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12

Two days later…

“ Hellooo ….anyone in there?”

Gemma’s waving hand appeared directly in front of Kerrigan’s face.

“Sorry, what?” Kerrigan blinked herself back to the present.

“Were you thinking about the house again?”

She nodded. “Trying to do a mental run-through of all the things I need to replace.”

Furniture. Pillows. Mattress. Bedding.

“I still can’t believe someone broke in and trashed the place. Do the police have any leads?”

Kerrigan shook her head, using her fork to move the chunks of salad around in her bowl. “Not as of this morning.” She continued to play with her food, rather than eat it.

Her appetite had been drastically reduced since coming home the other night to find her entire house in shambles. It wasn’t the stuff she was upset about. It was the feeling of having been violated she couldn’t seem to shake.

Someone had broken into her house. They’d touched her things. And for reasons she may never know, they hated her so much, they’d taken a knife to almost everything she owned.

You don’t know for sure that it was personal. It could have been random.

But even as the thought crossed through her mind, Kerrigan knew Cade’s theory was right. The attack on her things was personal. She just wished like hell she knew who…and why.

“Did you hear me?”

She blinked again, realizing Gemma had asked her another question. “Huh?”

The other woman sighed, pushing her half-finished plate to the side. With her elbows resting on the table in front of her, Gemma linked her fingers together and rested her chin on the back of her hands.

“Oh, sweetie. Why don’t you go home?” A rush of guilt shot into the woman’s stunning gaze. “Oh, god. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”

“It’s okay, Gem.” Kerrigan reached across the small table to give her friend’s hands a gentle squeeze. “I know what you meant. And I’m sorry I’m so distracted. I just keep trying to figure out who would do something like this.”

She released her friend’s hands and sat up straighter. Giving up on the salad, Kerrigan sat her fork on the napkin still neatly folded on top of the plastic tray.

“They said there were no signs of forced entry, right? So either the perp is really good at hacking into alarm systems, or they knew the code.”

A tiny snort bubbled up before she could stop it. “The perp?” Kerrigan arched a brow with a grin.

“What?” Gemma shrugged. “That’s what they call them. And I’m serious. Is there anyone you can think of who would know the code to your system?”

The tips of Kerrigan’s ponytail brushed across her upper back. “Other than the alarm company, you’re the only person I’ve shared it with.”

“No exes?”

“What exes?” She sat back in her chair. “Brayden’s the only semi-serious relationship I’ve had in…forever. And even then, I never told him the code.”

Gemma’s gaze slid down and to the side as if she were in deep thought. A few seconds later, she asked, “Could he have seen you punch it into the keypad when he was there?”

“No.” Kerrigan’s response was definitive. But then… “I don’t think so. Regardless, he’d never do something like that to me.”

“Yeah, well, you never thought he’d cheat on you, either. But here we are.”

A sliver of residual pain from that time in her life knifed through her. She wasn’t angry, though. Not at Gemma. And she really wasn’t even angry at Brayden.

Not anymore. Not since…

Cade.

“I’m sorry,” her friend apologized. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s okay.” Kerrigan flashed a small grin. “You simply spoke the truth, like you always do. And before you apologize for that, don’t. It’s one of the billion things I love about you.”

Relief lifted Gemma’s frown into a smile. “I love you, too, sweetie. Which is why I think you should take the rest of the day off. You can go back to Cade’s, take a hot bath…nap.” A sly look filtered into her eyes. “Unless he’s off today, too. In that case, you should totally distract yourself with something other than a nap.”

Her shoulders shook with a chuckle. “He’s working.”

“From home?”

The woman’s hopeful tone made Kerrigan chuckle again. “Unfortunately, no. He’s at the office today. I do appreciate the suggestion, though.”

“Where is the Delta Team office, anyway?”

“The top floor of the Crain Communications Building on North Michigan.”

“Nice.” Gemma sounded impressed. “I take it things are still going well between you two? You know, minus all the craziness, that is.”

Her heart swelled and her chest grew warm. “Yeah.” Kerrigan nodded. “Things are good with us.”

Really, really good.

It was early, and still so very new. Yet, it felt as if they’d known each other her entire life.

“I’d say things are better than good.” Gemma spoke up again. “In fact, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say that smile on your face means you’re in love .”

She knew the way her friend said that last part, it was obviously meant as a well-meaning tease. But apparently, she’d had some sort of outward reaction, because Gemma’s eyes suddenly grew wide and her rosy lips gaped.

“Ohmygod.” The other woman leaned in close, dropping her voice to just above a whisper. “You are, aren’t you? You’re in love with Cade.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Kerrigan tried laughing it off. “We only just started seeing each other, and as you well know, there have been a lot more important things to?—”

“Nope.” Gemma cut her off with a smug shake of her head. “Huh, uh. You’re in love. I mean, you can try to deny it, but I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Saw what?” she challenged.

“The look in your eyes when I said you were in love.”

“There wasn’t a look.”

“Oh, there was most definitely a look.” Her friend smiled with affection. “And I’m so happy to see it.”

That last comment gave Kerrigan pause. “You…are?”

Gemma nodded. “Of course , I am. Hell, we sat at this exact same table like, what…a week ago? And I was sitting in this exact same chair when I told you to put yourself out there, and that you deserved to be happy. And now, you are.” It was her turn to put a hand over Kerrigan’s. “All the other shit aside, for the first time since I’ve known you, you’re happy. Like actually happy. So yes, sweetie. I’m freaking thrilled for you.”

Tears threatened to well in Kerrigan’s eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. “Thanks, Gem.” She added her free hand to the mix and squeezed. “That means more than you’ll ever know. And…you’re right. I am happy with Cade. He’s…”

“The One.”

She froze. “I-I don’t know that he’s?—”

“I do,” Gemma guiltlessly interrupted. “With a smile like that? Oh, yeah. I think this one’s gonna stick.”

“Well, it’s not just up to me, you know. Cade’s been great…more than great. But everything’s been such a whirlwind the last few days, we haven’t even had a chance to really talk about our feelings for one another. For all I know, he’s not looking for this to be anything more than a little fun.”

“Oh, please. No man moves a woman into his apartment for the foreseeable future if all he’s looking for is a little fun. If that’s all this thing with you two was, he would’ve let you come stay with me instead of insisting you stay with him.”

“Unless he’s using this as an excuse for readily available sex.”

Gemma laughed. “Is that really what you think he’s doing?”

“No.” Kerrigan’s response was instant, without so much as a hint of hesitation.

“That’s what I thought.”

Hoping the sassy woman was right, Kerrigan drew in a slow, deep breath and pulled her hands free. “I guess only time will tell when it comes to me and Cade. But you’re right about one thing. I think I will go back to his apartment. I might even follow your advice and take that nap.”

“I’m right about both.” Gemma grinned. “You’ll see. And good. You should go back to his place and relax. It’s a slow day here, anyway, and we’re way over-staffed on providers as it is. Which, by the way, is only because Trina is still doing the scheduling, even after you and the other docs made a stink about how she keeps messing it all up.”

Kerrigan rolled her eyes as she pushed her chair out to stand. “Don’t get me wrong, the girl is really nice. But I swear, she must have something on management for them to keep her in that position.”

“That or she’s doing something to one of them.” Gemma waggled her dark brows as she stood and picked up her tray.

The simultaneous laughter that followed did Kerrigan’s heart good. She truly was blessed to have such a wonderful friend. Blessed for so many things, really.

Yes, she and Cade’s first date had been interrupted by the aftermath of a ruthless, cold-hearted killer’s attack on Julie Mays. It broke her heart to know the poor woman had been unable to pull through.

And sure, her house was a complete and utter wreck, but it would eventually be cleaned up and good as new.

The important thing to remember was that she was alive and well with her whole life still ahead of her. The Omega Killer’s victims may have been robbed of that chance, but she hadn’t.

She was here. She was alive. And though she wasn’t ready to admit it out loud, Gemma was right about one other thing.

I’m totally and completely in love with Cade.

A smile lifted her lips as the two friends walked together to return their trays. They began the trek back to the emergency room department, Kerrigan using the time to text the provider group chat, as well as the department’s head to let them know she was taking the rest of the day off.

She was technically an independent contractor, and she rarely used any of her accumulated days off. It also helped that she had a great professional relationship with the department’s head and knew the man wouldn’t blink an eye to approve the request.

“So.” Gemma spoke up again as the employee entrance to the E.R. came into view. “Do you and Cade have any special plans for tonight? If not, I was thinking maybe the three of us could go out to dinner. Or, if you want, you could come over to my place.”

“You want to have dinner with me and Cade?” Kerrigan eyed her friend suspiciously.

“Don’t worry, I promise not to grill the poor guy. I just think I should get to know the man who’s stolen my best friend’s heart.”

The wide smile spread across her face, and she decided not to bother trying to stop it. “I’ll talk to Cade and let you know. You’re off at seven, right?”

“Yep. Unless I get lucky and can scootch out early.”

“I’ll text you later.”

“Ok. No biggie. If not tonight, then maybe tomorrow.”

Kerrigan opened her mouth to let Gemma know tomorrow worked for her, too, when her phone alerted her of an incoming text.

Reaching back, she pulled the device free from the pocket of her scrubs and brought it around. She frowned when she saw the name of the person who’d sent the message.

“It’s Brayden.”

“Say no,” Gemma blurted. “Whatever it is, tell that lying snake to kick rocks.”

The woman’s sentiment made Kerrigan chuckle, but her smile vanished the second she read the cryptic text…

Brayden: Please come to the morgue ASAP. Need to talk where no one else will hear. Dr. Ingrahm just left for lunch. It’ll be quick. Please, K. I’m in trouble. Real trouble. I don’t know who else to turn to. You’re the only person I trust.

Her thumbs moved swiftly over the screen as she typed out her response…

Kerrigan: What’s kind of trouble?

Brayden: Bad. Literally life or death. Please, K. This is serious.

Kerrigan: If it’s that bad, call the cops.

Brayden: Can’t. Don’t trust them. Need to tell you what’s going on so you can tell your boyfriend. His team might be able to help but want to tell you everything first. Please.

“What is it?” Gemma stopped and turned when she realized Kerrigan had slowed her steps to a crawl. “Something wrong?”

She sent a quick text letting Brayden know she was on her way before sliding the phone back into her pocket. “I don’t know yet. Listen, I need to look into something, but I’ll text you later about dinner.”

“You good?” Concern crossed over her friend’s otherwise flawless face.

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Promise. I’ll talk to you later.”

Kerrigan spun around and headed in the opposite direction. The hospital morgue was in the building’s basement, and it was small with minimal staff. Any serious inquiries into a patient’s death were handled by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, which was located seventeen miles north of University Med.

She got into the first available elevator and pressed the button with the upper case B. Her gut tightened with dread for agreeing to meet with her ex in secret. But Brayden had never sounded as worried as he had in those texts.

There had been rumors circulating a few months back. Ones involving Brayden and a possible gambling problem she’d never known he had. But when she’d asked him about it…because a part of her did still care for the big jerk…he’d assured her what she’d heard was just that.

A rumor.

At the time, Kerrigan had taken him at his word. But now…

You should have known better than to believe a proven liar.

The elevator reached the building’s bottom floor. The doors parted, and she stepped out into the cool and empty hall.

Her nostrils filled with the scent of formaldehyde and death. But having done a rotation with the M.E.’s office during med school, Kerrigan had long grown accustomed to the decidedly unique smell.

“Brayden?” she called out for him as she opened the door to the morgue. Goosebumps raced across her skin from the area’s frigid temp. “It’s Kerrigan. I’m alone.”

She was met with silence, which only irritated her even more. The man had made it sound so urgent. Said it was “literally” life and death. And now he wanted to keep her waiting?

“If this is some sort of joke or a trick to be alone with me, it’s not funny, and it’s never going to happen.”

A soft shuffling sound came from her right. With a sigh of frustration, Kerrigan pushed a palm against the set of swinging double doors and stepped inside the larger space where the lockers and gurneys were kept.

She looked around, but still didn’t see him.

“That’s it.” Kerrigan shook her head, rolling her lips inward to keep from yelling at the selfish, egotistical prick. “I’m leaving.”

She started to turn, to spin around on her heels, but stopped when something out of place caught her attention from the corner of her eye.

Her brows dipped together in the center as she studied what appeared to be the bottom of a shoe. It was on the floor, between the morgue’s locker doors and a row of empty steel gurneys.

What the…

Kerrigan moved closer, convinced her eyes were playing tricks on her in the dark. She walked cautiously between two gurneys and soon realized there was a second shoe. Only…

It’s not just shoes. There’s an entire body.

She rushed forward, gasping loudly when the man lying on the floor came into full view.

“Brayden!” Kerrigan ran to him, dropping to her knees at his side.

He was on his back, eyes closed. And his entire abdomen was covered in blood.

“Oh, my god!” Her hands immediately went to what appeared to be a giant, gaping stab wound. She needed to put as much pressure there as she could. She needed to?—

Kerrigan jerked her bloody hands away from Brayden’s body because…

He’s cold.

The blood. His skin. Everywhere she touched was so very, very cold.

Kerrigan pressed the tips of her fingers to the pulse point of his neck, but there was nothing. Not even the slightest of flutters.

She couldn’t save him. No one could. It was too late.

Brayden was already dead.

No. This can’t be right.

Kerrigan shook her falling tears away because there was no way Brayden could be dead. He’d just sent her those texts begging her to meet him down here. If he was dead, then that meant…

He didn’t send those texts. Someone else did. Someone who wanted to get you to the morgue…alone.

She pushed herself back up to her feet. Kerrigan turned and started to run. But she was forced stop when she ran smack dab into a man’s chest.

“Oh!” she cried out, stumbling back half-a-step. She stared back into a set of recognizable eyes, relief flooding her when she saw it was him.

“It’s you. Oh, thank God. I need your help. Someone killed one of our doctors, and I don’t know where?—”

Kerrigan stopped talking when the gravity of the situation finally sank in. The man wasn’t dressed as she remembered. In fact, he wasn’t dressed as he should be at all.

He looked like a surgeon prepped and ready for his next procedure. Blue, disposable cap. Gown. Gloves.

This was wrong. Everything about this was so very wrong.

And then her shocked and rattled mind finally realized what was happening.

“You’re him.” She stared into Detective Morales’s dark eyes. “You’re the Omega Killer.”

“Guilty as charged.”

Kerrigan shook her head in disgust and disbelief. “Why?”

“Don’t worry, Dr. Rawlins. I’ll answer all your questions, I promise. But first, it’s time for you to take a little nap.”

One of his gloved hands came toward her, a syringe filled with who knows what headed straight for the side of her neck.

“No!” She jerked her forearm up and knocked the hand away.

Kerrigan pushed her palms against the murdering asshole’s chest, and when Morales fell back against the gurney behind him, she used it as her chance to run.

“Help!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Somebody help!”

A wall of muscle slammed into her from behind before she could even reach the doors. Every ounce of air was knocked out of her lungs as they both landed on the cold tile floor with an oof.

“It’s no use, Kerrigan.” Morales spun her over onto her back. “You’ve already been chosen.”

“Chosen for what, you sick freak?” She kicked and fought with everything she had.

Kerrigan didn’t see the gloved fist flying toward her face until it was too late. An explosion of pain erupted in her left cheek and eye, her vision filling with a million little white flashes of light.

Her head lolled to the side, and it was all she could do to remain conscious. She felt a stick and a burn, and knew whatever had been in that syringe was now making its way into her system.

“No!”

“Shhh…it’s okay, sweet Kerrigan. Don’t fight it. Just let the drugs do their job.”

No, no, no, no, no!

This wasn’t supposed to happen. She wasn’t supposed to die. Not yet. Not when she had so much to live for.

Oh, God. Cade!

He’d realize something was wrong when she wasn’t at his place when he got home from work. And Gemma…

I should have listened when she said to tell Brayden no.

If she had…if she’d refused to come down here, she wouldn’t be in the hands of a killer.

“That’s it.” Morales crooned to the sound of a thick zipper being undone. “Time to go nighty night. But don’t worry. We’ll see each other again very soon.”

Kerrigan could feel her body being manipulated and moved. Thought maybe he’d lifted her onto one of the gurneys. But by the time the Omega Killer zipped up the body bag around her unmoving form, she no longer heard the sound of the zipper.

Not that…or anything else.