Faces of Evil [2] Impulse Read Free Page B

anyone was alive in that house, a whole new precedent would be set. He’d already changed his game by targeting Jess rather than a close family member of the victim with that damned package.
    That could mean other steps in his sadistic methods had changed.
    Please don’t let them be dead.
    Jess wanted in that house. . . now. She wanted everyone inside alive. And she wanted to find Detective Wells. . . before he was finished with her.
    “What’s taking so long?”
    Burnett assessed her with a long, worried look.
    “I know. I know,” she said before he could point out the obvious.
    No matter that Spears would undoubtedly be long gone from the Wells home, standard operating procedure dictated that they use caution entering the scene. BPD’s Tactical Unit had used the street that ran along behind Overton to approach the house. When the unit was in place, they could move in.
    Jess checked the time. Two more minutes, maybe.
    The seconds ticked off like hours.
    “Let’s gear up.” Burnett opened his door and climbed out.
    Anticipation sent her pulse into a rapid fire rhythm as Jess did the same. Her legs were rubbery with fear. She battled it back, had to find and stay in that neutral place. The one that allowed her to function with the highest measure of objectively. . . no emotions and distractions allowed.
    Harper was already out and pulling on his Kevlar vest. Burnett passed one to Jess. Despite holding an administrative position, she had to give him credit; the man maintained a preparedness level that surprised her. He carried a veritable “what if” arsenal in his high-end Mercedes. From fire power to evidence collection to tools and first aid supplies.
    Old habits died hard, she supposed.
    She pulled on the vest and slung her bag over her right shoulder. Not that she could actually say anything about anyone’s enthusiasm in the readiness department. She lugged around a considerable investigator’s arsenal in her bag, including her Glock .40 caliber handgun, which contributed greatly to her lack of good posture.
    She and Lori had laughed about the difficulties of being prepared while still looking chic as a female investigator.
    Men didn’t have that problem.
    Jess listened while Burnett confirmed their communication links were operational, then she followed him and Harper up the steep bank between the Wells’ home and that of the nearest neighbor, using the thick hedges for cover. Members of the tactical unit were now in position and checking the windows in preparation to make an entrance.
    The tactical commander gave the order to go through the door. Anticipation roared through Jess.
    Finally.
    The damned stilettoes slowed her progress. When she’d dressed this morning she had done so with saying goodbyes and driving away in mind. A new job offer with BPD and this were nowhere near her radar.
    Why couldn’t Spears have followed her until she was out of town, maybe confronted her at a gas station between here and Virginia? Or just have waited for her there?
    Because he knew this would deliver the most devastating blow.
    He thrived on the fear of his victims and he knew this move would prompt that all-too human emotion in both the victim and in Jess.
    She could not let him win.
    By the time she reached the steps of the split-level home’s front porch, weapon drawn, the tactical team had entered the house.
    And Jess understood with complete certainty that she had spent far too much time behind a desk and computer screen. She was seriously out of breath and her calves were aching. Damned shoes.
    An eternity elapsed one tiny fragment at a time before the next announcement echoed across the com link.
    All clear. Two vics. . . alive.
    Relief trembling through her, Jess shoved her weapon back into her bag and rushed through the open front door.
    Thank God.
    Harper immediately went to Detective Wells’ mother to remove her bindings. The unit commander freed the sister, Terri.
    Jess took a mental step back and again