Page 70 of Last Resort

Dorian ran a hand over his jaw. “I need to double Stella’s security now. Even though the guy’s focus seems to have moved on to someone else.”

Maci. Chance would be taking her to ground until this was over. He wasn’t taking a chance with her. If he had to move her to a different country too, he’d do it.

“So, what’s the killer’s motive? How’d you put together that we’re dealing with more than a stalker?”

They explained the similarity of terms used in the notes at the murder scenes and the ones the stalker had sent to their office.

“The guy wants a challenge,” Dorian said after hearing them out. “Has the need to be the best.”

Chance nodded. “That’s what we concluded too. We’ve been looking at people who fit that profile—former military or even law enforcement.”

“Agreed.” Dorian was studying the reports Luke had brought with him. “I’d also widen the search to look at martial arts or MMA fighters. They use that kind of language also.”

“Hell, gamers use it too,” Brax muttered. “Maybe we tried to narrow it down too much.”

“Honestly, we thought it was Rich,” Chance explained. “He had some ROTC experience and his father was military, but it can’t be because LeBlanc just provided an alibi for one of the murders.”

Everybody grumbled about that.

“And this whole thing with Stella felt like the stalker always had the inside scoop on what we were doing,” Chance continued.

“It definitely feels personal. Like he’s taunting everyone. And that the choice of victim feels less important than the actual challenge. First Stella, now Maci.”

Chance agreed with Dorian’s deduction, but the choice of victim wasveryimportant to him. “This still feels like an inside job to me. Or at least that the stalker/killer is getting inside info from someone.”

“We’ll run a complete security diagnostic. If there’s info being leaked inadvertently from someone on my team, we’ll find it.”

“And if it’s someone leaking it on purpose?” Luke asked.

“We’ll find that too. It may take a little longer, but I promise you it will happen.”

Chance walked over and shook Dorian’s hand. “We’re going to keep at it. See if there are any more murders we can link to this. We’re bringing in some law enforcement contacts.”

Dorian nodded. “That’s one of the reasons Nicholas wanted to bring you guys in in the first place—your local contacts and influence here. I’ll admit I was skeptical when he first mentioned it. But you’ve done nothing but prove me wrong.”

“Let’s just catch this guy,” Chance said. “He made it way too personal when he targeted Maci.”

Dorian gave him a tight smile. “I completely understand. He’s messed with the mother of your unborn child. I’d stomp him into the ground.”

“That’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

When Maci woke up from her nap, she wandered downstairs. Weston was sitting at the kitchen table with his computer. His face was grim. Sheila and Clinton were back. Their faces were grim too.

“Chance, Brax and Luke went to meet with LeBlanc, see if we could get details about Rich. I have law enforcement waiting to move once we do,” Weston said once he saw her.

“Okay.” She was still having a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that she’d been so close to a possible killer. How many times he’d touched her.

“Do you want something to eat, honey?” Sheila asked.

“No.” The word came out as a croak. “Chance made me a really big breakfast.”

“Did you two talk?”

Maci nodded. It had only been a few hours ago, but seemed like forever. “Yes. It was good. You were right. Chance could handle my past.”

Sheila pulled her in for a hug. “My boy can handle anything. He’s going to handle this other thing too. Just you wait.”

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