Deadly Fear (Deadly #1)(98)

“The inside of the door knob was removed, but it—it looks like someone punched through the wood that was put there.”

Monica’s knuckles had been bloody. Hyde smiled. “He made a mistake.”

The scene had been set so well. An almost perfect match for Monica’s nightmares.

A whistle from his right. “Stab wound straight to the heart,” Gerry the tech said. “Someone wasn’t playing around.”

No, Monica didn’t play, and that had been the killer’s mistake. He’d thought Monica would play his way.

But the minute he’d taken Monica, it hadn’t been Kyle’s game any longer.

It had been hers.





CHAPTER Nineteen


Monica kept her voice calm and steady as she finished recounting her version of the events that had culminated in the death of serial killer Kyle West. “After Lee Pope distracted the perpetrator,” and got his head smashed in for his efforts, “I managed to free Agent Dante. There wasn’t much time.” She turned her head, barely feeling the ache in her jaw now.

It had been twenty-four hours since she’d walked out of that little cabin in the woods, but she could still see Kyle’s eyes, wide open, staring at Hell. “Agent Dante punched West when he attacked again and managed to get the cuff keys away from him.” A fast move that still impressed her.

“I unlocked my cuffs, managed to get the knife West had dropped, and when he came at me I had no choice but to use deadly force to defend myself and to secure the scene.”

No choice.

Really?

Monica shoved the taunting voice to the back of her mind. “West planned to kill Agent Dante in front of me. I would have become his next victim, and then—”

Hyde stared at her with unblinking black eyes. “And then?”

“He would have staged the scene to make it look like Deputy Lee Pope had killed us, then eaten his own gun. I suspect West would have ‘discovered’ the scene the next day and taken credit for wrapping up the case.”

The video equipment was recording her every word and expression, so Monica made sure she kept her face blank. Luke waited in the next room. He’d already done his interview. He’d taken his seat, recounted his capture and attack, all while covered in bandages, with stitches pulling at his flesh.

“Agent Davenport,” Hyde crossed his arms and studied her. “In your professional opinion, why do you believe Kyle West killed all of those people?”

She waited a beat. “From what he told us in that cabin, his mother physically abused him as a child. He killed her when he was only eleven. An action like that, from someone at such a young age, suggests intense psychological trauma. He said she was trying to kill him—so he killed her.” Monica swallowed and exhaled carefully.

“Kyle West was a very organized killer. He planned his crimes out in exacting detail.” And he’d timed the kills so well: When he’d taken Sam from the airport he’d drugged her, left her tied up and unconscious in the cabin, then popped in for an appearance at the police station.

Ballsy.

Monica knew he’d gotten off on that.

Hyde glanced down at his notes, then back at her. “It appears he specifically targeted members of the SSD. Why?”

This had been all she could think about since leaving the hospital. One answer came back to her, one answer based on Kyle’s own words. If it hadn’t been for Romeo, I never would have found you. But he told me—he told me you’d be the perfect prey.

Bastard. She forced her fingers to stay loose on the chair. “I believe Kyle West was in contact with the killer known as Romeo.” Had to be. Still trying to hurt me. “I believe Romeo manipulated him and sent West on a hunt against the SSD.” No, a hunt against me.

Now Hyde blinked. “How the hell did that bastard know about us?”

“The SSD has been making headlines recently, and when Romeo saw your name…” the name of the man who’d taken him down, “I believe he saw his opportunity for revenge.” If there’d been a picture in the paper, maybe a shot of her and Hyde, he would have known her instantly.

“I plan to travel to Angola Prison to interview Romeo and confirm the suspicions that I have.”

“The f*ck you are.” Hyde’s hands slammed down on the table. “Session’s over! Stop the recording—and get the hell out!”

The technician scrambled.

Monica raised her brows and stared back at Hyde.

“You’re not getting near him, you understand? That piece of shit isn’t going to touch you again, you’re not—”

She reached for his hand. Curled her fingers over his. Tough Hyde. Hard as nails.

The closest thing to a father she’d ever had.

“He can’t hurt me anymore.” She was quiet.

Hyde’s fingers shook.

“He’s nothing now.” She wouldn’t fear him, not ever again. “It’s time I put the past to rest.”

“You don’t need to see him. You don’t have to go there.”

“Yes, I do.” Because she had to face the monster in the dark. “I want to move on. I don’t want to be his prisoner anymore.”

The door opened. Luke stepped inside. “Monica? What’s going on? You okay?”