Below the Bones (Widow's Island #5) - Kendra Elliot Page 0,15

know nothing about these graves, then who would?” Cate asked, pulling his attention back to her.

Lamb shrugged. “I have fans. I get mail.”

“So you’ve shared that the photos were in lockets left with the bodies. We kept that out of the press, and as far as my research shows, it never was mentioned. Did you tell one of your fans?”

“No.”

“Try again,” said Cate.

“The public knows I left photos.”

“They didn’t know about the lockets,” Cate repeated.

Lamb held her gaze. “Is that your doctor friend holding up the wall?”

What the fuck?

Her hands grew icy. “Don’t change the topic. These women we found belong to you.” She fought to hide that Lamb had gotten to her, just as he’d planned. Somehow he’d kept tabs on her. And she did not like it one bit.

I’m on a fucking island two hundred miles away, while he is behind bars. How?

“Are you saying you want to tack three more life sentences on top of my six?” asked Lamb. “That seems like a waste of time. Beating a dead horse, so to speak. I have enough convictions. Give them to the guy who killed those three.”

“Then you need to help us understand who could do this. I have to tell you, Jeff. The scenes are pretty darn perfect. The minute I saw the first, I knew it had been you.”

“It’s not me.” Sullen, he targeted Henry again. “I pictured you with someone taller, Cate.”

Enough.

“What is your obsession with me?” she asked. “Is it because a woman helped put you behind bars? Or do you do that with every person who bests you?” She nudged Mike. “Do you follow Agent Scarn too? What color is his cat?”

Silence. Icy-blue silence.

“So it is just me.” She nodded at him. “You need a new hobby, Jeff. This one is rather pathetic.”

Disappointment rolled off Mike. Cate had blown the interview, and it hurt. She’d let him get to her and divert the focus of the conversation.

Lamb gave a thin smile. “I’m glad you don’t work for the FBI anymore, Cate. I think you would have just lost your job.” He leaned forward, his chains clanking on the table, as he held her gaze. “I know nothing about those bodies. I don’t know who or why.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Then we’re at an impasse. I’ve got nothing more for you.” He glanced over his shoulder at the guard. “I’m done. We’re all finished here.”

“Bryan Sowle.” Cate was grasping at straws.

“Seriously?” Lamb asked. “That idiot couldn’t pull off something like that. I’m insulted you’d even group us together.” The guard unhooked him, and he stood.

“You didn’t pull it off,” Cate pointed out. “We caught you.”

Now I’ve been reduced to throwing potshots.

“Then I’m sure you can find the next guy.” He shuffled to the door. “Good seeing you again, Cate. You really shouldn’t wear such a dark lipstick. Makes you look old.” The door slammed behind him.

Mike turned to her, annoyance on his face. “Did you have fun insulting each other?”

“I’m sorry.” Tension seeped out of her. “I knew I shouldn’t have come. I’m out of practice.”

“Clearly.” He stood up and strode to the door. “I guess I was smart to plan to see Sowle on my own.”

Henry touched her shoulder. “Lamb had it coming. Let’s go home.”

She covered his hand with hers and inhaled deeply, trying to settle her nerves.

Why did I let him get to me?

8

That evening Henry, Mike, and Cate had burgers and beers at Widowmaker Brewery on the island. Henry held back a laugh at Mike’s expression when the server delivered his burger. Amused by the name, Mike had ordered the Big Heart Attack. The triple-patty burger was six inches high and stacked with bacon, sautéed onions, and tartar sauce. A fried egg dripped runny yolk down one side. Mike stared and then shrugged and attempted to take a bite, wincing at the heavy flow of tartar sauce.

Henry had ordered it one time, and once was more than enough.

After the Lamb interview debacle, Cate and Henry had waited outside the prison while Mike had interviewed Bryan Sowle. Cate had been quiet at first as they’d waited, so Henry hadn’t brought up her train wreck of an interview with Jeff Lamb. Then she’d gotten mad, furious that Lamb had spied on her and possibly her family.

Henry was disturbed by the man’s knowledge too.

He’d let Cate rant until she’d run out of steam, and then they’d both relaxed in the sun until Mike had reappeared. They’d left immediately for the airport, and the plane