Page 77 of Phoenix Rising

Reese nodded. “I won’t.”

“I’m trusting you here. Contact me as soon as possible. I will also continue investigating these two murders to the best of my ability.”

Reese shook her hand. “I’d expect nothing less.”

When they were in the SUV, Audria said, “You have a plan. I can tell.”

Reese glanced at her in the back seat and smiled. “I do. We’re going to confront Caraway in his private quarters. I’ll flash my FBI badge. Talia and Hunter will pretend to be on his side and hopefully get him to confess to the murders.”

“I’ll text Talia now to let her know what we’re doing.”

As soon as she sent the message, her phone buzzed, and she put the call from her office on speakerphone. Audria shook her head as she listened to the report. It was yet another nail in Elijah’s coffin.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Talia’s phone vibrated in her pocket. Elijah hadn’t returned from ending the evening session, so she couldn’t take the chance that he might stop by the room that monitored the cameras. She went into the bathroom and read the message.Oh, no.

The sound of water being turned on made her glance up. Her husband had come inside and closed the door. “What’s wrong, babe?” Hunter rubbed his hands on her arms.

Despite the distraction of the running shower, she kept her voice low. “They found Paige Stockton’s body in the desert today.”

“Damn,” he murmured.

“Another dead body was recovered close to her. They do not know her identity.”

“Related?”

“Unknown at this point.”

“Do Audria and Reese have a plan?”

“Yes. They will barge in here with their badges and tell Elijah they know his real identity and that he is their suspect. You and I will defend him and get him to confess to us when they leave.”

“It will be so satisfying slapping cuffs on that psychopath.”

“I agree, sweetie, but you might have to fight me for that honor.”

“Aw, I’ll let you do it, babe. That’s how much I love you.”

She gripped his chin and kissed him. “My hero.”

“Always. Hey, why the sad face?”

“I just worry about Tilly.”

“We’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

If Talia hadn’t already been head over heels in love with her magnificent husband, that would’ve done the trick. He was so caring and protective. The best man she’d ever known. And he was all hers.

“What’s that look?” Hunter asked carefully.

Talia threw her arms around him. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“Well, it is nice to hear every so often.”

Talia playfully slugged him in the gut, and he doubled over. “I tell you that every day, you big oaf.”

His smile never ceased to take her breath away. “And you do. But I say it at least twice a day, so I win.”

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