Текст книги "The Naked Eye"

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

Соавторы: Roy Johansen
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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

CHAPTER 10

BETH.

Kendra froze after she pressed the elevator button a few minutes later.

Beth was going to kill her.

She swiftly pulled out her phone and dialed. “Beth, I meant to call you on the way to Griffin’s office. But then I had to get what I was going to say to him straight in my mind and then—”

“Slow down, Kendra. I’m not interested in excuses. I want to know facts.” She paused. “Though I do approve of the fact that you’re feeling guilty for treating me so shabbily. After what we went through tonight, I thought we were doing this together.”

“Very guilty,” Kendra said. “Okay, no excuses, just explanations. What I saw on that coffee table threw me into a tailspin, and I had to talk to someone who knew what I knew.” She added, “And you weren’t that person, Beth. You’re my friend, but that was another life. I saw that shoestring, and it all zoomed back to me.”

“Facts,” Beth repeated. “And I’ll decide whether I’m going to forgive you.”

“That’s fair.” She got on the elevator. “It was that red shoestring that sent me spinning. You called it a weird addition, and it was. Colby wanted to catch my attention, and he knew that would do it. Only one shoestring was missing on the shoes of that little boy. No one could find…”

She was pulling up at her home by the time she finished telling Beth everything. “And now Griffin wants me to smooth down Stokes, and we both know that’s a futile exercise at best.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think that Stokes likes you.”

“Really? You mean when he’s not suspecting me of murder or making me tumble down a hill.”

“Well, he at least respects you.”

“That’s not the same thing.” Kendra unlocked her condo and threw open the door. Beth was curled up on the couch and hung up as she saw Kendra. “Not when I’m supposed to persuade him to do what Griffin wants.” She plopped down in a chair across from Beth. “But I’ll try if it will move things along.” She looked at Beth. “So what’s the verdict? Am I forgiven for running out on you?”

“This time.” She smiled faintly. “You were under extreme duress, or I wouldn’t do it. You shouldn’t have done that to me, Kendra.”

“I know. I’m used to working alone, and I went spiraling backward to that time when there was only me.”

“Not Lynch?”

“Lynch is his own person. Just as I am. Sometimes we just … come together.”

“That’s a provocative turn of phrase.” She got to her feet. “But I’m not going to pursue it. I’m going back to the hotel and go to bed.” She gestured to the objects on the table. “I photographed all of them and made a list. I thought you might want to go over them to see if you’d missed anything.” She gestured to her computer. “I pulled up Sheila Hunter’s coworkers and got addresses and telephone numbers. I’ll call them tomorrow and see if I can turn up anything more. You said that Griffin was going to get you that list of people Colby was in contact with during his prison stint. Do you have it?”

“Not yet. I’ll nudge him.”

“It appears you’re making a career out of nudging him.”

“Much to his displeasure.” She added, “But not this time. There’s no one more cynical than Griffin but I think that he believed me about Colby. Colby was a nightmare for Griffin while he was on his rampage. The last thing he wants is for Colby to cause him that headache again. He’ll want to put a stop to it before it begins. That’s why I had to get to him before the police took over this evidence that might indicate Colby is still alive and kicking.”

“And killing.”

“And killing,” Kendra repeated. “I’ll have those files for you before noon tomorrow. Promise.”

“See that you do.” Beth waved and left the condo.

There had still been a tinge of coolness in Beth’s voice when she left, Kendra realized.

And Kendra deserved it. Beth had been with her all the way and risked life and limb, and Kendra had pushed her aside when she had chosen to run to Griffin. Yet Beth was still trying to help in any way she could.

She had to find a way to make it up to her, Kendra thought wearily. But right now, she was too tired to think how or when.

She glanced at the objects on the table. Nothing more from Colby. She had recognized and collected all of those painful trophies. She carefully put Sheila Hunter’s memorabilia back in the black bag and set the bag in the foyer by the door.

Then she headed for the shower. Clean up, get to bed, and hope she got some sleep before Stokes called her or pounded on the door. She had an idea it had to be one or the other. She was lucky that Stokes had probably been too involved with explanations about losing a valuable city vehicle to come after her yet. She should probably go on the offensive and call him and offer the bag. It would look much more cooperative.

But she wasn’t up to going on offense or being aggressive right now. She had looked at those trophies, and the memories were still with her.

It was what Colby had wanted, what he had set up, and yet she’d had to fight to get those trophies and give him the satisfaction he wanted.

Damn Schultz. Damn Colby.

And heaven bless the souls of those poor victims he was still using as pawns.

*   *   *

IT WASN’T A TELEPHONE CALL, it was the pounding on the door.

Kendra was having her orange juice the next morning when she heard the door buzzer downstairs. “Good morning, Dr. Michaels,” Stokes said coldly. “I guess you were expecting me.”

“Oh, yes, come on up.”

“I’m on my way.”

The words were followed a few minutes later by the impatient pounding on the front door.

“Come in.” Kendra stepped aside after answering the door. “I would have been stupid not to think you’d be here to question me.” Her gaze went to his face. It was scratched, and there was a purple lump below his left eye. “You look a little worse for wear.”

“So do you,” he said. “You do know I saw you on that hillside?”

“Yes. Do you expect me to deny it? I was the one being hunted like an animal. Why shouldn’t I hide? You didn’t identify yourself. I didn’t know it was you following me until you started stumbling down that hillside. It could have been anyone.”

“Like Eric Colby.”

“It was one possibility,” she said sarcastically.

“I would have identified myself if you’d—”

“You didn’t advise me I was under surveillance, either.”

“That went without saying.”

“You’re right, I should have known you’d tail me. But the rest you didn’t handle with any great finesse.”

He scowled. “That’s what my superintendent told me. You’re going to be charged for the destruction of my vehicle.”

“How? I was nowhere near it. You saw me at the time that it went off the road.”

“You had a Beth Avery with you when you left your condo. She wasn’t on that hillside.”

“And how are you going to prove it was her? No witness. You left the engine running. It could have been an accident.”

“We’ll find proof.”

“Look, I know that you were probably given a hard time by your superiors. You’re still smarting from it. We had no intention of causing you any problem. That’s not why we were out there.” She turned and grabbed the black plastic bag she had set in the foyer. “This is why we were on that hillside. Take it.”

He opened the bag and looked inside. “What is it? It looks like a bunch of bottles and statues.”

“That’s what it is. It’s a collection of objects taken from Sheila Hunter’s houseboat the night of her murder.”

“By you?”

“Of course not.”

“Colby?” he asked scornfully.

“No, though he certainly set them out to be found. Along with a few more important items.” She grimaced. “But someone got in Colby’s way and spoiled his little surprise for me. Her lover panicked and gathered them up and took them away.”

“Because he’d killed Sheila Hunter?”

“No, I told you that was Colby.”

“Oh, yes, the ghostly Mr. Colby. Then who stole the things in this bag?”

She shook her head. “I made a deal. In exchange for telling me where he’d hidden the bag, I told him I wouldn’t reveal his name.”

“Which makes you an accomplice to evidence theft.”

“Bullshit. I didn’t steal that bag, I found it. And now I’m giving it to you. It should be easy enough for you to pin down who stole these objects without my telling you. You’ve done checks on all Sheila’s associates. He handled these objects and I’m sure he didn’t do it with gloves on, as Beth and I did. He was too scared.”

He was silent, looking down at the plastic bag. “And all the contents are now present and intact?”

“No.”

His eyes narrowed on her face. “No?”

“But you can have limited access to them.”

“Limited,” he repeated softly. “What the hell do you mean?”

“I turned over several objects to Special Agent Griffin to process.”

“Evidence from my crime scene?”

“Not exactly.” She hesitated, then went for it. “Trophies. There were a number of past victims’ trophies left at the houseboat by Eric Colby. It was done to taunt me, but there’s a possibility they can be verified by the victims’ families and offer proof Colby may still be alive.”

“And then you’d get what you want.”

“It could save lives. Yes, that’s what I want. That’s what you should want.”

“Don’t lecture me on what I should want. I like the idea of bringing the bad guys to justice and protecting the family next door. I’m a cop and a damn good one. At least that’s what I thought until you showed up on my cases.” His eyes were glittering in his taut face. “Since then, I’ve been called on the carpet twice, and I watched my vehicle crash down a hill. What I want is to find Sheila Hunter’s killer and get you out of my life. That’s my job, not to prove your crazy theory is correct. Colby is dead.”

“He’s alive, Stokes. If you don’t believe me, contact Griffin. He had the same doubts, but he doesn’t any longer. Well, that’s not true. But he believes enough to start to feel the situation out. Talk to him, help him.” She paused, gazing at him urgently, with her entire being focused on convincing him. “Look, you helped me that night at the houseboat. Because you knew that I wanted to find Sheila Hunter’s killer. You had some reservations, but you relied on your instincts. Those instincts were right. I’m not guilty of anything but trying to save lives and bring a monster to justice.”

He was silent, his face expressionless. “Are you finished?”

What else could she say? “I guess I am.”

He turned toward the door. “I’m not going to take you in today, but that might come later.” He looked down at the bag in his hands. “You behaved recklessly and without any sense of standard operational procedure. If you destroyed any evidence, you’ll have to face the consequences.”

“Whatever. But will you work with Griffin? Will you let him try to verify those trophies?”

He opened the door. “I’ll talk to him. I’ll let him try to convince me that you’re not crazy, and Colby is still out there. That’s my duty.”

“Thank you, Stokes. You’re an honorable man.”

“Am I? I kind of think you’re honorable, too.” He looked back at her. “But I don’t believe any of this. Colby is stone-cold dead. He can’t do anyone any harm now. You might make your life easier if you accept the truth.”

“I’ve already accepted the truth.”

He shrugged and walked out of the condo.

She stared after him for a moment. Stokes was being more fair than she’d thought he’d be. He could have caused her a megahassle, and he’d chosen to back down and give her a chance.

Or at least breathing room.

As he’d said, it might not be the end of her problems with the San Diego PD, but maybe it was the start.

And the important thing was that he wasn’t going to get in the way of Griffin’s work on those trophies.

Providing that Griffin could silver-tongue him into believing that there was even the faintest chance that Colby was still alive. He’d been pretty adamant on the subject.

She reached for her phone to call Griffin and tell him about the challenge she’d set for him.

*   *   *

KENDRA PUNCHED IN THE PHONE number and was surprised when Sam picked up immediately.

“I’ve been wondering when I’d hear from you again,” he answered.

“I’ve been a little busy, Sam.”

“So I gathered. Taunting psychopathic killers is so exhausting…”

“What?”

“I just ran across your conversation with Colby in that Word file. You told me you’d had some back-and-forth with him, but you neglected to mention that you basically challenged him to come at you. Are you out of your mind?”

“Possibly.”

“You have more experience dealing with the sick-and-twisted population than I do, but that seems like some pretty risky behavior.”

“He feeds on fear. Strength is the only thing that has ever worked against him.”

“Still, it’s a little like someone with an allergy sticking their face into a beehive. I wish you wouldn’t do it.”

“What do you have for me, Sam?”

“Ah, and my concerns for you are summarily dismissed.”

“Not at all. Sometimes I need to be told these things.”

“But this isn’t one of those times?”

“No. I know how dangerous Colby is, believe me. I’ve seen firsthand what he’s capable of doing.”

“He’s a devious son of a bitch, and I’ve seen that firsthand.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been poring through the data on your hard drive. It’s exactly what I suspected. He was using your laptop’s microphone to listen to everything that was being said in the vicinity. Even when you thought your machine was off.”

“And my camera?”

“Yeah. Your laptop’s webcam, too. At least when the lid was open.”

Kendra felt that sickening chill again. The thought of Colby watching her, listening to her conversations … “How did he do it? Did he hack in from the Web?”

“No.”

“Then how in the hell?”

Sam was silent for a long moment. “That’s kind of the scary part, Kendra.”

She had an idea where this was going. “Oh, God.”

“Yeah. This stuff was loaded onto your computer locally. As in standing right over it. Maybe you left it in your car, or the office…”

“No. Whenever I take it out, it goes with me everywhere. The only way it could have happened…” Kendra could barely make herself say the words. “… was here, at home.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.”

Kendra felt sick as her glance moved around her condo. Her hairbrush, her computer … Her home. Eric Colby had invaded it.

“Kendra?”

“Yes. I’m here. I’m still trying to get my head around this.”

“I know.” He paused. “Any progress on figuring out who might have helped him?”

“Not yet. We’re still working on that.”

“And I haven’t had any luck in zeroing in on this guy’s location. The software he planted in your computer destroys IP-address data as soon as each session is complete. But I think I’m going to try something…”

“Try what?”

“I’ve put your computer back together, and I’m about to go back online with it. I think it will attempt to make contact with whatever computer he’s using. I’ll monitor the packets, and if a connection is made. I might be able to figure out where he is.”

“You really think you can do that?”

“It won’t be easy, but geniuses like me thrive on difficulties.”

“I’m tempted to knock you off that self-built pedestal, but I don’t want to discourage you. I need this, Sam.”

“I know you do.” His voice was grave. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but you had to know, Kendra. I’d have a security expert go over your place right away. It must not be that safe.”

“I thought it was very secure. I had problems before, and I thought I’d fixed all the possible danger points.”

“Evidently you missed a few. Or maybe even just one. That can do it.”

“Yes, that can do it.” She glanced around her living room again. Where had Colby been in the condo? Had he been sitting on this couch, looking down at her computer. The kitchen? Her bedroom?

Dear God, had she been in the condo at the time?

Had he had the nerve to break into her condo while she was still here? She wouldn’t put it past him. As she had told Stokes, he was an egomaniac who would take any chance to prove his superiority. He would have enjoyed the idea of being that close and having her both ignorant and vulnerable.

“You want me to come over and keep you company? I offer everything from sex to tutoring in the fine art of computer games,” Sam said. “No charge. Though my services are much in demand.”

“No, I want you to concentrate on that computer.” She said, “I’ll make sure that Colby can’t get to me.” She added grimly, “And if he does, that he’ll regret it. Call me as soon as you come up with anything, Sam.”

She hung up and drew a deep breath. It was all very well to claim that she’d keep herself safe, but she was feeling very vulnerable. Okay, call a locksmith and get all the locks changed. Check to see any windows or doors that were problem prone.

Make sure her gun was loaded and on her nightstand. Then go to the closet and get the box Olivia had given her containing all those nasty self-defense mechanisms. A few in her handbag and a few under pillow wouldn’t hurt at all.

*   *   *

SAM CUT THE CONNECTION AND pulled off his telephone headset. He was definitely uneasy, but he felt a little better that Kendra was going to take action to make her security arrangements safer. When he’d discovered that Colby had been that close to her computer, it had been a shock.

He should have known that Kendra wouldn’t be stupid about taking unnecessary risks. Yet there had been a chance that she would weigh risk against the objective and decide on risk. In many ways, Kendra was the same wild child she’d been in those years just after gaining her sight. She was fearless and big-hearted, with gutsiness to match her amazing mental gifts. If she was still a tad on the reckless side, she embraced life in a way like few others he knew. He’d forgotten how exhilarating it was to be pulled along in her wake.

He walked across the cluttered living room of his one-story Mill Valley home. The house had cost everything he’d made from a recent corporate cybersecurity contract, but it offered him that rare combination of solitude and easy access to the San Francisco nightlife. Redwoods surrounded it in every direction, giving him the feeling of living in a tree house. A nice counterbalance to the piles of circuit boards, hard drives, and other gear filling up every available inch of shelf space. Much of the house was bathed in a CRT glow from a dozen monitors, giving him the status of his various projects.

Sam glanced out at the darkness. He had hoped to meet friends at a bar in the Mission District, but they always understood when he got absorbed in a fascinating project. And Kendra Michaels had brought him a spellbinder.

He looked at her laptop on his dining-room table. It was reassembled and ready to go. So why didn’t he just turn it on?

He knew why. Because that thing had been the eyes and ears of a monster.

Stop it, Sam told himself. The monster was on his turf now. Sam checked his network-monitoring system to make sure it was awake and ready to zero in on whoever might reach out to Kendra’s laptop once it was back online.

All systems ready.

He placed his finger over the power button and let it hover while he ran through his mental checklist one last time.

Enough stalling.

He pushed the button. Power on.

Kendra’s laptop booted up. In under a minute, the operating system loaded with the computer connected to the Internet.

He glanced over at his monitoring station. Definite online activity under way.

But it was no guarantee that Colby’s system was online and waiting to make contact. It could be hours or even days before—

“Hello, Sam.”

The gravelly whisper sliced from Kendra’s laptop speakers.

He froze.

“You can hear me. Good. I’ve been waiting for this. Waiting and anticipating.”

Sam slowly turned toward Kendra’s laptop.

Shit. He was being watched.

“Who is this?” He tried to project strength, but he knew his voice quavered.

“Sam, we’re beyond that. Why, I feel like we’re old friends.” The man spoke slowly, mockingly, still not above a whisper, yet Sam could detect a thread of menace.

“We’re not friends. I don’t know you.”

The man laughed, and Sam’s chest tightened. “Well, I know you.” Somehow, that laugh was terribly intimidating.

Stay strong. “I don’t think so.”

“Of course I do, Sam Zackoff. You’re Kendra’s white knight. One of many.”

Sam could feel the sweat break out. The computer was no longer a faceless tool to be used and conquered. It was the home of the monster.

And the monster knew who he was.

“You think you’re going to find me,” the man said.

Sam glanced back at his monitoring system. “Maybe I already have … Colby.”

“See, you do know me.” A chuckle. “And maybe I’ve already found you.”

Colby feeds on fear.

So don’t speak yet, don’t let him hear the fear.

“Beautiful home you have here in the trees. Ridiculously difficult to find at night, but not impossible.”

Oh, God.

“And so isolated, Sam. You can do anything out here, and the neighbors will never, ever know … By the way, I’m quite fond of your wraparound porch.”

Sam’s eyes flicked to the front door.

“Did you lock the door? Perhaps you’d better check. Go ahead, I’ll wait.”

“I don’t need to check.”

“Such confidence, Sam.”

“I designed the security system here myself.”

“The thing about security systems, Sam … Once they’ve been penetrated—and they all can be—they can be used to keep the good guys out. Do you know what it’s like to be screaming for your life, and knowing that your only salvation is on the other side of your very expensive security system?”

Sam didn’t reply.

“No? Perhaps you’ll soon know what that’s like.”

Sam wildly looked around for something he could use as a weapon. A lamp? Maybe the bottle of wine on the side table? Each possibility seemed more ridiculous than the last.

“No gun, Sam? That’s right, you rely on brains not violence. Hmm. I suppose you can use that cricket bat behind you…”

Sam slammed the laptop lid closed.

More laughter. Dammit, the computer was still powered on.

“Was that necessary, Sam? I was so enjoying the window on your world.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“It’s quite all right. I’m good at carving my own windows.”

Sam backed away from the laptop and ejected the flash drive from his network-monitoring system. He stepped to another computer and swiped his finger across the track pad to wake it. He pressed the arrow keys to cycle through views from the four security cameras mounted outside his house.

All clear. Apparently.

Colby’s voice still emanated from the closed laptop. “Oh, and I must commend you on the hardwood floors in your hallway and bedroom. Such charm…”

Shit.

Sam scooped up Kendra’s laptop and moved toward the door. He was tempted to leave it and escape from that bastard. He couldn’t do it, he had promised Kendra and that would be more cowardly than he could allow himself. But on the way, he picked up his cricket bat.

“Are you running away, Sam…”

“Why are you doing this?” Sam was trying to keep the panic from rising in his voice.

“I want Kendra to know that our game isn’t finished. Far from it. But for her to take me seriously, someone has to die.”

“No, they don’t. She takes you seriously.”

“Not enough. She needs to get that message loud and clear. Who better to deliver it than her white knight?”

Sam drew a deep breath, threw open the front door, and bolted for his car. On the way he spun around several times, looking for any sign of Colby.

There was none.

He was almost to his car, unlocking it with his keychain remote as he drew near. He dove into the driver’s seat after a quick glance to make sure no one was lurking inside.

He locked the door behind him with shaking hands and started the engine.

“Leaving so soon?” Colby whispered from the laptop. “Remember to give Kendra my message, Sam. I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t. You don’t want to disappoint me…”

*   *   *

“STRANGE.” KENDRA TURNED TO BETH after hanging up from Sam. “He didn’t sound … I’ve never heard Sam sound quite like that.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know.” She frowned. “But I don’t like it.”

“Did I hear he was coming over?”

“Yes, he drove down from San Francisco. He should be here any minute. He said he was nearby.”

“Then you can interrogate him and put your mind at rest.” Beth smiled. “And I, for one, do like the idea of his showing up here. I get to meet him at last.” She went to the counter and got a cup of coffee. “And thank him.”

“He’ll just blow you off. He said he enjoyed the idea of breaking into a secured mental institution.”

“I don’t care. I’m grateful, and he’s going to know it.” She took a sip of coffee. “Besides, he sounds interesting.”

“Oh, no doubt about that. He’s completely fascinating, and he makes your mind go as fast as his own. Which is also exhausting to anyone who’s not an Einstein or—” She broke off as the buzzer rang. “Sam?” She buzzed him in. “Come on up.” She turned back to Beth. “He must have been close.”

He was banging on the door only a minute later.

“I’ll get it.” Beth put down her cup and hurried toward the door. She threw it open. “You must be Sam. I’m Beth Avery, and I’ve been wanting to meet you for—”

“Hello. Where’s Kendra?” He brushed her aside and strode into the condo. “It’s crazy, Kendra. And you guys shouldn’t be answering the door without knowing who’s on the other side. You buzzed me in before I even identified myself.” He threw his computer and briefcase on a chair. “Do you want to have that nut murder you?”

“I’m glad to meet you, too,” Beth said sarcastically. “It’s rare indeed you find anyone who is as courteous as you, Sam Zackoff.”

“Easy, Beth.” Kendra was gazing at Sam. His hair was ruffled and his eyes red and strained. If she wasn’t mistaken, his hands were shaking a little. Not the Sam she knew. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to be rude. I think … there’s a problem.” She pushed him down on the couch. “Right, Sam?”

“You could say that.” He glanced at Beth. “God, you’re gorgeous. Could I have a cup of that coffee you’re cradling?”

“It might be arranged.” Beth moved toward the counter. “Black?”

“No, very strong with cream and sugar.”

“Which nullifies the very strong.”

“You drink it your way, I’ll drink it mine.” He closed his eyes. “I’m not up to arguing. I can feel all the sparks she’s throwing at me. Kendra, protect me from her.”

“Since when do you need protection? Though come to think of it, Beth can be fairly intimidating.”

“I knew it.” He opened his eyes and drew a deep breath. “Okay, I’m coming out of it. It feels very safe here.” His gaze met Kendra’s. “Though we both know that’s not true.”

“I had the locks changed two hours ago. It’s safer now than it was.” She tilted her head. “And what are you coming out of? And why are you so obsessed with my being safe?”

He made a face. “Actually, I’m obsessed with my own safety at the moment. Not that I’m not concerned about yours but I’m a little off balance, and that leads to an extreme degree of selfish self-preservation.”

“Why are you off balance?” Beth handed him his cup of coffee. “Selfish and rude, I noticed. But what’s the excuse again?”

“Ouch.” He took a sip of coffee. “I’m going to pay, aren’t I?”

“Probably not physically,” Beth said sweetly. “But we’ll see.”

Kendra’s gaze was on the computer Sam had thrown onto the chair. “Is that … mine?”

“No, it’s one of my computers I keep in the car. I left my primary computer at home. I was in a hurry.” He took a sip of coffee. “I brought your computer, but I left it locked in the trunk of my car. I didn’t want it close to me on the way down here. I’ll get it later. But maybe not bring it here to you.”

“Then why did you even bring it to San Diego?”

“Because I need to work on it. I haven’t—I know I promised you that I’d make it happen, but things aren’t going precisely the way I’d like.” He rubbed his eyes. “But I’ll get there, Kendra. Just give me a little time.”

“I’ll give you as long as you need. You know how grateful I am that you’re even trying to locate Colby. I have to find him, Sam.”

“I know you do.” He paused. “And he knows it, too.”

She went still. “What?”

“The bastard knows I’m trying to find him for you.” His lips twisted. “He called me your white knight.”

“Oh, my God.” She dropped down on the couch beside him. “You’ve seen him, talked to him?”

“Not exactly. He decided to invade my own territory. He probably thought that I’d pay more attention. He didn’t need to worry. He had my entire focus from the minute he came online.” He shrugged. “He used your computer again, but I got the audio version. It was pretty damn effective.”

“I can see it was.” She moistened her lips. “What did he say? What happened? Tell me everything.”

“I will.” He looked down at his coffee. “Though I don’t come out looking like a superhero. You deserve to know every word he said.” He briefly and concisely related that short, terrifying episode at his home. “That’s why I’m here. I wanted to tell you in person what that bastard was threatening you with.”

“Another death,” Beth said.

“As if I didn’t expect it,” Kendra said. “I knew he’d never stop.” She added grimly. “Not until I stopped him.”

“Or he stopped you,” Beth said. “So why issue this warning?”

“He wants me to worry, to be afraid, to wonder who’s next.” She looked at Sam. “And he sent the message through you. Why?”

He shrugged. “I had your computer?”

“No, he could have used another means.” She was thinking about it. “He called you my white knight. He knows our background. He issued a not-too-subtle threat.”

“He might have meant the death was to be Sam’s?” Beth said. “And it would be deliciously malicious to send him as a messenger of his own demise.”

“I’m glad you find it delicious,” Sam said. “Personally, I’m not high on the whole concept.” He set his cup on the coffee table. “And I’m not your white knight, Kendra. I’m just your friend, who is not the least bit brave about this whole mess.”

“You’re brave to be involved at all.”

Sam made a rude sound. “Look, I nearly wet my pants when that creep started playing his games with me.”

“Then stop, give me the computer, and I’ll give it to the FBI lab to work on.”

“And let that son of a bitch win? I had a long time to think on the drive down here. Colby might have sent me as his errand boy because he thought it would bother you to believe I was threatened.” He grimaced. “Or he could have thought I was getting too close to finding him and wanted to scare the shit out of me. Which he did. Maybe he wanted me to abandon you.”

“Either way I want you out of it.” She paused. “Do you believe he was actually there at your house?”