This is off the record because we dont have the proof yet. She waited for Vanessas nod of agreement before continuing. But after careful study of the behaviors in each of the attacks, we believe our unsub has been hurt, humiliated, possibly even abused, by an important woman in his life. The assaults are a punishment, a means to reclaim his power, to prove that hes stronger, smarter, than the woman who damaged him. Unfortunately, the attacks probably have nothing to do with the actual victims. In his mind, they all represent this one woman to him. Hes proving to himself that she lacks the power to ever hurt him again.
At least Vanessa had the grace to look appalled and slightly terrified of Kates description of the monster who was preying on the women of Kansas City. And do you have a list of suspects who fit that description?
But Kate had said enough. I have a meeting to get to. If youll excuse me.
With a noisy huff of exasperation, Vanessa fell into step beside her again. Thats it? Psychological mumbo-jumbo about a man youre no closer to identifying than you were five months ago?
Were making progress, Vanessa, but thats all I can share right now.
Can I at least tell my viewers that professional women are more likely to be targeted than others? Youre talking about assertive womenconfident, successful women, right?
Kate stopped and looked Vanessa straight in the eye. The implication was obvious. Yes. Women like you and me.
After a momentary pause, Vanessa nodded. Thank you for the insight, Kate. Ill share the warning, along with the safety tips you gave at the press conference this morning. Im glad we can move past what happened between us and do whats right for the greater good of the city.
Well, at least one of them had evidently moved on from the tragic events that had ended Kates marriage. Even though the humiliation and pain of just how shed discovered Brad and Vanessas affair had dulled over the past five years, a big scar remained on Kates ability to trust in personal relationships. She certainly no longer believed in the friendship she and Vanessa had shared.
Without further comment, she turned her back on the reporter. Once Kate was alone in the empty hallway, her shoulders sagged with the need to catch a quiet moment to herself before she joined the task force meeting. She untied the belt of her coat and unhooked another button. The high heels would go next if she had another five minutes to decompress. But, Oh, hell.
The door to her office was already open. Had she forgotten an appointment? She hurried the last few steps, then halted in the doorway.
Oh, double She swallowed the rest of her unladylike curse as the sheriff with the coal-black hair unfolded himself from one of the visitors chairs and stood.
Dr. Kate. Holding his hat in his big hands, Boone Harrison nodded a greeting to her. With his insulated jacket draped over the back of the chair, she got a better idea of how broad shoulders and solid muscles filled out the dimensions of the tan-and-brown uniform he wore. The silver in his hair indicated he might be five to ten years older than she, but there was nothing over the hill about the fitness of his body, and he seemed as comfortable in his own skin, and as laid-back about the authority he exuded, as any man shed met.
There was something basic and unpretentious about the masculinity imprinted in every rugged line, deep-pitched word and chivalrous gesture of Boone Harrison. And as much as his relentless and poorly timed refusal to leave her and KCPD alone to do their work annoyed her, she couldnt deny a rusty feminine awareness sparking to life inside her at every encounter with the man.
Taking a deep breath and forcing her weary muscles to smile, Kate unhooked the last button and shrugged out of her coat as she circled around her desk. She draped the coat over the back of her chair and smoothed the sleeves of her cashmere cardigan, diverting her focus to distract her traitorous hormones for a moment. Whos taking care of Alton County while youre here in Kansas City?
Ive got deputies. A tall, broad shadow loomed over her as Boone approached the desk. Since Im staying the night to escort Janie home in the morning, I thought Id check in to see if any progress has been made on your investigation.
Shed thought shed gotten rid of him after their meeting at the florists shop that morning. So much for a five-minute respite to recoup the emotional energy shed expended throughout the day. After the long day shed hadcounseling a retired cop who was dealing with the recent death of his wife, as well as a young officer whod been particularly surly about being assigned to temporary desk duty, observing witness interviews and trading carefully chosen words with reporters who were just as intent as Vanessa Owen to get the inside scoop on the Rose Red Rapists latest attackthe last thing Kate needed was to deal with Sheriff Tall, Dark and Determined here.
Five minutes free from drama was apparently too much to ask for right now. Maybe if she quickly sent Boone Harrison on his way, though, she could at least close the door and enjoy two minutes of silence before joining the next meeting. Youve got a hotel room already? They fill up pretty fast this late in the day, especially south of town where the new crime lab and M.E.s office are. Maybe youd better
Ive got a room. But Id sleep in my truck if I had to. A soft gray Stetson landed in the middle of her desk, followed by two broad hands braced on either side of it and the earthy, warm scent of the man leaning over them. Kate tilted her gaze up to a pair of whiskey-brown eyes that were entirely too close to hers. Thought if I made an effort to be a little more civilized than I was this morning, you might be more inclined to share some information.
Didnt the man understand personal space? And had that breathy little catch of sound really come from her?
You were understandably upset this morning. But that doesnt change the facts. Youre out of your jurisdiction, youre too emotionally connected to the victim, and I dont have any details I can share with you right now. She slid a stack of files from beneath his hat and hugged them to her chest, straightening away from the desk and putting some distance between them. At least work was marginally less stressful than dealing with Marshall Hot-Shot here. She knew the expectations of her at KCPD. She knew what her clients needed from her. However, she wasnt as comfortable with persistent men and these flutterings of awareness. Im running late to a task force meeting right now.
Perfect. He snatched up his hat. I can sit in and listen.
No. That had come out more aggravated than authoritative. She fixed a friendly smile on her face and tried again. Ive got your card. Ill call you when were finished.
Who was that woman pestering you out there?
So was he truly observant? Or just plain nosy? Her arms tightened around the shield of papers she clutched to her chest. A reporter.
Did you tell her anything you havent told me? Im a cop and Im family. Observant, she decided, reading the stern set of the lines beside his eyes. I dont want to be surprised by anything I read in the papers or see on the evening news.
His reasoning made her stop and think. And relent. Her run-in with Vanessa had reminded her of just how frustrated and helpless not knowing the truth had made her feel five years ago. Boone Harrison wasnt leaving town until morning, anyway, so at least she could keep track of him and know he wasnt interfering with their investigation if he was in the room with them. That was how shed present it to Spencer Montgomery, too.