Same damned ice-blue eyes.
His gaze shot straight to her, and Cate physically felt his pleasure at seeing her. He’d always commanded a room with his presence; he still did. The orange jumpsuit and manacles made no difference. He held her gaze as he sat and waited for the guard to fasten him to the table. His lips curved up as the guard stepped back. “Good to see you, Cate. I’m very surprised. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure.”
“You weren’t told that it would be Agent Scarn and myself?”
“No. All I was told was it was an FBI visit. You’ve made my day . . . my week.” His gaze went to Henry and he looked him up and down, dismissing him. He looked back to Cate. “You’ve changed your hair. And it’s longer.”
“So is yours.”
“What can I do for you today?” Lamb asked, as if he were taking their drink order.
“I thought it’d be good to catch up,” said Mike. “Maybe there’s something you’d like to share with us.”
“Like what?”
“Anything to do with your case. Think of anything new that we should know about?”
Lamb raised his chin a fraction. “You’re being very vague. If there’s something you want to ask me, ask it. Don’t dick around.”
Good. Let him think he has control of the interview.
“We found something on Widow’s Island that you might know about,” said Mike.
Lamb’s brows rose. “Cate’s hometown? Surely she would know more about something there than I would.”
Of course he’s figured out where I’m from.
Still creepy.
“Ever spend any time there?” asked Mike.
“I never have.”
“Know anyone that has?”
“Besides our Cate?” Lamb asked.
Our Cate?
Cate was proud she didn’t flinch.
“I’m sure I know lots of people who’ve been there. You’re being vague again, Special Agent Scarn.” He turned to Cate. “Maybe you should ask the questions.”
“We found three graves: three women, three lockets. All in a straight line.”
Lamb was motionless. But Cate saw the surprise in his eyes. A faint dilation of his pupils.
But is he surprised by the news or surprised that we know?
“I don’t know anything about those graves,” Lamb stated. “Maybe we could talk about politics? I know lots about that . . . have a lot of opinions that I’d be happy to share with you.”
“No,” said Cate and Mike together.
“You found all my women,” Lamb told them. “There are no more.”
My women.
She wanted to vomit.
“It seems like a very big coincidence, then,” Cate said. “Surely you have an opinion to share on that.”
His eyes seemed to brighten in intensity. “The reason I was surprised to see you, Cate, is because I heard you quit the bureau.”
He’s attempting to rattle me.
“Sounds like your sources aren’t very accurate,” said Cate, wondering how that news had reached his ears.
“Hmm.” His gaze went to Henry again. “Silent fellow, isn’t he?”
“If you know nothing about these graves, then who would?” Cate asked, pulling his attention back to her.
Lamb shrugged. “I have fans. I get mail.”
“So you’ve shared that the photos were in lockets left with the bodies. We kept that out of the press, and as far as my research shows, it never was mentioned. Did you tell one of your fans?”
“No.”
“Try again,” said Cate.
“The public knows I left photos.”
“They didn’t know about the lockets,” Cate repeated.
Lamb held her gaze. “Is that your doctor friend holding up the wall?”
What the fuck?
Her hands grew icy. “Don’t change the topic. These women we found belong to you.” She fought to hide that Lamb had gotten to her, just as he’d planned. Somehow he’d kept tabs on her. And she did not like it one bit.
I’m on a fucking island two hundred miles away, while he is behind bars. How?
“Are you saying you want to tack three more life sentences on top of my six?” asked Lamb. “That seems like a waste of time. Beating a dead horse, so to speak. I have enough convictions. Give them to the guy who killed those three.”
“Then you need to help us understand who could do this. I have to tell you, Jeff. The scenes are pretty darn perfect. The minute I saw the first, I knew it had been you.”
“It’s not me.” Sullen, he targeted Henry again. “I pictured you with someone taller, Cate.”
Enough.
“What is your obsession with me?” she asked. “Is it because a woman helped put you behind bars? Or do you do that with every person who bests you?” She nudged Mike. “Do you follow Agent Scarn too? What color is his cat?”
Silence. Icy-blue silence.
“So it is just me.” She nodded at him. “You need a new hobby, Jeff. This one is rather pathetic.”
Disappointment rolled off Mike. Cate had blown the interview, and it hurt. She’d let him get to her and divert the focus of the conversation.
Lamb gave a thin smile. “I’m glad you don’t work for the FBI anymore, Cate. I think you would have just lost your job.” He leaned forward, his chains clanking on the table, as he held her gaze. “I know nothing about those bodies. I don’t know who or why.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then we’re at an impasse. I’ve got nothing more for you.” He glanced over his shoulder at the guard. “I’m done. We’re all finished here.”
“Bryan Sowle.” Cate was grasping at straws.
“Seriously?” Lamb asked. “That idiot couldn’t pull off something like that. I’m insulted you’d even group us together.” The guard unhooked him, and he stood.
“You didn’t pull it off,” Cate pointed out. “We caught you.”
Now I’ve been reduced to throwing potshots.
“Then I’m sure you can find the next guy.” He shuffled to the door. “Good seeing you again, Cate. You really shouldn’t wear such a dark lipstick. Makes you look old.” The door slammed behind him.
Mike turned to her, annoyance on his face. “Did you have fun insulting each other?”
“I’m sorry.” Tension seeped out of her. “I knew I shouldn’t have come. I’m out of practice.”
“Clearly.” He stood up and strode to the door. “I guess I was smart to plan to
