Killing Fear

“Detectives Kincaid and Hooper, San Diego Police Department, to speak with Robin McKenna, please,” Carina said.

“Please come in.” The door buzzed.

Will frowned, thinking anyone could lie and be admitted, then he saw a discreet security camera angled above the door. Of course Robin would have security. She was a smart woman.

An attractive, petite blonde woman met them in the entrance. “I’m Gina Clover, assistant manager. Robin is in a meeting, but she’ll be done momentarily. Please follow me.”

She led them through the club-metal and hollow in its emptiness-to the Back Room which was far more welcoming and comfortable with rich, earthy tones, plush dark green carpet, and a warm atmosphere.

“Can I get either of you something to drink? We have soft drinks as well as bottled water, flavored water, or perhaps some Tazo tea? It’s fresh-brewed.”

“We’re fine,” Will said, answering for both of them.

“Water would be great,” Carina said, frowning at Will. “Thank you.”

Gina nodded with a smile and motioned for them to sit wherever they liked.

The Eighth Sin was much larger than the former RJ’s, and Will realized that Robin had bought the adjoining business and expanded. He couldn’t remember what had been in this space, but Robin must have been doing much better than he thought to be able to afford this. Maybe she had an investor. Maybe she had a lover…

What was it to him? He’d tossed her aside, told her that he didn’t believe her. Worse, she hadn’t defended herself.

Yet had he been in her shoes, would he have denied the accusations, pleaded his case? Hell no. He would have walked, furious and upset that the person he loved had no faith in him.

If he couldn’t forgive himself, how could he expect Robin to forgive him?

After the assistant manager delivered Carina’s water, Carina said, “First Sherry, then Frank. Connor has good reason to be worried about Julia, and I’m glad he took her out of town. Maybe you should be watching your back as well.”

“He’ll kill me last,” Will replied.

“What?”

“He wants me to see everyone else die before he comes for me,” Will said with certainty.

“I thought Robin McKenna was his primary target.”

“You have to understand how his mind works. He plays off people’s fears. I’m a cop. I protect people, or like to think I can. With every person he kills, he’s showing me I’m a failure-I can’t even protect the innocent. It’s Glenn’s way of twisting the screws. But with Robin-”

“Does Glenn know about your relationship with Robin?” Carina asked quietly.

Will almost said no. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I didn’t think so, but-he said some things during the interview after Brandi was murdered that made me think he’d been following Robin.”

“Stalking her?”

“Yes, but not in the traditional way we think of stalkers. I think he wanted to see how she reacted to the other girls being killed.”

“Then why wouldn’t Glenn want to see Robin’s reaction to you being killed?”

“Because Robin doesn’t care about what happens to me,” Will said. “We haven’t been involved in seven years.”

“He doesn’t know that.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” But that gave Will something more to chew on. What, exactly, did Theodore Glenn know about his life? Or Robin’s? Had he found a way to track her while in prison? Did he have help? Will couldn’t imagine Glenn confiding in anyone, but he was charismatic and manipulative. Maybe he did have someone working with him. A subservient.

He said as much to Carina.

“You’re beginning to sound like Dillon,” Carina said, talking about her brother.

“I’m sure Dillon would agree with me. I arrested Glenn. He’s smart, shrewd. For example, he knew Frank was a drunk. I remember that first interrogation, Frank playing bad cop, me playing good cop.”

“You always play the good cop,” Carina interjected.

“Thing was, I wanted to go for his throat. And Glenn knew that. He understood the game. He had both of us pegged the minute we arrested him. And for the last seven years he’s been planning revenge. He knows how to get under my skin.”

“You know, and that’s half the battle, Will. You’re expecting it, you can stop it. Don’t let him in. Don’t make it personal.”

It’s always personal. While he could distance himself from the suffering of victims and the violence of criminals, when it came right down to it, it was always personal-he was the cop, it was his job to serve and to protect. When he couldn’t, he took it personally.

A door, flush against the wall when closed, opened. Soundproofing had prevented any noise from escaping and Will hadn’t noticed it. A tall, muscular, dark-skinned Cuban exited, followed by Robin. She was smiling, looked stunning in jeans and a soft dark purple sweater. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, but wisps had escaped. She looked both young and wise at the same time.

Damn, he missed her.

A tightness crossed his chest when she shook hands with the man. Jealousy? What right did he have to be jealous?

“Thanks, Mario. My business is in good hands.” She glanced at Will. “Let me introduce you to the detective in charge of the task force.”

Mario nodded, turned to face Will. Will didn’t recognize him, but Carina did. “Hey, Mario!” She walked over and slapped his hand in a complex handshake usually reserved for use between men. “Good to see you.”

“Cara, how’s it going? Patrick hanging in there?”

Sadness crossed her face. “Hanging in,” she said.

“Ma has a prayer group meeting weekly for him.”

“I know it’s helping.”

Will cleared his throat. Carina made the introductions. “Mario, my partner Will Hooper. Will, Mario Medina is an old-very old”-she hit him in the ribs-“family friend. We went to school together. After a few years in the military, he opened up a private security company.”

“You don’t keep in touch,” Mario said. “My sister tells me you’re getting married.”

Carina grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, I am. Three weeks. I’m sure you’re on the invite list. My mom is inviting the world. They won’t fit in the backyard, I keep telling her.”

“We’ll manage.” He clapped her on the back. “I’ll be there if I’m not working. I’m happy for you.” He looked at Will. “I’m putting a team together to cover the Sin. As long as my men are watching, no one will be hurt.”

Great. Cocky and a friend of the Kincaids.

“I’m glad you hired security,” Will said to Robin.

She stared at him blankly, but her eyes clouded. What was she thinking? Why couldn’t he read her?

“Mario’s the best,” Carina said confidently, smiling at Robin. “Hi, Robin. I’m Detective Carina Kincaid, Will’s partner. Nice to meet you.”

Robin smiled and shook Carina’s hand, her eyes darting between Carina and Mario. Not looking at him.

“What about you?” Will asked, turning to Mario. “What’s your plan for security on Ms. McKenna?”

Mario said carefully, “As long as she’s here, she will be covered.”

“What about her residence? Her free time?”

“One of my team will escort her from the Sin every evening. We’ll make sure she arrives home safe.”

Will frowned. “Robin, what about your loft-”

“You have the cops sitting out front. As long as no one falls asleep, I’ll be safe.”

The jab hit as hard as Robin intended. She hadn’t heard about Frank’s death yet, and Will didn’t say anything.

Will asked through a clenched jaw, “You called the station and said you need to talk to me.”

She reached behind the bar and tossed him a CD encased in a thin plastic case. “Glenn called me. I recorded