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?
I want you to check in on Miss Austin from time to time. Make yourself available to her in case anything comes up that could spook her out of testifying against Elliott.
I do.
Spencer had walked out of Chief Taylors office understanding his mission. The Cleaner hadnt shown up on their radar since theyd made the arrest and the rapes had stopped. But then Elliott had been under KCPDs watch 24/7 from the moment his ex-wife had posted bail. Their vigilance might have driven the accomplice underground or out of townor maybe whatever sick relationship the woman shared with a serial rapist had failed now that he was no longer able to commit the crimes that had terrorized Kansas City for several years. Or, as both Mitch Taylor and Spencer suspected, the woman could be biding her time, waiting to make some big move to save her man again.
Until The Cleaner was identified and put out of commission, Spencer intended to keep his task force on full alert. Scoring a few points with the boss along the way couldnt hurt, either.
The chief gestured to the group filing out of the look-at room behind Bailey. I take it you know everyone here?
Spencer nodded. While he couldnt claim to be friends with anyone in Baileys entourage, they were certainly well acquainted. Weve met several times. On this investigation and the Rich Girl Killer case.
You closed that one for me, too. Mitch Taylor praised him before winking a brown eye at Bailey. I leave you in good hands, Miss Austin. The chief turned and hurried down the hallway after D.A. Powers. Dwight, wait up.
While Bailey hugged her purse and coat to her waist, waiting expectantly for him to explain why Chief Taylor had asked him to chat with her, a protective force of allies circled behind her.
Loretta Austin-Mayweathers disgusted snort was audible, her blue eyes unforgiving. Jackson, please. Id like to go home. I have nothing to say to this man. Bailey, come.
Yes, hed brought the Rich Girl Killer murder investigation to their home, and had been obligated to interrogate each and every one of them. And though Baileys brother, Kyle Austin, hadnt ultimately been the murderer Spencer had sought, he had been guilty of other crimes, including embezzlement, stalking his own stepsister and kidnapping. And the real killer, who hadnt appreciated a copycat using his M.O., had ultimately murdered the Austin heir while hed been in prison.
Since Spencer had no childrenno family at all, to speak ofhe supposed he couldnt truly understand a parents loss of a child. He could only play whipping boy and hold back the reminder that without KCPDs intervention, the entire Mayweather family might have fallen victim to Kyle Austins desperate actions and the killer whod threatened them.
Detective. Jackson Mayweathers acknowledgment was more civil, but clearly the man had a meeting to get to, or an eagerness to defuse his wifes displeasure, because he looped his arm around Lorettas shoulder and started down the hallway. Come along, dear. Ill have the driver meet us at the front door.
Bailey. Loretta practically clicked her tongue, calling her daughter to join them.
Despite a deep sigh that indicated she was schooling her patience, Bailey simply smiled and turned her head. Detective Montgomery is the leader of the Rose Red Rapist investigation. He probably needs to discuss something with me.
Harper Pierce, a tall, blond piece-of-work whod stonewalled more than one KCPD investigation with his legal acrobatics, placed his hand at the small of Baileys back. Then he can make an appointment. Lets go.
Before Spencer could evaluate the way his own body braced at the proprietary touch, Bailey arched her back away from the other mans hand and sent Pierce on his way. Would you mind looking after Jackson and Mother? I know shed appreciate the extra arm to lean on.
Im not leaving you with
Please, Harper. Go. Her melodic voice lost its sweet tone and her body seemed to hug itself around the orange coat she clutched. So she didnt like to be touched? Was that an aftereffect of the rape? Or was it that she just didnt want her ex-fiancé putting his hands on her?
Flashing a suspicious eye toward Spencer, as if he was somehow to blame for the dismissal, Harper relented. Ill hold the elevator for you.
That wont be necessary.
Bails
Ill walk her to her car, Spencer volunteered, eager to send the others on their way. Thatd give him a few minutes of private time with Bailey to have the conversation Chief Taylor wanted him to have with her. Then he could get back to some real work.
How did you know I drove myself? Bailey arched a golden eyebrow as she turned her attention back to him.
Spencer dropped his gaze down to the keys dangling from her fist and grinned. Easy deduction. I am a detective.
A responding grin eased the strain on her mouth and relaxed some of the tension from her posture. So you are. The gentleness returned to her voice as she spoke to her parents and ex-fiancé again. You all go ahead. I need to get back to my apartment and organize my portfolio for the job interview I have tomorrow, anyway. Itll save you a stop.
Cant you put that off until another day? Loretta sounded more irritated than hurt by her daughters excuse to leave them. The Butler-Smythes are coming to dinner tonight, remember? Their son Cameron is just home from his trip to China. You know he was sweet on you back in school, and I thought
I cant, Mother. A rosy hue tinted Baileys cheeks, indicating the level of impatience or distress she was keeping in check at her mothers efforts to plan her evening and her life. I have errands to run before I go home. And Im still fixing up my apartment. I want to finish painting the trim around the windows tonight. Spencer would have stopped with a solid no, but Bailey threw in a bit of logic to salvage her mothers feelings. Besides, you know Im not feeling terribly social right now. If you want me to make an appearance at your holiday gala this weekend, I need to save up my social energy to face all those people. Deal?
Lorettas dramatic sigh indicated her daughter had finally come up with an excuse she could accept. I suppose its a fair tradeoff. I do want you at the Christmas ball. I can guarantee yeses to every invitation if our guests know youll be there.
Spencer felt himself bristling on Baileys behalf. The young woman was gearing up to testify against her rapistto face the man whod nearly killed heracross the short distance of a courtroom. And her mother was worried about matchmaking and society fund-raisers?
Although the tension crept back into her posture, Bailey continued to smile when her mother came to give her a hug. Please give Cam and his parents my regards, but I wont be there.
Lorettas cutting gaze swept over Spencer as she pulled away. Then she brushed Baileys bangs off her forehead and straightened the angel pendant hanging around her neck. Very well then. Ill call you tomorrow about the Christmas Ball.