Page 36 of Be Very Quiet

She disconnected and motioned for Luca. She prayed he didn’t blow a gasket.

“What’s up?”

“Supervisory Special Agent Reese Reneau from the FBI is here.”

“Damn it. I knew they’d come eventually, but I hoped we’d have more time.”

“Listen, Luca, Reese is one of the good guys. I worked with him for four years. He’s fair, and he’s honest. I trust him implicitly. You can too.”

Luca nodded slowly. “Okay.”

“Just like that?”

“If you vouch for him, that’s enough for me. Besides, we were going to have to call them about the second package.”

“You’re right.” With a relieved breath, Audria headed for the door and whipped it open. Reese was leaning against the opposite wall with his muscular arms crossed. One brow lifted, and she almost melted into a puddle at his feet. “Uh, come in.”

She stood back to allow him to pass. A subtle scent of cologne wafted to her, and she almost moaned. Man, she had to get a grip on her feelings. It had been easier to do when he’d been married. She didn’t lust after men who had wives. It was a line she refused to cross. It was after he divorced that the attraction surged to the forefront.

Now he was here, and all Audria could think of was how much she wanted to kiss him.

Chapter Twelve

Luca eyed the man who entered the apartment. He wore a white oxford shirt and dark blue dress pants, but his suit coat and tie had been discarded, and his black hair was mussed. Nonetheless, Luca would’ve pegged him for a fibbie at first glance.

Audria made the introductions.

“I’m sorry for what you went through ten years ago and again now, Ms. Lima,” Reese said sincerely.

“Thank you, and please, call me Liliana.”

Reese nodded. “I wanted to let you know we got a hit on the earring. It belonged to the first victim here in Miami, Ruby Brown.”

Luca cursed. “I was afraid of that.”

“So, he sent me a souvenir of his first kill a decade ago and again now. Why? What is the point?”

“I’m having a profile drawn up to give us an idea of his current mindset, but if I had to guess, it’s because he’s fixated on you. You’re the one who got away.”

Liliana winced, and Luca wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go.

Reese continued. “The perp knows where you are and wants you to realize he can get to you at any time. He’s drawing you into his evil scheme. It’s all a sick, twisted game to him.”

“You mean Rader,” she said.

“I’m withholding judgment on that for now. It might be him, but it could be a copycat. Until we know for sure, I’m not making assumptions.”

“How would anyone else have access to an item from one of Rader’s first kills?” Christian asked.

Reese turned to him. “Good question. Maybe he had an accomplice or a protégé we don’t know about. We’re working on that now.”

Luca retrieved the padded envelope that he’d placed in an evidence baggie. “We were going to call you. We found this taped to the door when we arrived home a few minutes ago.”

Reese took the bag and studied the contents. “If I had to guess, I would say that the lipstick is from the most recent victim, Pam Barton, and the earring from Charlotte Cryer, the second victim in Minnesota.”

“My thoughts too,” Luca concurred.

“I’ll take this and have it analyzed.” He turned to Liliana again. “Have you noticed anything strange lately or felt you were being watched? Has anyone left you any trinkets or gifts?”

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