Page 90 of Watch Me

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Thirty minutes or so.”

“And what happened when they finally came down?”

“What he said was true. They were arguing, and he seemed surprised when she told him what she wanted to do and that she was the killer you’ve been after.”

“Are you sure he didn’t know?” Jack was the director of the IT department, and Katrina was his employee. All the dots were connecting, but all along, I’d assumed we were looking for a man—we were still waiting for the DNA results for the red hair. Women did have strength, but was it possible for one to pull off all of these murders without any struggle or anything out of place? Dead weight—or that of an unconscious person—washeavy.

“He didn’t seem like he knew, and the woman kept calling me Mini Reagan. She said that she was going after Mom but then saw me and changed her plan.”

“So, shewasa target.” Even though it had been months since Reagan got her plaque, I still knew that she was in danger, which was why I’d maintained private security for her. And I should have known to have them for Maddison, too. I thought we’d be okay since Maddie wasn’t a student at Lakeshore U and was only here for a few days andnights.

I waswrong.

“What else happened?” Iasked.

“They asked me what my name was after talking about raping me.”

“Fuck,” Ibreathed.

“But at first I wouldn’t tell them my name, and then the guy whispered into my ear that he was going to help me, and I just needed to cooperate.”

“And what he said earlier was true?”

“Yeah, the woman started to walk up the stairs, and he grabbed the stuff that made her pass out. A few seconds later, you were barging in.”

“I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t Mom.”

I was too, but having it happen to Maddie wasn’t any better. Before I could respond, the bus pulled up, and I walked Maddison to the ambulance and got her checked out. Like Ashtyn, Maddie just needed time for the ether to get out of her system. When she was cleared, she gave a statement to Shawn, told him everything she told me, and then I drove her home to get somerest.

She was safe, Reagan was safe, and the killer was, hopefully, finally incustody.

Icouldn’t sit still. My stomach was knotted, and I anxiously paced back and forth in the living. I was tempted to call Ethan every ten minutes, but I knew he’d call me if he had found her.

“Can I get you anything?” Pabloasked.

“My daughter,” I snapped and then sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“I understand. I couldn’t imagine if my daughter was missing.”

“You have a daughter?” I asked as I stoppedpacing.

He nodded. “She’s four.”

I had no idea. Even though he and Evan were my private security, I didn’t talk to them much. It wasn’t because I didn’t care, but they were on the outside, not the inside like Officers Belt and Chase were when they were my details.

“It’s a horrible feeling,” Ireplied.

“Sergeant Valor will get her back.”

“I hope so.” Fuck, I hoped so. Ethan told me that my email idea had led to something, but I didn’t know what. I paced for what seemed like hours, but finally sat on the couch. I didn’t turn the TV on, and all I could do was stare at the wall, thinking.

Finally, the door opened. My gaze jerked to see Maddie and Ethan walk in, and I stood and rushed to my daughter. “Oh, my God!” I shouted as I engulfed her in my arms. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she replied against myshoulder.

My gaze met Ethan’s, and he smiled tightly. He kissed the side of my head as he passed. I pulled back, keeping my hands on Maddie’s arms. “What happened?”