Page 28 of Girl, Bound

LaPlante swallowedhard, his Adam's apple bobbing. ‘I understand. Thank you, Agent Dark. Forlistening to me. For not just assuming the worst.’

She stood up, tuckingthe file under her arm. ‘Don't thank me yet. You're staying right here until wecan verify your alibis. If you're telling the truth, you've got nothing toworry about. But if you're lying to me...’

She let the unspokenthreat hang in the air between them, heavy with implication. LaPlante nodded,his shoulders slumping in defeat.

‘I'll be back,’ Ellasaid, moving toward the door. ‘Sit tight. And pray that your story checks out.’

She stepped out intothe hallway, letting the door swing shut behind her with a soft click. Ripleyand Holbrook were waiting, their faces taut with anticipation.

‘Well?’ Ripley asked,pushing off the wall. ‘What's your read?’

Ella blew out a longbreath, running a hand through her hair. ‘Honestly? I don't know. He's sayingall the right things, but something still feels off. Like we're missing a pieceof the puzzle.’

Holbrook scowled. ‘Sowhat's our next move? We can't just let him walk out of here.’

‘We won't,’ Ellaassured him. ‘But we need to verify his story before we make any decisions. Iwant techs on his computer, looking for any sign that he was online during themurders. And we need to track down his buyers, see if his story about stealingand selling the body bags checks out.’

Ripley nodded. ‘I'llget our people on it. If there's a digital trail, they'll find it.’

‘Good.’ Ella glancedback through the one-way glass, her gaze settling on LaPlante's hunched form.‘In the meantime, he's not going anywhere. We'll keep him on ice until we knowmore.’

Holbrook looked likehe wanted to argue, but a sharp glance from Ella silenced him. This was hercase, her call. And right now, her gut was telling her to dig deeper.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ella slumped in herchair, the day's exhaustion seeping into her bones like a slow-acting poison.The office around her was a hive of muted activity, the low hum of conversationand the clack of keyboards a familiar symphony.

Across from her,Ripley leaned back in her seat, phone pressed to her ear. A smile played at thecorners of her mouth in a rare moment of levity for the old dog.

‘Yeah, I know. I miss you too. Butwe're making progress. I think we're close to cracking this thing wide open.’

Ella had known Mia Ripley for two yearsand never once had she told anyone she missed them. Ella almost wondered whatMartin was spiking her drinks with.

A pause, then a laugh.‘Martin, I swear to God, if you make one more fishing joke, I'm gonna come overthere and use you for bait.’

Ella watched herpartner, a pang of something bittersweet twisting in her chest. It was good tosee Ripley happy, to hear the joy in her voice as she bantered with the man sheloved. But there was an edge to it now, a tension that hadn't been therebefore.

Ripley glanced up,catching Ella's eye. Her smile faltered, just for a moment, before she turnedaway, her voice dropping to a murmur. ‘Listen, I need you to be careful, okay?Don't take any unnecessary risks. If anything seems off, anything at all, you callme. Promise me.’

Ella looked down ather hands, the weight of her words from earlier hanging heavy in the airbetween them. She'd told Ripley about her suspicions, about the pattern thatseemed to be emerging. The way their unsub was targeting not just the victims,but the people closest to them.

People like Martin.

She knew Ripley wasworried, knew the thought of losing him was a constant, gnawing fear in theback of her mind. And part of her wondered if maybe it would be better foreveryone if Martin just disappeared for a while. Went into hiding until thiswhole thing blew over.

But she knew Ripleywould never go for it. Knew that trying to protect the people she loved bypushing them away would only drive a wedge between them. Hadn't that been themistake Ella had made with Ben? The reason he was on a plane right now, flyingtowards a new life without her?

She shook her head,pushing the thought away. Now wasn't the time for self-pity or regret. They hada job to do, a killer to catch. Everything else would have to wait.

Ripley ended the call,the phone clattering onto the desk. She looked up at Ella, her eyes shadowedwith worry. ‘He's stubborn as a damn mule. Won't even consider leaving townuntil this is over.’

Ella leaned forward,elbows on the desk. ‘He's a former agent, Mia. He's not gonna run from afight.’

‘I know. I know.’Ripley scrubbed a hand over her face, exhaustion etched into every line. ‘Butthis isn't just any fight. This is personal. And if anything happens to him...’

She trailed off, theunspoken fear hanging heavy in the air between them. Ella reached out, coveringRipley's hand with her own. A small gesture, but one that spoke volumes.

‘We're not gonna letthat happen. We're gonna catch this son of a bitch before he can hurt anyoneelse.’

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