Chapter Twenty

Tuesday, January 22, 12:15 A.M.

It was past midnight when Kendall got home from the television station. She was bone tired as she stood in the kitchen and flipped on the lights. Todd had hung the cabinets, attached the hardware, and installed the new appliances. The room looked stunning. And for a flicker of a moment she felt happy. However, the feeling flittered away, as it did of late.

She moved to the phone and played back the answering machine’s messages. Two messages from Brett. He prattled on about work again like nothing had happened. And then the third message replayed. It was from Carnie.

‘No rush to call me back,’ she said, sounding a bit breathless. ‘I got your paperwork and I want to go over a few things with you. Like I said, no rush. Just set up an appointment. Talk to you soon. Ciao.’

Kendall stood in the half-lighted hallway, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. She was really going to do this. She was going to search for her birth family. So many years of pretending and ignoring and now she was going to look. The decision left her feeling elated and oddly troubled, afraid even. What was the old adage, ‘Be careful what you wish for’?

The next message played. ‘Kendall, this is Jenny, your mom’s old neighbor. I found something in my attic. I think it’ll be of interest to you.’

Kendall checked her watch. It was too late to call or visit Jenny. ‘Damn.’ She’d have to wait until morning.

The last message was from Nicole. She was going to be late. She sounded tired and her promise to cut back sounded heartfelt. Kendall nodded. ‘Good.’

The front doorbell rang, yanking her from her thoughts. Thinking it must be Nicole, she moved quickly toward the door and peeked through the curtained glass panels.

Brett smiled at her. ‘I need to talk to you,’ he said.

She let the curtain drop and groaned. She opened the door. Cold air sent a chill through her. ‘Go away.’

‘We need to talk.’ The faint scent of whiskey wafted toward her.

‘I don’t think so. You screwed me over today and then didn’t have the guts to face me at the office.’

His smile turned brittle. ‘Look, I don’t want to fight. I want to talk about us. About us getting back together.’

Fatigue had eroded her patience. ‘There is no us.’ She moved to slam the door.

He shoved his foot in the doorjamb, keeping the door from closing. ‘I’m not giving up on you.’

‘I’m going to call the police,’ Kendall warned. Her voice had attitude, but she was afraid of Brett. She’d never seen him like this before and realized he wasn’t stable.

He started to shove the door. Slowly it inched open.

Kendall pushed back. ‘Leave me alone, Brett.’

‘You don’t understand.’

‘Is there a problem here?’ Jacob Warwick’s stern voice cut through the night behind Brett, making the slighter man snarl. Jacob’s expression was fierce and his clenched fist said he was ready to fight if need be.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Brett snapped. His gaze turned accusing as it moved from Jacob to Kendall. He released the door and faced Jacob. ‘Kendall and I have personal things to work out.’

Jacob’s glance cut to Kendall and he studied her face for a second. ‘That true?’

‘I’ve asked him to leave,’ Kendall said. Jacob was a welcome sight.

Jacob’s icy stare shifted to Brett. ‘You heard Kendall. Leave.’

‘This is none of your business.’ Brett’s words sounded like a whine.

‘It is.’ Jacob seemed so calm, yet there was a fierceness about him that allowed no room for argument.

Brett backed up. ‘I’ll have your job for this.’

Jacob didn’t flinch. ‘I don’t think so.’

Brett’s eyes narrowed. ‘What are you doing here? It can’t be police business.’

Jacob didn’t answer.

Kendall folded her arms over her chest. Let Brett think what he wanted about them. ‘Leave now.’

Brett shook his head. ‘Didn’t take you long, did it, Kendall? How long have you been sleeping with him?’

Her gaze was pure ice. ‘Leave.’

Brett called her something under his breath and hurried down the stairs and around the corner.

Kendall let out a breath. ‘I’m not sure where you came from, but thanks.’

Jacob kept his gaze trained on Brett. ‘He’s more persistent than I first thought he’d be.’

‘I didn’t expect that from him.’

He watched Brett get in his car and drive off. ‘I’m not surprised.’

‘What are you doing here?’

‘Can I ask you a few questions?’

‘It’s late.’

He checked his watch. ‘Yes, but you normally don’t get in until late.’

She stepped aside and waited for him to pass by her before she closed the door. ‘What can I do for you?’

His masculine scent mingled with the cold and radiated off him. ‘This may be nothing, but I’m following up on a lead.’

She arched a brow. ‘You’re coming to me about a lead?’

He tightened his jaw. ‘This is strictly confidential, Kendall.’

She smiled tartly. ‘When are you going to give me a quote?’

His expression remained serious. ‘Are you adopted?’

The question took her back. No one had ever asked her that. The answer was a simple yes but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. ‘Why would you ask a question like that?’

‘The third murder victim was adopted. The second had been in foster care. We haven’t been able to determine if the first was or wasn’t adopted. There’s no denying the first two victims look like you.’

‘The third doesn’t.’

‘No.’ He shoved his hand through his hair. ‘There are too many coincidences here to ignore. My gut is telling me all three women were adopted.’

Kendall’s throat tightened with unexpected emotion. ‘Yes, I was adopted.’

He released the breath he was holding. The news didn’t seem to please him. ‘What can you tell me about your past? Your birth family?’

‘Nothing, other than my parents adopted me at age three. They never discussed it. I’ve just started trying to track down the past. But the records are sealed. I’ve only just hired a search consultant to see what she can find out.’ She tried to stay calm. ‘Do you think the killer is targeting adoptees?’

‘I don’t know.’ Dark circles hung under his eyes. ‘Like I said, I’m trying to tie the pieces together.’

‘And I’m one of the pieces.’

‘I think so, yes.’

At this moment, she felt so utterly alone. Her life felt so hollow, so rootless. ‘Do you think those women are related to me?’

‘I don’t have any evidence yet. But yes, I do.’

She ran long fingers through her hair. ‘I’ve been drawn to this story from the beginning.’ Her voice was barely a whisper.

Jacob didn’t say anything. But with him so close, she didn’t feel that alone. ‘I don’t know if I’ll have answers anytime soon. Carnie, the adoption consultant, said it could take years.’

He laid a hand on her shoulder. Its warmth calmed her nerves. ‘I’d like to go to a judge and see if I can get your adoption file opened.’

‘Good luck. Carnie said she doesn’t know of a closed adoption file that’s ever been unsealed by the courts in Virginia. Apparently, death is not considered a good enough reason to open an adoption file.’

She was surprised how candid she was being. But on a gut level, she trusted Jacob. ‘My mother’s – my adoptive mother’s – old neighbor left a message on my machine. She’d found something in her attic. She wouldn’t say what it was.’

‘You’ll call in the morning?’

‘As early as I can.’

‘Good.’ A silence settled between them. There wasn’t much more to say to each other.

He glanced at the door as if he suddenly realized that he was overstepping.

But she didn’t want him to leave. Why was it when she was with him life just felt brighter, better, edgier?

Jacob looked down at her. She read the attraction in his eyes but doubted he’d try to kiss her again. She’d blown him off the last time, and if Jacob Warwick was anything, he was a man with pride. The move would have to be hers.

And Kendall wanted to kiss Jacob. She wanted to feel the touch of his skin against hers more than anything in the world. And it wasn’t just about banishing the loneliness. She wanted him. Had wanted him for a long time.

She faced him and pressed her hand to his chest, felt the rapid beat of his heart. Rising on tiptoes, she kissed his lips. He didn’t close his eyes or surrender, but stared at her.

‘You don’t want this,’ he said. ‘You’re upset. Tired.’

Kendall kept her body close to his. ‘There’s a lot of crap in my life right now that I’m not sure of. But I’m sure of this.’

Jacob brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face.

‘I want you, Jacob.’ She waited, not willing to give more than she had until he made the next move.

And then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. A soft moan rumbled in her chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His hard chest brushed her nipples and they quickly firmed. He took his time exploring the inside of her mouth, and she sensed the simmering heat inside him.

Then he pulled away and nibbled her ear with his teeth. ‘I want you, too.’

She pulled him back, pressing her breasts against his chest, and kissed him harder.

There was no denying her this time. A soft growl rumbled in his chest as he crushed her against him and he kissed her back, pushing his tongue into her mouth. Greedily, she accepted him. She dug her fingers into his shoulders and clung to him.

Jacob had imagined this moment for over a year and yet none of his fantasies compared to actually touching the woman.

She broke the kiss. Her breathing was quick, ragged. ‘My bedroom is upstairs.’

He could barely think. ‘You’re sure about this?’

‘Yes.’

Jacob kissed her again, fearing she wasn’t real. And then allowed her to lead him up the stairs to her room. She turned on the light on the nightstand and it cast a warm glow over the four-poster bed.

He backed her up to the edge of the mattress until the backs of her legs pressed against it. He kissed her again. This time her hands fumbled with his jacket. She pushed it over his shoulders and he quickly shrugged it off without breaking the kiss.

He slid his hands from her silk-clad shoulders to her breasts. They felt so soft, round, full in his hands. She groaned and arched into him.

Jacob unfastened the pearl buttons of her blouse and slid her blouse off. He leaned forward and kissed the soft mounds of her breasts, which peeked out over a white lace bra. Her scent enveloped him and he realized he’d never wanted any woman as much as he wanted her now.

She pulled his V-neck sweater off and slid her manicured hands over his chest. He pushed her backward and the two fell onto the bed. His weight pressed her into the mattress. He kissed her neck as he unsnapped the bra clasp between her breasts. He captured a pink nipple between his lips and suckled. She arched her back and pressed into him.

The next few moments were blurred by desire. He shrugged off his pants with her help and then pulled her panties off. He hovered above her wanting to savor this moment but knowing that the raging desire in him wouldn’t allow it.

He pushed into her tight center. She gasped with desire and cupped her hands over his bare buttocks. Desire washed over him and he started to move inside her. She matched him stroke for stroke, her desire as wanton as his.

They found their release in one blissful explosion and he collapsed down on her, resting his face in the hollow of her neck. His heart thundered in his chest and mingled with hers. He didn’t raise his head. But in this moment, his life felt right. The hole that always lurked in his soul had closed. He traced circles on the scar on her shoulder, realizing for the first time that he needed assurance. ‘Regrets?’

‘No. You?’

Her voice held no hint of the emotion he’d felt in her body when they’d made love. He met her gaze. Her expression was guarded. On reflex, he reined in his feelings. He didn’t want to box her in a corner because he knew how he’d react if someone did the same to him. He’d bolt. ‘It does complicate things.’

‘Only if we let it.’

The added casualness in her voice triggered caution in his. ‘So we go back to business as usual?’

‘Why not?’

Annoyance burned in him. ‘Like nothing happened.’

‘If that’s what you want.’

Normally he was so guarded with his thoughts and feelings. But he sensed that if he didn’t reach out he’d lose something very valuable. ‘That’s not what I want.’

She stared at him, but she didn’t say anything.

He tucked a curl behind her ear. ‘I want you. And not just now. But tomorrow. And the next day.’

She let her gaze dip to his chest. She didn’t speak. Then she raised her head and kissed him on the lips. In that kiss he felt a wave of emotion and longing that seared into him.

When she broke the kiss they were both breathless. ‘I’m not so different from you. I don’t talk about feelings so well,’ she said.

‘Old dogs can learn new tricks.’

‘To be honest, you scare me.’

‘Why?’

‘I like you.’

‘And that’s a bad thing?’

‘I have a tendency to back away when I start to like someone.’

He turned her on her back and cupped her chin. ‘That’s something I’m also famous for.’ He traced her lips with his fingertips.

‘So maybe we should cut our losses now.’

He shook his head. ‘Let’s take it one day at a time. Keep talking to each other. See where it takes us.’

‘Okay.’ She kissed him on the lips.

Relief didn’t wash over him. Nor a feeling that all would be right with the world. Whatever they had was fragile and they’d have to tread carefully. Still, he decided then that she’d be worth the risk.

They made love a second time. This time they took their time exploring each other’s bodies. When the second orgasm shuddered through them, they fell asleep nestled in each other’s arms.

The banging on the closet door grew louder. ‘Let me in. I won’t hurt you, Eve.’

The little girl huddled in the corner, clawing at the paneling, hoping she could dissolve into the wall and never be seen.

‘Eve, I won’t hurt you.’ The knob twisted and the door started to open.

‘Stop!’

Kendall sat up in bed, her body drenched in sweat. The room was dark. Her heart raced in her chest.

‘What’s wrong?’ Jacob’s voice was clear and alert as if he’d been awake.

Kendall swallowed, shook her head trying to clear the image from her mind. ‘A dream.’

He pulled her against him. ‘You’re ice cold.’

Cocooned in his arms, she could feel the fear abating faster than it normally did. ‘I’m okay now.’

‘You said before that you’d been having dreams.’

She’d only briefly mentioned the dreams in the parking lot last week. ‘I’m surprised you remembered.’

‘I don’t forget details when it comes to you.’ For a moment he simply held her. ‘Tell me about it.’

‘It’s the same every time. I’m in a closet. I’m just a child. And I hear a woman’s screams. Someone is trying to get into the closet.’ Her throat felt dry. ‘At first I thought it was just a nightmare. Now, I think it really happened before my adoption.’

‘All the more reason to find out where you came from.’

‘The past scares me,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t remember it but I sense something terrible happened. And I think my mother knew what it was. I think that’s why she kept the adoption a secret. Mom has erased all traces of my past and I don’t think I’m ever going to find my birth family.’

Jacob tightened his hold. ‘I’m very good at finding people. I’ll help, if you want.’

It was the kindest thing anyone had ever offered. ‘You mean that?’

‘Yeah. We’ll figure this out together.’

The trunk of the car opened and Nicole drew back trying to press her swollen body into the recesses. Her head still ached. ‘Leave me alone!’

A hooded, masked figure stood over her. ‘Shh. There’s nothing to worry about, Nicole. It’s all right. I’m here to help.’

‘Then let me go.’

‘I can’t do that. Not yet.’

‘You can’t have my baby!’

‘Shh. You worry too much. I would never separate a child from its mother.’ The figure reached into the trunk and grabbed her.

She strained against the tight grip but she might as well have been trying to break iron. ‘Let me go!’

He practically lifted her up with one arm and set her on the ground. Her knees felt weak and her belly ached from the weight of the child. She was exhausted, dehydrated, and barely able to stand on her own. She tried to wrench free but got nowhere.

‘Don’t fight me. It’s not good for the baby.’ His voice was so damn calm. ‘Let me get you upstairs so you can rest.’

She glanced past him through the darkness to a large white house. It was old, practically falling apart.

‘Did you kill Dana?’

‘She wasn’t very nice to you. She wanted to steal your baby.’ He started to pull her toward the house.

She dug her heels into the frozen dirt. ‘No!’

‘Yes.’ He jerked her hard this time and she stumbled forward.

Her belly contracted. ‘Please, I need to be in a hospital. I’m going into labor.’

‘Ah, that’s a wonderful thing, Nicole. I can’t wait to see the baby.’ He half pulled, half carried her up the front steps of the house and through the front door. ‘I hear it’s a girl. Perfect.’

Panic swelled inside Nicole as she stared around the darkened foyer. The place smelled of mold and rot. At the top of the staircase was a light. ‘I can’t have my baby here. I can’t!’

‘Yes, you can. This house has seen the birth of many babies.’

Tears welled in her eyes and she pulled against him as they started up the stairs. ‘Let me go!’ She started to scream.

‘No one can hear you.’

She screamed louder.

He didn’t respond until she’d exhausted her lungful of breath. ‘That’s not good for you or the baby. You have to stay calm.’ He pulled her toward a door and pushed it open with his booted foot.

The well-lit room stood in stark contrast to the rest of the house. The room was decorated for a little girl, complete with pink walls and carpet and a white poster bed filled with stuffed animals.

‘We’re here,’ he said.

Terror slid down Nicole’s spine. ‘Don’t leave me here.’

Dark eyes stared at her from behind the mask. He pushed her into the room and quickly slammed the door behind her. He locked it.

Nicole ran to the door and started to pound on it.

‘Don’t worry, Nicole,’ the man said. ‘Don’t worry. The baby will be here soon and we’ll be a family.’

‘Who are you? Why are you doing this?’

‘Soon you will see.’

His footsteps faded as he walked away.

Nicole cupped her hand over her belly as tears fell down her face. She pounded on the door until her hands hurt. Exhausted, she leaned her back into the door and slid to the floor.