breakfast. Pauley said someone dinged my Toyota and I need to exchange insurance info. But it's my car and not that Lamborghini, thank heavens. Pauley would have had a nervous breakdown if it had been Lynch's car. I'll call you as soon as I find out when we'll be down. This shouldn't take long."

"Let me know if I can help," Olivia said.

"Just keep breakfast warm. I haven't even let Lynch know yet. He'd probably want to give the guy the third degree. See you later." She put down her phone and grabbed her keys. She took the elevator down to the building's main floor, then took the rear hallway to another elevator that took her to the parking garage.

Just go soothe Pauley, exchange insurance info, and then go back and get Lynch. Not a terrific way to start a day, but the early part hadn't been bad at all. And she still had those rain checks if she wanted to collect.

She stepped out onto the second garage level, where she expected to see Pauley standing behind her car.

He wasn't there.

"Pauley?"

No answer.

All the garage lights shut off.

What the hell?

"Run! For God's sake run!" Pauley's voice. Then there was a low curse and gasp of pain.

And Kendra ran! Pauley's voice called weakly from the other side of the garage. "Kendra, get the hell away! The guy's a—"

Pauley's voice cut off in mid-sentence.

She ducked behind a car. The guy's a what? Kendra thought. A random psychopath? A chill went through her. It could be something even worse, she realized. Something much worse.

She turned back toward the hallway door, just in time to see it slam closed.

Shit.

Where would he be expecting her to go? Back toward Pauley's voice? It's where she wanted to be, helping him…

No, this guy would know that. She couldn't do what was expected. It could be fatal.

She heard a single footstep, then the rustling of fabric. He was trying to be quiet, forgetting that his nylon jacket gave him away far more than his athletic shoes.

Kendra crouched even lower and rolled under the black Humvee next to her. She froze. Had he heard her?

She didn't think so.

She rolled again, toward a minivan. She curled underneath. She needed to put more distance between herself and that creep, whoever he was. But she'd lost track of him.

Was he being still, waiting for her to reveal herself?

She listened.

Not a sound.

Come on, you bastard. Give me something…

There!

He'd brushed past a car nearby, his jacket zipper striking a side panel.

But still too close for comfort. Damn.

She rolled again, moving two cars over. All well and good, but she needed a plan.

She heard jagged breathing on the other side of the garage. Pauley was alive! But there was no way in hell she could get to him.

"He's seen my face, Kendra."

The voice sliced through her. It was barely louder than a whisper, but she heard every word. He couldn't have been more than ten feet from her.

"I can't let him identify me," the voice continued. "I'm not going to let myself get caught by some greasy garage attendant. Pity. I'm afraid he needs to die."

He was trying to draw her out, to panic her.

And doing a damn good job of it.

Don't panic. Close your eyes. Concentrate.

What could she figure out about this guy?

He spoke with a slight northwestern dialect; Oregon or maybe even Washington State. He pronounced caught like cot, which was always a giveaway.

What else?

His gait and his breathing sounded different from the man who had attacked her at Sloane's condo the other night. Another psycho?

"I want you to know you weren't part of the original plan, Kendra."

He was now on the other side of the garage, close to Pauley. Gotta draw him away. Make him talk.

"What plan?"

She heard him turn.

Keep him coming.

"Where have you been all these years?" She spoke in an almost taunting manner.

He paused before replying. "Waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

Another long pause. "The time wasn't right."

Kendra cocked her head. He was on the move again, away from where she thought Pauley was. She listened for the sound of that rustling nylon. He was creeping along the edge of the garage, trying to make a long arc toward her.

Do you think that's going to keep me from hearing you, you asshole?

She moved closer to the wall.

Wait a minute… She'd seen something earlier in the week, something that had annoyed the hell out of her. It was in front of a white work truck, cluttering this corner of the garage. Kendra crouched low and crept toward the truck. Were the offending objects still there?

Keep him talking. Make it harder for him to listen.

"I never knew there was ever a good time to start killing innocent people," she said.

"You'd be surprised, Kendra."

"Then go ahead and surprise me. I'm listening."

His icy chuckle cut through the darkness.

"I'm serious. Tell me."

"It's a long story, Kendra. I was… interrupted."

"You were in prison."

He laughed again. He was closer now. "Prison? Have I done anything to make you think I could be so hopelessly inept?"

Kendra knelt in front of the truck. He wanted to talk. Good. "Where are Chloe and Sloane Morgan?"

"I'm afraid I can't help you with that."

"Can't or won't?"

"Let's just say I've never been afraid of them. They were always going to remain on my list."

Kendra's hand closed around something on the dark floor. It was cold and heavy, and it scraped across the concrete as she picked it up.

The man froze. Shit. Had she given herself away?

After a long moment, he started moving again.

Good.

She gripped a piece of rebar, a long slender length of iron used to reinforce floors and walls in construction sites.

"Then you must be afraid of me," she said. "Why else would you be here?"

He didn't respond. Suddenly, she was having a difficult time hearing him. He'd shed the jacket. He'd obviously realized it was giving him away.

She turned her head and listened. Where in the hell was he?

She heard his breathing. Quiet, measured.

In the next instant, he rolled out from under the truck and leaped to his feet. Before she could react, his arm snapped around her neck!

He whispered into her ear. "I'm not afraid of you, Kendra. But others are. That makes it much more exciting for me."

Kendra swung the rebar upward and struck him on the head. He grunted in pain, but his grip remained strong. He twisted her around and slammed her head against the truck. She swung the iron bar toward him again. A miss.

She swung again. Another miss.

His grip tightened, cutting off her airway. She was losing consciousness. She swung at him again. Contact! He released her and staggered backward.

The door flew open on the other side of the garage. "Kendra!" It was Lynch.

Thank God.

She held the rebar in front of her. "Over here! Hurry!"

Her attacker was gone…

"Kendra!"

"Watch out!" she shouted. "He's here!"

Lynch slid over the hood of a car and was suddenly beside her. He held his automatic in front of him. "Which way?"

She pointed toward the ramp up to the garage's main level. "There."

"Are you okay?"

She felt her bruised throat. "Yes. Let's go."

They bolted up the ramp and stopped. "How many exits are there up here?"

"Three, plus the main gate."

"Are the doors locked?"

"Yes, but only from the outside. He could've gone out any of them."

Lynch cursed and lowered his gun.

Kendra turned and headed back down the ramp. "We need to check on Pauley. He's been hurt…"

They ran back to the garage's lower level. "Pauley?" Kendra called out.

No answer.

Dear heaven.

"Pauley?"

"Any idea where he is?" Lynch asked.

"Somewhere on the far side."

Still holding his automatic, Lynch held up his phone with the other hand to light their way across the dark garage. Finally, between two parked cars, they found Pauley's bloodstained body.

"No!" Kendra knelt beside him. He was alive. Bleeding and struggling to breathe, but alive. She turned back toward Lynch. "Call 911! Now!"

Lynch was already on it, she realized. He finished the call and cut the connection. "There's a first-aid kit in the trunk of my car."

He bolted for his Lamborghini.

She made a face. "Of course there's one in the Lamborghini. What did I expect? Doesn't every luxury car have its own first-aid kit to take care of the needs of its owners?"

"No." He scowled. "Only the ones whose guests don't check in with me and tell me that there might be a problem requiring it."

Considering her situation, she decided it was the better part of valor not to argue the point. Instead she started to bandage Pauley's shoulder.

She could hear the ambulance sirens now. "I should have let you know before I came down here. But it seemed perfectly safe. It was Pauley…"

"And after all, no one else could be down here waiting for you." He held up his hand as he added caustically, "At least no one you couldn't handle? Let's not talk about it right now. I'm a little irritated. I just want to make sure Pauley is okay." His lips tightened. "And I want to get that wound on your neck taken care of so I don't have to look at it any longer. It's a very potent reminder that I should have been here with you. It can't happen again, Kendra. Not like this. It hurts too much." He raised his phone light and waved it toward the EMTs, who were approaching with their work lights. "But let's get Pauley taken care of and then go after the bastard who did this to him. Then I'll worry about the brand-new wound that murderer gave you." He helped her to her feet and then pushed her gently over to the EMTs. "I'll find the garage lights, then stay with Pauley until you get to the hospital. But you should give Perry or Breen a call while you're in the ambulance. They're going to want a report on this little incident. I'll meet you at the ER. Okay?"

"Of course it's okay," Kendra said curtly. "I was going to call Perry the minute I got the chance. You should have realized that. I've been a little busy lately."

"I've noticed." He turned away. "All the more reason to have that talk I mentioned as soon as possible. But get that wound taken care of first. I'm going to ask for a report on it as soon as I arrive at the hospital."

"Is that a threat?" Kendra's brows lifted as she got into the ambulance. "It had a few uneasy overtones of that."

"No, the threat is over for the time being," Lynch said. "I believe both of us have had enough of that today. As far as I'm concerned, I've had enough for the next decade." He was heading for his car. "I'll see you at the hospital."