Free Chasing Evil (Circle of Evil) by Kylie Brant Page A

with many agents in all four zones of DCI’s Major Crimes Unit in one capacity or the other over the years and knew Cam had always been highly regarded. But the recent multi-task force assignment he’d worked had probably added luster to his reputation.
    Unlocking her car and slipping inside, she wondered if anyone else suspected how much the undercover experience had cost him.
     
    The doorbell rang even as she was mentally congratulating herself for her rapid packing. She’d decided to leave tonight, and set up the interviews in Davenport by cell on the way. The bell rang again, signaling a lack of patience or maturity. Sophie was betting on the latter. Livvie Hammel, her neighbor next door, had a seven-year-old who was as charming as he was precocious. Last week he’d come over to proudly show her his frog collection. She could only hope that he hadn’t developed a newfound fondness for snakes.
    While she could see the cuteness in the miniature tree frogs, Sophia didn’t do reptiles.
    A check of the Judas hole showed a grim-faced Cam on the other side. Her stomach sank as she fumbled with the lock and pulled the door open. “What’s wrong?”
    He was already stepping inside, sending a look around. “You packed yet?”
    “I…actually yes.” She fell into step behind him as he started for her bedroom. “I had decided to leave this evening. What are you…” He was already lifting her bag from the bed, and his proximity in the room had her stomach doing a slow roll.
    They’d ended up here that first night. Some subsequent ones too, but the first time…she’d stood in this very doorway, logic slicing through the sensual haze like a quick cold blade. What am I doing?
    The panicked question had dissipated when Cam had pressed her against the doorjamb, his kiss turning the blood in her veins molten.
    Exactly what I want to, a dim inner reply had sounded. For once.
    Belatedly, she realized he was talking. “…but you didn’t answer. Figured I’d save time and drive over. Wanted to be sure and catch you in case you’d decided to leave tonight.” Two quick strides brought him much too close, her suitcase in his hand. “Is this all there is?”
    “I’m sorry. What?”
    “Move. We’re in a hurry.” Applying gentle pressure to her shoulder, he nudged her around and through the door.
    Her thought processes finally clicked into gear, bringing an accompanying feeling of dread. “I’m assuming there’s been a change of plans.” Responding to the urgency in his manner, she quickly gathered her cell phone from its charger and slipped it into her bag. Grabbing her purse she headed to the door, where he was already resetting her alarm. The sight gave her an odd moment of déjà vu. She’d told him the code once when they’d arrived here, their hands full carrying groceries. It never would have occurred to her that he’d remember it.
    “Change of direction.” Cam’s voice, his expression was grim. “Just got a call from the Edina PD. Three hours ago the Edina USTC bank alerted law enforcement of a large withdrawal requested by Courtney Van Wheton, widow of a successful hedge fund manager in the Twin Cities. The woman was last seen getting into a white panel van, plates unidentified. No sighting since.”
    His rapid-fire delivery was punctuated by swinging open the door, stepping aside to allow her to precede him. Sophia’s earlier trepidation congealed into a nasty knot in the pit of her stomach.
    “You think he’s found a new victim?”
    “The longer we go without anyone seeing her, the likelier that becomes.”

Chapter 4
     
    “How long have you had this?”
    He was sprawled facedown across her bed, taking up more room, to her way of thinking, than was strictly necessary. “You mean my Adonis like physique? Or my godlike sexual stamina? If it’s the latter, modesty forces me to admit that I had a great deal of inspiration toward that end.” His voice was muffled against a pillow.
    She snickered