Free Southern Lights by Danielle Steel Page B

together for seven years. He was a solid, reliable kid, and Jack said he was a good cop. Alexa had the sense that he and Savannah were becoming friends, although he kept respectful boundaries with her. And for the moment, there were no more letters. Everything was in control. Alexa hoped that the letters would stop, whoever had written them. She had enough on her plate without that. Jason Yu had checked the letter for fingerprints when she took it to him in the lab, and once again, whoever had addressed the envelope and handled the printed computer sheet had worn gloves. There were no fingerprints on it at all.
    At the end of the following week, Alexa sat in on another interrogation of Luke Quentin, and this time she was in the room. She asked no questions, and only observed, but he never took his eyes off her. She had the feeling that he was undressing her with every move. Nothing showed on her face. She looked icy cold and entirely professional, but by the time she left the room, she was shaking and totally unnerved.
    “You okay?” Jack asked her in the hallway. She looked pale.
    “I’m fine. I hate that sick sonofabitch,” she said, trying to calm down. They had linked two more murders to him. The house of cards had come down. His number of victims was at fifteen.
    “Don’t worry, he hates you too. Those looks he gives you are just an act to throw you off. Don’t let him get to you, that’s what he wants. He’s not getting out of prison in this lifetime. He can’t do anything to you.”
    “He acts like he can have any woman he wants.”
    “He’s a good-looking guy. I guess it works for him.” He had looked right into her eyes, and ever so subtly licked his lips. Just watching him made her feel sick.
    “It didn’t work so well for his victims,” Alexa said tersely and went back to her office. She had work to do. And Savannah was leaving the next day for a week in Vermont with her father over ski week. He was picking her up after school, while Alexa was at work. So she wouldn’t have to see him, which was fine with her.
    Alexa and Savannah had a nice dinner that night, and said goodbye to each other the next morning, as Thad stood by, holding her books. Her bags for Vermont were all packed and waiting in the hallway. Alexa had helped her pack the night before.
    “Have fun with Daddy,” Alexa said kindly. They had told Thad he had the next week off, and he was going back on regular duty for a week. Alexa didn’t need him. None of the letters had been to her, only Savannah.
    “I’ll call you from Vermont,” Savannah promised as she hugged her mother and she and Thad walked out the door.
    Alexa was sad to see her go, and she’d miss her, but she knew she’d have fun skiing with her father. He was a fabulous skier and had won races when he was younger. He had taught Savannah to ski when she was three, and it was still her favorite sport, probably because of the memories she’d shared with him.
    Alexa worked late at the office, and came home after seven, braced to find an empty apartment, and was stunned to see Savannah still sitting there, looking glum. Alexa instantly tensed. Clearly, Tom had flaked on her again.
    “What happened to your father?” Alexa asked gently, not wanting to upset Savannah any more than she already was.
    “He’s late. His plane was delayed in Charleston. He won’t be here till nine. He said we’d still drive up tonight.” She sighed and smiled at her mother, who wondered if he’d really come. And as Alexa started to make something for them both to eat, she realized that she’d be there when he arrived. She told Savannah over dinner that she would stay in her room when he came. She didn’t want to break a perfect record and see him for the first time in ten years. She wasn’t ready for that. And wouldn’t be for another hundred years, no matter what her mother said. Screw that. And him.
    “Come on, Mom, be nice.” Savannah didn’t say it, but she wondered if they