The Last Echo

“But you understand why you can’t go inside, right?” She shifted in her seat, blocking his view of the building and forcing him to look at her instead.

Jay grinned, the corner of his lip riding up just a bit. “I know you have work to do, and that it’s top secret or something. That you’re some sort of super spy, right?” She didn’t stop him when he closed the gap between them, his lips finding hers in a deep—and territorial—kiss. She couldn’t help wondering who he thought might be watching.

She’d called Jay first thing in the morning, to ask if he could drive her to the Center before school. She hated that he had to wait outside, but she didn’t trust herself to drive this morning. Not after the pills . . . and the nightmare.

Besides, she was still feeling foggy from the pills Dr. Lee had given her, and she’d been worried about driving herself.

Inside the warehouse, Rafe was already in the hallway and Violet wondered if Jay hadn’t been right to think they might be being watched. She eyed Rafe curiously but he was already leading the way. “We don’t have much, but Sara wanted to fill us in on all the latest.” Violet followed him, feeling strange about leaving Jay outside.

In the Center, Sara had started the debriefing, and Violet and Rafe slipped silently into the gathering.

“—I was able to get photos of the first two victims, and a little more information about them. The first of the girls was from Ballard and had been doing an internship at a local advertising agency. She was twenty-three. The second was a twenty-one-year-old preschool teacher from the Green Lake neighborhood. Not much to link them—either to each other or to the two college students—except for their looks.” She passed the photos to Violet, and there was no denying that the resemblance was striking. Both girls looked like Antonia Cornett. “I’m still working on getting the file for the missing girl, Casey Atkins, and some items from her home, including the ring they found.” She smiled at Krystal when she mentioned the ring they’d discovered in Casey’s home. “I do have some things from the other girls, though, if you don’t mind taking a look at them.”

Everyone started to jump up, but Sara stopped them. “Oh, and guys. Just so you know, the police suspect that he’s the one who’s been calling in the girls’ locations.”

“What d’you mean?” Sam asked, his lip curled in disgust. “They think he’s the anonymous caller who told them where to find the bodies? Why would he do that?”

Sara’s mouth pulled into a tight line as she shook her head. “They have no idea. But so far the phone numbers he called from have been tracked down to disposable cell phones, and the receipts have been dead ends. Whoever he is, he’s careful, that’s for sure.”

Beside her, Rafe let out his breath, and Violet felt the way he sounded. Disgusted.

“Violet, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?” Sara asked as the rest of the team descended on the box sitting on the conference table.

Violet got up and followed Sara to her private workstation. When Sara turned around to face her, she frowned. “Didn’t I just say alone?”

But behind her, Violet heard Rafe, his voice low. “I wanted to talk to her too. I figured it was better to do it here than in front of everyone else.”

Sara crossed her arms but released a resigned sigh. “Fine.” She turned to Violet. “I just wanted to see how you were doing, after last night with James Nua. You look . . . you look tired, Violet.”

Violet glanced self-consciously over her shoulder at Rafe. “I am, sort of.” She shrugged. “I mean, you did call me in the middle of the night.”

Rafe swiped at the back of his neck, looking apologetic. “Sorry about that. I thought you’d want to know.”

Violet managed a weak smile. “Of course I did. But I’m still tired.”

“But you’re okay?” Sara interrupted. “Other than that, I mean?”

“Yeah. I’m a little groggy from the pills Dr. Lee gave me, but I’m fine.”

Violet watched as a silent look passed between them, something she didn’t quite grasp. And then Sara reached for an envelope on her desk, handing it to Violet. “I almost forgot. This is yours.”

Violet slid the flap open and peered inside, her stomach coiling. She felt strange taking a paycheck for an ability she had no control over, but Sara reacted before Violet could protest . . . again. “Violet, we’ve talked about this. It’s your job now. I couldn’t ask you to do these things and not expect to compensate you. Besides, how else are you supposed to afford all your gas money? Buckley’s not exactly around the corner.” She smiled patiently. “Now try to get some rest. Who knows, I might need you again tomorrow.”

Violet shook her head but stopped short of arguing. She folded the envelope and stuffed it in her pocket. It wasn’t until she turned around that she nearly gasped, surprised to find Jay sitting in the kitchen. He was across from Gemma at one of the small Formica tables, and she was cupping one of his hands in both of hers, her fingertip grazing the creases that ran through his palm. Neither seemed aware of Violet, and she watched in stunned silence as Gemma first glanced at Jay’s face, and then closed her eyes, as if deep in concentration.

Violet was about to storm over and put a stop to whatever Gemma was trying to pull, when Rafe grabbed her by the sleeve, jerking her to a halt. “Wait a sec, will ya? I wanna see where this is going.”