Exit Strategy Page 12

  “I’ll wait outside,” Rue said. “It’s a police station. Nothing bad can happen to me here, can it?”

  “I’ll wait with you,” Theo offered, and they left the room while Allison and Joanna sat down across from each other.

  * * * *

  “You’re sure you don’t need anything?” Theo asked.

  Rue shook her head. “Like Joanna said, we had breakfast, and this isn’t going to take long. I might have another coffee later.”

  “Sure.”

  They spent a few awkward minutes in silence. Rue noticed that most desks were empty. She assumed that Grace’s escape required a lot of manpower. What a strange, antiquated word to use in this context, she thought. Cops, managers…women could be everything these days. Even serial killers. Language hadn’t caught up fast enough. Or perhaps they were fooling themselves thinking that lasting change could be possible.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking about the word manpower,” Rue told him, almost amused at the way he tried to hide his confusion. “Look, we don’t have to pretend. Neither Joanna nor I would be here if we had the choice. We appreciate what you’ve been doing to protect us. Thank you. You don’t have to make small talk or entertain me.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll admit I’m glad you’re here. Joanna was always good at this.”

  “Kato isn’t?”

  “She is, but she’s not the one who’s looking for redemption,” he said. As if Rue needed a reminder.

  * * * *

  Joanna didn’t need any more proof. Allison Kato still didn’t trust her, and perhaps she had reason to, after the night she’d run out on her, hell-bent on saving Rue.

  “If you had any trouble because of me, I’m sorry,” she offered.

  “Don’t worry about it. Trying to put Grace Lester and her boyfriend away is our highest priority. In fact, it’s our only priority. But for that it’s important we put all the pieces together correctly. Do you remember ever telling her about your father?”

  The question puzzled Joanna. Was she still holding on to that theory?

  “I don’t think Grace was ever interested in him, and no, we didn’t talk about him. He probably came up as part of her research. If Preston wanted her attention, he might have done the same research.”

  “When he stayed at the inn, you never talked about your father either?”

  “No, of course not.” Joanna was beginning to get irritated with her. “Where are you going with this? He was a guest. A bit creepy, but we still kept it polite. That’s about it. There was no reason whatsoever to share anything personal with him.”

  “You had cocktails together?”

  “What? Of course not.”

  Allison produced a tablet. “This was sent to me not long ago, just before Preston broke her out. Listen.”

  “Sure.”

  Joanna easily recognized her voice and Liam Preston’s. “Yeah, Theo told me about this. It’s definitely manipulated. I didn’t know he recorded any of our conversations. He cut them together so it would look like we met for a drink.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “I don’t know. He, or they, wanted to set me up, taunt me…It worked, didn’t it? I’m here.”

  “Okay.”

  Joanna sensed there was more, so she opted for a pre-emptive strike.

  “About that other theory of yours, you’re wrong. I had no part in what happened to my father. We’re not close as you know, but I didn’t have any reason to hate him that much.”

  “All right, Joanna, thank you. I think we can bring Rue and Theo back in.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  She’d been right not to let down her guard too easily, Joanna reflected, when she later sat with Theo over the crime scene photos. Vanessa had come by and convinced Rue to go to the hotel with her. He might truly think she could help, and perhaps the governor felt the same, but Allison Kato was still wary. Joanna couldn’t blame her after the brief history they’d had, and all the rumors she’d probably heard over the years.

  She’d be wary of herself.

  The truth remained the same. Grace and Preston were out there, probably preparing the next kill.

  “How much do you know about the victim?”

  “She was a second year resident at Graham General. Friends told us she said she’d stay home and study that night, but apparently she went to that bar instead.”

  “You think they chose her at random? Grace and Edward stalked their victims before they approached them.”

  “They didn’t have a lot of time to do this, with Grace just out.”

  Joanna pondered his words, a thought springing to mind that made her jump to her feet.

  “What is it? Jesus, give a guy a warning!”

  “Christina Danvers. Do you know where she is?”

  “I think she left town after she finished her therapy.”

  “She’s a loose end. My dad, the Gibson family, this is all connected. You have to contact her, make sure she’s okay. Damn, why didn’t I think of this earlier?

  Theo didn’t argue. “I’ll be right back,” he said.

  Joanna stood in the doorway where she saw him conferring with an officer. A couple of minutes later, he joined her again.

  “Why would he want to help Grace tie up loose ends?”

  “He’s in love?”

  “Where does he find her? Online? The dark web? People daring each other to break a dangerous criminal out of prison? He had official ID and forms!”

  “Someone on the inside?” Joanna suggested. “They got him copies or software? I thought he was creepy, but he had a lot of action during his vacation. Psychopaths can be charming.”

  “We questioned the staff. Nothing came up.”

  “You can get me those transcripts?”

  “With all due respect, we went over all of this multiple times…”

  “You wanted me to come here,” she reminded him, and he relented.

  “I’ll get them.”

  “What about facial recognition from that photo?”

  “Not clear enough. We made portions of the tape available to the public—nothing.”

  “Okay. He might be using different accents. Denise gave you the credit card number, I assume? Nothing yet?”

  “No hits. They were so damn blatant, dumping her body right there in the park. Something has to come up.”

  It will, Joanna thought. It’s only a matter of time. But then, in the case of the slasher, it had taken eleven years. None of them could go through that again.

  * * * *

  Grace stumbled and barely avoided stepping into a puddle of blood. Instead of the familiar high, she felt light-headed, almost sick. Was she getting soft?

  No, she decided. Killing was an art form, or at least it had been to her and Edward. To Joanna, it was a self-righteous way of dealing with the world, and Grace still hoped she’d deal with her at some point. Not today or tomorrow. They had to get the hell out of here.

  Liam, or Chuck, as he had told her to call him this week, didn’t care much for art, or seduction. He was a butcher. She brushed her fingers over her cheek, startled to see the crimson on her fingertips.

  He had made a fucking mess, now whistling in the shower.

  Without thinking, she went inside the bathroom and opened the door to the stall.

  “What the hell were you thinking? We don’t have time!”

  He regarded her with curiosity.

  “You have nothing to say?”

  Within a split-second, he grabbed her wrist so tightly she let out a pained yelp, and he dragged her close enough for some of the water to get on her hair and clothes. “If there’s not much time, I suggest you start cleaning the hell up.”

  He let go of her so abruptly she nearly fell. Sure, he had gotten her out and bestowed a lot of flattery on her at first, but she was beginning to doubt the wisdom of her actions following her escape. He was soiling her legacy. No one was worth that. She could give the detect
ives some clues and have him arrested within the hour. Did he ever think of that?

  When Grace saw the look he gave her, her anger vanished giving way to something she’d rarely experienced at Edward’s side. Fear? She wasn’t afraid of anyone.

  “You can have the next one, babe,” he said, something in his tone sending a shiver down her spine. “We’ll do it your way.”

  “You bet your ass we will,” she mumbled, but her unease remained.

  * * * *

  Joanna wasn’t sure about Theo, but to her, the day was a success as they’d managed to determine that Christina Danvers was safe at her home. No one had approached her. She couldn’t report anything out of the ordinary.

  It didn’t mean she wasn’t on the killers’ radar. It could mean someone else was.

  She met Vanessa and Rue in the hotel bar where Vanessa shared the itinerary she and Theo had decided on.

  “In the morning, you can go back to the station, see if anything comes up. Later in the evening, the governor will see you. In between…Well, I guess you have some free time. You could see someone if you like.”

  “Like who? I don’t want to put anyone in danger. They might not know we’re here, but it’s probably not that hard to find out.”

  “As you wish. After you’ve spoken to Governor O’Neal...I don’t see why Theo would want to keep you for much longer, frankly, but you don’t have to be in a rush either.”

  “What if we are?” Rue asked. “There are friends waiting for us, a home, wedding preparations…I would like to see my parents though if that’s possible.”

  “I’m sure we can arrange that.” There had been a flash of hurt on Vanessa’s face when Rue didn’t include her in their group of friends, but she got over it quickly. “And Joanna?”

  “What about me? Kira maybe.”

  Rue and Vanessa shared a look Joanna found curious. She made the connection.

  “No, thanks. I don’t think there’s anything that would change the opinion we have of each other.”

  “It’s more for you than for him,” Rue said softly. “This might be the last time for real.”

  With a start, Joanna realized she might be right. She had wasted opportunities, and her regrets had little to do with Lawrence…but they were related.

  “Yes, sure, I’ll see him. I’m sure he was ready to believe I sent someone to beat him up.”

  “You can ask him,” Rue said. “I can come with you.”

  “You know what he’s going to say.”

  Vanessa’s interested gaze said she wasn’t completely following their conversation.

  “Maybe for once, something will make a Goddamn difference to him,” Rue said with surprising passion. “He could have died. We were all in danger. He could have a change of heart, give a tiny hint that he actually has one.”

  Joanna feared Rue would be disappointed, but she couldn’t help hoping that Lawrence might have something for her, even if it wasn’t forgiveness or acceptance.

  “Okay then,” she said. “While we’re here, let’s meet the parents.”

  * * * *

  The last time Joanna had seen her father was shortly before Vanessa helped her disappear. She had threatened him, desperate to make sure he wouldn’t interfere with Rue’s career—because at that time, she didn’t believe that she and Rue could have a future.

  She didn’t call him. Vanessa did, and she drove the two of them. Their security detail followed in an unmarked vehicle.

  Lawrence Mitchell still lived in the same three story house Joanna had grown up in, something close to a mansion. She was sure her old room had been turned into a storage or guest room, not that the house lacked space.

  An employee opened the door to them with an impassive expression.

  “Follow me, please.”

  She led them into the living area where Lawrence Mitchell stood with a woman not much older than Joanna. She smiled politely, reaching out a hand.

  “Hi, I’m Renée Madison. We’ve been working, but I’ll leave you to it now. Rue, good to see you again.”

  “You too, Renée.”

  “Your friend said you wanted to see me,” Lawrence Mitchell said before he sat down on the couch, not offering them a seat.

  Joanna sat on the couch across from him and after some hesitation, Rue took a seat next to her.

  “Frankly,” he continued, “I didn’t expect to see either of you again, but I guess you’re going to tell me why you’re here any minute now.”

  “I heard what happened. I’m really sorry.”

  “That took you a while.”

  Rue winced, but this was nothing new to Joanna.

  “I’m sorry about that too. How are you?” In the few months that had passed since their last meeting, he had aged. She had seen it before in victims of crime, especially someone like Lawrence who thought of himself as invincible. Come to think of it, they were similar that way. She had the streaks of gray to show for it.

  “I’m fine as you can see. Don’t tell me you’re here to ask me that. And whatever it is you two are planning, I’m not going to attend a fake wedding, no matter how you want to dress it up.”

  “Don’t worry Mr. Mitchell. We’re not planning a fake wedding. It’s called a wedding, and I think I speak for both of us when I say we only want people who care about us there.”

  Joanna wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry.

  “Poor Rue,” he said, shaking his head. “I can remember when you were a professional. You had a reputable life before my daughter. Well, she does that to people.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I can tell you’re doing fine, so I won’t bother you for much longer. Don’t worry, Rue is right about the wedding. I’m not going to try to change your mind, but there is something you could help me with. Do you know where Mom is?”

  She could tell from the shocked silence hitting her that neither Lawrence nor Rue had expected this question. Up until this moment, Joanna hadn’t been sure she’d find the courage to ask it, but her father’s attitude made it clear she didn’t have any time to waste.

  “Why would you ask that? You think she’s going to give you away?”

  “Dad, please.”

  “I’m not sure what you want to do with that information, anything that isn’t foolish, that is—but yes, I know where she is. Or at least, where she was until last year, I’m not sure if that’s still correct.”

  “Dear God.” No longer depending on a paycheck from Lawrence Mitchell, Rue had few reservations to speak her mind. “Do you even understand how cruel this is?”

  “It’s easy to judge. Believe it or not, there was a time when I still had hope for what Joanna could be without her mother’s influence. But like Joanna, she couldn’t stay out of trouble. I guess it’s right what they say about the apple and the tree. I kept an eye on her. I had to. Joanna might be wrong, but unlike her mother, she isn’t weak.”

  Joanna didn’t want this conversation to go on longer than absolutely necessary, not only because of its painful nature. They hadn’t come back to find her mother, even though that might still be an option. She couldn’t help being in awe, and not in a good way, at the alternate reality her father had built for himself, in which there was always someone else to blame.

  Or it could be that he was right this time and her mother had somehow lost the capacity to be a parent, the urge to follow other impulses too tempting. She’d written music and sang in a band. She’d sung to Joanna when she was little.

  “Okay. I’d like you to give me that information, and we’ll leave you alone.”

  “Very well.”

  He got up to leave the room and returned only moments later with a thick envelope. Joanna was glad he didn’t take much time. She couldn’t talk to Rue right now without embarrassing herself.

  “Thank you. For what it’s worth, I didn’t send that guy. I hope they’ll catch him soon.”

  The fact that he didn’t deny he’d thought of the possibility, told her everything she already knew.
>
  For a too brief moment, she could have almost fooled herself into thinking there was something about her he was proud of—but he couldn’t praise a woman without disrespecting another, soft-spoken and polite as usual.

  She’d gotten what she wanted. Joanna clutched the envelope tightly as if someone was going to take it away from her.

  She would have liked to go to the hotel room and stay inside with Rue, for drinks, and sex, but there was no time for comfort. They were going to see Rue’s parents, and Governor O’Neal afterwards.

  Chapter Nineteen

  For a long time Rue had dreamed about the moment she’d introduce Joanna to her parents. She didn’t think that when the occasion arose, it would be under such difficult circumstances. Never mind a serial killer, the lover of the man who abducted her, on the loose.

  She was still shaken about what they’d learned, and she wondered if Joanna had managed to process all the implications yet. It looked like Mitchell had known all this time where her mother was. Why not tell Joanna and let her make up her own mind? Joanna had memories of her from the first ten years of her life, and from what Rue knew, they weren’t bad. What had changed? Why leave a ten-year-old with a cold-hearted man like Lawrence Mitchell and then stay in touch with him, but not her daughter?

  There were numerous possible scenarios. Neither Mitchell nor his ex-wife looked good in any of them.

  Rue hoped Joanna wouldn’t find her too selfish for wanting to see her own parents as well.

  “Joanna! It’s so good to finally meet you.”

  Standing back as her mother hugged a startled Joanna, Rue felt pride in her parents who had always supported and listened to her, during the worst and best times of her life. Even when she had to explain that she was dating a woman who had served time for killing a man, they had listened.

  “I’m glad to meet you too.”

  “Come on in,” Rue’s dad said, ushering all of them into the living room. “I hope you can stay for dinner.”

  “Not today, Dad, I’m sorry. We have an appointment this evening…Perhaps we can come back. She didn’t want to give them, or herself, false hopes, but being here, Rue couldn’t deny how much she’d missed them.