Part 29 (2/2)
”She's in the hospital? I thought you were going to kill her,” Frank said.
”Not this way. I still need her alive for a little while longer.”
”That makes no sense! She's already had Alexia spend the night. What if she's talking to her?”
”Alexia doesn't know anything,” the voice said. ”I've already established that. Besides, she's so busy looking for her father, she doesn't have time to worry about anything else. Regardless, Serena's not talking to her. That doesn't mean we're not still keeping tabs on her, but Serena's the one with the package.”
”A package she's keeping secret even from her closest friend, Alexia?” Frank couldn't help the sarcasm.
The voice on the other end of the line went silent, then came back a good fifty degrees cooler. ”Exactly. Because she knows if she tells Alexia what's in the package, that will mean Alexia's death for certain. Serena's not the type of person to risk that.”
Frank thought about that. ”How do you know this? You seem so certain.”
”I have my sources.”
Sources Frank probably didn't want to know about. ”Okay. What about that FBI agent she seems to be getting so chummy with?”
”Ah yes, Alexia's brother.”
”Right.”
”I've been thinking about him a lot. I think he may have to meet with an unfortunate accident.”
”As long as it can't be tracked back to either of us. That's the most important thing to remember,” Frank said. A sharp shooting pain down his left arm elicited a gasp.
”What is it?”
”Nothing. Just some pain in my arm. Stress.”
”I told you I have it under control. Don't go and have a heart attack on me.”
”I don't have time for a heart attack. I have an election to win.” The pain had faded, but Frank's worry had tripled.
”I've got it covered. After all, Dominic's tracking a serial killer, right? I'm sure that the killer doesn't like the fact that he's got one of the best FBI agents in the country on his tail.”
Frank felt a small smile slip across his lips. ”Right. I wouldn't think he'd like that at all.”
26.
FRIDAY, 1:47 P.M.
At the hospital, Serena sat on the edge of the bed and pondered her next move. Her attacker had taken her briefcase. She thought about the feeling of being watched as she'd stood in front of the mantel in her den. Somehow, he'd seen her put the package in her briefcase.
Obviously he hadn't seen her remove it a few minutes later.
How had he been watching? Binoculars?
Or through a scope attached to a high-powered rifle. Like the one that killed Howard. She shuddered.
First thing, she needed to ask Dominic to escort her to the bank to put that package into the safe deposit box. After they read the contents.
Maybe. The package contents had to do with Jillian. Not Serena.
Of course, if Jillian hadn't sent the package, then the creeps wouldn't be after her, right? She would have shaken her head if she'd been able to do so without pain. So, she had something someone wanted and was willing to kill to get. She was also the target of a serial killer.
This was turning into a really bad week.
She turned her thoughts to Camille.
She'd already called Mrs. Lamb and told her to be on the lookout for Camille in case things went south with her father. The fact that the girl hadn't shown her face didn't mean all was well. In fact, Serena was quite concerned since she hadn't heard from the girl in two days. That was very unlike her.
Serena grimaced as worry for Camille mingled with worry for herself and those she was close to.
Her head still pounded, but fortunately, she'd escaped the wreck and the attack without a concussion. She'd be moving slowly for a while, but at least she would be moving.
The memory of the man standing over her sent shudders through her.
”Serena?”
At the soft voice, she looked up to see her mother, Portia Salazar Hopkins, standing in the doorway. For some reason she couldn't fathom, tears climbed into Serena's eyes and she blinked. ”Hi, Mom.”
The tall, slender woman, who still had a head of hair so black it s.h.i.+mmered blue in certain light, walked over and wrapped her arms around her.
Serena breathed in the comfort of being in her mother's arms. Her mother's suddenly tight arms.
”Hey, you're smoos.h.i.+ng me.”
Her mother loosened her grasp and pulled back. ”That FBI agent called and said you'd been in a wreck.” The soft Spanish accent soothed Serena's nerves.
”A car ran a stop sign and rammed into me.” Unsure what her father had shared with the woman, she left out the rest of it.
”Oh darling, I'm so glad you're all right.” Her mother dropped to the bed beside her.
”Where's Dad?” Surely he wouldn't leave her mom by herself after Serena's news that a serial killer may target those close to her.
”He said he had something to take care of.” Her mother pursed her lips and shook her head. ”Your father has been acting very strange over the last day or so.”
”Strange how?” By not telling her mother about the conversation he'd had with Serena? And the extra protective measures he'd be making? Or was it the fact that her father had also been keeping their financial issues a secret? While Serena didn't agree with him on that particular score, it wasn't her secret to tell.
”He dropped me off with orders not to leave the hospital or talk to strangers. And this morning, he decided he needed to go grocery shopping with me. To make sure I got everything.” An indignant look crossed her face. ”Suddenly he's treating me like a two-year-old.”
So, her father hadn't said anything about what had been going on with Serena and the serial killer. She wasn't so sure that was the wisest thing to do, but bit her lip. She'd honor her father's decision.
For now.
<script>