Free Now You See Me by Rachel Carrington Page B

not to charge Ramsey.” When Brad didn’t respond she opened the door to see the resigned look on his face. “Yeah, I know. Wishful thinking. If it walks like a duck…” Her words trailed off as she walked past him.
    Brad caught hold of her arm, stopping her progress. “He’s not going to get to you, Kate. I don’t care if he were to be released from prison tomorrow. He won’t touch you.”
    The strong assurance in his voice had her studying his face. “That sounds like you know him better than I thought.”
    He released her arm. “I get to know all my prisoners.”
    “I find that hard to believe considering how many men are in that prison” When he looked away, she pushed. “I noticed you refused to be interviewed even though you were Ramsey’s arresting officer. Why is that?”
    “Is this on or off the record?”
    The biting question would have been a red flag to anyone but Kate. “Anger like that makes it sound very personal.”
    “Let it go, Kate.” Brad edged her to one side so he could walk back down the hallway.
    Her spine pressed against the white wall, she watched him walk away. Every instinct told her to push and not just for a story. If Brad had some type of connection to Ramsey, he had to know something about the man no one else did. Maybe that was why he was so sure he could protect her. Whatever the reason, she had to know. Her life might very well depend on it.
    “I’m getting the feeling you know more about Ramsey than what the media has revealed.” She came into the living room where Brad stood facing the fireplace. His shoulders tensed at her statement and she wasn’t surprised when he whirled around to pin her with icy blue eyes.
    “My life isn’t a story, Kate, and not everyone wants to be interviewed.”
    There went another red flag. “This isn’t about a story, Brad. It’s about being afraid for my own life. And if you know something about Ramsey, something like his Achilles’ heel, I want to know.”
    “To my knowledge, he doesn’t have an Achilles’ heel.”
    “Then how can you be so sure you can protect me?”
    “You’re not real good at trusting people, are you?”
    Kate folded her arms. “I’ll take that direct hit but I’m guessing you have the same fault.”
    That brought a slight smile to his face before he turned away and retreated to the kitchen. “Are you hungry? My culinary skills aren’t the best, so the menu is limited.”
    She followed him, her heart beating faster. “I’m not interested in food, Brad. I want information.”
    “I said let it go.” His hand smacked the countertop so hard a silver tray scooted forward.
    “Just tell me why you’re so sure Ramsey or his lackey can’t get past you.” Kate paused, then added, “Please.”
    He wiped his face with one hand, dropped his head. When he responded his voice cracked. “I know how Ramsey thinks, the steps he’ll take to get to you now that I know you’re a definite target.”
    Her chest tightened and Kate joined him in the kitchen. She touched his shoulder and thought she saw moisture in his eyes. A voice in her head told her to back off but she’d never been any good at listening to it. “How do you know the steps? Not every detail of his kills has been released to the press.”
    “No, they haven’t, but as the detective who helped bring him down, I got up close and personal with the bastard.”
    “So you’ve stopped him before?” Kate released a breath. Was that it? Brad had been the arresting officer?
    Brad met her gaze, and she realized the tears hadn’t been a product of her imagination. “No, I didn’t stop him, Kate. My partner and I caught him moments after his last victim died.”
    “But you stopped him from killing any more women.” She thought she was offering comfort but when Brad jerked away from her, she saw she’d angered him.
    “Do you think that really helps? Knowing I got there seconds too late to save…” He stopped talking and rubbed his face again,