Thirty seconds and counting now. Because while it might appear to nosy neighbors that the proper person was already on scene, a posse of security company operators were immediately placing calls to the local police as well as the responsible homeowner. Time mattered.

Now the nondescript security company employee studied the bed. Right-hand-side nightstand held a glass of water, faintly smudged with pink lipstick. Upon closer investigation, the pillow revealed several blond curls. Definitely her side of the bed. Did she sleep well? Or did she still remember that night, standing in the darkened hallway all alone, so completely vulnerable . . .

Rockabye, baby, on the treetop, the nondescript security company employee hummed. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock . . .

Attacking a homicide detective had not been part of the plan. But she’d heard, coming out of the bedroom, leading with her gun. Returning to the crime scene had been a rookie mistake, the nondescript person understood now. Giving in to the temptation to see it again, review each detail, had everything really gone just so? Plus, from the outside, the town house had appeared dark, empty, safe.

Then, the detective, suddenly appearing in the hallway. And a choice had to be made. Fight or flight. Really, it hadn’t been so hard after all. Just as others had claimed, once you kill the first time, the rest really does come easy.

Improvisation. It had worked even better than imagined. So now, here stood a nondescript security company employee improvising again. While continuing to count the seconds: Eighteen, nineteen, twenty . . .

Time was a taskmaster. Must stay on plan.

Unzipping the computer bag, producing the first item. The bottle of champagne. Then, of course, the handcuffs, delicately lined with fur. Followed by a single red rose, placed directly upon her pillow.

Finally, the card. Purchased just this morning and the winning touch.

Stepping back. A final assessment of the scene.

Purpose of operation: Intimidate, scare, antagonize. Because then again, maybe I don’t want to be you. I want to be better than you.

Net gain: Adrenaline rush.

Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three . . .

The nightstand phone started to ring. No doubt the security company, checking to see if it was the homeowner who’d accidentally triggered the alarm, and could now silence the system by magically uttering the secret password.

Nondescript security company employee turned, walked steadily down the stairs, out of the house and back to the waiting van. A quick show of speaking rapidly into a cell phone, conscientious employee on the job. Face down, gaze averted, back to the nosy neighbors, who were now starting to look actively out their windows.

The home alarm continued to shriek.

As the nondescript security company employee climbed back into the vehicle. And drove away.

Leaving behind the tokens of affection for Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren. Including a very thoughtful card, which read:

Get well soon.

Chapter 14

ALEX PACED.