Gazed down at the shiny honed blade, then tested it on his own palm.

A thin crimson line appeared upon his skin. Blood oozing. Another scar in the making.

It was perfect.

CHAPTER 28

“I thought I made it clear that you were off this investigation,” Katherine Okano stated angrily from the throne that was her desk chair. She was polishing her glasses so furiously that Reed thought the lenses might pop out of the frames. “Or did you conveniently forget, Detective?”

“I remembered,” he said tightly.

“And yet, there you are, big as life, caught on film. When we nail the killer what do you think his defense lawyer is going to come up with? Footage of one of the victim’s lovers at a crime scene and proof that you were there when Barbara Marx’s body was found along with the little nugget that you were her baby’s father. Won’t that be the reason you might contaminate or embellish the evidence to convict?” She stopped rubbing her glasses long enough to give him a long, hard stare. “You know I gave Morrisette specific instructions about you, so it’s not just your ass that’s in a sling right now. She’s jeopardizing the case by keeping you privy to what’s going on.”

“The Grave Robber addresses his notes to me.”

“Big deal. Just stop, Reed, and stop now or I’ll have to ask for your badge.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Searching his pocket, he came up with the wallet that held his police ID and badge. With a flick of his wrist, the leather case slid across her desk to land in front of her trademark glass of some iced-coffee concoction. “It’s not Morrisette’s fault. I coerced her.”

“My ass.” She settled her glasses on the bridge of her sharp nose. “You’re not getting off this easy, Reed.” She pushed the wallet back to him. “Just lay low. I’ll see how I can handle this.”

“And here I thought you didn’t care,” he mocked.

“Don’t push me.”

Picking up his ID, he started for the door. “Wouldn’t dream of it, K.O.,” he said, knowing he was lying through his teeth.

The day had been hell. After renting a car, Nikki had driven home and walked an excited and uproariously enthusiastic Mikado. Watching the dog scamper, chase squirrels and eagerly bark at strangers only reminded Nikki that she’d never see Simone again. Never hear her voice. Never stand her up.

But you can do something. You can help catch this creep. Put him away. He communicates with you.

And you can take care of her dog. She would have wanted that.

Though Jennings had been obviously miffed with the new little interloper, Nikki had decided that Mikado was to become a permanent addition to the family.

Leaving the dog and cat to sort things out, she finally drove to work and upon arriving was accosted at the coatrack by Tom Fink. “Nikki,” he said in a hushed tone as she draped her scarf over an empty hook. “Can you spare a minute?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Let’s go to my office.”

As they walked through the cubicles, she felt everyone’s eyes upon her, sensed the curiosity in their gazes. Trina didn’t even look up as she passed. Norm Metzger eyed her as if she were the enemy and Kevin studied her from beneath the rim of a baseball cap. Even the ever ebullient and inefficient Celeste stared openly as Tom escorted her into his office. It seemed to Nikki that all clicking of computer keys, ringing of phones and gentle buzz of conversation ceased as she walked by. The newspaper offices sounded more like an elevator with only the soft chords of piped-in music disturbing the silence.

“What’s going on?” she asked as Tom waved her into a side chair and took his seat behind the desk.

“That’s what I’d like to know.” He tented his hands in front of him and balanced his chin on his thumbs. “Something’s up. Something major. You’re getting notes from the killer, your apartment was broken into and now one of your best friends has become a victim of the killer you named the Grave Robber; have I got that right?”

“I thought the police weren’t releasing the names of the most current victims until the next of kin had been notified.”

“They have been. Simone Everly’s parents have already heard the news as have Tyrell Demonico Brown’s sister, kids and ex-wife.”

“Bad news travels fast.”

“Yes.”

“Because we make sure it does.”

“We, as in the paper? Oh, God, Nikki, don’t tell me you’ve suddenly developed a conscience.”