Page 55 of Final Inning

“Sounds like a dominant/subordinate offender partnership. And the subordinate may be escalating, as well. How old is she?”

“Mid-twenties. Same age as the most recent victim. And same age as the victim from eleven years ago—his daughter. Teammates. All three of them.” Knight thought for a long moment. Of how he suspected Johnson and his partner would be evolving right now. Or rather…devolving. “Miranda is there alone, right now. Her only backup weighs one hundred pounds on a good day—and has already drawn the suspect’s attention.”

“We’re about twenty minutes out. Let’s find Dr. Talley first. And I’ll stick around if you need. I’m on call, anyway.”

Not his first choice, but Lorcan was damned good at what he did. Despite being related to the Brockmans in multiple ways.

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“It could be worse—Lake is also in the area. You could have been stuck with him.”

“Talk about giving a man nightmares.”

Chapter 45

The door was unlocked. Miranda pushed it open, carefully. She knew she could be facing a problem here. “Hagan? Deputy Lindhour? It’s Dr. Talley.”

Hagan was a smart woman. She would not have left the door unlocked like this.

Miranda held her weapon steady, as she stepped further into the townhouse. She should wait for backup—but the OHP could be at least an hour away. They were in a spread-out area. She did not want Helery County law enforcement as backup. She could be in even more trouble if they showed up.

Trust no one.

Knight was right about that. At least here in Helery County.

Miranda made her way slowly down the hall.

That was when she saw the blood.

There was a lot of it.

And a young woman sprawled over the floor.

Miranda almost flinched. As the memories hit. For just one quick moment it wasn’t Hagan Lindhour lying there in a pool of blood—it was Miranda’s own cousin, Dixie. Targeted by the woman who had been Miranda’s closest friend when she’d been no more than fifteen.

Her lapse cost her.

A dark shadow came out of the hallway behind her. Bellowing.

Taking up the entire width of the hallway.

Miranda pulled her weapon up.

But it was far too late. Pain shot down her arm. The same arm she’d injured before.

Her weapon clattered across the laminate flooring.

Miranda scrambled after it.

As the woman kicked out, connecting with her stomach. Sending Miranda sprawling on the floor.

Oh, hell no.

This was not happening now.

Miranda rolled to her back. And looked at the woman standing over her, a softball bat in her hands, covered in blood. “Are you kidding me? You think I haven’t seen someone just like you before?”

“Why did she have to mess up everything?”