Page 99 of Raging Inferno

“I don’t understand. Why are you doing this?”

“You’ll see.”

Presley couldn’t fight her when Val guided her around a paved path and into a van proclaiming St. Louis County Medical Examiner on the side. She had no desire to climb into a vehicle used to transport dead bodies. That thought quickly fled when Val whipped the back doors open. Jessie and Tamera were lying inside, tied up and unconscious.

“Are they dead?”

“No. They’ll come around soon enough. Now, be a good girl and get in. I don’t want to, but I will shoot you.”

Her eyes narrowed. Someone else was there, but no name would come to mind. Presley wanted to fight back, but her muscles had gone lax. As hard as she tried to fight it, she crawled inside and promptly lapsed into unconsciousness.

#

Dominic had checked the third floor but found nothing except a disturbing alcove off the main bedroom containing whips, chains, swings, and other assorted items he wanted to scrub from his brain. He didn’t even want to contemplate what went on in there. He wasn’t a prude, but good grief, that was a lot to take in.

Gia had been excited when he stuck his head in the room where she was playing with other kids her age. She thought it was time to go home. He told her he’d return for her soon andcontinued his search. He found nothing. No sign of Jessie or Tamera.

Dom was glad to have his cell back. He called Presley, but she didn’t pick up. He dialed Kayne.

“Hey, you find anything?” Kayne asked.

“No, and I can’t reach Presley.”

“I can’t either,” Kayne said. “Meet me in the foyer.”

Dom raced down the steps and almost plowed Kayne over. “Where the hell is she?”

Sam’s voice boomed through the house as he announced the program’s start.

“Something’s happened,” Kayne insisted.

“Eddie Smith is dead,” Dominic reminded him.

Kayne shook his head. “It bothers me that no evidence directly ties Smith to the fires.”

“What are you saying?” Dominic demanded.

“Unless I’m wrong, and I don’t think I am, we’re dealing with more than one perp.” He punched buttons on his phone. “Follow me. I’m tracking Presley’s phone.”

They weaved through the hallways and came to the back of the house. Kayne opened the door to a deck that led to a driveway used for the catering staff, judging by the parked vehicles covered with Dinah’s Delectables signage. They dodged a ladder and leaped down the steps.

Kayne halted suddenly and dropped to the ground. He reached beneath a minivan and pulled out Presley’s purse. He opened it up. “Her phone, watch, and gun are all here.”

Alarm shot through Dom. “She’s unarmed against a killer?”

“No. She’s a professional. She’ll have one strapped to her leg.”

That was a relief.

“Let’s get to the SUV. I want to ask the guard who’s left recently.”

#

Kayne took off running, knowing Dominic would keep up with him. Guilt weighed heavily on him that Presley had been taken. He should’ve insisted she wear her watch so he could track her.

It had bothered him that they couldn’t uncover any evidence tying Eddie Smith to the fires that killed three women. The local police and the FBI had closed the case. Kayne should’ve listened to his instincts.

As he approached his SUV, he realized something. “That’s odd.”

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