„Hi.“ A young girl bounded up to them, a social smile on her face. „I’m supposed to mingle and make sure everyone has enough to eat. I’m Rachel.“ She scrutinized them. „And I bet you’re Mia and you’re Lieutenant Spinnelli.“

Mia needed no introduction to recognize Abe’s little sister. They had the same eyes. „It’s nice to meet you, Rachel. This is a nice party your family’s put on.“

„It’s okay. It would have been better with pizza.“ She looked curiously at the annual, then bent closer, her expression intent on the sketch. „Is that Kristen’s?“

Startled, Mia glanced up at Spinnelli, then back at Rachel. „Why would you ask that?“

She shrugged. „That looks like her friend.“

„You’ve seen this man?“ Mia exploded and Rachel’s eyes widened in alarm.

„I think so. Why?“

„Where did you meet him, honey?“ Spinnelli asked soothingly.

„He brought her a sandwich last week. I’d gone to see her at work and he was just leaving. His name was Owen something.“ She looked anxious. „Why?“

Mia grabbed her phone. „I need to call Abe.“ She grimaced when it went right to his voice mail. „He’s still in the ICU ward talking to Kristen’s friend Vincent. His phone’s off.“

„Call Kristen.“ Spinnelli was gesturing for Todd Murphy.

Kyle Reagan approached, frowning. „What’s wrong?“ He was a retired cop. He knew when something was up.

Mia clenched her teeth. „It’s just ringing. Dammit. Kristen’s not answering.“

Kyle grabbed the phone. „I’ll call Aidan.“ A few moments later, he paled. „He’s not answering either.“

Spinnelli pulled out his own phone and punched numbers furiously. „Send a unit out to ASA Mayhew’s house. Full sirens, as fast as possible.“

Spinnelli looked at Murphy and Kyle Reagan. „Keep everyone calm and keep them here. Mia, let’s go.“

Saturday, February 28,

2:45 p.m.

The phone rang, surprising him. No one ever called him at home, except for telemarketers. In fact, the last legitimate call he’d received had been from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office about Leah’s suicide. Setting aside his pen, he answered. „Hello?“

„Mr. Madden, this is Zoe Richardson. I take it you’ve heard of me?“

His jaw clenched, his hand tightening over the telephone. „I have.“

„Well, the jig’s up, Mr. Madden. I know who you are.“

Don’t panic. „I don’t know what you’re talking about.“

She chuckled throatily. „That’s fine. I just wanted you to know I’m preparing tonight’s report. I’ve uncovered evidence that ASA Mayhew has a personal relationship with the vigilante killer and she’s directing his efforts. It should be a fascinating piece.“

In spite of his fatigue, his blood started to pound. „You know that’s ludicrous. Kristen has done nothing wrong.“

„Perhaps, but her career was in jeopardy before. After this, no courtroom in the country will have her.“ Her voice grew clipped. „I’ll have a report on the air tonight, Mr. Madden, one way or another, if you catch my meaning. I can hide your face and disguise your voice. You can go right on doing your deeds, I just want an exclusive when you do. Do you have a pen?“

„Yes,“ he gritted.

„Good. Write down this address. I’ll be waiting.“

He flipped the page he’d been writing on and took down the address. „You’re filth.“

„Well, birds of a feather, Mr. Madden. Birds of a feather.“

He stared at the address, then made his decision. Kristen’s life would not be ruined by his actions. He ripped the paper from the notepad and stuffed it in his pocket Then opened the glass cover of his gun rack. He’d killed so many. At this point, what was one more?

She handed him the cell phone. „How’d I do?“

Drake smiled. „Perfect, just perfect“ He slipped a hundred-dollar bill in her coat pocket. „Buy yourself something nice. And be sure to give your mother my love.“

„Thanks, Uncle Drake.“ She rose up and kissed his cheek.

Jacob waited until Drake’s niece was out of the limo. „She has promise, that one.“

„She does.“ He smirked. „It’s almost showtime, Jacob.“

Saturday, February 28,

2:45 p.m.

Mia and Spinnelli burst into Kristen’s house. Jack and his men were searching for any clue as to where she’d been taken. The room was a shambles and blood stained her blue-striped wallpaper. Controlling her panic, Mia knelt next to Abe’s brother and pressed her fingers to his throat. His pulse was steady. Thank God.

„Which one of you called me?“ Spinnelli demanded. An officer stepped forward.

„I did, sir. I found Officer Reagan unconscious and called for an ambulance. This other guy has no ID and he’s dead. Reagan’s gun is gone.“

Mia looked up. „And Mclntyre?“

„No sign of him or his cruiser. We’ve searched the house and the shed in the back. He doesn’t respond to radio communication. One of the neighbors saw Miss Mayhew leave in the cruiser. She said there was a big man with her. Hat hid his face. Nobody else saw anything.“

Spinnelli swore. „Did you ask her why she didn’t call the police?“

„She said there’d been so many police around the last week, she didn’t give it a second thought,“ the officer said grimly.

„Did anybody hear a damn gun?“ Mia demanded.

„She said there’d been so much pounding here the last few days, she didn’t think a thing about that either.“

Jack’s face was tight. „I checked with Aidan’s CO. He carries a Glock.38. This guy was killed with a.22.“

„Kristen just bought a.22.“ Mia hit the redial on her phone, with no more success than the last ten times. „Shit, where’s Abe?“

„Did you call the hospital?“ Jack asked as Spinnelli knelt to check the dead body.

„They’re looking for him,“ Spinnelli said. „Apparently this Timothy guy was terrified when he saw Abe and they had to remove him from the ICU. Abe’s got him somewhere else, calming him down so he can talk to him.“

Mia tilted her head, listening. „Quiet. That’s Kristen’s cell phone.“

Spinnelli pulled the dead guy’s coat, tipping him over. „It’s in his pocket.“ He flipped open Kristen’s phone. „Yes?… This is her phone… This is Lieutenant Marc Spinnelli of CPD. Who are you?“ He listened, then jumped to his feet. „Was there anything on the fax machine when you guys came in?“

The officers looked at one another. „No, sir.“

„No,“ Spinnelli said, „she didn’t get it. Can you send it again? Quickly? Thanks.“ He looked at Mia. „That was the Lake County coroner. He called Kristen with the name of the man who ID’d Leah Broderick’s body, then faxed her a photo ID. It was Owen Madden.“

Mia closed her eyes. „Then she knows.“

„Yeah,“ Jack said. „And whoever has her knows, too.“

„And assuming that’s Conti…“ Spinnelli didn’t finish the thought.

He didn’t have to. Conti wanted the killer. Now he had him. And he had Kristen, too.