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10

STONE

The loudest thud woke me from my sleep.

I jolted upright and hopped out of bed. I quietly pulled open the nightstand drawer and pulled out the gun I kept stashed inside.

I held it in front of me, slowly walking through the room, careful not to make more noise than necessary. No noise followed the thud, but it was loud enough and close enough for me to know it came from inside.

I kept close to the wall, exiting the bedroom and making my way down the short hall to the stairs.

My footsteps felt deadly loud in the quiet of the night, and I sucked in a breath as a floorboard beneath me let out the deepest creak. My body tensed, every single hair on my arm standing.

Rustling sounds carried up the stairs, and I paused to listen. It was too far away; I couldn’t make out anything distinct beyond movement in what sounded like the dining room.

Was I being robbed?

I took each step one at a time, moving painfully slow downstairs. I could hear the shuffling getting louder. The closer I got, I poked my head around the corner, but it was completely dark, and the only thing I spotted was light from some screen on the table. The wall between the entry and the dining room partially blocked my view.

I got to the last step and started my careful approach. My gun was still raised, and I refused to take my eyes off the person moving around the dining room.

They were small in stature from the silhouette I could see and wore some type of robe. It was hard to make out details in the dark.

“Raise your hands slowly,” I demanded.

The person jumped back from the table, startled, and quickly threw up their hands, ignoring my instructions.

“Turn around,” I breathed.My eyes widened as they adjusted to the dark and realized who stood in the middle of the dining room.

“Lenore? What are you doing here?” I demanded.

“I had to show you this,” she said a bit frantically.

She moved aside to show me the screen of her laptop she’d opened on the table.I lowered my gun still pointed at her, which did not seem to faze her in her frantic rambling.She started going on about a stalker and note, but none of her words made much sense, and she was speaking too fast for me to process.

Had I pushed her too far earlier, making her admit she was Jane Doe? Was this her final break?

“Len, slow down,” I instructed. “Start from the beginning. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said, quickly brushing me off. “Like I was trying to explain, I think I found footage of the Coastal Killer.”

“No one‘s ever found footage from any of the attacks. How could you possibly have some?” I asked.

Her words still didn’t make sense. The FBI thoroughly searched every surveillance option, checking all cameras within a certain radius of every attack site. There’s no way she could’ve obtained it from the local bar without some form of law enforcement to back her, so I doubted she’d already explored that option.

“New footage,” she said

“There hasn’t been an attack in years,” I muttered. I still felt like Lenore could be having a psychotic break, having to face past events. Most peoples’ minds found a way to protect them from hard truths, blurred reality.

“They came to my apartment,” she said, and I froze.

“What do you mean, they came back for you? Did they try to hurt you?“ A new panic washed over me as I realized the gravity of her words. I dragged her into this mess, put her straight in harm’s way.

“Someone slipped a note under my door that said stop looking . I can’t imagine what else it would mean. I had Mallory send me the footage that showed someone coming and leaving at that time. You can’t make out much, and they clearly knew what they were doing, but I did see one thing.”

I took a step closer to see her laptop screen as she pressed play. I watched the footage as someone dressed in all black avoided the camera’s sight best they could and entered the alley to her apartment.

So they knew what they were doing. The FBI always assumed that much in its profile.

There was a few minutes before the person returned, still avoiding the camera, their head down. My stomach sunk, realizing how close the killer could have been to Lenore, and it was my fault. I’d been careless and wrapped her up in the case for completely selfish reasons.

“There,” she said and paused the screen, pointing to a small red fleck on the page.

“I can’t make out what it says, but it looks like some sort of keychain tag. What if it’s something that can help us identify them?” Her eyes looked up wildly to me, and I saw the heavy bags under them, like this kept her up most of the night.

“So you walked here in the night and broke into the house to show me this?”

It was dark, but I could tell by the way her body shifted that her face had warmed at the question. “It didn’t feel like it could wait,” she muttered.

“You’re right. I’m glad you brought it right to me, and I’m glad you’re safe,” I admitted. “But maybe next time, you should knock first so I don’t hold you at gunpoint.”

“I did knock,” she grumbled. “And I didn’t walk, I drove,” she added, crossing her arms for good measure.

I turned and flicked on the light switch. Lenore stood in front of me in a fuzzy, pink bathrobe and slippers. I held back a chuckle of surprise. She frowned deeply and hugged her arms around herself tighter.

“It didn’t feel like it should wait, and my laptop can’t zoom in on it without it turning blurrier,” she reiterated. “I can email you the video, and I’ll let you get back to sleep.”

She closed the laptop and started to head for the door.

“You shouldn’t stay there,” I’ blurted out.

I got her into this mess; it was my responsibility to protect her. I thanked every entity out there for the fact that all the Coastal Killer left was a warning. It reaffirmed what I initially believed: Lenore was the key to this all.

“Stay here tonight, and we can figure out something else tomorrow,” I insisted.

She hesitated but turned away from the door eventually. She nodded and looked toward the living room.

“You can take the room upstairs. I’ll take the couch,” I said quickly.

“It’s your place,” she started.

“Actually, it’s Nelson’s place,” I answered, and she gave in without a fight.

* * *

The next morning, I made a call back to Quantico.

Len was still upstairs, sleeping from what I could tell. I hadn’t heard a sound come from the second floor since I woke. It wasn’t surprising; I’d been up before the sun was completely risen.

“Mags,” I spoke into my phone.

“Stone, I don’t have all the information you asked for on that bar yet. I’ve had to do what I can between cases.”

“That’s not why I’m calling,” I said, starting to second-guess my ask.

Mags was already doing enough for me, and risking her own job to find this information, could I really ask her for more?

“I have a video, footage from outside of a shop,” I started slowly. “It’s hard to make out, but the person I’m trying to identify looks to have a keychain hanging out of their pocket. When I zoom in on a laptop, it distorts the picture, but I’m wondering if it’s something you might be able to make out.”

“Send it my way, and I’ll get to it as soon as I get to the rest of the information you asked for,” she said.

I heard footsteps walking across the second floor, hurrying down the stairs.

“Thanks, Mags,” I said, hanging up before Len could hear me.

“How did you sleep?” I asked as she rounded the corner into the living room.

She still wore her fuzzy pink robe, and her hair was a slight mess, but in a way I found to be adorable. Had I really become so analytical that I was noticing these things?

“Better than I expected,” she muttered, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “I think it helped knowing you were down here.”

“You can stay here for the foreseeable future,” I promised her.

She shook her head quickly, her eyes narrowing. “I can’t stay here,” she started. “I have work and the cats to take care of, and Mallory would lose her shit if she found out I was staying here and not my apartment.”

“Mallory can get over it,” I retorted. “You have a stalker. ”

That sentence alone should be enough to scare anyone, but Len barely flinched.

“And I’m really grateful you let me stay here last night, because I was far too tired to be driving home, but I’m fine. I’ve survived three years without them coming for me. I’ll be fine.”

“They’ve been emboldened. It’s been three years with nothing, and now they’ve come out of their safety just to threaten you . They’re playing with you, letting you know they know exactly where you are and what you’re doing. I cannot let that go. I dragged you into this. I’m going to make sure I get you out of it alive.”

“I can’t stay here”, she insisted.

I run my hand along my chin, trying to think of a better solution or way to convince Len this was the best option. When it came to her, my mind felt blank. Suddenly, every answer that always came so easily was barely within my grasp.

“I’ll stay at your place,” I decided.

“Absolutely not,” she argued. “Mallory will never allow that.”

“Again, I really don’t care what Mallory thinks,” I noted, stepping closer. “And Mallory won’t know. I’ll make sure of it.” I was only inches from her now. I could see the rapid rising and falling of her chest, even with her arms crossed to hide it.

Her hands slowly slid down to the belt holding her robe together. She looked hesitant, and her hands fidgeted with the tie around her robe, trying to tighten it. She let out a small grumble.

“I need to go home and change,” she said. “And I need to feed myself and my cats before my shift at work.”

I forgot it was the weekend, the busiest time for the museum. It’d be hard to keep an eye on Lenore while she was working all day.

“Can you take personal leave?” I asked. “Just until this all passes over.”

“Absolutely not,” she exclaimed. “Francis would have my head for that. I just got this promotion; I can’t take time off now.”

Her eyes were narrowed on me, her nose wrinkled a little bit.

Lenore Calder was the biggest challenge I had faced, but there had never been a challenge I couldn’t overcome.

My hand ran through my hair, pushing it back. A deep sigh escaped my lips.

“I’ll figure something out,” I muttered to myself. I didn’t have time to argue with her before she needed to be at work. I had far too much to get done, and I could tell she was growing impatient to leave and head to work.

“I’ll come with you,” I offered. “I can make your breakfast while you get dressed and ready for work. It’ll save you time.”

Practical excuse to keep a close eye on her.

“Let’s go,” she said and turned toward the front door, leaving the house and letting the door close right in my face.

I followed her out to the car, a small blue two door convertible. I had to duck and contort myself to fit into the car, my height a hindrance.

Len drove through town like she hadn’t been in a car in years. I held tight to the handle of the door as she took a corner quickly. I’d participated in car chases, following criminals, that felt less dangerous.

“Next time, I drive,” I said, swallowing hard.

“It’s not that bad,” she insisted.

“You almost just hit that curb,” I pointed out.

“Well, I don’t drive often. I can walk everywhere in Briarport. And Jake never-” She stopped herself. “I’m just rusty, that’s it.”

“Rusty,” I agreed, my stomach turning with both nausea and guilt.

We made it back to her apartment in minutes and I followed her inside and upstairs. She kept glancing around, like someone might be following us.

It wasn’t a possibility I dismissed. I hadn’t seen anyone tailing us, and nothing outside told me anyone was watching the building, but I kept my guard up.

We made it inside her apartment without running into Mallory. I wished Len would stop worrying so much about what her friend wanted and more about her safety.

She hurried to the bedroom, and I heard meows of morning greetings. I found my way to her fridge and opened it, trying to find something I could put together for her.

There were no eggs, eliminating my first idea on what to make. Between her freezer and fridge, I found some berries, which I washed and put into a bowl, and some frozen waffles, which I toasted and added butter to. It was nothing gourmet, but it would do.

She came back out to find the small array of food and nodded a thanks to me. “Is there caffeine?” she asked.

Shit, I’d forgotten the coffee.

“I can make some now,” I offered.

“Don’t bother. It would just make me late,” she said, her voice sounding a bit panicked.

I really messed up.

I had to fix this. “I’ll grab your coffee from the café across the street from the museum. You just focus on getting there on time,” I assured her.

What was I doing? I had things I needed to do for the case. I was operating on borrowed time; the FBI could end things in seconds.

“Fine,” she said.

I walked with her in silence. She barely acknowledged me as we parted ways, and I headed for the café across the street while she made her way inside the museum.

I ordered two lattes, hoping she had similar taste when it came to caffeine.

Why did the idea of Lenore enjoying the same drink make my heart speed up a little?

The drinks were ready in no time, and I found straws, which I grabbed for both of us. I carried them across the street and watched as tourists meandered into the museum. It had only been open minutes, and it was already busy.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

“Hello?” I answered, forgetting to check the caller ID before I picked up.

“Winston!” Lyla squealed through the phone.

“Hey, Lyla,” I said, a smile spreading on my face.

It’d been only days since I spoke with her last, but I was enjoying finding my way back to what felt like normal after so long.

“You will never believe it,” she said, and I could hear the pride in her voice through the phone.

“What?” I asked, my heart swelling with happiness.

“I looked into Briarport, since I knew you would be staying there for your case for a bit,” she said. “And they have bagel shop just like Don’s!” She practically screamed the last part into my ear.

“I will have to check it out. What’s it called?” I asked.

“Seaside Café,” she answered. “A very obvious name, if you ask me, but it looks like it is right in the center of town. Have you seen it?”

“I have not, but I promise I will report back the second I try it,” I said and meant it.

There was little I wouldn’t do for my sister. Every piece of me was dedicated to protecting her innocence, encouraging her curious mind. If she kept on the path she was on, she’d surpass me in no time.

An idea started to form in my head as I walked toward the museum.“I unfortunately have to go, but tell Mom I said hi,” I said.

“I will,” she said and hung up.

I spotted Len’s boss standing nearby as I entered.

I gave a friendly smile toward Francis, who hurried over.

“You’re the one from the other day looking for Lenore,” she said, quickly remembering who I was.

“I was,” I admitted.

“Are you back again to distract her?” she asked, raising a brow.Her tone told me she didn’t approve of me disrupting her best employee more than once.

“I’m actually in town working on a project for the FBI,” I said to Francis.

I saw the interest peak in her eyes, but she kept her face stoic. “And how can we help you with that?” she asked. “You are welcome to request any of our records.”

“The project is a little more extensive than that. I was hoping you might be able to lend me someone who is familiar with the town and its recordkeeping, someone who could help me with research outside the museum.”

“I’m not sure about that. We’re very busy,” she started.

“I completely understand. The FBI would never ask if it weren’t important.”

Her arms folded, and she bit the inside of her cheek.

“Once this project is finished, it’ll be national news,” I went on. “And I couldn’t think of a more worthy establishment to share credit with.”

I knew from the little Len had told me about Francis exactly what words to say to play into her self-interest. Francis valued the museum above all else, and the more prestige it found, the more satisfied she was.

“National news?” she asked.

“Certainly,” I said and shrugged. “Any research or project the FBI is doing is going to catch the attention of national news.” I relaxed my shoulders and let my arms settle by my sides. I kept my features trained to be uninterested, like it was no big deal.

“And you would just need someone from the museum’s help? And we would receive part of the credit?” she asked, and I could tell her full attention was now on me.

Too easy.

“Yes, I was hoping I could work with whoever your best is. That is, aside from you, of course. I know the museum can’t function without you here,” I said, giving her a large smile.

I watched the older woman’s cheeks turn a slight pink. “Well, then Lenore, who you spoke to the other day, would be our next best,” she said.

“Perfect. It’s settled,” I said. “I’ll let Len know myself.”

I left Francis standing with a smug grin on her face. The temptation of the museum making national headlines was far too great for her to resist.

I made my way through the museum, looking for the familiar golden brown skin and long curls. The place wasn’t big, but it did take me a few minutes to find her. She was tucked into the back corner of the museum, dusting off a plaque.

One of the best researchers, and these were the things Francis had her doing. I found my fist clenched and relaxed my hands, not realizing I’d let the thought take over for a moment. Len had a beautiful mind, and it was a waste to have her cleaning up the exhibits all day.

“Here is your caffeine,” I said, holding out the iced latte to her.

“Thanks,” she murmured. She turned back to what she was doing, dusting with one hand and holding the latte with the other.

After a moment, she turned and noted me still there.“Why are you still here?” she asked.

“Francis said I could borrow you for the case,” I said.

She let out a slight chuckle. “There is no way you convinced Francis to let me out of this place,” she said.

I shrugged, and her eyes widened when I didn’t turn and leave.

“You didn’t seriously convince her?” she asked, raising a brow.

“Thanks to you, I knew exactly how,” I answered. “Now, let’s go. We have a lot of work to do.” I turned to leave and hoped she’d follow. I continued walking without checking behind me and made it outside before I paused to make sure she had.

Len hurried after me, leaving the museum, her blue skirt blowing as the wind picked up. She gathered her loose curls and pulled them back into a loose bun. Without them blowing into her face, I noticed the way her deep brown eyes had a golden tone to them. The bright sun highlighted it, and it was hard to look away.

“Francis seriously allowed you to borrow me to work on this case?” she asked hesitantly.

“She doesn’t know what case you’re working on, just that the FBI has research that’ll be national news.”

Len almost choked on her latte. “She’s probably going to kill you,” Len pointed out.

“Then she better hope the Coastal Killer doesn’t first,” I answered.

I turned to lead her to where we were heading next. I’d memorized all the streets and locations in town off a map I printed before coming. I had a perfect memory, so there wasn’t any detail I couldn’t recall after studying it.

The local sheriff was my first planned stop, to get it out of the way and hope no one there contacted anyone else at the FBI.

My stomach sank, thinking about the lies I had to spin.

Lenore trailed behind me, finishing the rest of her latte before we made it to the sheriff’s office.

The building was an old brick establishment, the small sign out front marking it. It didn’t surprise me that the town didn’t have the resources to handle a serial killer on their own. I headed for the door but realized Len had stopped walking, instead staring at the building.

“Are you coming?” I asked.

“I-” she hesitated. The last time she dealt with the same deputies was likely the day she was attacked.

“I can go,” I said, unwilling to push her.

“I want to help,” she said. “It’s just…what if they recognize me?”

It would’ve been the same deputies who found her brutally attacked and mutilated. I’d read the report; I knew how unrecognizable she was when they found her.

“I don’t blame you if you want to stay out here, but I promise you, none of them will know who you are. When they found you, there was swelling to your face and your hair was dyed a different color three years ago.”

She took a tiny step closer. Without thinking, I held out my hand, and she looked at it for a moment before taking it.

Her skin was warm and her palm smooth.

I gave her a gentle, reassuring squeeze and held her hand as I pulled open the door and led her through.

She let go the moment she stepped inside.

That was all I got, a few seconds before she went back to putting up her walls.

I watched her shift uncomfortably, glancing around. I spotted a front desk with a woman behind it.

“Can I help you?” she quickly asked.

I pulled out the wallet I carried with my badge inside and flipped it open. I held it up to show her.

“I was hoping to speak to whoever was in charge of the Coastal Killer case three years ago.”