Picture Perfect Murder. Rachel Dylan

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СКАЧАТЬ coming, he started to retreat. I got my Glock and was going to go after him, but that’s when I twisted my ankle and fell on the stairs.”

      He kept jotting down notes. “What do you do for a living, Ms. Parker?”

      Here came the tricky part. Would he believe that she was a photographer? The problem was that he’d seen the Glock at the scene, so there was no escaping that. “I’m a photographer.”

      “That’s your only job?”

      “Yes. It keeps me fully occupied.” Which was the truth. It was her only current job. She’d left the CIA life behind.

      “Do you know anyone that would want to hurt you?”

      She kept a straight face. “Not that I know of.” There was no way she was divulging her CIA backstory to a man she’d just met, even if he was working her case.

      He took a breath and stopped writing. “I don’t want to frighten you by telling you this, but I feel I have to.”

      Her heartbeat sped up. “Tell me what?”

      “I’m working in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department, and we are investigating a string of murders that have occurred in the city.”

      “String of murders? Are you talking about a serial killer? I was wondering why the FBI was responding to a police call.”

      “I was working a crime scene not far away from your home when the 911 call came in last night.”

      “Okay, but how do I fit into all of this?”

      “Once again, there’s no cause for alarm at the moment. You’re safe.”

      She nodded. “I understand. But please tell me what it is you’re trying to say.”

      “Ms. Parker, here’s the situation. You look strikingly similar to the other three victims from the case. I’m assuming you’re in your twenties?”

      “Yes, I’m twenty-seven.”

      “You live alone?”

      “Yes, just with Grace.”

      “All of the victims have been attractive women in their twenties, living alone, with long dark hair and light-colored eyes.”

      She felt her eyes widen. “Seriously?”

      “Unfortunately, yes.”

      “Are you trying to say that the attacker was in my house trying to make me his next victim? That the man I came into contact with actually may be the serial killer that you’re trying to apprehend?”

      “I can’t say with certainty that your attacker is the same man I’m trying to hunt down, but I don’t really believe in this many coincidences. The last victim was murdered approximately two weeks ago. You may have very well been his next target.”

      “Wow.” She thought she’d left her life of danger behind when she quit the Agency.

      She blew out a breath. “By any chance, did you find my cell at the house? The man who attacked me grabbed it away from me last night in the struggle.”

      “We didn’t. Did you have any sensitive information on there like financial records—anything like that?”

      “No.” Her time at the CIA had taught her to be wary of storing any intel on electronic devices. “But it did have a lot of my photos on it. Things I needed for work.”

      “I’m sorry about your phone. We will attempt to track it, but I’m assuming that search will come up empty. I also suggest you get your locks changed.”

      “Thanks. That’s a good idea.” She looked up and saw another man walk into her hospital room. She recognized him as one of the officers at the scene last night. He screamed law enforcement, with his dark, conservative suit. He was tall with thick, blond hair.

      Rex looked at her. “Ms. Parker, I don’t think you officially met Derrick last night. This is Detective Derrick McKinley from the Atlanta Police Department. He’s also working your case.”

      Derrick walked over and smiled. There was a kindness in his blue eyes. “How are you doing, Ms. Parker?”

      “I’m ready to get out of here.”

      “I can only imagine how you must be feeling. I just wanted to stop by and check on you. And to pick up this guy.” He nodded toward Rex. “The doctor said she was about to come in. Have you given Rex your statement?”

      “Yes.” She looked over at Rex. “Did you have more questions?”

      “Not at the moment, but I’m going to need to talk with you again to determine if there is any connection between you and the previous victims. Also, we’ve got an APD officer here at the hospital who will escort you home.”

      The implication was clear. Rex thought that she may still be in danger, and she couldn’t object because she needed to seem like a photographer. Not a CIA agent fully capable of defending herself. She already knew that Rex was a bit suspicious of her having a Glock. And chasing after the guy. But she felt it was better to be straightforward in her statement to him. She knew all too well about how lies could start to spiral out of control.

      Lily thanked both men again, and they walked out of the room as the doctor came in. She wore wire-frame glasses and her blond hair was pulled back in a bun. “Ms. Parker, I’m Dr. Grady. How are you feeling today?”

      “Ready to get out of here.”

      “Good news about your ankle. Not even a sprain. Just might be a little sore but shouldn’t slow you down too much. I also conducted a thorough physical exam and was unable to detect any trauma. But how are you feeling emotionally? If you need to talk to anyone, we have a full staff of psychologists.”

      No way was she doing that. “I’m fine, Doctor. Just anxious to be home.”

      She smiled. “I understand that.” She paused. “Ms. Parker, one other thing. An envelope was delivered for you.” The doctor pulled the small envelope out of her jacket. “It might be best if you involve the police, given the circumstances. But I thought I’d talk to you about it first in case you were expecting something.”

      She wasn’t. But she didn’t want to discuss this with the doctor. “Oh, yes, it’s probably from my friend who couldn’t get off work this morning.”

      “Okay, then. It will just take the nurse a few minutes to process your discharge paperwork.”

      “Thank you.”

      Once the doctor left the room, she quickly opened the envelope. The words typed on the small card stared back at her.

      Next time you’ll be mine.

      Her heart dropped. Was the FBI agent right? Could she have been the serial killer’s latest target?

TWO

      Lily СКАЧАТЬ