LITMIR.BIZ

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You’d never know when or if it was over. Never, because you don’t know who he is. All you do know is that he’s figured out every way to control your life. He’s taken everything that matters to you. The last thing you have is your right to live your life. But you can give that to him, too, if you want.”

      She faced him, finally, and her eyes were so sad. “That’s what it’s like for you, isn’t it?”

      He nodded.

      “How do you stand it?”

      “I don’t give up.”

      She gave him a little smile. “Okay. I won’t, either.”

      “I won’t let him have you. You know that, right?”

      Her eyes closed for just a minute as she inhaled deeply. When she breathed again, she nodded, too. “I know.”

      Boone put the car in Drive and they went those last few blocks and pulled into her garage.

      Seth and Kate met them as soon as they walked into the house. This time, Christie remembered the gun, and she wielded it with a lot more confidence. It didn’t go back into her purse, but into her waistband. Just like a real soldier.

      She fed Milo, who seemed his old self, then met with the others at the kitchen table. Christie found herself searching for red laser dots, on the dog, on the wall, on Boone’s chest.

      “It’s okay to talk here,” Seth said, “but keep it down.”

      “You mean there are still bugs?”

      “Yes. In the living room, the bedroom and the garage. They cover everything but the corners, so be careful in there. Don’t say anything you don’t want him to hear.”

      “I don’t want him to hear anything. Get rid of them.”

      Boone looked as if he were going to pat her hand, but she backed away.

      “I’m not kidding, Boone.”

      “I know. It sucks. It’s impossible. But it’s just for a little while. Until we get him in this house.”

      She put her head in her hands. “Fine. Do whatever.”

      “You just have to remember where it’s safe,” Kate said. “In here. In the bathroom and in the guest room.”

      “Oh, gee,” Christie said, sitting back up, “that’s swell.”

      “Look,” Kate said, “we’ve got him covered. He can’t make a move near this place without us knowing.”

      “Explain that, please.”

      Kate leaned a little over the table. She’d changed from last night’s big sweater into a green button down shirt and black jeans, and her hair was loose and shiny. There was nothing girly in her eyes. “We wired everything. Including the perimeter. We replaced Boone’s cameras with some new ones that are much more sensitive. They cover a lot more territory and they can pick up a whisper.”

      Christie nodded, thinking about the traps, but then it hit her. “Boone’s cameras?” She turned to him. “What cameras?”

      Boone got up a little too quickly and went over to the coffeepot.

      “Boone?”

      “The whole point to this operation is to catch this guy. It has been from the start.”

      “You put cameras in my house without telling me? It’s not bad enough I have some sick freak out there spying on me?” She stood, so angry she wanted to throw the damn chair at him. She walked out of the kitchen, and the second she was in the hallway she realized that she was on camera. Whether it was Boone’s or not, it was still filming her, still prying.

      Had Boone seen her in her bedroom? Undressing? Had he watched her as she did something gross? Something she’d never want another person to see?

      Turning on her heel, she went back to the kitchen. Boone was sitting with Seth and Kate, looking guilty as hell. “What about the bathroom?”

      Boone shook his head. “It’s fine.”

      “Is that the truth, or are you keeping it from me for my own good?”

      “There are no cameras in the bathroom. There never have been.”

      She left them again, first going to the living room to get her clothes together, then down the hall. When she got to the bathroom, she slammed the door, wishing she had an air horn she could blow into the goddamn microphones.

      Dropping her clothes on the counter, she sat down at the edge of the tub and tried not to cry. She was so sick of tears, sick of fighting tears, and sick of having no control over any part of her life.

      Even the good guys were liars.

      Screw it. She’d give them one more day. If they didn’t catch the bastard, she was out of here. How much worse could running be? She’d find a new town, a waitress job. She’d sell her car and buy something old that ran. She’d even change her name, because this one wasn’t doing a lot for her. As for not speaking to her parents again, they’d hardly miss her. Her money, yes, but not her.

      She’d still have Milo. He was the only one she could trust, anyway.

      The lavender bath oil seemed appropriate for steaming off fury, so she turned on the water and added a healthy dose. She’d soak until she pruned, and then she’d soak some more. The last thing she wanted to do was go outside again. Ever.

      She’d trusted him. With her life. And now she wasn’t sure what to believe. Better to assume it was all bullshit. All of it.

       14

      “OH, CRAP, BOONE,” KATE SAID. “I should have kept my mouth shut.”

      Boone poured himself some more coffee, feeling like a total shit. “It’s my fault. I should have just told her. I didn’t think.”

      Seth was putting his equipment back into his bag, being his usual meticulous self. Everything in its place so he could retrieve it in an instant. “It’s not as if you were trying to spy on her. You’re just trying to catch this freak.”

      “I know, but she has a point. She’s been terrorized by this asshole invading her privacy.”

      “Go talk to her.” Kate came up to him and touched his shoulder. Not a usual move for Kate, so he knew he should pay attention. “We need to get it together for the next act, but I don’t want to leave when she’s so upset.”

      Boone turned to face his two comrades. “I don’t know that she’ll want to talk to me. If she kicks me out, I won’t blame her.”

      “She’s not going to kick anyone out. The woman still needs help, now more than ever.” Kate got herself some coffee, and went back to sit with her papers. “I’ve got a few questions for her on some of these men. See if she’s willing to talk, okay?”

      “I’ll do what I can.” Boone reached into his pocket and pulled out the RFID that the vet had removed. He tossed it on the table, then headed down the hall. He knew Christie was in the bath, which wasn’t the ideal conditions for a talk about privacy. He’d knock and see what her reaction was.

      Not that he was any good in this kind of situation. Give him a room full of terrorists, and he was the man, but a single upset woman? That was enough to send him cowering in a corner. Hell he deserved a chewing out, and she deserved to give it to him. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her more.

      He stood at the door and tapped it quietly.

      “What?” came the muffled voice from inside.

      “It’s me. Can I come in?”

      “Why, you want to take pictures?”

      He closed his eyes and

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