Dead By Morning by Beverly Barton

Author:Beverly Barton [Barton, Beverly]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2011-03-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“It’s not as if we didn’t already know that both of us or either of us could be targeted as one of the killer’s next victims,” Derek said. “My guess is that he’ll gradually deviate more and more from the original Carver’s MO, so having brown eyes eventually won’t protect us.”

“Your putting my thoughts into words makes it seem more real.” Maleah eased back into the comfort of the sofa.

He squeezed her shoulder. “I try not to think about it. Besides, my guess is that your being jerked around by Browning is what the copycat killer wants, not your death. At least not yet.”

“Maybe.” She looked into Derek’s black eyes. Her stomach tightened. “What about you? What’s your role in all this craziness?”

“I’m the profiler. He knows my background. I’d lay odds on it. And it’s just possible that he wants me to profile him.”

“Why would he—?”

“He’s giving me clues to who he is and it’s up to me to decide which clues are true and which are false.”

Absently, Derek massaged her shoulder, his touch seeming instinctive, as if he was barely aware of what he was doing. She knew she should pull away, tell him to stop. But she didn’t. She leaned back against the sofa cushion and closed her eyes.

From the moment she had met Derek, she had been aware of the tension between them. And spending so much time with him these past few months had increased that live wire, just-below-the-surface unease she felt when he was anywhere near her. But on the other hand, as they had become better acquainted, her initial opinion of him had altered, at least somewhat. She had a greater respect for him, for his intelligence and his wit. She’d even gotten use to the way he kidded her.

“We’re dealing with two, maybe three, separate people,” Derek told her. “The copycat is playing Browning, using him, and it’s possible that Browning isn’t aware that he’s been used. I’m not sure how much Browning knows, if anything.”

“That’s my job, isn’t it, to find out what Browning knows.” She opened her eyes and glanced at Derek.

“Yeah, that’s your job and we both know he’s not going to make it easy for you.”

The gentle, continuous touch of his hand on her shoulder changed from soothing to arousing. She didn’t know if that was his intention or just her reaction, but either way, she had to put a stop to it. Without making a big deal of it, she slowly pulled away from him.

“You said there were three separate people involved. There are Browning and the Copycat Carver. Who is the third person?”

“I said possible third person.”

“Okay, if you want to split hairs, who is the possible third person?”

“Two scenarios,” Derek explained. “First, the Copycat Carver is the man behind everything. He’s working alone targeting Powell agents and members of their families, probably as a direct act of revenge against Griff and / or Nicole.”

Maleah nodded. “And scenario number two is?”

“Someone else is the brains

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