The pen fell from Ellie’s hand. She grabbed at it, aware that her breath was short. Repeating the words that had caught her attention, she avoided meeting Jillian’s eyes. She knew all she would see was her own fear reflected back at her. “When he had the chance? What does that mean?”
“He’s watching you. He’s been watching you since you escaped. It was easy, what with your parents parading their precious daughter around at every charity function in Charleston since you could walk.”
Ellie’s breath caught, blood running cold. She cast a frightened glance at Jillian, who was staring at the phone with her mouth agape in shock. Ellie’s throat felt like it was closing up, her heartbeat so loud that it drowned out everything else. He’s been watching me. She’d suspected he was still near, but having Katarina confirm it was chilling.
Either Katarina didn’t notice Ellie’s sudden intake of breath, or she didn’t care about her reaction. She kept speaking as if she hadn’t just told Ellie that the serial killer who’d kidnapped her was alive and well, watching and waiting for an opportunity to finish what he’d started.
“Once he realized who you were, it was easy.” Katarina gave a disapproving huff. “Like I said, not my style, and I haven’t given you a second thought since the last time we met, but the master is different.”
“When we met? When was that? And why are you calling? If this has nothing to do with you, why get involved at all? It seems like an unnecessary risk for you and for this…this…master.”
The word was bitter on her tongue.
“My relationship with the master is complicated, at best. To be honest, he gets in my way almost as much as you get in his. But he confided in me, and I realized that I could use you to get something I’ve been after for a long time.”
Ellie’s jaw tightened, her patience with Katarina’s game wearing thin. But Katarina had information on Valerie Price, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever this woman had to say was extremely important. Ellie was forced to play the game, whether she wanted to or not. “What are you after?”
“Power. Isn’t that what everyone wants? I’m tired of being a pawn in one wealthy man’s game. I have my own dreams and plans on how to make them a reality. If you catch the master, then you’re getting him out of my way too. It’s a win for both of us.”
“If that’s true, why don’t you start by giving me his name?” Ellie winced when Katarina let out a loud cackle.
“You’re a detective, why should I make it that easy for you?”
“Fine, if you won’t tell me his name, can you confirm something I already know?”
“Sure. But you only get one question, so make it good.”
Ellie pressed her lips together, considering multiple questions. Her fractured memories did little more than tangle up her thoughts, but one detail popped up over and over. His assistant had kept calling him “doctor.” If that were true, and this monster was a real doctor, knowing would narrow the suspect pool down.
She almost groaned. When she had a suspect pool. Right now, she had next to nothing. It was worth a shot, so she decided to use her one question on that element. “Is he really a doctor?”
“He is a doctor.” Katarina paused for so long, Ellie was sure she’d hung up. “Even if I give you his name and tell you everything I know, you won’t find him until he wants you to. He’s smarter than you, but I have a feeling you care about Valerie enough to give him a run for his money. Maybe.”
“If you’re so sure I’ll fail anyway, why call me at all?”
“Like I said, if you manage to catch him this time, then he’ll be out of my way. If you don’t, he’ll be busy enough with you to give me time to plan my next move. Either way, I win.”
Ellie scowled, scanning the page filled with notes and finding nothing useful despite having Katarina on the phone for several minutes. She decided to try a different tactic. “If it’s the anniversary of my kidnapping, what does it have to do with Valerie? Why not just take me?”
“The master saw how you put your own career on the line to save this woman, this stranger.” She huffed, as if Ellie’s bravery was ridiculous. “You risked your life. He knows going after the person you care about is the best way to get to you.”
Ellie chuckled, playing Katarina’s game to throw the other woman off-balance. “He’ll never find her. I’m a much easier mark. Unless he’s scared.”
“He’s not afraid of you.”
Ellie smiled, jotting down Katarina’s reaction. Instead of amused, she’d been almost too haughty. Was it possible that “the master” was scared of Ellie? Had she hurt him like she’d hurt the assistant? Or did he realize, now that she was older, he wouldn’t be able to control her like he had when she was fifteen?
If he’d been watching her as Katarina claimed, he had to know Ellie was skilled in self-defense, both armed and unarmed. “Valerie’s protected, so he can’t get to her. Tell him I said, if he wants to finish this, he can call me personally, and I’ll meet him.”
“Your arrogance will get you killed someday. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but that won’t help Valerie. Protective custody isn’t foolproof, and you know it.”
“She’s not in protective custody. Detective Jones was in the master’s pocket, and I can prove that he purposely buried information to protect some very powerful men. I’m
