Page 37 of All He Takes
"Well... the doctor is in there, talking to him," Nicky said. "I think that's the best course of action."
"I know," Ken said, finally looking at her. "I know that. I'm sorry. I... I don't know. I guess I just have a lot on my mind."
"I get it, I do," Nicky said. "But if we're going to solve this case, we have to be on the same page. We can't let our personal dramas get in the way."
Ken sighed. "You're right," he said. "I'm sorry. I'm just... frustrated. I don't even know where to start. We've been having such a hard time getting a lead on this guy, and the guy in there is no help. I just... I hate feeling so helpless."
Nicky put a hand on his shoulder. She should have known he would take it badly. He was so headstrong, and so used to having the answers, that it must have been driving him crazy.
"It's okay," Nicky said. "We're going to get him. I promise. And we're going to do it together."
"Thanks," Ken said. "I appreciate that."
He leaned in, and for a moment, Nicky thought he was going to kiss her. But instead, he simply rested his forehead against hers, and she felt his hand come up and rest on the small of her back.
"I really do appreciate it," he said.
"We'll solve this," Nicky said, "and then we'll finally be able to relax together. How does that sound?"
"That sounds like a good plan," Ken said, and he pulled her in for a hug. When they pulled away, she let her hand slide down his arm and entwined her fingers with his. She felt a sense of relief that they had gotten past this little trouble.
Just then, Nicky's phone buzzed in her pocket. She let go of Ken's hand and pulled it out.
It was Chief Franco.
Nicky swallowed hard. "It's the chief."
"Shit, that might not be good," Ken said.
True. Oftentimes, when the chief called during a case, it was to deliver bad news.
With bated breath, Nicky answered the phone. "This is Agent Lyons."
"Lyons, it's Franco," he said. He sounded tired. "I assume you're with Walker now."
"Yeah..." Her eyes locked on Ken's. "We're together."
"Good. Because you two have somewhere to be." The chief took a breath. "They found a body."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The night sky was coated in inky clouds when Nicky pulled her car up to the crime scene, her heart in her throat, Ken quiet in the passenger seat. Through the windshield, police lights lit up the night, and caution tape barred off the entire area of an antique store called Smithson's.
There were police officers swallowing the scene, taking photos and running forensics, but between their moving bodies, Nicky made out the distinct shape of a body splayed out on the steps toward the store.
Bile churned in her gut. She parked the car, a good distance from the scene.
"Jesus," Ken said. "This doesn't look good."
"No," Nicky said. "I think it's safe to say that this is not good."
She unsnapped her seatbelt and got out of the car, stepping into the muggy, humid night. They were on the outskirts of town. The trees loomed dark and foreboding against the night sky, their branches swaying in the wind as they seemed to reach out menacingly toward Nicky and Ken. The shop looked small and abandoned, almost forgotten by time, if not for the officers surveying the scene.
Ken was close behind her. Together, the two of them walked toward the store and the body.
A shiver ran through Nicky. This guy was so methodical, and yet his pattern—it was changing, which made him more wildly unpredictable. What would he do next? Nicky wasn’t sure, at this point. He was getting more brazen, more public. She was starting to get the sinking feeling that they were never going to catch him. He was going to keep going and going, killing people, and they were just going to be running after him.
"Can I help you?" someone asked.
