Page 91 of Nowhere to Hide

“Me too.”

Nyx arched a brow. “Is that right?”

“I was in line to be the CFO of Hartman & Hayes Industries.” I pushed a black Lego brick across her desk, then snapped it onto the base of the owl Nyx was building. I glanced over to Leo. “But that doesn’t surprise you, does it?”

Leo shrugged. “I make it my business to know all about our clients.”

“I’m not your client.”

“You’re ours,” Leo said quietly, “because you’re his.”

When Locke didn’t deny it, I wasn’t quite sure what to say. I cleared my throat. “Anyway, it was my job to follow the money. At least it was until three weeks ago.”

“So you didn’t plan to be at the hotel?” Jackson asked.

I shook my head. “Pure impulse.”

“Maybe that works to our advantage.” Nyx pushed me in her chair until she could get to her keyboard. “Where are you based?”

“Albany, NY.”

Nyx’s fingers flew over her keys. “All the other victims are from Salem.”

“So why did he pick me?”

“That’s a good question,” Nyx said absently.

I stood and pushed the chair behind her. She sat down without saying another word, her focus on the screens in front of her.

I went back to Locke. “Does that mean anything?”

“I’m not sure, but it’s another area for them to dig into. I’m not sure if you’re an anomaly or if he’s honing his MO.”

“Lucky me.”

Locke rubbed my arm absently. “Regardless, he won’t be getting near you again.” He turned to Leo. “Is there anything here that will help Stone get his captain to take this more seriously?”

“We can’t make them bring the FBI in on this. If they were smart they’d want to get ahead of this, but politics are involved. The word serial killer instills a lot of fear. It can destroy tourism.”

“And yet they don’t care if women die. Color me surprised,” Nyx muttered.

“Shouldn’t your reputation help Stone convince his captain?” I asked.

“It would be nice, but the police don’t always like us poking in around on their official cases.” Jackson interjected. “Interoffice politics plus dick measuring can be a bitch.”

“So, we’re on our own.” I rubbed my hands together, a sudden chill setting in.

“Not anymore.” Nyx looked up from her screen. “You have backup now.” She leveled a no-nonsense stare at Locke. “Right?”

He sighed. “Right.”

“Good. Now I want to talk to you in private, Locke,” Leo said and walked out of the lab.

“Fuck.” He grabbed my hand. “You don’t leave this room. Period.”

“We’ll watch her.” Nyx gave him a soft smile. “She’ll be fine.”

Locke stalked after Leo with a purposeful stride. At the threshold, he turned back, his eyes glittering with anger and annoyance before disappearing down the hall.