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“Sure” He paused for a ht over”

A warning screa for release But before she could voice the warning, Tyler ended the call

Alex heard the fear ripping in Leah’s voice Her tone had been clipped, and there’d been an edge He grabbed his jacket and pushing past the pain burning through his muscles hurried out of his office toward his car

On the road, his ical to assuns pointed to his return But had he returned, killed his cousin, and reclaiap? Why leave Leah alone when he’d savagely attacked her and left her for dead four years ago? It didn’t make sense

Alex called the officer on duty in front of Leah’s house The phone rang six ti, he dialed Deke’s nu’s wrong I’m en route”

“I’ for backup”

“Have the Leah’s block They need to keep their distance I’o in alone”

“And then you’ll get killed”

“Not today”

“If this is Philip, killing you will be top of his list I’m on my way”

“Deke, no”

“Yes, Alex I’ll park down the block But I’”

Alex rang off and punched the accelerator Ten minutes later, he pulled into Leah’s driveway Her car was parked at the top Ignoring the pain in his ribs, he moved toward the marked police car and found the officer unconscious

He climbed the front steps Blood pumped in his veins His muscles burned He tested the doorknob and found it unlocked Gun drawn, he opened the door slowly andin a chair, her hands tied together Standing behind her was Tyler Radcliff He had a knife in his hand and was tracing her jawline with it

“Radcliff” Shock quickly gave way to understanding He was the common denominator that connected several sections of the puzzle

“He killed Deidre,” Leah said “And he’s going to kill us and make it look like Philip did it”

Tyler traced the knife along Leah’s neck “Put the gun down, Agent,” Tyler said “Or I’ll slice her throat”

Leah’s watery gaze sharpened “Don’t, Alex He’ll kill you, and then he’s going to kill Gail and Charlie”

“Where are they?” Alex asked

“Somewhere safe,” Tyler said

“Where are they?” Alex demanded

“In his trunk,” Leah said

“You should be worried about yourself, Leah Not theently twisted the tip of the knife below Leah’s eye “The gun, Alex”

Alex lowered his body to a crouch and put the gun on the floor

“Now toss un All cops carry one”

Alex stilled and then slowly reun from his ankle holster

“Kick the guns toward me”

Alex’s jaw tightened Tyler sliced a deep nick into Leah’s neck Blood flowed down her white skin He complied “Why am I here?”

“Because you butted into Philip’sreal, I have to act like the outraged Philip would”

“This was all about killing Deidre, wasn’t it? She left you and you couldn’t take it”

“We promised each other forever I kept my word She lied”

“I guess you just weren’t h to keep her I mean, what kind ofdevices in her house Fuck, you’re pathetic”

“Shut up!” He grabbed a handful of Leah’s hair and twisted She gritted her teeth but didn’t scream

“Hiding behind a woman”

Tyler jerked Leah to her feet and pressed the knife to her side “I should gut her like a fish”

“You don’t have the balls,” Alex said “You know once she’s gone, I’ to kill you very slowly You’re defenseless without her”

Tyler snarled and then shoved Leah hard, sending her falling to the floor before he lunged at Alex Tyler was a large man but quick and just as Alex braced for a blow, the runted, his bruised and battered body screa in pain