Page 54 of Last Chance Christmas

Della’s eyes lit. No more shadowed expressions. She’d always had determination, but now there was something more. Now there was hope. “I’ve got an idea.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Anthony grinned. “Spit it out.”

Della laid both of her hands flat on the table. “We use me as bait.”

Ten

Della was done being a victim. She was done lying. Done waiting. So she laid out her plan to the others.

Anthony balked. “Are you crazy? Putting yourself out as bait for a serial killer?”

She’d thought he’d be impressed. Maybe even eager. “You want to catch him, don’t you? I mean, that’s all you’ve been focused on.”

“Yeah, but not by risking your life.” He turned to Penny and Bryce. “Tell her she’s crazy, guys. This is not the plan.”

Bryce narrowed his eyes like he was actually considering it.

Penny studied Della. “I dunno. Let’s not write it off when we haven’t even heard the details yet.”

“We don’t need details. We need a new plan.” Anthony pushed off the chair and paced.

“Penny’s right. We should at least listen to what Della has to say. The weather is awful out there. There’s a ton of people trying to track Vaynes down and getting nowhere. So maybe we lure him to us. Let’s hear her out.”

At least Bryce was on board.

Anthony, however, didn’t look happy about it, but he stopped pacing and folded his arms against his chest. He had street clothes on, and yes, the man had style. His outfit was not off the Target clearance rack like hers. But she knew he really cared about protecting her and bringing Vaynes in. So after all his talk of wanting to do anything to capture these escaped convicts, why was he so reluctant now?

It wasn’t because he actually cared about her, was it?

Stop it, Della. Do not go there. Just lay out the plan.

After a self-shakedown, she began. “Vaynes is after me. Why don’t I go back to my place alone tomorrow evening. You guys set up a perimeter. My neighbors next door are gone until after the holidays, so you could wait there. Instead of him taking us off guard, we’ll be ready and waiting.”

“And we’re supposed to let him come after you? What if he gets past us? What if he decides game over and just wants to kill you before we can get there?” Anthony glowered.

“He’s a serial killer. He’s all about the torture. He’ll take his time.” Penny tapped a finger on the table.

“Oh, that’s comforting.” He paused. “Have you forgotten? I hate to admit it, but he’s smart. He’s evaded us for days already.” Anthony straddled a chair, a whiff of his designer scent distracting Della for a moment.

But she couldn’t lose focus now. “So I’ll wear some sort of tracker. We can set up cameras.”

“Don’t you think he’ll be expecting a trap like that?” Penny asked.

“Maybe. But why not try? I go about my normal routine, and we post undercover cops in each place I go. I don’t live an exciting life. It’s pretty much work, the gym, church, and home. He’ll strike at some point, but we’ll have people waiting.”

Anthony shook his head. “I don’t like the idea of putting you at risk like that. And I’m not sure the chief will go for it. All extra resources and manpower are going into the search for Vaynes, Blair Mackey, and the missing prison guard. I doubt the department will want to pull people off the search.”

“There’s three of us right here, and I bet we can get a few more on board.” Penny sipped her coffee. “Jude would help.”

“Who’s Jude?” Della asked her.

“My former partner from when I was with the ATF. He’s married to Bryce’s sister Andi.”

An ATF agent sounded promising. “See, we can make this work. I just don’t want to hide in the dark anymore. I’d rather keep working and doing my normal thing.”

Bryce seemed to be mulling it over. “If we stay in communication, we can tag team, someone always there wherever she goes.”

Della read the room. Penny and Bryce seemed on board. But Anthony’s lips were still pressed into a thin line. She needed to sell this.