My Deadly Valentine - By Valerie Hansen & Lynette Eason Page 0,21

to a friend’s house. There must be somebody you can stay with. Maybe Logan Malloy and his family. That should be safe enough.”

“Look at all my clothes. They’re cut to ribbons.”

“Yes,” Jace said as he guided her back outside. “Maybe this time the person responsible made a mistake and left a clue.”

What if they didn’t? she wanted to shout. What if they get away with all this? How much longer can it go on?

Until they get what they want, Rachel answered as her stomach twisted painfully. And if the notes are to be believed, they want me dead. Dear God, help me! Please.

NINE

As Jace had assumed, Logan Malloy was more than happy to help once he had finished officiating at the Sunday evening service. His wife, Becky, had welcomed Rachel like a long lost sister and had immediately ushered her into their home, leaving Jace on the porch with Logan.

“How bad was it?” the pastor asked.

“Bad enough. Very thorough. I left Harlan there with a photographer but I don’t know how much they’ll be able to tell. All I saw was ripped and cut clothing. Plus, it looked as if whoever did it turned out all the dresser drawers. If there hadn’t been those previous instances of threats and break-ins, I might have thought a burglar was looking for something in particular.”

“Rachel doesn’t think so?”

“No. She insists there was nothing valuable in the house, which leads me back to the vandalism motive.”

Raking his fingers through his hair, Logan began to pace. “We haven’t gotten anything out of the notes I faxed to Chicago yet, except that my friend thinks they may actually have been written by a child.”

Jace frowned. “What? Why?”

“Something about the way the letters were made. He says he’ll be able to tell us more once he sees the originals and checks the pressure of the crayons on the paper. He insists that an adult would write differently, even if he were trying to emulate childish efforts.”

“How odd. And interesting.” Jace paused, then added, “Hey. Wait a minute. If this guy is using a real kid to print the notes, what about the writing on the wall? Surely, he wouldn’t take a child into the store with him. It would pose an unnecessary risk.”

“I agree. The first thing I want to do is get copies of those pictures of the wall that were taken this afternoon. I think you and I should head over to Rachel’s place, too, and help Harlan.”

Jace smiled. “Help him? Don’t you mean see that he doesn’t mess up too badly?”

“Something like that.” The pastor chuckled and reached for the doorknob. “Just let me tell Becky where we’re going.”

“Hold it. Is it safe for us to leave the women alone?”

That question brought more soft laughter. “My wife is a true country girl,” Logan said. “She’s not afraid of guns and knows how to properly handle them if need be. They’ll be as safe as if you and I were standing guard.”

“If you say so. I haven’t been doing so well in that regard. It seems like the more I try to protect Rachel, the worse the situation gets.”

“Only because this guy has been one step ahead of us. He can’t keep it up without stumbling. One of us will nail him.”

“As long as it happens before he carries out the threats he’s been making,” Jace said soberly. “I’m really worried about Rachel.”

“A lot of folks are praying for her.” He clapped Jace on the shoulder as he passed. “Wait for me. I’ll be right back as soon as I talk to Becky.”

I think it’s going to take more than prayer, Jace told himself as the pastor went inside. I think it’s going to take every trick I know, and more. I just hope that’s enough. He grimaced. It had better be.

The hours she spent away from Jace were the longest in Rachel’s memory. Drinking tea and nibbling cookies with Becky Malloy would have been a lot more pleasant if they had not discussed the threats in such depth. By the time the men returned to the house, Rachel was so emotionally and physically worn out she could barely keep her eyes open.

One look at the concern on Jace’s face, however, awakened her fully. She jumped to her feet and went to meet him before he and Logan had come halfway across the living room. “What is it? What did you two find out?”

“Not a whole lot,” Logan said. He bent and kissed his wife