Page 52 of The Professor
“There’s more. He lives near Red Leather, a recent move.”
“So he can hang out in the back alleys, waiting for targets. He’s an opportunist then.”
“A very dangerous one. We’ve got to stop him.”
“I agree.” I glanced at the clock beside Chelsea’s bed. It was nearing six in the evening. “I’ll head over, maybe we can check the place out tonight. Have you got the bouncers on high alert?”
“Yes, and we’re on their speed dial.”
“Good, see you soon.”
Chelsea reappeared.
“Get dressed, we’re going out.” I’d been parted from her once today and I had no intention of letting that happen again.
“We are?”
“Yes, back to the house, something’s come up, but I’m gonna want to fuck you again soon, so you need to be at my side.”
“Just for fucking?”
I pulled on my pants. “Maybe you can put that criminology degree to good use, too, huh?”
She smiled. She liked that I saw her as an intelligent, educated woman, and hell, she was, she’d got top marks on my course each year and it had nothing to do with the fact she’d been my favorite. She was a sharp cookie, no doubt about it.
Forty-five minutes later, we sat around the table at Rose Cottage. Cillian, Jamie, Mitch, and Phil were with us.
“First off,” I said, sipping from a steaming mug of coffee. “Mitch, what the fuck went down this morning with the cops? I thought you said there wouldn’t be any around.”
“They were MIT,” Chelsea said, “nothing to do with beat cops.”
“Got it in one.” Mitch nodded at her. “They’d been watching your father’s movements, just waiting for a chance toswoop in. Just so happened they chose the exact moment we were conducting business with him.”
I turned to Jamie. “Any news on the lawyer for Finn and Grant?”
“Yes, she’s hired and on the case. Haven’t had an update yet, but she’s the best in the business.”
“Good.”
“And the girls from the warehouse, the ones Ranson was using as sex slaves,” Jamie went on. “I’ve given that rehab center down near Swindon instructions.”
“The Clean Start?” Cillian asked.
“Yes, that’s the one. They should be at the hotel now, collecting the girls. I’ve paid up front for all of them, up to three months’ care if necessary, then there’ll still be some left over for them to start afresh somewhere new or get themselves home.”
“Your father’s money has gone to a good cause, doll.” Cillian nodded at Chelsea. “Even if his hand did have to be forced.”
Under the table, Chelsea squeezed her leg closer to mine. She was doing so well, considering, and I was proud, but I was here for her, if she needed me. I pressed my palm over her thigh, hoping she’d understand that I wanted her for more than just her body. She was the one.
The one?
Fuck. When had that happened?
In truth, a long time ago, the last few days had just cemented it in my head and in my heart.
“If I remember right,” Chelsea was saying, “this pattern of serial criminal offense has several motives—sexual, finance, sensation seeking, childhood trauma—and it would really help if we can figure out which it is for this Brian Dix.”
“Why? We should just catch the bastard,” Jamie said.
