And what about since then? he asked quietly. Ill bet youve done some snooping on your own.
Why do you care? she snapped. You dont need me on this case. Theres no reason for us to spend time together. She pursed her lips, which were fuller than he remembered. Youre not thinking that you and I are going to take up where we left off, are you?
No, he said too quickly. God, no! He held up a hand. No offense or anything, but I just got out of a relationship, such as it was, and it didnt end well. She was a coworker, and And he was talking too much. Maya didnt need to know the sordid details of Detective Tabitha Stock and her personal agenda. He frowned and ended with, Lets just say we can put the past in the past and keep it there. Im not looking for anything more than your take on the Mastermind case.
Then read my notes. She turned away and slipped over the side of the building, down the ladder and was gone, leaving Thorne alone on the roof.
But her presence lingered in the air, in the hum of blood through his body, the buzz that said she was prettier than he remembered, spunkier than he remembered. But beneath that buzz was a wariness, a recognition that shed grown into a dedicated, driven cop, the kind of cop whod do anything to protect her territory, to ensure her job and move her career forward. Just like Tabitha.
Maya wasnt his problem. She didnt want his help or company, and hed made things square by pulling her away from the stampeding bison. He could move on from here, without giving her another thought.
Moments later, he cursed, climbed down the ladder and set off after her. The bomb threat and the Masterminds previous pattern of going after women in the Forensics Department suggested she was a target, which made her his problem.
What better way to find the Mastermind than to stick close to his next victim?
THE MASTERMIND WATCHED THE cops disperse to their vehicles and hid a smirk at the thought that everything was going according to plan. They were stirred up now, anxious and ready to jump at the smallest shadow.
He would wait a day, maybe longer, until the anticipation had built to a fever pitch. Then he would make his next move.
He picked out the slight figure of a dark-haired woman, identifying her by the aggressive wiggle of her hips as she walked to her car. The taller, stronger figure of a man followed at a distance.
Right on schedule, he murmured. He was particularly proud of this facet of his plan.
Though the ability to manipulate people wasnt one hed intentionally cultivated, it had served him well. With a few minorand fixablehiccups, everything was moving smoothly. The Bear Claw cops were formidable adversaries, but that would only make his inevitable victory that much sweeter when it came.
Smiling now, he turned away and headed toward his vehicle. He had a few matters to attend to, new preparations for the next stage of events.
Then he had a phone call to make.