out having a smoke; they stopped talking to watch her take off her helmet. Her curls spilled down her shoulders. She felt them watching her. Not wanting them to think she was on the prowl, she kept looking forward, breathing a sigh of relief once her hand touched the door.
Becca paused just inside the entrance. Once her eyes adjusted to the dark room, she headed to the bar, tuning out a few cat calls and whistles.
“Hey, pretty lady, what can I get you?” The bartender flashed perfect, white teeth.
“I’ll have a rye and ginger, tall glass, lots of ice.” She smiled.
“Coming right up.” A playful wink crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“Put it on my tab, Joe.”
Judging by the size of the dark shadow, the guy standing behind her was a big man.
“Thanks, but I buy my own drinks.” Her eyes lit up. “Ben?” She hopped off the stool to be engulfed in Big Ben’s massive arms. “It’s nice to see you. How’ve you been?”
“Not too shabby, l’il girl.” His bushy brows arched. “Are you on or off duty?”
“Technically I’m off, but I’d love to buy you a drink and pick your brain.”
“Honey, lookin’ the way you do, you can pick anything yer little heart desires.”
Becca laughed, happy to have bumped into Ben of all people, a well-respected guy in the biker community, and a good friend of Jack’s.
“Let’s sit at my table.” He ushered her to the back corner of the room. “So how can I help you, Becca?”
“I don’t know if you’ve been following the news or not, but we have a real piece of work out there. He’s killed six people so far and one of them was a family friend.” She swallowed hard before draining half of her drink in one big mouthful.
“I’m really sorry to hear that. Are you talking about the guy who sews people’s mouths shut and leaves a flower behind after he’s killed them?”
“Yes, that’s the one. I’m here because there’s been a new lead on this guy. It seems the killer rides a motorcycle.”
“Shit, are you serious? Thanks for the warning.”
“I’m sure the press will blow it out of proportion—bad-ass bikers and all.”
Ben took a swig of his beer. “So are you saying you think he’s hanging out here?”
She shrugged. “It’s very possible. He’s riding old school, all black, and with a kicker.”
He rubbed his chin. “There’s a few like that around. Is that all you have to go on?”
“That and the guy knows all about floriculture.”
Her friend chuckled, setting his belly in motion. “I’m not exactly a flowery kinda guy.”
“Seriously, Ben, this guy is one sick puppy. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your eyes and ears open for me. Maybe pass the word on? While you’re at it, you might want to warn everyone about receiving even more negative attention than normal.”
“You got it, and thanks for the heads up. Now that that’s out of the way, how have you been holding up?”
Becca shrugged. “Well, I’m back on the force. Too bad it took Susan’s murder for it happen.” She exhaled breathily and shuddered. “I’m doing okay, taking it one day at a time.”
Suddenly her mouth went dry, warning bells ringing in her head as she watched the waitress walk toward them.
“Becca?”
Words failed her.
“This is for you.” She handed Becca a pristine rose the deepest shade of purple she’d ever seen.
Becca jumped to her feet and picked up the rose from her tray. “Who sent it?”
“Joe found it on the bar.”
Her hand trembled as she took the note from the waitress.
“Show me where you found this.” She plucked a napkin from the tray and closed it around the card.
“What’s going on?” Ben appeared at her side.
“It’s him. The sick fuck left this for me.” Her heart pounded so fast she feared passing out right then and there. She half jogged across the dance floor.
“Hey, Joe, can you show Becca exactly where you found the rose?”
Joe pointed to the end of the bar by the door. “I don’t know how long it sat there. I’ve been busy with customers.”
Becca scurried to the empty space beside a young couple groping each other. They stopped and looked her way.
“Did you two happen to see who left this here?” She felt like she might explode.
“Sorry, when I saw the flower I turned and only saw the back of him walk out the door.”
“I’m a police officer. Did you notice anything unusual or did he stand out in some way?”
The couple looked at each other and shook their heads in unison.
“Wait, he had some kind of case on his back. Looked like something you’d keep a telescope in but black. In fact, everything about him was black—black rain suit, black shoes and gloves. He even wore a black biker’s helmet.”
The old lady had said practically the same thing word for word.
“I’m sorry, Ben, but I need to take this to the station
“You’re not going anywhere by yourself with that whack job nearby.” He motioned for Joe to pass his helmet from behind the bar. “I’ll ride with you to the station.”
“If you insist.” She had no time to argue, inwardly happy to have him go along.
They got back to the station in record time. Ben put two fingers to his forehead and kept going. Becca mouthed the words “thank you” before practically flying through the precinct to Chief Thomson’s office. It wasn’t until she stood at his door that she realized the time. Luckily, her boss burned the midnight oil on a regular basis.
She burst into the room. His head popped up from the file open on his desk. “Becca? What’s wrong?”
She laid the rose on his desk along with the note in a napkin. She paused to catch her breath.
“I was at the bar tonight, talking to an old friend, when The Florist left this for me.”
Chief Thomson jumped to his feet. “Did you get a look at him?”
“No.” She clenched her jaw, frustrated beyond words.
Her boss read the note and looked at her over the rim of his glasses. “How did he know where you’d be? The psycho must be following you.”
Becca shivered. “I don’t know. I never noticed anyone trailing me nor have I seen anyone suspicious around my house. I’m always aware of other bikes.”
Chief Thomson picked up the phone. “Jerry, I’ve got a card I need printed. Put a rush on it. This is top priority. Send someone over to get it.”
“Can you tell me what you were doing at the bar by yourself?”
“Can’t I go out for a drink on my own time?”
He arched an eyebrow and narrowed his gaze on her.
“Okay, okay. I have a few biker friends and thought I’d ask them to keep an eye open for him.”
“No more, do you hear me? Why didn’t you call me or your partner?”
Becca shrugged. “Listen, I know it was a dumb thing to do. I think I’ve had enough excitement for one night.”
“Mike!” Within seconds the officer stood in the doorway. “I want you to follow Becca home and stay parked right out front until I make arrangements for a shadow.”
“Yes, sir.”
Becca wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea but knew there was no way around it. “Can you please call me
