Free THE GIRL NEXT DOOR by Cynthia Eden Page A

“I saw it,” she said softly, determinedly. “ EOD. Clear as day. That was McAdams’s last message, and I’m going to figure out what it means.”
    No, you can’t find out.
    Her gaze touched his once more. “I’m going to call my editor at the Inquisitor . I want to publish an account of everything that happened. Somewhere out there, someone knows either who or what the EOD is.”
    That couldn’t happen. There was no way that he could let her publish what she’d seen.
    Dylan’s gaze met Cooper’s. He easily read the order in the other man’s eyes.
    Cooper inclined his head.
    “When your team finishes,” Cooper said, “give us a report.”
    “Of course,” Dylan agreed. His attention shifted to Gabrielle. “I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.”
    “So am I.” Her lips twisted into a weak smile. “But if you and your team can help me to find the man who broke into my place, I’d sure appreciate it.”
    “We’ll do everything we can,” Dylan told her. He backed away.
    Rachel lingered. There were shadows in her eyes as she studied Gabrielle. “It doesn’t seem safe,” Rachel suddenly blurted.
    Dylan frowned at her.
    “The story that you’re following...all of the people that are winding up dead.” Rachel exhaled on a shaky breath. “Do you have family who live outside of D.C.? Friends? Maybe you should leave until the police catch this guy.”
    “His first victim was killed four months ago,” Gabrielle said. “Four months. The police haven’t caught him yet, and I’m not the type to run and hide and just hope that things change.”
    “Even if staying puts you in harm’s way?” Rachel pressed.
    Gabrielle’s shoulder brushed against Cooper. “I’ve got my own bodyguard. I trust him to keep me safe.”
    Don’t put so much trust in me.
    The mission had started so easily.
    But right then, he hated the lies that he’d told to Gabrielle.
    Rachel got the sizes for Gabrielle’s clothes and she promised to be back first thing in the morning with the items. When she started to leave, Gabrielle reached out and gave the other woman a quick hug.
    Surprise rippled across Rachel’s face.
    “Thank you,” Gabrielle told her as she eased back. “After what happened, just knowing that clothes are coming—” This time, her smile was full and real. “It may sound crazy, but it means a lot to me. Actually, it means everything. This guy isn’t going to stop me. He won’t intimidate me. I’m going to get justice for his victims.”
    Because that was what Gabrielle did, Cooper realized. She didn’t go after the criminals because she wanted attention or glory. She did it for the victims.
    So they wouldn’t be forgotten.
    Gabrielle slipped back into the apartment.
    He turned to follow her, but stopped when he saw Rachel glaring at him.
    That glare would have melted a lesser man.
    He leaned toward Rachel, acting as if he were giving her a hug. “What is it?” Cooper whispered.
    Her body was stiff and tense against his. “She deserves better than this,” Rachel hissed.
    Better than you.
    Yes, she did. Jaw locking, he followed Gabrielle inside his apartment, and he wondered just what he’d have to do in order to stop her from telling the world about the EOD.
    * * *
    B RUCE M ERCER SAT in his office. His fingers tapped on his desk, a slow, steady rhythm as he listened to Dylan Foxx’s update.
    The agent was rambling, unusual for him. That rambling meant—
    “You found nothing in the reporter’s place,” Bruce said.
    Finally, Dylan stopped his ramble about fingerprint dusting and DNA analysis. Dylan gave a quick nod. “The fact that they didn’t find anything is significant, sir.”
    No, it wasn’t. “We already knew one of ours was behind the kills. It only stands to reason that if he didn’t leave a trace at the other scenes then he’d be just as careful at Gabrielle Harper’s place.” The EOD agents were the deadliest and the most covert in the U.S.
    Some in his unit