Only Fear by Anne Marie Becker

Author:Anne Marie Becker
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: The Mindhunters
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2011-10-01T22:00:00+00:00

“Take pity on him, Ethan,” she said, trying to peek at the flowers, an arrangement of white lilies, without touching them. What, did he think they would explode? He grabbed her outstretched wrist with a shake of his head and she pulled away.

“I’m calling to check on a messenger of yours,” he said into the phone. “And a delivery. For Dr. Levine. Can you tell me who they’re from?” His lips tightened at the response. “I know I can check the card. I’m not certain I want to open it until I know… Okay. Thanks.” A moment later, his gaze met Maggie’s. “Deborah. I see.”

Maggie drew in a sharp breath. The flowers were from an admirer, all right. Had Deborah sent them before meeting up with Fearmonger? If so, how? Deborah’s body had been found within a few miles of the mental hospital.

She reached out to check the card. Ethan took her wrist to stop her from touching them. “Any credit card receipt? Cash? Okay. Maybe a description of the person who purchased them?”

“I can help you there,” the messenger said, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed under Ethan’s glare. Ethan ended his call and turned all of his attention on the boy.

“How can you help?” Ethan growled.

The boy’s chin shot forward in defense. “I took the order when it came in. It came by phone. Woman’s voice.” He looked toward the floor. “I think.”

“You think?” Ethan advanced a step.

Maggie stepped forward and knelt by the messenger. “What did she say?”

“Just asked for a traditional funeral bouquet and said the money would be delivered, along with the card to be included.” The kid shrugged, suddenly looking ten years old as he hunched his shoulders. “I just did my job. But the voice sounded a little off—like when a guy impersonates a woman, you know?”

“Who delivered the money and note?”

“A kid. I remember I was surprised to see him, since he’s from our neighborhood, but he just said some guy paid him to drop it off.”

Maggie paled. Fearmonger was involving kids now? Why not? He’d obviously felt no compunction about preying on a mentally ill person like Deborah. The flowers weren’t from her, but her name was used. Surely, that had to be part of his message. Her heart pounded against her breastbone, and she forced herself to breathe regularly.

“What’s this kid’s name?” Ethan growled.

Maggie smiled encouragingly to the messenger, glancing at his nametag. “Todd, we’re just trying to figure out a little mystery.” He returned her smile with a wobbly one of his own. “I promise the kid won’t get in trouble. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Kenny,” Todd blurted out. “I don’t know his last name, but he’s always playing basketball down the street from the flower shop.”

Her smile widened and he actually seemed to perk up a little. “Thanks, Todd. You’ve really helped us out. You can go now.” On shaky legs, the kid stood, tossed one final wary glance at Ethan, then rushed out the door.

Ethan shook his head.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.