Page 113 of Ruthless Cross

"No, you don't," she said.

"Oh, but I do. I saw the painting in your house when I stole the Jovani from you."

"I had a feeling that was you."

"As soon as I saw the belladonna, I knew you were the serial killer. It made perfect sense. You loved to paint flowers, and you were desperate for recognition of your talent. Is that why you killed those people, because they couldn't see how good you were?"

"It was one of my reasons," she admitted. "Especially with Rafael; he was so disdainful. He never thought I could be famous, but he was wrong, and he helped bring me fame."

"Then why hide in the shadows?" his father asked.

"I'm not in the shadows. I'm exactly where I want to be, or I was, until this idiot came into my life."

As she glared at Marcus, Flynn realized he was wrong about them. They weren't together. They were in opposition.

"Well, my silence can be bought," his father continued. "You know that. We are two of a kind. We do what it takes to survive."

He found himself admiring his dad's cool.

Was it an act? Or was this a scene he'd played out before?

Pulling out his phone, he texted Savannah his location, asking her to send backup, but to keep it quiet. No sirens. No police. Not until he had located Callie and gotten her to a safe location.

"Or I could just kill you, Sam," Victoria said. "No one would care—least of all, your son."

"That's true. But why create more problems for yourself? You need an ally. This man isn't up to your standards, is he?"

As his father spoke, Flynn saw Marcus start inching his way backward, as if he were trying to escape notice. But Victoria suddenly swung her gun in his direction. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Mother, please."

Marcus was Victoria's son?Now he was shocked. He'd thought they were lovers. He had been way off base.

"Don't call me that. You're too stupid, too inept to be my son." Victoria turned her gaze on Sam. "You did it, didn't you, Sam? You figured everything out and you told Flynn about me."

"I haven't told him a thing. Why would I? He would arrest me and put me in jail for the rest of my life."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because Arthur was a valuable client, and I'm going to need to find a way to replace that income stream. I'm surprised you had him killed before you knew where he'd put the painting. That was sloppy."

"It wasn't me. It was my son. Marcus thought he could copy me, solve his problems with Arthur by using my painting, my calling card. And now he's going to pay. But first I have to deal with you. I'm not interested in your deal. I think you're working with your son. But when he gets here, you'll both be dead."

Even from the shadows, Flynn could see the murderous intent in her eyes. He took aim, about to pull the trigger, when something flew through the air, hitting Victoria square in the chest. She stumbled and fired, the blast taking Marcus down.

Sam rushed Victoria, wrestling for the gun. It went off a second time, and his father fell to the ground.

He finally had a clean shot, and he took it, but the bullet only grazed Victoria's shoulder as she took off on a dead run.

He ran after her, shoving tables and chairs out of his way.

As she headed for the stairwell, she fired shots at him. Their gun battle continued as they both raced up the steps. When they reached the top floor, Victoria ran out of hallway. She was trapped, and she knew it. Blood was gushing from her arm. As she lifted her weapon, her hand was shaking. He didn't think she had the strength to pull the trigger, so he stepped out from behind the sheets of drywall that he'd ducked behind. "Drop it."

"Stay back," she warned.

"It's over, Victoria. You're going to prison for murdering five people."

"Four. Marcus killed Arthur. I had no idea he was going to kill him. Or that he would use me to do it. My son has no original ideas."

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