Page 79 of D for Dead

She drew another breath, clenched her hands together tightly and forced a smile.

‘Yeah, I’m okay. It’s a lot to take in.’

His shoulders dropped slightly and his face relaxed. He looked more comfortable now he knew she wasn’t going to have a breakdown on him.

‘Special Agent Rivers was out of line. He shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.’

‘It’s okay.’

‘Dumb federal agents, they’re all the same. Think they’re better than the rest of us.’

Amy hadn’t realised Boaz had such a strong opinion about the FBI.

‘Damn Feds.’ He stared at her thoughtfully and she expected him to elaborate. Instead his gaze shifted to the counter behind her. ‘There’s still a doughnut left, right?’

‘Doughnut? Uh, yeah, why? Do you want it?’

‘Yeah, stressful situations give me an appetite.’

She handed him the bag, amazed the guy could be thinking about his belly after what they’d learned.

She thought of the doorman, the occasions she’d chatted with him on her break. He was a good man, a kind man, and still young. Tears pricked again at the back of her throat and she forced them down. Crying for Leon wouldn’t help him, wouldn’t help his little girl, who would now grow up without a father. She picked up the wine glass, took another long sip.

Rivers was right. She was responsible. The killer was focusing on her, on people she knew. The package she’d received indicated he knew her personally and she searched her brain trying to think how. There had to be a clue somewhere in her past.

She thought back to the nightmare, to her visit with Doctor Shinnick. He had wanted to use hypnotherapy and she had refused. If she had agreed, would she have remembered something? Would it have given the police clues that led to the killer? Would Leon still be alive?

When Sullivan returned a few minutes later, he was alone. This time Huckleberry went to him, pressing his nose against his hand and looking up at him adoringly.

Boaz had just crammed the last bite of doughnut into his mouth.

‘Where’s Special Agent Big Mouth?’ he asked, spitting sugary crumbs into the air.

Sullivan glanced at him briefly. ‘Cooling off.’ He went to Amy. ‘I’m sorry; he was out of order.’

‘No, he wasn’t.’ She gave a twisted smile. ‘Let’s face it, he had a point. I am the reason this is happening.’

‘Amy–’

‘You think whoever sent the blood necklace is the same person who’s been writing me the fan letters?’ She paused. ‘Mr X?’

‘I think it’s probable.’

‘And you think this person is responsible for killing Kasey and Ben, Shannon and…’ She swallowed. ‘And Leon?’

‘Yeah, I do.’

‘But you don’t know who he is. And I might do.’

‘Where’s this going, Amy?’

She was silent for a moment, glancing at Boaz, wiping his sugar-covered hands on his pants, then back at Sullivan. His dark eyes were intent, waiting for her answer.

These feelings she had for him, would they be there if he’d come into her life under different circumstances?

Her gaze dropped to his stubbled jaw, lips pulled in a half scowl.

She wanted to touch him, draw in his scent, feel him against her. But she didn’t, knowing it was wrong. She felt guilty for wanting that. People were dying around her.