Page 55 of Unbearable

“What are you talking about?” Dex asked. He sat across the room from them studying the crime scene reports.

“Just what I said.” Knox gave a deep sigh when they both looked at him. “I was eating at the pub down the street working on a lesson plan when Brooke sat down across from me. I thought it might be civilized since she brought me a beer. Butshe then proceeded to threaten my family if I don’t leave town. That was the general gist of it anyway.”

“How did she even know where to find you?” Dover asked.

“Hell if I know. I’ll tell you this, though. If she even looks at my family I’ll kill the bitch.”

“Okay. Calm down, Rambo. Did she actually threaten to hurt your family?”

“Not in so many words. She threatened me.”

“Then I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I’m pretty sure you can take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, but I agree with Knox,” Dex said, setting down his reports. “Why is she so worked up over a known drug trafficking ex-husband? You’d think she’d be relieved to have him out of her life. Something isn’t right. First, she pulls a vanishing act when we tail her. Now, she’s threatening Knox over something she should be relieved about.”

“So, what do you suggest?” Dover asked. “I don’t exactly have time to go chasing after my brother’s girlfriend.”

“I’m not sure, but you’re right. This has us burning at both ends.”

“Don’t worry about her,” Knox said. “I’ll deal with her and your brother. What’s happening with the case?”

“Bodies are stacking up, and we don’t have anything that leads us to who’s doing this. No trace, no prints, nothing. How is someone this good?” She shoved her chair back from the table in disgust. They had pored over everything.

“The only things these men had in common was the medallions, private school dump sites, and method of death,” she continues. “We can’t even count on a type now. The last guy was working class.”

“No one is perfect forever,” Dex assured her. “He’ll make a mistake, and we’ll catch him. This last guy might just be it. What happened to change his type?”

“I have an idea,” Dover added looking out the door to make sure they wouldn’t be overheard. “I hate this idea, but what if Knox comes to the next scene. If I can spot anyone in the crowd who looks like a possibility, like there’s an aura that isn’t right, I could point him out to be followed. I can’t tell a patrolman or even another detective without throwing up red flags. Knox, however, could do it.”

“Might be worth a try. Knox?”

“Yeah,” he said, standing up. “Just let me know where and when. I’m heading back to the apartment to get the rest of this damn lesson plan done. The head of school wants it as soon as possible. I swear kids are getting too smart for their own good.” He gave a small wave as he walked out of the room.

“Do you think my idea is nuts?” she asked when he was out of earshot.

“I think anything is worth a try. We have to get this person off the street. I believe nothing is off limits if it makes the world a safer place. Knox burned a warehouse down while in it to catch a killer. Following a person of interest is child’s play for him.”

“And until then?”

“Until then, we keep doing what we’re doing. I guarantee he’s made a mistake somewhere. We just have to find it.”

“And if we don’t?”

“We will,” he said with conviction in his voice. “We will.”

“Is this how every case is for you? Chasing your tail, biding your time until you get a lead? How do you stand it?”

“I remember that sometimes, we’re all that stands between the monsters and the innocent. It’s what your family is about. It’s why Knox stayed. Why the rest of your siblings will drop everything to rush in when everyone else flees. Your family,” he said, catching her gaze, “they are the monster slayers.”

CHAPTER 21

Fox’s lifewas spiraling apart. He knew it, he just didn’t know how to stop it. The cat and mouse game over Ethan felt like it had taken years from his life. Brooke had saved her wrath for the night after. He had reached deep into his soul to calm her down, which resulted in another nosebleed he barely got under control.

Then, there was work. He worked a job he loved—until lately. Something about the Victorian was off, besides just the creepy-as-hell owner’s son.

He had yet to meet the owner, and his wife hadn’t returned from their vacation home since he’d first met her. None of that would matter if they hadn’t left Edmund in control. He was turning into a serious problem.

His sister couldn’t help him with any of it since she was on the trail of a killer. He had to admit that might be more important than his problems.