Cole’s expression turned cold. “We found your car at your town house, Eden. Your purse and phone were inside. Your house keys were under the gargoyle.”
Whatever fear she’d managed to push aside roared back. “But I live more than a half hour from Monroe’s.”
“If you two didn’t meet up,” Allie said, and Eden saw the logic gears begin to turn, “how did you know she was missing, Cole? How did you know where to find her?”
“I meant to ask you that last night,” Eden said, and for the first time she could remember, she dreaded Cole’s answer. The silent seconds that ticked by only increased her apprehension.
“He contacted me. The Iceman,” Cole said, proving to Eden that no matter how bad things got, he would never lie to her. “He told me where to find you.”
“The Iceman has your phone number?” Simone frowned for a flash only, as if remembering they caused wrinkles.
“I thought it was Eden calling.” Cole locked his gaze on Eden’s. “He used your phone.”
Only a fraction of a second passed before she made the next connection. “He knows where I live, then.” Not to mention what else he’d have gleaned from her phone. Served her right for not using a passcode.
“So it would seem,” Cole said. “Which brings me back to that discussion we’re going to have. Now seems the right time. You’re going into protective custody, Eden. No arguments.”
“No arguments needed because it isn’t going to happen.” Whatever fear she should have felt didn’t materialize. Not under the anger, not under the triumph circling inside her like an eagle finally diving for its prey. “Don’t you see? It’s personal now.”
“Doesn’t get more personal than a serial killer having your address,” Allie said.
“No, I mean he’s messing up. I’m getting to him.” The adrenaline inside her surged. “I’m not about to run and hide when he’s afraid. We’ve got him cornered.”
“We do not have him cornered,” Cole said in too calm a voice. “We don’t have the first clue who he is. We don’t even know why he’s doing what he’s doing. And trust me, Eden, you’re either doing this my way or you’ll find yourself in the hands of the FBI under witness protection.”
Eden balked. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me. Special Agent Anthony Simmons, our new FBI liaison, is more than anxious to help with the case. And talking to you is definitely on the top of his list of things to do. Give me a reason, Eden. One excuse, and I won’t hesitate to turn you over.”
“You do that, Cole, I’ll never forgive you.” He knew how important her work was, how she lived and breathed finding every last killer she could in order to bring them to justice.
“You’d be alive, though,” Cole said and pushed to his feet. “Guess which means more to me?” He kissed the top of her head. “I made a promise, Eden, to keep you safe. No matter what it takes.”
“Hold on. No, Cole, please—” She grabbed for him as he moved away. “We can talk about this. What about—”
“Eden, I’m wiped. I need a couple more hours’ sleep before I can even think about going to the station. I’ll be back later.”
“To take me home, right?” Eden asked.
“You can’t be serious,” Simone demanded before Cole could. “Eden, for heaven’s sake, a serial killer knows where you live. Cole? Tell her she can’t go back there.”
“I’m not putting anyone else in his sights,” Eden mumbled around gnawing on her thumbnail. That she barely flinched probably told Cole he had his work cut out for him with her. Independence was one thing. Reckless disregard for her own life, she guessed, was another. Which meant she needed to find a compromise. “I’ll get the locks changed,” she offered. “I’ll look into an alarm system. Maybe I’ll get a dog.”
As if she had time for a dog.
“Don’t worry, Eden, I’ll take care of it.” Cole squeezed Simone’s shoulder, brushed his fingers over Allie’s and gave them a silent smile goodbye.
“Take care of what?” Eden called after him. “What did he mean by that?” she asked.
“If I had to bet?” Simone said with a hint of frustration in her voice. “It’s that somebody’s getting a bodyguard. Oh, snap out of it, Eden. There are worse things than being put under house arrest by Cole Delaney.” Her attempt to placate Eden didn’t work. If anything, the idea of spending extended time in close quarters with Cole only made Eden’s stomach do giant Olympic pool–sized belly flops.
“He’s worried about you.” Allie reclaimed her bagel. “He has reason to be. I read your test results. Sedative aside, another few hours in that freezer, you’d be dead. As it was, you went in there with only two-thirds your normal blood supply. Not sure if that might help with the investigation or not.” She arched a brow.
Eden rubbed her arms and shivered. “The Iceman took my blood? Why would he do that?”
“The only person who can help you answer that just walked out the door.” Simone got to her feet and took Cole’s chair, crossed her legs and waggled her fingers at Allie. “Gimme. I’m hungry.”
“That’s what happens when you live on pea shoots and sesame seeds.” Allie handed over the last half of her bagel as Eden stared ahead.
“Uh-oh.” Simone nibbled on a raisin. “I know that look. Eden? What are you thinking? Do we need to buy Cole a flak jacket?”
“He already has one. And I’m not thinking anything. Yet.” But she was starting to. Something between her and Cole had changed. They weren’t wholly off-kilter exactly, but she could sense a difference in their relationship, as if something had become lodged between them. Or maybe dislodged. One thing was for certain.
It was time for her and Cole to come to an understanding.
About a lot of things.
“I don’t suppose you’re going to listen to what the doctor said and take it easy.” Later that afternoon, Cole shut the door to Eden’s town house off La Riviera Drive, but not before casting an accusatory glare at the silent gargoyle. The ugly thing was partially hidden by overflowing camellias and should have been protecting Eden’s home.
“I don’t take it easy, Cole, remember?” She pulled off the sling her doctor had given her and tossed it onto one of the chairs.
“Some things I don’t need reminding of.” He’d taken her at her word and had her locks replaced. A security system would take longer, but motion sensor lights would do in the meantime, which Jack had installed this afternoon. None of that meant Cole would be leaving her alone, but, for now, he knew how to pick—and plan—his battles. She wanted to stay in her house and play more games with this maniac? She’d be staying on Cole’s terms. And under his watch.
Eden paused long enough to settle the sad stuffed panda from Allie behind the framed photos and keepsakes she had lined up on the narrow china cabinet. It was one of few pieces of furniture he recognized as having belonged to Eden’s parents. She brushed a reverent finger over the edge of the simple black frame depicting her mom and dad, another over the butterfly trinket box Simone had given to her on her sixteenth birthday. College graduation day for her, Simone and Allie. She hesitated a second longer over the photo of her brother.
Cole looked away. That familiar moment of grief struck whenever he saw Logan St. Claire grinning at him. Even with the filthy face and too-long hair, surrounded by his comrades, eyes slightly