The Seventh Victim by Mary Burton Read Free Book Online Page A

talking to you. The first six victims in Seattle had pennies dated 1943. All the victims died except the last.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “Her name is Lara Church.”
    And according to Cannon only a handful of cops knew the name of the survivor.
    “I spent many a long hour trying to crack this case. More sleepless nights than I could count.” He hesitated for a moment. “In the end it was too much. I retired from the force.”
    “Yes.”
    After a pause, Raines said, “I’m a private detective now, and I make my own hours. I’d like to come down to Texas and help you with this case. Unofficially, of course. Before I die, I want to see this guy caught.”
    “That’s mighty generous of you, Mr. Raines, and if I need you I’ll be sure to call. But we got the resources here in Texas to catch this guy.”
    “He’s a smart one, Sergeant Beck. I can help you.”
    “Well, sir, no disrespect, but you had a couple of years to catch this guy, and you didn’t. Now it’s my turn.”
    Another hesitation. “I’ve got information that might help.”
    “Such as?”
    “Count me in, and I’ll tell you.”
    Laughter rumbled in Beck’s chest. “Why don’t you let me have a crack at the case, and I’ll be sure to call if I need you.”
    “I want to help.”
    “I’ll call if I have a question.” He hung up. Raines could be a resource, or he could be liability. And until Beck got to know his cases and the Seattle cases he had no intention of reaching out blind to Raines.
    As Beck reached for the front door he heard, “Sergeant Beck.”
    Beck turned to see a lean, muscular man walking toward him. The guy was in his mid-forties and had blond short-cropped hair, a strong jaw, and a straight-backed posture that suggested a stint in the marines or army.
    The man tucked a cell phone in his breast pocket before he extended his hand. “Sergeant Beck, I’m Mike Raines.”
    Beck took his hand, not sure if he should smile or have the guy escorted to the nearest airport. “When did you arrive in Austin?”
    “A half hour ago. I booked the red-eye as soon as Cannon called me.”
    Beck didn’t like being hoodwinked. “You might as well turn around and head on back to Seattle. I got this covered.”
    Dark circles smudged the skin under his eyes. “I’m here to stay until this killer is caught.”
    He shook his head annoyed that this guy was pushing. “No, sir.”
    “I can help.”
    “You got information, then give it to me. Otherwise, move along, or I’ll find an officer to help you.”
    A faint smile tipped the edge of Raines’s mouth as if the threat amused him. “Did you know the Strangler’s lone survivor lives here in Austin?”
    That caught Beck short. He’d given Lara Church more than one or two fleeting thoughts since he’d first heard her name, but had dreaded the search to find her. “What?”
    Raines grinned. “That’s right. She lives in town. Has for the last eight months.”
    Beck’s gaze narrowed. “And how do you know that?”
    “I’ve kept tabs on her. She was my only witness, my only link to a killer, and I wasn’t going to let her slip through my fingers.”
    “Where is she?”
    Raines scowled. “I want in on this case, Beck. I want this guy caught.”
    He paused, letting the air hum with anger. “I want him caught too. But this is my case now.”
    Raines muttered an oath. “You’ve never had a case that dogged you or got under your skin?”
    Misty Gray. Beck didn’t answer.
    “So you do understand.” Raines nodded. “If you were me,” Raines said, “what would you do?”
    A smile tugged at the edge of his lip. He’d have gone to the ends of the earth to catch Dial. “I’d be here dogging your ass.”
    Raines shoved out a breath. “I don’t want to get in the way, and I don’t want credit. I want this guy caught. Then I’ll go back to my life.”
    “Tell me where I can find Lara Church, Mr. Raines. She might have been your witness in Seattle, but in Austin she’s