Sounds like Elliotts got all kinds of friends well be up against.
Chief Taylor agreed. I have somebody watching him around the clock, but hes running his business and buying Christmas presents, acting like hes facing traffic court instead of twenty or more years in prison. Kennas only been in Kansas City for a year, and shes already earned a cutthroat reputation by winning cases. The senior cop pointed a warning finger at the D.A. My task force worked for more than a year putting this case together and finally bringing him in. Itll demoralize my team, if not this entire city, if Elliott wins in court. Can you beat her, Dwight?
I win cases, too. Against tougher odds than this. To his credit, Dwight Powers didnt seem the least bit intimidated by either the reputation of his opposing counsel, pressure from the police department, or the wealth and influence Jackson Mayweather commanded.
Top attorneys. Top cop. Top society movers and shakers. Ex-fiancé. A nervous city. Her own fragile sense of confidence. They were all formidable opponents to stand up against in order to make herself heard. But Bailey finally shut down the memories and fear, and hastened to reassure Dwight Powers that he could rely on her to help send Brian Elliott to prison. I can talk about the rose he left with me, the van he transported me in, how he dumped me in that alley, and what happened during the assault. Once I came to in that horrible room, I remember everything. He bathed me afterward and disinfected me with vinegar. She ignored her mothers pained gasp. Im not confused about any of it.
The burly D.A. pulled a pen from his suit jacket and jotted a note onto the yellow legal pad he held. Youll confirm the surgical mask and stocking cap he wore, as well as a description of the construction site where he took you?
Bailey nodded. She could do this. She had to stand up and face her attacker in the courtroom or shed never be able to stand up for herself and feel any sense of strength or self-worth again. Ill tell everything.
Oh, sweetie. Surely not everything. Loretta crossed the room to squeeze her daughters hand. You were always such a sensitive child. And after this nightmare
Mother. Just because shed never been called on to deal with something like this before didnt mean she couldnt. Bailey pulled her hand away. Im twenty-six years old, not a child. I can do this. I need your support, not a lecture to talk me out of doing it. She thumbed over her shoulder toward the empty lineup room. If I dont stand up against that man now, then Ill be his victim all over againand for the rest of my life. Her hand turned into a fist as angry tears stung her eyes. And he doesnt get to win.
Jackson came up beside Loretta, draping an arm around her as he squeezed Baileys shoulder. We understand that this is part of your recovery, dear. But one of the hardest things in the world is for a parent to see her child suffer. Be patient with us. Well support whatever you decide. Just know we love you and that well be here for you.
As the tears welled up in her mothers eyes, Bailey sniffed back her own. She nodded her thanks and turned to Dwight. Anything you ask, she vowed. Anything Ms. Parker asks, Ill answer it. It cant be any harder than knowing he could go free to do the same thing to another woman. I want to feel safe again. I want him rotting in prison.
With a curt nod, Dwight packed his briefcase. So do I. He latched it shut before shaking Baileys hand. Ill see you Monday morning at the courthouse when the trial begins, then. With your testimony, Ill have a guilty verdict by Christmas. And Brian Elliott will never celebrate another New Years with his family and friends. Chief Taylor?
Thank you, Miss Austin, for being so courageous. The police chief shook her hand, too, before reaching behind him to open the door. Ive got a roll-call meeting to get to. Ill have an officer walk you out.
Ive got it, sir. A tall detective with crisp, golden-red hair straightened from the wall across the hallway where hed been leaning. Without a wasted motion, he buttoned the front of his steel-gray suit jacket over the badge and gun belted at his trim waist. Miss Austin.
Bailey halted in the doorway as her eyes locked on to Spencer Montgomerys cool granite gaze. He was a decade her senior, with nothing boyish about him to soften his chiseled, unreadable face. He was an old family foe whod investigated her brothers illegal activitiesmeaning that most of their past conversations had put one or the other of them on the defensive, as he grilled her with questions or she did what she could to protect her family. But, as leader of the KCPD task force, hed turned those same dogged, calculating investigative skills to solving the string of crimes committed by the Rose Red Rapist. That made him the one man most responsible for Brian Elliotts arrest. And for that, he would always be her hero.
Still, Spencer Montgomery was probably here to make sure she hadnt made a mistake in identifying his suspect, that she hadnt screwed up his year-long investigation. Despite an innate appreciation for his mature intelligence and faintly military bearing, Baileys pulse rate went on wary alert. Detective Montgomery.
If you have a moment, Id like to talk to you.
Judging by the grim line of his mouth, she had a feeling she wasnt going to like whatever he had to say.
Chapter Two
Shed cut her hair.
Spencer noted the change in Bailey Austins appearancenoted that the short, sun-kissed waves made her look a lot more grown-up than he remembered. Shed always been pretty, but the changes he noticed today made her...interesting. But just as quickly as he decided he liked the new look, he dismissed the revelation.
Any latent attraction he had to the woman was irrelevant. The last time hed seen Bailey, shed been in a hospital bed, beaten within an inch of her lifethe victim of a violent rape by the man his task force had eventually identified and arrested, entrepreneur and real estate developer Brian Elliott. He should be content to see the bruises gone and the vibrancy back in her azure-blue eyes instead of noticing the leaner curves beneath the wool slacks and cashmere sweater she wore and the way those sculpted wisps of hair gleamed like spun gold, even under the fluorescent lights of the precinct hallway.
No, he couldnt notice those things at all. He was here to do his job. Period. And if that job included babysitting a fragile debutante-in-distress from Kansas City society, then so be it.
Besides, Chief Taylor was clapping him on the shoulder, demanding his attention. Youre going to see this job through to the bitter end, arent you, Spence.
Yes, sir.
I knew there was a reason I made you point man on the task force. Mitch Taylor might be graying at the temples, but the man was still the powerhouse of the Fourth Precinct. He was the boss whose recommendation could make or break a promotion. Spencer respected the dedicated cop whod worked his way up the ranks at KCPD. And since his goal was to do the same, getting asked to do a favor for the boss was an opportunity he didnt intend to squander.
I appreciate the faith you had in us, sir.
Your work isnt done yet, the chief reminded him, referring either to the outcome of Brian Elliotts trial or the task forces ongoing search for the Rose Red Rapists accomplicea woman theyd dubbed The Cleaner because of her efforts to destroy evidence and take out witnesses to Elliotts crimes. You remember our chat yesterday?