at the woman, in obvious admiration of her enthusiasm. Unable to ignore her, he licked his lips greedily, then eventually stammered, 'You cut that pretty close last night. That little priest nearly got sent to his maker, paying a premature call to Peter at them pearly gates.'
Vinnie's version of small talk amused him. And he appreciated the man's attempt at being cryptic in front of the whore. No need for that. If she talked about anything within these four walls, she'd be fish food by nightfall.
'I knew you could handle it. Nothing like the rush'—he gasped as he came, groaning his approval— 'of almost getting caught.' With a heavy sigh, Logan closed his eyes again. He shuddered at the woman's steadfast ministrations, then asked, 'How did Krueger do? He have a sense of humor?'
His eyes on the hooker, Vin elaborated on their latest recruit, Danny Krueger. 'He was cool. Took two of us, like you figured. Would've given anything to see the look on that priest's face. Bet he had to change his drawers.'
A low chuckle rolled through Logan's chest. His hand brushed back the hair of the woman gazing up at him. An enticing mix of fear and adoration reflected in her eyes. As he glanced up at Vinnie, he noticed the man leered at the hooker once again. But his number two man kept up his end of the conversation, despite the lust filling his eyes.
'Yeah, Krueger's gonna work out. The bastard got a rush out of the hunt, wants to know when we can do that again. He's got a thing for killing animals. Guy's even more twisted about it than you.'
Still stroking the woman's hair, Logan smiled. 'I'll take that as a compliment. The hunt is more of a rush when it's up close and personal.' His accomplice hadn't missed the insinuation to his work with the blade. He saw it in his eyes as he continued, 'It's almost better than sex. Almost.'
Directing his next comment to the woman lying across his lap, he ordered, 'Go wash yourself in the bathroom. And shut the door. I wanna hear that water running.'
She scurried away without question, not bothering to cover her bare body. He knew that by the look on Vin's face, the gesture titillated his depraved nature.
'You look like you got something else on your mind. What is it?' Logan demanded when they were alone and the water was running in the next room.
'Yeah.'
Vinnie's teeth were stained yellow. And Logan smelled the man's breath from across the room, the stench only outdone by his body odor. He tolerated the man because of his interminable devotion. But there were days when Logan contemplated slitting his throat just for the fun of it. He watched the man's Adam's apple bob in place, fantasizing the feel of his blade across it.
'Thought you'd like to know. They had a female detective investigating at the church last night,' Vin reported.
'Oh?' He crossed his arms over his chest after pulling the covers to his waist. Logan hated all cops, but by the look on Vin's face, this cop might have his interest. 'Is she my type?' He grinned.
'Oh, yeah. I stuck around to check her out. Hung with the newspeople. I like the smell of that blond chick from Channel 4. I may need to get me some of that.' The man laughed.
Vinnie's keen sense of denial always astonished Logan. The imbecile would never score with a woman he hadn't raped or bought.
'Not until the job is done. No more dead bodies until I say so. Those are my rules.' Logan narrowed his eyes.
The last thing he wanted to do was piss off Blue Blood, the code name he'd given to his latest contractor. Only Logan would make the rules for his growing legion of followers, but the money on this job got his attention. He'd adapt to his new circumstances for the right price, until such time as his benefactor became a nuisance. Then all bets were off. It was his world. And no one would define it for him.
'Whatever you say.' Vinnie never questioned him. One of the reasons the bastard still drew breath.
'Did you get a name for that detective? In case I get the urge to confess.'
Vinnie snorted a laugh. 'Yeah, the talking heads called her Detective Mackenzie, out of Central Station. But I didn't get a first name.'
Glancing at the clock on his nightstand, Logan reached for his TV remote. 'Maybe that arrogant police chief will have one of his many press conferences. The news at six is about to come on.'
He turned on the TV with the volume low, keeping his eyes on the television set as he spoke, 'Mackenzie?' When the other man shrugged, he grinned. 'I must be the luckiest son of a— God, I just love it when a plan comes together.'
Maybe his benefactor knew his history enough to throw him a bone. Blue Blood always arranged such tantalizing side benefits. One of the reasons he hadn't moved on, looking for his next gig. The man paid him well and provided protection to operate freely. He could express his true nature without some idiot passing judgment. Blue Blood needed wet work done, and he loved to kill. A match made in hell.
As the six o'clock news anchor announced the top stories, the water in the bathroom stopped, reminding him they weren't alone. 'When she comes out of there, take her downstairs. Give her to the men with my compliments.'
Vinnie grinned, flashing his stained teeth. 'Can I do her first?' Hunger in his eyes, Vinnie looked like a wolf tracking the scent of blood.
'Do what you think is best, Vin. After all, you're my number two man. You've earned seconds.'
Vinnie laughed like a crazed hyena, as if they shared an inside joke. Logan wanted the man gone. Craving his privacy, he added, 'Get her out of here. She's had enough time in there.'
Vin shoved the door to the bath open. The hooker, wet from her shower, wore only a towel. He didn't explain himself. Just grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and hauled her away, not giving her a chance to change. Where she was going, clothes would be needless. Her eyes pleaded with Logan from across the room, like staying with him would be a better choice. Knowing Vinnie and his men, perhaps she'd be right.
As the news started, all his attention centered on the TV screen. 'We start our broadcast with breaking news. Chief Sanford Markham is holding a press conference at. . .' The reporter's voice droned on.
As predicted, Markham couldn't resist his face time. And standing behind him was a dark-haired beauty. The chief introduced Detectives Tony Rodriguez and Raven Mackenzie. Vinnie had been right. Mackenzie piqued his interest.
And now, seeing her for the first time, Logan would make sure their paths crossed. He would want his shot at both cops assigned to Blair's case. No one was beyond his reach. He threw off the sheet covering his naked body and walked across the room. Plans to orchestrate their first meeting festered in his mind. He hunched in front of the TV screen, touching the glass. His fingertips stroked the detective's face, along her ample mouth.
Surely, Blue Blood would understand his need. The hunt would soon be on. He wanted nothing more than to toy with his prey before the final confrontation.
'Raven Mackenzie.' He spoke her name aloud. By defining his choice, he sealed her destiny. Seeing a new target for the first time always aroused him. 'You and I have a rendezvous with fate.'
After the press conference, Raven felt the tension from the long day in her neck and shoulders. The basement of the station house held the relief she needed. She spent more than an hour pushing her body to the limit with the usual workout, finishing by pounding her frustrations into a punching bag. She'd worked the muscles of her abs, arms, and legs until the strain poured from her like sweat.
Hair pulled into a ponytail and still damp from the shower, she left work in the spare CPD sweats she kept in her locker. She tucked a .38 into a fanny pack by sheer force of habit. Her navy suit and holstered Glock were unceremoniously stuffed into a gym bag. Dry cleaning would definitely be in order.
Tony had rushed home in hopes of spending some time with his kids before bedtime. His wife, Yolanda, had been a stickler for the family scene, but got her way on only few occasions. Such was the life of a homicide detective.
As Raven headed home, the details of Mickey Blair's growing file picked at her brain. Without deliberating much, she pulled a U-turn, feeling the need for another pass at the vic's upscale condominium near Lakeshore Drive. With any luck, she'd find a new lead to work.
