Autumn’s Deceit (Autumn Trent Series Season Two Book 1) by Mary Stone

Author:Mary Stone [Stone, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-02T16:00:00+00:00

19

Autumn leaned back against the headrest on the driver’s side of the Chevy Malibu. They’d received new rentals for the stakeout, given they had every reason to believe Jane was familiar with their Expeditions.

She seemed to know everything else.

But that ends now. We’re one step ahead of you this time, Jane Doe.

Partnered with Bree for the surveillance—which had lasted all afternoon and now stretched on past eight o’clock—frustration and doubt began to worm their way through Autumn’s brain.

She cast Bree a sidelong glance. “What if the Willowfield Subdivision theory is total crap?”

Bree chuckled. “Don’t do that to yourself. Way too early.”

Tapping the steering wheel, Autumn struggled to return the good humor. “If we’re wrong, Jane could be off killing someone this very second. Our interpretation of the map made sense, but that doesn’t mean it was right.”

“True.” Bree’s expression softened at the distress in Autumn’s voice. “Like Aiden said, it’s the only feasible theory we have. We work with what we’ve got, and if we’re wrong, we change our tactics. It sucks, but we can’t be everywhere and save everyone. A few more years on the job and you’ll start to accept that. Even when you fail, your best will always be enough…because it has to be.”

The words were meant as comfort, but Autumn’s anxiety mounted. Logic compelled her to agree with Bree. The team couldn’t predict a timeframe for Jane’s next strike because the woman hadn’t shown any definite pattern as to when her kills would occur.

Possibly, they were in the precise location where their unsub planned to attack. Jane could drive into the neighborhood in the next thirty seconds. Ten minutes. Half hour.

Or she could mass murder another dozen people anywhere else on the entire planet.

Despite being a key contributor to hopefully solving the map, Autumn had a growing fear they were still missing something important.

“You’re right.” She managed a brief smile for Bree’s sake. “I just keep thinking about Keaton and how personal our unsub has made this case. Her next move will likely be just as calculated and geared toward one of us. Sitting here waiting while she plans her upcoming attraction feels…off.”

Bree cocked her head. “We’re here for a reason, though. That little map-solving miracle moment you had, remember?”

“Did I? Solve it?”

Bree studied her face, her dark eyes as concerned as Autumn felt. “I hope you did.”

Hope isn’t a strategy.

Biting her lip, Autumn envisioned Izadore’s corpse. Lily’s corpse. Bram with his delivery. Keaton, delirious from mental and emotional trauma.

“She’s smart enough to predict what our initial interpretation of the map would be.” Autumn ground her molars together. “And logic follows that she absolutely wouldn’t show up in the area we matched her to.”

“You might be right.” Bree scanned the quiet street. “Or wrong. Aiden could be preparing our departure this second. Or he may be determined to stick it out. Either way, looks like this could turn out to be a long night.”

Autumn stretched her legs one at a time, attempting to relieve some of the built-up tension.

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