Alex was angry and worried. There had to be a reason why the killer would take both Fern’s and Tracy’s lives mere hours after he’d been with them. That was no coincidence. Then why hadn’t he admitted that to Detective Robinson?
You know why.
He didn’t want Coulter’s investigation centering on him. Now that Quinten was close to being free of the crime, they would need to go looking for another murderer. And he was terrified that it would all fall back on him—the brother of a killer, leaving a trail of dead women behind him.
He dropped his ass to the foot of the bed and cradled his head in his hands. Exhaustion seeped through his body and he ached with it. For once, he felt real panic well in his gut for Quinten. Alex had always hated his brother being locked away, but now that time was running out, he had never felt so helpless.
Hearing a tap on his door, Alex froze, and heard it again.
Christina?
She was back and, with the mood he was in, he wasn’t sure it would be wise to have her in the same room as him. That didn’t stop him from walking the short distance to the door and letting her in.
Christina’s gaze slid over him, her eyes widening when she really looked. He had a feeling that she didn’t miss anything, which could be dangerous.
He rested against the closed door, his arms crossed in front of him. “To what do I owe the visit?”
Christina nervously paced, her fingers tugging together. “You were right.”
“About?”
She stopped and faced him before she closed her eyes and inhaled. Exhaling, she met his gaze. “After a few days in the hospital, I suspected that Saige had no memory of you or your brother. She wasn’t talking about anything or to anyone. Richard figured it out.”
Christina backed up and sat on the edge of the bed while he stayed by the door. He didn’t trust himself around her, and heaven knew what else she wanted to confess.
“A few days after Saige had been found, the sheriff and detective wanted a statement from her, but we put them off. She wasn’t talking…I hated how the witch hunt took off after Quinten. I wanted to help but didn’t know how.
“I saw the way he’d look at her. He loved Saige, and she him. I was jealous.” She shrugged and wiped at a tear. “No one had ever looked at me that way, but I never would have done anything to split them up. No matter what anyone thinks, including Saige, I love my stepdaughter, Alex.” She shuddered and Alex realized she was struggling to keep her emotions in check.
“I know what you think of me because of what I was like with you and Quinten, but the truth is, you and Richard are the only men that I’ve been intimate with since I married him. And it’s been a very long time since he and I have...”
His eyes snapped to hers in surprise, not believing a word she said.
“Hard to believe, huh?” She fidgeted. “Richard,” she hesitated, “isn’t the kind and loving husband, like he is the kind and loving father. My life isn’t what it seems and never has been.”
What was she saying? And did he believe her?
“When...when the sheriff took Saige’s statement after selecting Quinten’s photograph, I helped her through it. The evidence had already piled up against him by then.” Christina started to cry softly. “I’m sorry, Alex. So sorry. I want to help you get your brother free. The detective is in town and wants to talk to me, so perhaps he can take my statement and that will be enough to cast doubts over Quinten’s guilt.
“I just wonder whether there is a way of doing it without Richard knowing.” She bit her lip, something that Alex had noticed Saige did when she was nervous.
He frowned and moved to crouch in front of her. “You really are afraid of Richard?”
Her eyes skirted away.
“Look at me, Christina...please.”
When she did, he realized that she told him the truth. Her misery was clear to see on her face and in her eyes.
It wouldn’t be the first time he’d been played, but he really did believe her.
His heart rate picked up when he realized he had the beautiful woman sitting in front of him. No matter how much he tried, he’d never been able to erase Christina from his mind or heart, and he wanted to lose himself in the warmth only she could give him.
The other night, he’d treated her badly. He couldn’t take that back, but he could make it right.
“Where’s Richard?”
“Jacksonville for the night on business.”
He watched her and after a minute or two started to slip his hands up her silky thighs...
Day 12
1:30am
* * *
Saige had new meaning to the saying, cold to the bone, as she gradually came awake. She shivered and her teeth chattered together in the frigid temperature. Her eyes blinked open but darkness was her only companion.
“About time you woke up,” a man hissed, and Saige’s situation came rushing back to her.
She was going home to Quinten.
Flat tire.
The side of the road.