Look Behind You (Kendra Michaels #5)

“I believe there’s a good chance.” He suddenly grinned. “Why else would I have left my Ferrari in the garage and taken your Toyota? What a sacrifice.”

“Duh,” she said. “Even you would have to admit that the Ferrari might be a little ostentatious for this neighborhood. Of course, it would be ostentatious for Buckingham Palace.”

“Only because Ferraris have loads more style than any of the Royals’ boring vehicles.” He reached over and took her hand. “If not tonight, then tomorrow, Kendra. We won’t give up. You’re really lousy at this stake-out business, but you’re great company. And we could think about that hog-tying scenario if we get really bored. Or we could get a DVD player and borrow one of Hagstrom’s porn tapes. There are all kinds of—”

“Hush.” She stiffened, her gaze on the backyard of the condo. “Something…” She leaned forward, her eyes straining. “Dark … against that pine fence. Moving…” She saw another flicker of movement. “Lynch?”

“I see it. Shadow … Might be nothing.” But he was out of the car and heading for the back of the condo at top speed. “Better call Griffin.”

She was already on the phone. “Hagstrom’s, Griffin,” she said when he picked up. “Right away. Hurry!” Then she was running after Lynch.

He was standing on the concrete patio in front of the kitchen door.

Dark prints on the concrete …

Fresh scratches on the lock of the door …

“I don’t see the glare from the TV through the windows anymore,” Lynch said. “No lights either. The power might have been cut…” He tried the kitchen door. “Lock’s broke, but it won’t budge.”

Lynch threw himself into the door, but it gave only slightly. “It’s been barricaded.” He glanced at a row of side windows. “Over there!”

Kendra followed him as he took off his jacket, wrapped it around his arm, and struck the nearest window. The glass shattered and fell around them. They both climbed inside and scrambled through the dark house.

Silence. Yet that shattered glass would have had to be heard.

“Hagstrom!” Kendra shouted.

Silence.

She flipped a light switch on the wall. Nothing.

“You’re right, the power’s been cut.” She went rigid, her gaze searching the darkness. “Do you hear that?”

There was labored, tortured breathing issuing from the front room.

Evidently Lynch did, because he pulled out his automatic and a pocket flashlight and moved in front of her. “Keep behind me.”

Then they rounded the corner, more light here streaming through the window from the glow of a streetlight. But they still couldn’t tell where—

And then they saw him.

Hagstrom’s body was crumpled in the middle of his living room rug. He was still twitching, blood pooling from his chest and neck. On the far side of the room, a strong breeze was buffeting the room from a broken window, and the curtains billowed outward toward the street.

“Shit!” Lynch fell to his knees beside Hagstrom, grabbed a throw blanket from the couch and pressed it against his chest. Before he could even complete the motion, Hagstrom gave a last gurgle and stopped breathing.

Lynch looked up at Kendra. “There’s nothing I can do for him. His throat’s been cut.”

“I know.” She was gazing down at Hagstrom’s throat. The cut was clean and the sweep of the incision clear. So clear. Why hadn’t she been able to see it before? Why hadn’t she been able to see everything before?

Lynch jumped to his feet and ran to the window. “No one out there I can see. Wherever he went—”

“It wasn’t a he,” Kendra said numbly.

“What?”

“Zachary isn’t a man.”

Lynch’s gaze narrowed on her. “And you know that how?”

“Because I know who our killer is. And you know, too.” And she knew something else, she realized in sudden cold panic. Zachary would never have executed this kill and then gone out that window. He would know that by showing up here she had signaled the end of the game.

“It’s a trap!” She stiffened, her gaze frantically trying to search the dimness. “Lynch, it’s—”

Three quick footsteps from the darkness behind her and a cold blade snapped to her throat!

“Very good.” The whisper in her ear was icy, and yet there was an element of mockery. “But then you’re always exceptionally good. I’m proud of you, Kendra.”

The knife was pressed so close to her neck Kendra didn’t dare turn around. But she didn’t need to. “Hello, Zachary.” She moistened her lips. “Or should I still call you … Gina?”

Lynch had raised his gun, but Gina Carson angled Kendra toward him. “Drop it,” she said. “Now.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“It needs to, if you want her to live.” Gina repositioned her knife. “I’ve seen your file, and I know what an impressive marksman you are, Mr. Lynch. Your scores were higher than mine or anyone else in the region.”

“Then you know how fast I can drop you where you stand.”

“Maybe, but you’ll notice that I’ve found Kendra’s left common carotid artery. I’ve already begun to apply pressure. Even if you manage to hit me, one flick of my wrist will make sure Kendra dies long before help arrives. Do either of you doubt me?”

Neither answered.

“Do you doubt me?” she repeated.

“No,” Kendra whispered, flinching as her throat moved against the blade.

“No,” Lynch finally replied.

“Then put your gun onto the floor. Keep the barrel pointed away from me.”

“Lynch…” Kendra said. “No.”

He slowly put down the gun.

“Now kick it into the next room. You can keep the flashlight. It might prove helpful.”

Lynch kicked the gun and it slid into the darkness.

“I do like cooperation. It will make your demise much more efficient,” Gina said. “But I’ve been waiting a long time for this, Kendra. I’m not going to be totally deprived of pleasure because I’m in a hurry. I’m curious, how did you know it was me?”

“That’s not important right now, is it?”

Gina applied pressure with her knife. She said softly, “Tell me.”

Kendra’s gaze was on Lynch standing across the room. His hands were clenched into fists as he stared at that knife. For the first time since she’d known him, he looked helpless.

“Need encouragement?” There was suddenly a trickle of blood running down Kendra’s neck as Gina’s knife pierced the skin. “I mean it, Kendra. I’m the one in control here.”

And Lynch was stiffening, preparing to move.

He mustn’t do that, Kendra thought frantically. “No one can doubt you think you’re in control,” she said jerkily. “Even if you’re not as clever as you think you are.”