Page 85 of Tactical Revival

She laughs. “Well, my mom kept my dad’s old fishing boat. It’s not impressive, but maybe we can go sometime.”

“Maybe.” I turn my attention to the notes I’ve scrawled on a yellow legal pad. It’s a base timeline, as well as things we found at the crime scenes.

“What do those mean?” she asks, gesturing to the playing cards I’ve doodled along the edges.

“Back when I worked homicide in LA, we had a case where a man was abducting women, then leaving a playing card at each of the scenes.”

“That is awful.”

“It was.”

“And it’s somehow tied to this? Or are you just trying to show off your amazing drawing skills?” Her smile widens.

“We found one where you were first abducted, and one at an attempted break-in at one of our client’s houses.”

Her smile fades. “That’s a scary thought. You think it’s the same person?”

“No, I put him behind bars.”

“Of course you did,” she replies. Her tone isn’t mocking or playful, but serious. She leans forward and places her hand over mine. “You’re an excellent detective, Jaxson. I know you’ll figure it out and keep me safe in the meantime.”

Slowly, I remove my hand. Maybe it is time to fumble my way through that conversation.

“Listen, Lanetti—” My phone rings, the shrill tone cutting me off. “Payne.”

“Get to the hospital,” Michael snaps.

Every muscle in my body goes rigid, and my stomach is little more than a pit. “What happened?”

“Chad’s been shot, Margot is missing. There was a card left at the B&B. A three of hearts.”

My own heart breaks.

“Bianca is coming to watch Lanetti,” he adds. “Get here now.” Michael ends the call.

There are absolutely no words to explain the bone-deep fear that settles over me. The way my ears drown out all sound as I picture Margot’s beautiful face in the dim light of her parents’ porch.

As I recall the way she’d smiled up at me.

Someone knocks on the door, and I jump.

“What is it?” Lanetti asks, not moving. “Is everything okay?”

“No.” I stand and cross over to the front door, then check the peephole before pulling it open. Bianca is on the other side, wearing dark jeans, motorcycle boots, and a leather jacket, her dark hair in a braid.

“You good?” she asks.

“No. But I will be.”

“What’s going on?”

I turn to Lanetti. “Margot is missing. This is Bianca Theodore. She’s going to stay here with you.”

“What? No. I need you, Jaxson.”

“Margot is missing,” I repeat, the words not feeling real even as they leave my lips. “I have to go.”

“She may be missing, but I’m not. What if he comes for me?”

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