Deadly Cross (Alex Cross #28)(61)

“It’s not just the proximity to those three places. It’s the timing again. Shorter and shorter between the attacks.”

“I see it,” Sampson said. “He’s escalating.”

“He is. And it’s been almost five months since Maya Parker. He’s going to hunt again, and sooner rather than later.”

“I agree. But I need to go home, read to Willow before bed. That’s always been our daddy time.”

Seeing Sampson’s eyes glisten, Bree said, “Keep it that way, John.”

“I’m trying,” he said. “Everything I’ve read says continuity is the best thing I can give her. I know how to be a good father. What I’m scared to death about is how to be a good mother to Willow, how to be what Billie was to her. You know?”

Bree heard and felt the turmoil in his voice. “You will figure out how to be what Willow needs, John. The same way Nana Mama became the person Alex needed after his own mom died. And the same way Alex had to adapt after his first wife was murdered. You will grow into who you have to be for her. And we will help you every step of the way. Jannie told me just this morning that she can babysit Willow anytime you need. And Ali says he’ll tutor her in math.”

Sampson smiled, tears welling in his eyes as he pulled up in front of Bree’s home. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

“We’ll talk in the morning? By phone? No sneaking into the basement?”

“I promise,” he said, laughing.

“Kiss Willow good night for us,” she said, climbing out of the car.

“Will do. And give my best to Alex when you talk to him, wherever he is.”





CHAPTER 68





NED MAHONEY AND I SAT around Althea Lincoln’s firepit for almost four hours as night came on and the flames danced and roiled, as mesmerizing as the disturbing stories she told us.

“You’re a brave woman, Althea,” I said after she’d finished talking. “Kay was blessed to have you as a friend.”

Althea burst into tears. “Kay was my sister in every sense. My mom worked for her grandmother. We played together in diapers. What else could I have done?”

“You did the right thing,” Mahoney said. “From where I’m sitting, you’re the only one who always looked out for her interests.”

I nodded. “You never manipulated her. You never took advantage of her.”

“Well,” she said, wiping her tears with her sleeve. “I asked her for this land and she gave it to me. And I asked her to help Napoleon.”

“He was your half brother,” I said. “And besides, you know Kay loved him.”

“And Napoleon loved Kay to the day he died. The whole mess was just so sad, unjust, evil, you know? What some men will do to others for money and power.”

“And what some women will do for love,” I said and smiled at her across the dying fire, still trying to wrap my head around everything she’d told us.

It began to sprinkle rain.

Ned stood. “We’re going to need to get out of here so we can set about proving all this in the morning, get the U.S. Attorney in Birmingham involved.”

“Thanks for the food, Althea,” I said. “The fish was excellent.”

“Fresh-caught this morning,” she said, gesturing toward the lake in the darkness. “The fish like it off the point there for some reason, the way it’s shallow and then drops deep. I think — ”

A flat, suppressed crack came from the woods behind the cabin; the bullet hit Althea, spun her around, and dropped her. The second shot missed me but came so close, I heard the high zip-whine of it ripping past my ear.

“Get to cover!” Mahoney shouted before diving to his right, away from the fire, and going over the bank.

I threw the table on its side, grabbed Althea by the collar, and dragged her behind it just before a volley of shots rang out from multiple guns fitted with suppressors, sounding almost like a paintball war. Bullets splintered the wood above me as I glanced around the table and caught the muzzle flash of the last two shots coming from the direction of the chicken coop.

I returned fire, three quick shots, then ducked back down. Althea groaned. “They shot me.”

Two unsuppressed shots rang out from Mahoney’s last position. He’s flanking them, I thought.

“We’re going to get you out of here and to a hospital,” I told Althea. “Is there any way off this point besides swimming?”

Before she could reply, the shooting started again, closer now, hitting the stout table and the chairs beside it. I jumped up and fired four rounds, left to right, and ducked down, expecting another volley, but there was silence.

“My skiff,” Althea gasped. “It’s off the right side of the point, pulled up onshore.”

“Outboard?”

“Yes.”

It began to rain harder. Even so, I heard a movement to our left and emptied the gun in that direction, dropped the clip, and rammed my second one home. “Can you walk?” I asked.

“I’m having trouble breathing. It hit me left of my right shoulder.”

Her lung could be damaged, I thought. The shooting started up again, this time in the direction Mahoney had gone, which was also roughly where Althea said the boat was.