Into the Dark (24 page)

Emilie took a deep breath and hit send. Then she ran around the side of the car, ready for the fight of her life. “Let’s see what you’ve got face to face, you son-of-a-bitch.”

A gray pigeon squawked and flew away, abandoning the candy bar it had been trying to wedge out of a drain.

She’d been screaming at a bird.

A woman shouted her name. Emilie held the phone up to her ear. “Hello?”

“Emilie. What’s going on? Who are you shouting at?”

“No one.”

A fat cloud eased itself over the sun. A shiver rocketed through Emilie. The Taker was here somewhere, watching. She knew it.

“Do you need me to come get you?” Ronson asked. “Has something happened?”

“The Taker left a note on my car.”

“Where are you?”

“Work.”

“Get inside. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Emilie hung up and dialed a second number. Consequences be damned, she needed Nathan by her side.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nathan whipped the Camry into an empty spot. Crime scene techs surrounded Emilie’s car dusting for fingerprints. He flashed his badge at an officer and hurried into the bank.

A tall, rail-thin blond woman greeted him. “Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Emilie Davis.”

The woman’s expression turned sour. “She’s with the cops.”

“You must be Lisa.”

“Now how did you know that?” She batted her mascara-coated eyelashes.

“That’s my job.” Nathan showed her his badge. “Where’s Emilie?”

“President’s office.” Lisa jerked her thumb over her shoulder.

Emilie sat on a brown leather couch, holding a styrofoam cup. A pudgy man with red cheeks and thinning blonde hair sat next to her. Avery stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed over his chest.

Every head in the room swiveled to the door as Nathan entered.

“Madigan, what the hell?” Avery demanded.

“I asked him to come.” Emilie’s face flushed.

“Really? That’s an interesting development.”

“It’s the least of our concerns,” Ronson said. “Focus on the case, Avery.”

Nathan sat down on Emilie’s other side, forcing himself not to take her into his arms.

“Are you all right?”

“I screamed at a pigeon.”

“What if it had been the Taker?” the pudgy man asked. “Em, you can’t just go off half-cocked. This man is dangerous.”

“I’m aware of that, Jeremy,” Emilie snapped. “I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

So this was her boss. He didn’t fit Nathan’s image of a bank president, with his cheap suit and scuffed shoes. Then again, the man had a family. His life probably wasn’t cheap. Worry etched into every wrinkle on Jeremy’s chubby face.

“Of course you weren’t,” Jeremy said. “You just need to be careful. The Taker isn’t going to give up easily.”

“You’re sure it’s from the Taker and not a sick joke?” Nathan asked.

“He referred to me as Miss Emilie. No one else would know that.”

“Unless it was his accomplice doing his dirty work,” Avery said.

“Doubtful,” Ronson said. “That’s too intimate, something he’s only going to share with Emilie. He left the note, but I’m sure we won’t lift any fingerprints.”

“Cameras?” Nathan asked.

“I looked at the videos as soon as Emilie told me what happened,” Jeremy said. “Just before four a.m., a masked figure left the note. Looked like a man, but there’s no way to tell for sure.”

“Our techs will analyze the footage frame by frame,” Ronson said. “But I’m not expecting anything.”

“So what’s your plan?” Nathan’s voice rose. “We’re twiddling our thumbs while he gets closer and closer to her.”

“Maybe you should just shack up at her place,” Avery sneered. “Surely you wouldn’t mind.”

“You’re out of line, Dalton.”

“So are you, Madigan. Fraternizing with someone involved in an open case? Is the action worth the risk to your reputation?”

Nathan jumped to his feet and crossed the room in two strides. “Listen, asshole. Putting me down is one thing, but you’re supposed to be on Emilie’s side. Leave her out of it.”

“You’re not. Looks to me like you’re all up in it, and her.”

Nathan had Avery pinned before anyone could react, slamming him against the drywall hard enough that a plaque clattered to the floor. “I’ve had enough of you, Dalton. Hate me all you want, but it’s your duty to treat this woman with respect. I’m not going to allow you to talk about her like she’s trash.”

“Stop.” She pulled hard on his arm. “Nathan, don’t get in trouble for me, please.”

Nathan released Avery with a jerk. “I’m sorry. This is your workplace. I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”

“It’s all right. Just sit back down with me.”

Nathan knew Ronson was watching their interchange and no doubt noticed Emilie’s hand lingering on his arm.

“What would Uncle Jimmy say, Madigan?” Avery adjusted his collar. “All these years spent making up for his death just to throw it away on a woman?”

Jimmy’s last moments flashed into Nathan’s mind. The knife still stuck in his chest, blood oozing from Jimmy’s open mouth and turning the rain-soaked streets a garish pink. His uncle’s eyes faded and closed as Nathan begged him to hold on.

“Be a good boy.” Jimmy choked, spitting more blood. “Make me proud.”

But Jimmy was long gone. All Nathan could see was Dalton Avery’s hateful smile. His right fist connected with Avery’s skinny lips. The detective stumbled back before losing his balance and landing on his ass.

“You’ll be suspended for this.” Avery clutched his mouth.

“I need a vacation.”

Nathan had managed to screw up his career and embarrass Emilie at work in the same day. He turned to her. “I’m not sorry this time.”

“I know.”

“Out!” Ronson grabbed him by the elbow. Employees scattered in an effort to pretend they hadn’t been watching. Outside, Ronson unleashed on Nathan.

“Are you stupid?”

“He had it coming.”

“Of course he did. Doesn’t mean you had to stoop to his level. And you
will
be suspended, you know that, right?”

“Yeah.”

“That goes on your record, Nathan. Your career advancement could be affected, and all over a piss-ant like Avery?”

“It’s not about him.”

“Right. It’s about Emilie Davis.”

“We’re just friends.”

“You both want to be more than that,” Ronson said. “You think I can’t see it?”

“Sia, I swear to God, we’ve done nothing wrong.” Nathan flexed his aching hand.

“But?”

“You’re right. We’ve discussed it and agreed to be friends until the case is closed.”

“That could be a long time.”

“I’m going to catch him.”

“How? You’re not officially on the case, and you’re going to be on a vacation now.”

“Five days at most. That gives me plenty of time to look for Snake.”

“You’re going into the tunnels? Alone?”

“Chris is going with me.”

“That’s not authorized.”

“Off the clock. Just exploring.”

“Nathan, you’re a great cop. You’ve got some of the best instincts I’ve ever seen. But you’re not thinking clearly. You’re doing this to be with Davis.”

“I’m doing this to make her safe,” Nathan said. “You know as well as I do that unless the Taker makes a mistake, Snake is our best chance.”

“I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?”

“No.”

“Then I’m going with you,” a new voice said.

Rocks settled into Nathan’s stomach. Emilie stood in the doorway, arms folded across her chest and a look of determination on her face.

* * * *

Emilie glared out the window of Jeremy’s office. The jagged edges of her once-smooth nails dug into her bare arms.

“Em, please listen to them,” Jeremy begged. “It’s not safe.”

“Sitting around on my ass isn’t safe. At least I’ll be doing something.”

“What?” Jeremy demanded. “Offering yourself to the Taker?”

“I’d rather do that than wait around for him to make his move.”

“You’re not doing it,” Nathan said. “It’s out of the question.”

Emilie glanced at Avery, waiting for the insult, but none came. He glowered at Nathan and rubbed his jaw.

“You’re not going into the damned tunnels,” Nathan repeated. “I won’t let you take that risk.”

His words meant more than she wanted to admit, but she couldn’t back down. “It’s not your decision, is it?”

“You’re clearly not capable of making this one.”

“And you’ve got no right to make it for me.”

“Madigan, I brought you in here you to talk some sense into her, not piss her off,” Ronson said. “Stop acting like a caveman.”

“I just want her to be safe.”

“I know you do,” Emilie relented. “But I have to do this.”

“Why? What good could possibly come of it?”

“I need to face him. He’s got the upper hand right now because he believes he’s in control of my life.”

“And you think going into the tunnels will prove him wrong?” Nathan said. “All it’s going to prove is you’re reckless.”

“This is my decision. You can’t stop me.”

Ronson turned to Nathan. “She could be an asset. Maybe seeing her in person will get people talking, make them want to help. If she was accompanied—”

“
She
is standing right here,” Emilie cut in. “I realize you’re just trying to help, but put yourself in my shoes. I’m scared of every shadow. I have no control over my own life. That stops now. Maybe it won’t do the investigation any good, but going into the tunnels will damned sure help me.”

She looked straight into Nathan’s eyes. “I’d rather have firsthand experience if I end up in the shark pit.”

“Sharks can see better in murky waters.” Nathan’s voice softened. “He’ll still have the advantage.”

“At least I won’t be completely blind.”

They stared at each other. Emilie’s right foot jerked forward as her body begged to be close to his. His anguished expression was almost more than she could bear.

“I’ll take you,” Ronson finally agreed. “But there’s one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Nathan and Holt guide us. And it’s extracurricular for them, so I can’t give the order. They’ve got to agree.”

Emilie’s heart sank as she watched Nathan grit his teeth. He wasn’t going to give in. “Please. Do this for me.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“You want some coffee?” Sarah asked. “Juice? Cereal?”

“Not hungry.” Even the safety of the Vance’s large kitchen couldn’t quell the shock of yesterday’s events. Otis prowled around the room, sniffing his new territory and whining about the transfer. “Jeremy take the kids to school?”

“Yep. Just you and me.” Sarah sat down across from Emilie and sipped her coffee. “You okay?”

“How can the Taker be that close and no one see him?”

“He’s mastered the art of blending in with the crowd. Lots of people probably saw him. They just didn’t realize it.”

“I shouldn’t be here. I’m putting all of you in danger.”

“Stop. We’ve got a security system and there’s a cop stationed outside. This is the best place for you. Unlike the damned storm drains. You’re not seriously going in there?”

“I’ve got to, Sarah. Please try to understand.”

“I can’t. But I’m not going to try to talk you out of it. You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that.” Sarah dumped a packet of sugar into her coffee. “I’m just glad Nathan’s going with you.”

Emilie kept silent. Avery’s accusations kept tormenting her. What if she ruined Nathan’s career?

“Don’t run from him,” Sarah said. “He’s good for you.”

“He is. But I’m not good for him.”

“Bullshit. You’re amazing. Nathan’s smart enough to see that.”

“He’s suspended because of me.”

“No, he’s suspended because that prick Detective Avery insulted you, and Nathan stood up to him. Sometimes breaking the rules is worth the reward. Avery had it coming.”

“If I hadn’t—”

“Stop your pity party. You needed him, and you called. Guess what? That’s normal. Pushing people away and pretending you’re happy by yourself isn’t. But after Claire’s visit, I totally understand why you do it.”

“I still can’t believe it,” Emilie said. “
Mémé
died thinking she’d finally left me with the truth, but Claire kept the worst to herself.”

“What about your biological father?”

“I doubt he ever had a clue. And from the sound of it, I’m not sure Claire even knew his full name. Guess I’ll never know.”

“You could always ask her,” Sarah said.

“Not a chance in hell. I finally said my piece. She and I are officially through. That door is finally closed.”

“Pain’s still there, though. You’re going to have to deal with it someday.”

“I know. But not today.”

* * * *

An hour later, Emilie stood at the mouth of a drainage ditch staring into the gaping blackness. She’d asked for this. No way was she going to back out now.

The midmorning sun blazed down. Her jeans clung to her legs, and her sweating head itched under the cap.

“It’s cooler inside.” Nathan checked his backpack for supplies. Chris, Ronson, and Avery waited at the mouth of the tunnel, armed and ready. The cavalry was out in full force today.

“I hate this place,” Chris said. “I’d rather live on the streets.”

“You say that now, but spend a week or two in the baking sun with no shelter.” Nathan zipped the backpack and hefted it onto his shoulder. “This place might look pretty good.”

“I don’t give a shit how good it looks. My nose hair’s on fire.”

“If you can’t hack it, stay behind.”

Chris kicked a bottle across the concrete. It landed in the drain with a splash. “Like I’m going to let you have all the fun.”

“Emilie, stay with me,” Nathan said. “Don’t wander off on your own. Don’t approach anyone by yourself.”

“I got it.”

“Do you? Creepy is the obvious thing about this place. There’s also the stink, the filth, and the sadness. You’re going to see people living in conditions you never imagined, and most of them seem perfectly content. This isn’t like a trip to the zoo.”

“I’m not that naïve. Can we please get on with it?”

He stared back at her, his lips thinned. She didn’t want to fight with him. His agreeing to take her into the tunnel had shocked her, and they hadn’t had a moment alone since the confrontation in Avery’s office yesterday.