Chapter 3

Two days later…

“I hear congratulations are in order.”

Ellie froze, her hands hovering motionless over her keyboard. She knew that voice well, though she wished like hell she didn’t.

Great. Just what I need to have to deal with today.

Turning her gaze toward her office door—a door that, as of a few seconds ago, had been shut—Ellie forced a tight smile and a polite, “Hello, Neil.” With an unnecessary glance down at her desk calendar, she said, “I didn’t realize we had an appointment to meet today.”

The passive-aggressive comment had been purposeful. Ellie didn’t have to look at her calendar to know there was no appointment on her schedule today. Or any day, for that matter.

“Heard you finally nailed Leonard Knowles,” Neil stepped closer into the room. “Since I was in the neighborhood, I figured I’d offer my congratulations in person.”

A twinge of annoyance churned inside her gut. Once upon a time, she’d been excited when the rich and powerful Neil Peterson would show up out of the blue. Not because his family had more money than God or because he was the top-rated prosecutor in Seattle…but because he was fun.

Casual, no-strings, spontaneous fun.

For a few months, the arrangement seemed perfect. But then everything changed. Correction, Neil changed.

He became clingy to the point of needy and started talking all kinds of crazy. The guy started making plans for a future he’d assumed she would share. He’d started telling her things like how many kids he hoped to have, which school districts were the top-rated in the city, where the best neighborhoods were to buy a house…

Basically everything Ellie didn’t want. Or rather, things she wouldn’t allow herself to wish for. So of course, she ended things with Neil and never looked back.

Too bad he can’t seem to do the same.

“That was very kind of you.” She stood from her desk and forced a friendly smile. “Thank you.”

“I always knew you’d get him.” Pride and something she refused to acknowledge filled the man’s light blue stare.

Neil was handsome, she’d give him that. Six-two. Thick, dirty-blond hair that rarely seemed out of place. A perfectly toned runner’s build. Even the guy’s nose was perfectly straight. Add in a jaw that looked like it was chiseled from stone and a smooth-talking tongue, and he’d been exactly what she’d been looking for at that time in her life.

Until he wasn’t.

“The police and witness statements sealed the deal,” she told him truthfully. “I just wrapped it all up for the jury in a nice, neat bow.”

One corner of his lips curved in a crooked grin as he sauntered toward her. “I’ve seen you in action enough times to know you did a lot more than that.”

Still pouring on the charm, I see.

Not that it was going to work on her this time. Or any other time, for that matter.

“I did my job, Neil. The justice system worked. It’s as simple as that.”

“Oh, Eloise.” His head shook back and forth slowly. “Nothing with you is ever simple.”

She couldn’t exactly argue with that.

“We should celebrate.” He glanced down at his watch and smiled. “It’s after eleven, so Chez Dubois won’t be too busy yet. I still have a standing reservation there, so what do you say you take an early lunch and—”

“That’s very nice of you to offer, but I have a lot of work to catch up on here.”

“Come on, El.” His gaze slid to the small pile of folders on her desk. “That stuff will still be here when you get back.”

He reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers as he started to gently pull her toward the door.

“I just told you, I can’t.” She tried to ignore the tightening of his grip. “I’m sorry, but I can’t just take off whenever I—”

“Sure, you can,” he cut her excuse short. “You’re the boss, right?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then you can do whatever your little heart desires.”

The only desire her little heart had right now was to punch the cocky SOB square in his perfect nose. Thanks to another unexpected interruption, she didn’t have to.

“Um…Miss Fisher?”

Both Ellie and Neil turned to see her paralegal, Seth Payne, standing in her open doorway. At twenty-one, he was young, eager, and one of the top students in his law class. He also had perfect timing.

Mental note…give Seth a raise.

“Yes, Seth?”

“I-I apologize for the interruption, but…” he apologized for bursting in.

She wanted to hug him for it.

Instead, Ellie pulled her hand free and smiled at her right-hand man. “It’s okay.” More than okay. What did you need?”

“I think…” He swallowed hard, his expression growing more nervous by the second. “You, uh…you should turn on the TV.”

Okay, now she was getting nervous.

Spinning on her heels, Ellie went back to her desk and picked up the remote. She pointed it toward the flat screen poised on the wall opposite where she stood.

“Which channel?” She pressed the power button.

“Any of the local ones should have it on.”

“Have what on?” Neil asked, coming to stand beside her.

Before Seth could answer, the T.V. came on. Ellie didn’t have to change the channel to find the breaking news banner scrolling across the screen.

“What’s going on?”

“Shh!” She waved her hand in Neil’s direction to quiet him.

With her heart beating at a wild pace, Ellie kept her eyes glued to the screen as she listened to what the news anchor was sharing with the public…

“While we don’t have many details at this time, authorities have confirmed that convicted murderer, George Ray Harris, has escaped federal custody and is currently at large. According to our sources within both the Seattle Police Department, as well as the Tacoma Police Force, the fifty-five-year-old prisoner escaped custody at approximately nine-thirty last night while being transported from Washington State Penitentiary to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.”

No.

Ellie’s racing heart flew into her chest. This was a mistake. It had to be. If it wasn’t…if that murdering SOB really had escaped…

“According to law enforcement officials, Harvey attacked and disarmed the guard who was riding in the back of the ambulance. Holding both the officer and paramedic who’d been trying to render medical aid to Harvey at gunpoint, the prisoner then forced the paramedic who’d been driving the ambulance to pull the vehicle over to a stop at the side of the road. Ordering the officer and both paramedics to exit the ambulance, Harvey then stole the ambulance and has been on the run ever since.”

“Holy shit!” Neil exclaimed from his too-close proximity beside her. “Isn’t that the same guy you told me about? The one who tried to—”

“Choke me to death?” she cut him off. “Yeah.” Ellie nodded woodenly. “That’s the guy.”

In an absentminded move, she brought her fingers to her throat. Five years had passed, but sometimes she could still feel his meaty grip tightening around her neck. The pinching and burning. The gasping for air that had refused to come.

Luckily the asshole had been pulled off her before he could do any real damage. But while bruises always faded, some memories cemented themselves deep inside a person’s soul…forever.

“We’re being told the other three occupants were also made to hand over their cell phones and the officer’s department-issued radio,” the news anchor continued, “leaving them stranded on the side of the road with no way to call for help. According to the officer’s statement, a good Samaritan drove by approximately fifteen minutes later, but the prisoner was nowhere to be found.”

Nowhere to be found meant that the monster was just out there, free to kill again.

Dear God.

Neil started to speak once more, but Ellie raised a palm to stop him so she could hear the rest of what the man on the T.V. had to say…

“Police discovered the abandoned ambulance early this morning after receiving a tip from the hotline authorities set up for anyone who may have information on George Ray Harvey’s whereabouts. We’re keeping the hotline number scrolling at the bottom of the screen. Police are asking everyone, especially those within the state of Washington, to please call that number if you or anyone you know has information that could lead to the capture of the prisoner. If you do see someone you believe to be George Ray Harvey, do not approach or try to apprehend him yourself. Harvey is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous. We’ll bring you more as the story unfolds.”

Gut churning, she turned off the television and dropped the remote back down onto her desk. Ellie drew in a long, deep breath. Or tried to, anyway. For some reason, her lungs didn’t seem to want to fill themselves completely.

It’s him. He’s the reason.

“They’ll catch him, Eloise,” Neil stated as if it were fact. “You mark my words. As high-profile as that man’s case was, there’s no way he’ll be able to hide for long. In fact, I bet the cops have him back in custody before dinnertime.”

Harvey’s popularity wasn’t the issue. It was his level of intelligence. Testing out as a literal genius, the guy was as smart as he was dangerous. Add to that his whispered warning all those years ago…

I will get out someday, sweet Eloise. And when I do…I’m coming for you.

Those had been his last spoken words, but that day wasn’t the last time she heard from him. Not even close. Of course, she could never prove Harvey was the one behind the harassing phone calls and messages after he’d been sent away for life. He was, after all, behind bars in one of the state’s most secure prisons.

But it was him. To the very depths of her being, Ellie knew Harvey was the one behind it all. Eventually, the calls and letters came less frequently until one day, they finally just…stopped. But the fear…that had never really left.

She’d seen the evil behind those cold, empty eyes. She’d felt the desire to cause pain. The deep-seated urge to kill. But above all else, Ellie had seen the truth in his parting words.

I will get out someday, sweet Eloise. And when I do…I’m coming for you.

For a while, Ellie had lived every day in fear that he’d find a way to escape. That fear had lessened with time, but never fully vanished. And now…

He’s out there somewhere.

George Ray Harvey was on the loose, and the scariest part of all? Not knowing what the murdering asshole had planned.

Are you planning to kill again or simply trying to vanish?

Either was a very real possibility. From her time as a prosecutor, Ellie had learned that reinventing oneself was much easier than people thought. With the right contact and enough cash, a person could buy a new I.D., complete with new name, address, and backstory.

Someone like Harvey…the guy probably had all sorts of contacts both inside and out of those prison walls. So yeah, he could vanish. No problem there. The only question was, was the man planning to start a new life…

Or is he planning his revenge?

“Come on, El,” Neil’s prodding voice—and the arm he’d just wrapped around her shoulders—broke through the unsettling memories. “Let’s you and me go have that lunch, yeah? You’ll forget all about that murdering asshole before the waiter brings the first course.”

Seriously? Like I’ll ever forget the man who’d tried to kill her…with his bare hands…in a courtroom full of people.

The corded phone on her desk began to ring; the sudden peeling sound was a welcomed interruption.

“I’m not going to lunch, Neil,” Ellie made her point clear. She slid past Neil and went back to her desk. Glancing down, she wasn’t surprised to see the caller’s name illuminated on the phone’s digital display. “I appreciate you stopping by, but I really need to take this.”

Finally realizing he wasn’t going to get his way, Neil blinked with a slight frown. “Oh. Um…okay. Another time then.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

More like never.

Not bothering to flash the man a parting smile, Ellie lifted the phone’s receiver and answered the call. “Give me a second.” She put the call on hold long enough to turn toward the door and tell Seth, “Will you please show Mr. Peterson out?”

“Of course.” Her young assistant nodded solemnly. “Are you…okay?”

“I’m fine, Seth,” she lied.

She did give him a smile. Of course, she liked Seth, so there was that.

“Talk to you soon, Eloise.”

Without even looking, she gave Neil a parting half-wave as she returned her attention to the phone. The door shut, and she was alone once more.

Ellie pressed the button to take her off mute. “Sorry, Donald,” she apologized to her former boss. “I’m back.”

“Did you hear?” The man sounded understandably grim.

“I just saw.” She swallowed hard. “How the hell did this happen?”

“I’m still gathering all the details, but I spoke to Warden Foss right before I called you. He said Harvey was taken to medical after exhibiting signs of a possible heart attack during dinner. His symptoms worsened, and he was taken to the prison’s on-site hospital. But when his condition continued to decline, they arranged for transport to Providence St. Mary’s since they’re more equipped to handle a major cardiac emergency.”

“So the guy practically dies from a heart attack, yet he still had the strength to overpower a guard and the two paramedics, and then race off in a stolen ambulance?” Ellie frowned. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I thought so, too,” Donald agreed. “Which is why we’ve been given the green light to test the blood the medics took from him prior to the escape.”

She considered this a moment. “You think he took something to mimic a heart attack?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

The man wasn’t wrong. Criminals were notorious for trying all kinds of crazy, desperate, creative ways to break free. Someone with the right connections—both inside and out—could easily obtain the right kind of drug to accomplish the same kind of physical symptoms George Ray Harvey had reportedly experienced.

“But don’t worry,” Donald assured her. “The FBI is in on this one, as is every available officer and deputy in the county. They will find the murdering son of a bitch and bring him in.” There was a slight pause, and then, “He’d be stupid to try to come after you, Eloise. And one thing about George Ray Harvey—”

“He’s not stupid,” Ellie finished for the well-meaning man. “I’m not worried about myself, Donald.” Okay, so maybe she was a little worried about the asshole making good on his promise. Even so, “I’m more concerned about him hurting another innocent young woman.”

“We’re not going to let that happen.”

Her former boss and mentor meant well. She knew this. But the man’s promise was a guarantee no man on earth could make.

If Harvey wanted to hurt someone, he would. It was that simple.

“What can I do?” Ellie asked.

I have to do something to help the police find the son of a bitch.

“Since you asked…a press conference has been scheduled for two hours from now. The FBI’s liaison is taking the lead, of course. I’ll be there, along with the Mayor and the Chief…”

When Donald’s voice trailed off, she understood exactly what he wasn’t saying.

“You want me at the press conference?”

“Not me. Chief Kelton. In fact, he’s…insisting.”

Oh. Well, since he’s insisting…

Ellie rolled her blue eyes and blew out a breath. “The man does realize he has absolutely no authority over me, right? I mean…” Her shoulders shook with a humorless laugh. “I haven’t employed by Pierce County in over five years. So no. I’m not just going to bow down to the great and powerful Richard Kelton simply because he insists I—”

“The man plays dirty,” Donald reminded her. “Everyone knows it. Hell, the guy has more political connections than you and I will ever know. Including judges all over the state of Washington. He can cause trouble for you, Ellie. Professionally, I mean. You know I’m right.”

Yes, unfortunately, she did. Chief Kelton’s reputation preceded him for a reason. The man was rich, ruthless, and only cared about himself and his political aspirations. And anyone daring enough to stand in his way, well…

Trouble always seemed to find them.

“Kelton is an arrogant asshole and a bully,” she bit out. “He doesn’t scare me.”

“Well, he should. Because that bully has his thumb on damn near every judge in the entire Seattle Metropolitan Area. He gets in their ears about one of their defense attorneys refusing to show her support of the search for an escaped murderer…”

Donald didn’t finish because he didn’t have to. Even worse, the man was right. If she didn’t show up at that press conference today, if she didn’t play the game the way Kelton expected, there was a very good chance her career—and more importantly, her clients’ fates—could be adversely affected.

Was it right? Not even a little bit. Was it fair? Hell no, it wasn’t fair. Was it the reality she lived in?

Damn you, Kelton.

“Fine.” Ellie glanced at her watch and blew out a breath. “If I leave in the next ten minutes, I should be able to make it there before the top of the hour.”

“I’ll let him know. And…for what it’s worth…I really did try to convince him your presence wasn’t necessary.”

“I know you did, Donald.” Her shoulders fell with a sigh. “It’s all part of the game, right?”

“Yeah, well…sometimes this game of ours really sucks.”

Despite the situation, Ellie felt her lips curving into a small smile. “Yes, it really does. I’ll see you soon.”

“Drive carefully. Oh, and Ellie?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“Anything for, Donald. You know that.”

“See you soon.”

Ellie replaced the phone into its black cradle, effectively ending the call. Closing her eyes, she pressed the palms of both hands against the smooth surface of her shiny desk and hung her head between her shoulders.

The day had started off so well. She’d slept great, woke up before her alarm, made great time on her morning run, and managed to only hit two red lights the entire way into her office.

You should’ve known something big was about to come down.

Her phone rang again, the unexpeted sound making Ellie jump.

“Eloise Fisher,” she answered as she always did when she didn’t recognize the number.

“Miss Fisher, this is Gerald Smith from Channel Nine News here in Seattle. I was wondering if you had a moment to answer some questions about the recent prison escape involving George Ray Harvey. You were the prosecutor on record for his trial five years ago, correct?”

And so it begins.

Doing her best not to chew the man out for simply doing his job, Ellie clenched her jaw and swallowed her anger before forcing out a perfectly polite, “I have no comment at this time.”

“Harvey threatened you in court, correct?” The jerk ignored her and pushed for more. “He attacked you and then—”

“I said no comment.”

She could still hear the jerk trying to convince her to talk, even as she hung up the phone.

Ellie turned and grabbed the black, fitted suit jacket from the back of her chair. Sliding both arms into the satin-lined sleeves, she was adjusting the collar when the phone began to ring again.

“Eloise Fisher,” she answered again.

And again she was greeted by another blood-sucking reporter. “Miss Fisher, this is Sherise Davis from Channel Four. I was hoping you’d take a moment to—”

“I have no comment.” She hung up the phone before the woman even had the chance to press on. And when the phone rang a third time, she traded in her typical, professional greeting with a harsh, and somewhat loud, “No comment!”

But before she could slam down the receiver, she heard a familiar, feminine voice practically shouting through the other end of the line.

“Wait! Don’t hang up!” Her friend’s pleading voice reached her ears just in the nick of time. “It’s me, Cassie!”

Bringing the receiver back to her ear, Ellie drew in a deep, calming breath before letting it out slowly. “Sorry,” she apologized. “The phone’s been ringing non-stop with calls from reporters.”

“That’s actually why I called. I saw the news, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Honestly, I have no idea what I am.” It was the truest response she could give. “I just found out about what happened a few minutes ago, and then Donald called to tell me I have to drive down back down to Tacoma for a press conference. Then the reporters started in, and I….” Ellie raked a hand through her thick brown hair and blew out a loud, frustrated breath. “I haven’t even really had time to process it all.”

“Wait, you’re going to be on T.V.?”

“Uh…yeah. That’s usually how a press conference works.” She winced, immediately wishing she could take back the snarky comment. “Sorry, Cass. I didn’t mean to be so—”

“It’s okay, Ellie. You’re upset, and rightfully so.”

“That’s no excuse for being snarky with you.”

“You’ve told me the story, remember?” Her friend’s voice was soft and gentle, not filled with pity but rather empathy. “I know what that monster did to you.”

“I’m fine,” she lied. “I mean, he didn’t even really hurt me, so…”

It was the same thing she’d told herself after Harvey attacked her in the courtroom that day. Ellie had convinced herself she was fine. That the asshole had only bruised her a little, and with so many other people around, there was never any real danger of her being seriously injured or killed that day.

But he did kill that day. Three more innocent people lost their lives simply because they’d gotten up and gone to work.

You were almost number four.

“Cut the bullshit, El.” Cassie didn’t hold back. “I know you’re scared, and you have every right to be. I’m scared for you. I mean, what if this guy comes after you, like he said he would?”

“George Ray Harvey has bigger things to worry about right now than some years-long plot for revenge.” Ellie held the phone to her ear with her shoulder so she could begin gathering her things. “Trust me. That man’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. He’s not going to risk getting caught and being sent back to prison by doing something as predictable as going after the last person he publicly threatened.”

“You can’t possibly know that.” Worry seemed to pour from her closest friend. “I just think putting yourself front and center at a press conference is a really bad idea. I mean, what if the sicko’s watching? Hell, what if he shows up hoping to get the chance to get to you?”

“I appreciate your concern, Cass.” She really did. “But that place is going to be crawling with cops. Harvey’s way too smart for that.”

“Will you at least let me send Archer with you. If for no other reason than to make me feel better.”

“I appreciate the offer, sweetie, but I’m fine. Really. Besides, I’m leaving my office right now so I can get down there and meet up with Donald before the press conference starts. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll call you as soon as it’s over, and I’m on my way back home.”

There was a long, drawn-out pause before Cassie spoke again. When she did, it was clear the other woman wasn’t pleased with Ellie’s refusal to accept the offer of a personal bodyguard.

“Fine.” Cassie sounded less than fine. “But you keep your head on a swivel, and if anything seems off, you get the hell out of there. You hear me?”

A smile formed on her face as she slid her purse over her shoulder and picked up her keys. “I think you’ve been spending a little too much time with that fiancé of yours. You sound just like him.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I promise I’ll be careful.”

“And?”

“If I see anything wonky, I’ll haul ass out of there.”

“And you’ll call as soon as you’re back in your car and on your way home?”

“I’ll talk to you the entire drive back to Seattle, if it makes you feel better.”

“It would.”

Ellie’s smile grew even more. “I’ll call you the first chance I get, Cass. And…thanks.”

“For what?”

“For caring enough to worry.”

Another pause ensued, and then, “Be careful, El.”

“I will.” Her heart warmed with affection. “Talk soon.”

She returned the receiver to its rightful place, pulled in several more slow, deep, calming breaths, and then turned and walked out of her office.

****

He watched and waited as the crowd began to grow. Reporters. Cameras. Busy bodies with nothing better to do than keep up on the latest town gossip.

Then there were the others. The ones he really had to keep a close eye on.

Like cockroaches lying in wait for the next crumb to drop, FBI agents and uniformed officers representing the Tacoma police department stood dutifully as they waited for the press conference to begin.

He knew coming here was a risk. Especially so soon after the news of the escape had been made public. But life was full of risks, wasn’t it? Although his life carried with it far more risks than the average person.

A byproduct of the name he carried, he supposed.

The courtroom doors opened. The heads of the gathered crowd turned in that direction in a simultaneous wave. And then the shouting started.

Questions from eager reporters, each one of the greedy bastards vying for the chance to be the first one called upon. Only no one was taking questions. Not yet, anyway.

Fine with him. He wasn’t here to listen to the FBI’s public appeal, but rather something else. Someone else.

Ah, there she is.

Eloise Fisher was an attractive woman. That was an inarguable fact. But beauty was only skin-deep, and the woman who lay beneath the surface of the pretty package standing before the crowd now…

She was a calculating, cold-hearted bitch.

He glanced around to make sure he was still alone in his makeshift safe haven. He wasn’t worried, though. If someone did see him—if they managed to somehow recognize him—he’d easily be able to explain away his presence.

But he didn’t think that was going to happen.

His focus returned to the woman filling the crosshairs of his scope. The Fisher bitch stood in front of the crowd with all the other pretentious, “important” people.

Just look at her, with those shoulders back and that arrogant, smug chin lifted high. She was a looker, that was for damn sure. But from the way she strutted around in those tight skirts and blouses designed to showcase the swells of her breast…

The bitch knows it.

Too bad she had no idea the storm that was about to engulf her. And this time…this time, the fucking bitch of a lawyer was going to exactly what she deserved.