Keep walking, Elliott, Spencer ordered.
Now, now, detective. Ive missed our little chats in the interrogation room the man taunted. Arrest any other innocent people lately?
Brian. That was the ex, laying a hand on his shoulder. Dont make me regret my investment. Im willing to support you to a point, but antagonizing the police wont help your case.
Elliott shrugged off her touch. You only posted bail so your paper could report on the trial without it looking like a personal vendetta against me.
Mara eased a calming sigh behind his back. Unbiased reporting isnt the only reason. Theres still a place in my heart for you. And I believe in...your innocence.
Innocence? The newspaper publisher could barely choke out the word. Spencer wondered how the woman could live with herself, putting Elliott out on the street just so she could sell more papers.
Did he need to remind them about blood matching Elliotts type being found at the scene of one of the assaults? Had they forgotten his DNA matching the child of a woman who claimed to have been raped by the Rose Red Rapist? Did any of them think Elliott could deny kidnapping a woman and being captured by the K-9 cop and his German Shepherd partner on Spencers task force?
Spencer could easily imagine the arguments Elliotts attorney would bring up. The blood sample had been corrupted and could match any number of suspects. The childs birth mother, whod never reported being raped, had had a nervous breakdown and been committed to a mental hospital, so her version of events was suspect. The abduction could be pled down to a lesser crime and argued that it was a solo occurrence, not the culmination of a reign of serial terror through the city.
But there was no arguing away the eyewitness testimony of the courageous woman digging her fingers into his shoulder blade right now. Or Spencers driving need to protect the truth she represented.
Get him out of here, Ms. Parker. Spencer repeated the command to move the handcuffed man.
But when the uniformed guards urged the prisoner forward, Brian Elliott planted his feet and turned. Wait. Do I know you, miss?
Bailey released her death grip on Spencers jacket and slid her right hand down his arm. At the brush of her chilled skin against his, he turned his palm into hers, lacing their fingers together, offering his protection and support against the man whod terrorized her a year earlier. When she latched on to him with both hands, Spencer tightened his hold.
Be tough, Bailey, he wanted to say. He could feel her trembling beside him. Be just as strong as you claim to be.
Kenna Parker nudged aside one of the uniformed officers and moved in front of her client. You shouldnt have any contact with the opposing witnesses.
Damn straight.
But Elliott ignored his attorneys plea. Youre Jackson Mayweathers daughter, er, stepdaughter. Ive had a few business dealings with Jackson, and Ive given a lot of money to your mothers charities. She does good work for local hospitals and childrens groups. He was making small talk with Bailey? Was he hoping shed recant her statement because he knew her parents or could pour on the charm? Youre the woman who thinks I hurt you.
Thinks? The trembling stopped. Was some steel creeping into that delicate backbone of hers? Or was she on the verge of passing out?
Brian, Kenna Parker warned. Dont say another word.
Mara Elliott tried to get him moving, too. Darling, we need to go.
Dont darling me! The cuffs that linked Elliotts wrist jangled as he jerked against them.
Baileys hand jerked in Spencers grip. Good. Not passing out.
He snapped an order to the two unis. Get him out of here.
The brief show of anger quickly passed, and, with the officers grabbing hold of Brian Elliott, the perp raised his hands in calm surrender. Im all right, dear, he apologized to his ex. Ive got this, Kenna. Then he turned his attention back to Spencer. Im sorry for what happened to your friend there. Yes, Ive made some mistakes, but Im not the monster you think I am. The man you want is still out there, Montgomery, lying in wait to hurt some other helpless woman. He gestured to the women there to support him, as if their presence was proof of his innocence. Im no serial rapist.
Maybe Spencers command hadnt been clear. Go. Now.
A brunette woman, wearing a coat over her suit, and holding a cell phone to her ear, came around the corner and stopped. Her dark eyes widened as she took in the confrontation in the hallway. Mr. Elliott? Regina Hollister, Brian Elliotts executive assistant, paused for a moment, then asked the party on her call to wait while she joined the group. I have your car waiting for us out front. Is everything all right?
Get him out of here. Or Spencer would do the job himself.
The two officers pulled Elliott into step between them. Kenna Parker hurried ahead to consult with Elliotts assistant. Out front where the reporters are?
Regina nodded and put her cell phone back to her ear. Ill ask the driver to meet us someplace else.
No. Kenna stopped her and turned to face her client, walking backward as they continued down the hallway. Lets use the press to our advantage. The officers will uncuff you before you leave the building. I dont want you to make any comment, but lets show Kansas City that youre a free man.
For now, Spencer called after them. Dont let that ankle bracelet pinch too tight, Elliott.
When Brian Elliott began a retort, Kenna Parker pressed her finger against his lips to shush him until he smiled and nodded his acquiescence. Spencer didnt move or look away until Brian Elliott and the others had turned the corner toward the bank of public elevators and disappeared from sight.
Easing out a tense breath as the threat left, Spencer quickly became aware of other sorts of tension humming through his body. Bailey had her left hand curled around his arm now. Her whole body was hugged up against his side, seeking shelter or maybe just something stronger than she was to hold her upright. Several more seconds passed before Spencer acknowledged that he wasnt moving away from the warmth of her curves pressed against his arm. And that was his thumb stroking across the back of her knuckles, soothing the crushing grip of her hand.
It was happening again. This was getting personal. This was how it had started with Ellen, and he couldnt go through that again. Move away, Montgomery. Cop. Witness. Keep her safe. Dont let any feelings get involved with this.
Do your job, he mouthed to himself.
What? Bailey whispered beside him.
Even worse than feeling the damn emotions was someone else knowing they were there, providing a weapon they could use against him.
So he emptied his lungs on a forceful breath of air and pulled his body away from Baileys to face her. You okay? he asked.
Yes. Her nod wasnt all that convincing. She squeezed her eyes shut for second and shook her head, as if clearing some graphic image from her mind. But when they opened again, that azure gaze tilted up and locked on to his. I smelled that vile cologne he had on. Im sure its something expensive, but... The strength of her gaze faltered. He had it on that night, too. I know hes the man who raped me.
I have no doubt, Spencer agreed. Thats exactly the kind of detail that will make the D.A.s case for us. When the taut line of her mouth softened into a smile, he ignored that little kick of awareness that made him smile in return.