Now You See Me Read Free Page B

brought Ramsey to his feet. “We’ve already scheduled the second part of the interview, and since I’ve been a model prisoner, you can’t restrict my privileges. Ms. Elliott is on my list of approved visitors.”
    The smug look on the man’s face would have irritated another man but Brad had come too far for that. Ramsey had already done everything he could to him. Now it was just a waiting game until time of death was pronounced.
    “You’d be surprised what a warden can do. For instance, did you know I can prevent anyone from entering or exiting the prison at any time if I feel his or her presence may threaten the safety of the staff or prisoners?”
    Ramsey’s mouth worked. He lurched toward the bars, his hands closing around the metal rods with such intensity his knuckles whitened. “That reporter doesn’t pose a threat to anyone but you.”
    “Actually, her arrival caused an onslaught of protestors outside the prison. Any time you have a group gathered, there’s the potential for rioting.” Brad lifted one shoulder in a shrug, seeing he had the murderer’s full attention. “I believe it’s in the best interest of this prison to restrict further visitors with the exception of family members, clergy or your attorney. You’ll still have your little visit with the DA, but Ms. Elliott won’t be present.”
    “I want her there.”
    “Your wants don’t mean a thing to me, Ramsey. The staff has already been given specific instructions regarding your visitors. Try to pull something and I’ll send you to the hole until it’s execution time.”
    “You can’t do that.” Ramsey’s voice had taken on a guttural growl, its intensity designed to intimidate.
    “There is very little I can’t do here, Ramsey. This is my prison. Subject to the laws of South Carolina, I run it. Of course, if you have a problem with one of my decisions, you’re welcome to file an appeal with the Department of Corrections.”
    Ramey’s gray eyes burned. “An appeal will take more time than I got.”
    That Brad knew. He smiled before turning away. “That’s unfortunate.” He’d made it halfway down the hallway when Ramsey stopped him cold.
    “You can’t save that pretty little thing from me, Warden. The minute I saw her picture, I knew I had to have her.”
    “Then it’s a good thing you’re locked up and can’t go anywhere near her.”
    “Now who’s doing the underestimating?”
     
    Kate awoke in a cold sweat, foggily realizing the buzzing in her head was her alarm clock. She punched the snooze button and rolled to her side. The nightmare she’d been unable to squelch played over in her head like a bad movie.
    Having studied John Ramsey before the interview, she’d seen the photographic evidence of his crimes and, during the night, those images had segued into vibrant, beautiful women, alive, happy and full of life…until they’d encountered Ramsey. And she’d watched each of them fall at his brutal hand.
    She swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up, shoving her hair away from her face with a shaky hand. Her mind had translated her interview with John Ramsey into vivid re-creations of his crimes, leaving an icy residue on her skin.
    “Okay. Shake it off, Kate.” She got to her feet and checked the time. Six a.m. Just as she’d planned. Coffee, yoga, then time to go toe-to-toe with Brad Jericho.
    The last vestiges of the nightmare dissipated and the glint of sunlight through the tilted plantation shutters gave a fresh look to the morning. She was halfway to the bathroom when the doorbell rang. Snagging her robe from the foot of the bed, she shoved her arms into the terrycloth and hurried down the hallway. “Who is it?”
    “Delivery.”
    She peered through the keyhole, saw a face too young to be working staring back at her. With a frown, she tugged open the door, leaving the chain on. The guy didn’t look dangerous but with her mind recalling Ramsey’s victims, she wasn’t in a trusting mood.