Blood in the Water(80)

“Exactly. We could arrange an ‘accident.’ I know a fella or two that can tamper with his car, or—”

The earlier conversation she’d had with her father snapped into her head.

“No, I say we shoot him.”

Byron stood there staring at her, as if she’d grown an extra head.

Jane was a little dumbfounded herself. However, it was the only viable option.

“Last time I checked, murder was still against the law.”

“Yes, but self-defense isn’t—I can use the Castle Doctrine. I can kill him, and the state won’t bat an eye.”

“Fine by me. I got no problem puttin’ him in the ground.” His grip tightened on the gun as though already anticipating shooting Valentine in the head.

“It can’t be you. Valentine’s coming to my house tonight, and I’m the one who’ll have to stand her ground. Besides, you’ve been interviewed by law enforcement more times than I can count. Since you’ve got ties to the Dixie Mafia, once you admit to a shooting, the full force of the FBI would be after you. It has to be me.”

“I get your logic, darlin’, but I still don’t want it to be you.”

“Too bad.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Assuming Brady’s still alive, she can tell the police what she witnessed—which will lead them to this crime scene. With the other suspected murders, and my own eye-witness account—this will be an open and shut case.”

He shook his head. “There has to be another way. I don’t want to make you into a killer, like me.”

“You aren’t. In case you missed it, this is my plan, so get on board.” Jane wasn’t backing down, so he’d better get used to the idea.

“Let’s compromise.” Byron’s slick smile was all charm. “We’ll both lie in wait for this asshat, and I’ll shoot him, then you can claim responsibility. I’ll haul ass before you call the cops.” He spread his hands. “Whatcha think?”

“And risk Brady’s life? No.” Nothing was more important than saving her.

“I ain’t lettin’ you face this piece of shit by yourself.”

“Yes, you are, there’s no other way.” Jane didn’t want to be alone with Valentine either. “When you think about it, this is my karma. I made this mess, so I should be the one who cleans it up.”

“And what if he kills you?” Byron pulled her into his arms and placed his hands on either side of her face.

“He won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You’re right, but I’m being optimistic. Please, I need you to believe in me. I have to handle this on my own.”

Byron opened his mouth, snapped it shut, and then squared his shoulders. “Do you think you can handle it?”

“Yes. Besides, it's poetic justice in a way—Valentine’s been killing women, so it’s only fair one of us ends this.” Jane was psyching herself up for the coming ordeal. “Promise me you’ll go along with it—no mobster tricks.”

“For the record, I think this is a fuckin’ insane idea.”

Jane let out a hysterical giggle. “Tell me about it.”

“Okay then. I’ll let you face the dickhead by yourself, but I’m only doin’ it because you asked me to.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Let’s talk business then, darlin’. Do you need a gun?”

“No, my father bought me one a few years back, so it won’t arouse suspicion.” Jane was already preparing for the FBI interview. Her father could authenticate the weapon. The FBI wouldn’t dare dispute a federal judge.

“Fuck, this is really happenin’.”

“Looks like. We’ll go to my place, and you can walk me through a strategy. I also need you to give me a refresher course on the gun—it’s been a while since I used it.”

“If the bastard gets you, I’ll hunt his ass down and make him pay in blood.”

The ferocious promise made her feel better.


***

Hours later, a rush of wind outside stirred tree branches, scraping them against the window.

Jane jumped.

She stood in the living room, arms wrapped around herself to keep her body in its own skin. Adrenaline thrummed through her arms and legs causing them to quiver with unspent energy. Waiting for a serial killer to come kill her was an agonizing experience.

At least she knew Valentine was coming. His victims had no warning.

The apartment was still—it was nearly midnight and the hours had crawled by. She’d received another email from Valentine, indicating when he’d come to her house to make the exchange. He’d reiterated his threats about killing Brady if she involved the feds or Byron.