Jaxon closed her eyes tightly, trying to shut out reality, if only for a moment. If Drake already knew where Barry was located, the chances were more than good that it was far too late to save him. She could only hope that Daryl had called ahead to warn the officers guarding Barry that Drake was on a killing spree and was stalking them.
She bent over her notes, trying to focus, trying to read the words, but the ink all seemed to run together. How was she going to generate a decent report if she couldn’t even read her own work? It took several minutes before she realized she had tears in her eyes. Swearing silently to herself, she jumped up and began to make her way down the hall to the bathroom.
Every step she took only increased the terrible precognition of death. Small beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.
Lucian?
She reached for him desperately.
I am here.
His voice was tranquil and soft, more soothing than ever, a mesmerizing tool that instantly calmed her.
He’s killing someone right now. I feel him. Please get to Barry. It is not Barry. Your captain is talking to Radcliff on the phone. We will be there in minutes. There is a presence, but I am not certain it is Drake. It does not feel the same as what is in your mind when you replay your memories. Similar, but different. Like in the apartment? No, not even that. We are here now. I will protect Barry from this monster.
With that last assurance Lucian broke off their merge.
She thought about that, the abruptness of his departure. He never did that, never separated from her as he had just done. He always did it slowly, almost reluctantly, his presence lingering so that she felt him, not always certain whether he was really gone or still a shadow remaining in her mind. This was different. He was completely gone, and she actually felt a loss. For the first time she knew what he meant when he talked about lifemates and their urgent need of each other.
With a sigh she pushed open the door to the bathroom. At once the feeling of darkness and evil overwhelmed her, and she doubled over, clutching her stomach, retching violently.
An arm curved around her waist, and Tom Anderson helped her into the bathroom and away from all the watchful eyes. “You’ll be okay, Jaxx. Let’s get you some water.”
Tom had been a loyal member of her unit for a long time, so she let him help her, although she found it humiliating that he should see her this way. She had trained with these men, fought beside them, led them. She needed their respect if she was going to work with them. Splashing cold water on her face helped ease the gagging in her throat, but her stomach was in knots as tight as ever. The feeling persisted. Drake was busy this night. Barry? She couldn’t bear it if Barry was killed.
“I’m sorry about all this,” Tom said. “But Radcliff is tough. No one is going to get to him easily. Besides, they have guards all over the place.”
“Thanks, Tom,” she murmured softly and bent to take a drink of water. It hit her then. The feeling was far too strong for the distance between the stationhouse and where Barry was located.
She straightened up, pressing a hand to her stomach, turning to look over her shoulder at Tom. “He’s here.”
“What? Who? Who’s here?”
“Drake is here. Somewhere in the building, in this building.” She pushed past Tom and began to move swiftly down the hall toward her desk.
“Are you nuts? Jaxx, this is the police station. He’s the most wanted man in these parts. Do you really think he’s that stupid?” Tom was whispering, trying to protect her from her overactive imagination. He didn’t blame her, but he didn’t want anyone else to witness her breakdown.
Jaxon didn’t answer him; what was the point? How could she explain? She just knew it. She knew things. She knew Drake was in the building, stalking more victims, people she worked with. Maybe stalking Tom himself. Her desk drawer contained a gun and a spare clip. She pocketed the clip and moved around Tom. “Just stay here in this room. He won’t come in here where there’re so many witnesses. He’s probably targeted every one of you in my unit.”
“Are you sure about this?” Tom was beginning to believe her. Jaxx might have gotten sick, but she was as steady as ever. There was that look in her eye, the one that always kept their butts out of trouble. “You think he’s here?”
“I know he’s here. You’re in terrible danger, Tom. Stay here and call the others in our unit and warn them. Anyone in the building should come here. It will be safer if you’re looking out for one another. I’m going to hunt him.”
“Not alone, you’re not.” Tom was appalled. “Not only would the captain and Radcliff kick me to hell and back, but that fiancй of yours would be likely to break my neck. He’s no one to mess with, Jaxon. He said to keep you safe.”
“Shut up, Tom, and do what I said. This is Drake we’re talking about, and no one else knows him like I do.” She was halfway down the hall, heading for the stairs. Above her was the second story. It was night, and not too many officers would be on duty, but two homicide detectives, the vice squad, and several uniforms were roaming around up there. Below her, on the basement level, would be only two officers, maybe three, and perhaps a handful of prisoners waiting to be transferred to the overnight cages.
“You’re not thinking straight, Jaxx. You’re a cop. Be a cop. You can’t round us all up and put us in a safe place while you hunt. Get organized.”
Jaxon shoved an impatient but rock-steady hand through her hair. “You’re right, Tom, thanks. I think I just wanted to face him.”
“Let’s do it right then.”
Jaxon nodded and moved back down the hall to the phone. “Call them in then, use our code, and get everyone a radio.” She tapped her foot as Tom did as she ordered, anxious to get moving. When the group was assembled, she looked them over carefully, ensuring Drake hadn’t penetrated their forces. “We sweep the building. Tom, take them to the top. Look at everything, no matter how ridiculous. The air vents, under desks, anyplace he could fit. He’s incredible at hiding out in the open without being detected. Each of you should have a number and count off regularly so that he can’t join you. No one go off alone, and never forget he’s a highly trained killer. You can’t hesitate to kill him, because he won’t hesitate to kill you. Start upstairs, and don’t leave anything to chance. I’ll keep in touch by radio. I’m going to the basement to see what’s going on down there. Does anyone know the exact prisoner count?”
“A drunk driver, a couple of petty thieves, and we have Terry Stevens down there waiting for transport.”
“And the officers?”
“Two—Kitter and Halibut,” Tom replied.
“Let’s do it then,” Jaxon said. “Be careful. He’s extremely dangerous.”
“Take someone with you, Jaxx,” Tom insisted.
“I’m just going to make sure everyone’s all right down there. I’ll get Kitter and Halibut to look with me.” The basement was a maze of pipes, file cabinets, and the cages. Jaxon had a strong feeling about the basement. There was every possibility that Drake was upstairs, but she seriously doubted it. She was not going to allow one more friend to die simply because he worked with her or spoke with her.
This had started with her. She couldn’t remember a time in her life she hadn’t known Tyler Drake. He had been more of a constant in her life than even her own father or mother, yet that had become a destructive, twisted, obsessive force. Drake had killed her father to take his place in her life. Her mother and brother had been destroyed so he could have her to himself. She was the one who had to end his killing spree once and for all.
Jaxon dismissed the others from her mind as she started down the stairs. She moved silently, not allowing even her clothing to whisper of her presence. With each step her stomach tightened even more. She was on the right track. The lighting was dim on the stairs and worsened when she arrived at the bottom. It didn’t matter. Her eyesight was now phenomenal.