Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [219]
“O’Dell, you okay?”
Turner was at her side. His large hand touched her shoulder, startling her. She avoided his eyes.
“Stucky did this,” she said, keeping her voice steady and free of the quiver invading her lower lip.
“O’Dell, come on now.”
“I thought I saw him when we were in the bar and grill last night.”
“As I remember, we all had plenty to drink.”
“No, Turner, you don’t understand. Stucky must have seen her. He must have noticed us talking, joking with her. He chose her because of me.”
“O’Dell, we’re in Kansas City. You’re not even on the conference roster. Stucky couldn’t possibly know you’re here.”
“I know you and Delaney think I’m losing it. But this is exactly Stucky’s M.O. We should start looking for a container, a take-out container, before someone else finds it.”
“Look, O’Dell. You’re just on edge.”
“It’s him, Turner. I know it. And whatever he sliced out of her is going to show up at some outdoor café table. Maybe even in front of this restaurant. We need to—”
“O’Dell, slow down,” he whispered, looking around as if to make sure he was the only one witnessing her hysteria. “I know you’re feeling like you need to be checking over your shoulder, thinking—”
“Damn it, Turner. This isn’t my imagination.”
He went to touch her shoulder again, and this time she jerked back just as she noticed a dark figure across the alley.
“O’Dell, relax.”
The man stood at the edge of the crowd, a crowd that had doubled in only a few minutes. He was too far away, and it was too dark for her to be certain, but he wore a black leather jacket, like the man she had seen last night.
“I think he’s here,” she whispered, and positioned herself behind Turner so she could look without being obvious. Her pulse quickened.
“O’Dell.” By the tone of his voice, she knew Turner was growing impatient.
“There’s a man in the crowd,” she explained, keeping her voice low, “tall, thin, dark, sharp features. From what I can see of his profile, it could be Stucky. My God, he’s even carrying what looks like a take-out container.”
“As are a whole bunch of others. Come on, O’Dell, this is a restaurant district.”
“It could be Stucky, Turner.”
“And it could be the mayor of Kansas City.”
“Fine—” she let him hear her anger “—I’ll just go talk to him myself.”
She started around him, but Turner grabbed her arm.
“Stay put and stay cool,” he said with an exaggerated sigh.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m gonna talk to the man. Ask a few questions.”
“If it’s Stucky—”
“If it’s Stucky, I’ll recognize the bastard. If it’s not, you’re picking up the dinner tab tomorrow night. I’m thinking you better get your credit card ready for prime rib.”
She watched Turner while trying not to be obvious about it. She positioned herself behind Delaney and Milhaven, who were deep in discussion about baseball. Neither man seemed to notice her. Through the space between them, Maggie could see Turner walk with his casual yet authoritarian gait toward the crowd. She knew he wasn’t taking her seriously, and he wouldn’t be prepared if it was, indeed, Stucky.
She reached inside her jacket and unsnapped the restraint on her holster, then kept her hand on the butt of the gun. Already her heart was pounding against her rib cage. All other motion, all other conversation stood still as she concentrated on the man in the black leather jacket. Could it really be Stucky? Could the bastard be so arrogant to kill in a city crawling with law enforcement officers from across the country, then stand back and watch? Yes, Stucky would love the challenge. He’d love to be able to thumb his nose at them all. A shiver slid down her back as a night breeze swirled around her, wet and cold.
Turner didn