Page 52 of Security Breach

He stilled. “The feds think the Butcher targeted Emma specifically?”

“Sorry, my friend.”

Why didn’t the feds tell him? David didn’t know what game Jordan was playing, but he planned to get to the bottom of it.

Emma shook her head. “But if he watched the house, he would have seen me drive away in the car.”

The Butcher had probably seen Emma and chosen her as his next victim. If he was smart enough to park a block or two away, he wouldn’t know Emma left or that Anne was in the house. Her sister could have gone to the beach. The killer wouldn’t have known Marian and James Tucker were in the house.

David frowned. Emma said she and her sister wandered all over Seagull, visiting booths during the festival. Perhaps the killer was closer than she realized. He chose Emma for a reason. If David discovered why, he might be able to stop the Butcher before he struck again.

“Not if he believed you would be in the house alone. Is that possible, Emma?” Zane asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Think about when you were in Seagull with Anne,” David said. “While you and your sister attended the festival, did you discuss plans for when you returned to the beach house?”

Emma’s hand clamped onto his forearm. “Anne mentioned a swim before dinner. Why didn’t I remember that before now?”

“Your memory’s been in a deep freeze,” Zane said. “David’s presence is thawing the ice.”

“More memories will return.” David stroked Emma’s hair. “The killer will pay for what he did to you and your family, and his other victims. Zane, did you send a copy of the case files, too?”

“Affirmative. I’m still searching for security cam footage at Emma’s safe houses. Jon’s scanning for security and traffic cams on Seagull Island. Anything else you need?”

“Track down every scrap of information on Jordan and his cronies, Justin Wells and Phil Jones.”

“Copy that. Later, David.” Zane ended the call.

“Why are you investigating the FBI agents?” Emma asked. “They protected me for months.”

“Have they?” David wasn’t so sure.

“You don’t trust them.”

If what he suspected was true, Jordan had much to answer for. “The security breaches shouldn’t have happened.”

David tucked Emma close, enjoying the sun and light breeze. Though the vista before him was peaceful, gut instinct led him to believe this was the calm before the storm.

Minutes later, Emma stirred. “I can’t hide here forever,” she said, voice soft.

He kissed her temple. “You’re right.” Too many people’s lives were at risk. The killer’s patience would end soon. When it did, people they knew and loved could die.

“What will we do?”

“Find him, and arrest him.”

“The best option,” she agreed. “What’s our next choice?”

One he didn’t want to use, but might be the only way to draw out the killer. “Set a trap.”

“You need bait.” Emma faced him, her expression somber. “Me.”

He gave a slight nod. “It’s a last resort.”

“And if you have to use that option?”

“I’ll personally guarantee the Butcher won’t touch you again.”

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