“Okay.” She clearly wasn’t about to argue. “Whatever you think is best.”

  Cash grimaced and gestured to the screen embedded in the dash. “Do me a favor and look up motels in Cross Plains.”

  She did as he asked, finding several options. “I didn’t realize there was an Icelandic trail going through Cross Plains, Wisconsin.”

  He glanced at her. “I haven’t been there, but I have heard about it. It’s better if we head someplace neither of us has been before.”

  “I understand.” She scanned the two motel options on the screen. “This motel looks like it’s closer to the trail.”

  “That works.” He changed lanes and took a ramp leading west. She combed her fingers through her short, chin-length hair, feeling as if she’d run a marathon.

  Escaping one relentless attack after another was wearing her down. The way this guy seemed to be a step ahead of them was not reassuring, either.

  Somehow, she needed to make Cash understand it was time to switch from playing defense to going on the offense. And the best way to do that was to set a trap for this guy.

  Setting her up someplace where he wouldn’t be able to resist coming to grab her.

  Her phone rang, startling her. Recognizing the number on the screen as Cash’s lieutenant’s, she handed it over.

  “This is Rawson,” Cash said curtly.

  Jacy leaned forward, hoping to catch part of the conversation. As it turned out, the interaction between Cash and his boss was brief.

  “Thanks. I’ll be in touch.” Cash handed back the phone. “The perp got away, but they’re hopeful they’ll get DNA evidence when they process the scene. They have already found three shell casings, which is a good start.”

  “I’m not surprised he got away.” She remembered how he’d stood in the road, firing at them. “But where do you think he left his vehicle?”

  “Good question.” Cash scowled, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. She could tell he wanted to be back at the house, doing his part in collecting the evidence they’d need to find this guy. “I know the police will canvass the area, asking the neighbors what they heard and saw. I pray someone will have noticed a vehicle that seemed as if it didn’t belong, giving us something concrete to go on.”

  She nodded, hoping they’d hear more positive news soon.

  The trip to Cross Plains didn’t take long. The town was more scenic than she’d anticipated; snow-covered trees dotted hills that were higher than the ravine she’d fallen down ten years ago.

  It looked like a nice place to take a long hike, if it wasn’t January. The peaceful scenery, though, was a balm to her nerves.

  As if nothing bad could happen here.

  Foolish thought, she silently chided. Bad things could and did happen anywhere. She was living proof of that. And so were the missing girls.

  Cash pulled up to the motel then sat for a moment, staring blindly out the windshield. Finally, he asked, “Connecting rooms again?”

  “Yes, please.” She frowned. “Is something wrong?”

  “Just wondering if this guy can track my credit card transactions.” He pushed open the driver’s-side door. “I’ll use cash for tonight, but I will need to replenish my funds very soon.”

  “Okay.” She didn’t have a lot of cash in her bag but would gladly give every penny to Cash. No reason he should be paying for everything out of his own pocket.

  While he was inside obtaining their rooms, she pulled out what she had. The measly fifty-three dollars she removed wouldn’t take them very far. But it could cover the cost of gas and a fast-food meal.

  Better than nothing.

  Cash returned five minutes later. He slid into the driver’s seat and handed her a key. “I’ll need to park behind the building, I don’t want this SUV visible from the road.”

  “Sure.” She took the key and watched as he drove around to the far side of the motel. Cash grabbed their bags and the laptop case then walked to the side door.

  Her key worked to access the building. Her room was right by the exit, with Cash’s being one door down. Both overlooked the parking lot. Likely per Cash’s request.

  He dropped her bag on the bed while she unlocked the connecting door between their rooms. “How exactly are we going to work out providing a statement?”

  “We’re not doing that yet. I need to think about our next steps.” He headed out the door, without giving her a chance to respond.

  Biting back a wave of annoyance, she waited for him to open his side of their connecting rooms. When he did, she walked inside.

  “I’m a part of this, Cash. We need to work together on our next steps.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I know I’m not a cop, but we need to figure out a way to draw this guy out.”

  “We’re not using you as bait, Jacy.” His sharp tone made her wince.

  “Okay, but can’t we set up a trap where it looks like I’m there? Even if I’m not?” She sat on the edge of the bed. “There must be something we can do.”

  Cash dragged his hand through his hair, his expression reflecting his frustration. “The one thing that would help the most is finding a hypnotist to work with you on remembering that night.”

  “Okay, I’m ready.” She was willing to do whatever he wanted. “Anything is better than sitting around and waiting for this guy to strike again.”

  Cash opened his laptop computer and powered it up. She watched over his shoulder as he searched for hypnosis services. Then he reached for his phone.

  “Are you making an appointment?”

  “No, I want to check with the department psychologist first.” He gestured to the screen. “Dr. Shelly Abrams will know which of these people has a good reputation.”

  “Not Melanie, though,” she reminded him.

  “Got it.” He listened for a moment then said, “I need to speak with Doctor Shelly Abrams.”

  Jacy stood and made her way back to her room. Now that the moment was upon her, she was oddly nervous. There had to be a way to break through the darkness surrounding the events from ten years ago.

  She bowed her head, hoping and praying for the strength to withstand the revelations that were bound to emerge.

  Please, Lord, I need Your strength and support to find the man responsible for hurting so many innocent women!

  * * *

  Cash noticed Jacy easing away, heading to her own room, and wondered if she was already second-guessing her agreement to be hypnotized.

  As much as he didn’t want to add to her anxiety, this was a necessary step if they were going to have any hope of finding this guy.

  The shooting at his house had rattled him. Cash still wasn’t sure why he’d chosen that moment to turn and get Jacy out of there, mere seconds before the gunfire erupted from his bedroom.

  God had been watching over them today, that was for sure.

  A voice on the other end of the line interrupted his thoughts. “I’m sorry, Detective Rawson, but Doctor Abrams is in a meeting with the assistant chief. I’ll have her call you back when she’s finished, shouldn’t be long.”

  “Okay, thank you.” Cash rattled off his new number and disconnected the call. Sitting back in his chair, he scrubbed his hands over his face.

  This was the first time the perp had responded with a high level of violence. Sure, pepper spray, a smoke bomb and a dart gun were all forms of violence, but the gunfire the perp had leveled at them today? Any one of those bullets could have hit Jacy in the head or the heart. Proof, in his opinion, that this guy was beyond just trying to get his hands on her.

  No, it was clear this guy’s intent was to kill them both, eliminating them as a potential threat.

  Permanently.

  When had his goal changed? Cash wondered. Was it because they’d kept managing to escape the previous attacks? Or had it been the way Cash had fired his weapon at the perp when he’d used the tranquilizer gun at the ridge?

  He nodded to himself. Yeah, this guy was becoming desperate. That was good and bad. Desperate people often made mistakes.

  But a desperate man was also twice as dangerous.

  “When do we leave?”

  Jacy’s question had him turning to face her. “The doc was in a meeting. I’m waiting to hear back.”

  “Okay.” Was it his imagination or was there a hint of relief in her eyes? “Here, this is all the cash I have. I figure you should use it for gas and food as needed.”

  He reluctantly took the money from her. He didn’t like being in this position, but his decision to go to his place hadn’t worked out so well. And his own reserves were running low. “Thanks, Jacy.”

  “I—uh, we should think about lunch.” She glanced out the window at the beautiful view of snow-covered evergreen trees. “I didn’t see anything within walking distance, though.”

  “Yeah.” He couldn’t muster much enthusiasm for the idea. If he had his way, Jacy would stay hidden in the motel with a dozen armed guards until they had this perp behind bars.

  Was he wrong not to ask for additional backup from the Madison PD? No way would Timmons provide even a couple of cops to use as backup; their budget would never support that. But his boss might free up one officer to help guard Jacy.

  “Cash?” Jacy tipped her head to the side. “What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing for you to worry about.” He shook off his troubling thoughts. Right now, no one knew where they were. There was no electronic trail to lead anyone to this motel in Cross Plains. “Lunch sounds good. Hopefully we’ll hear back from Doctor Abrams by then.”

  “Great.” Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll be glad to get that over with.”

  He rose to his feet and reached for his coat. “I remember seeing a small diner not far from here. I need a few minutes, though, before we leave.”

  “To do what?”

  He ducked into the bathroom, emerging with a glass of warm water. “I’m going to make mud to cover the license plate. Just as a precaution, since the shooter did come out onto the street as we were driving away.”

  “I’m sure he didn’t get the number,” she protested. “We were going fast, and he was too busy shooting to memorize it.”

  “Maybe, but I’m not taking any more chances. Wait here.”

  He turned and headed outside. One advantage to parking along the back of the building was that there wouldn’t be anyone to watch as he poured the warm water on the frozen ground to make mud. He didn’t obliterate the entire license plate as that might be suspicious, but he did the middle section, spreading enough mud to other areas of the plate, too, to make it look natural.

  Satisfied, he headed back into the motel to clean up. He was surprised to find Jacy at his computer. After washing up in the bathroom, he joined her.

  “Maybe we don’t need to wait to hear from your doc.” She tapped the screen. “Looks like there are several hypnotist options, all back in Madison, though. I think it might be better to just pick the one that has time to see us today.”

  “You’re really determined to do this?”

  “I am.” She stared at the computer for a long moment. “I want this over, Cash. I want to find the person responsible, and to see if these young women are still alive.”

  “I want that, too,” he murmured, lightly squeezing her shoulder. “Okay, we’ll bring the computer with us. If we haven’t heard from Abrams by the time we’re finished eating, we’ll start making calls.”

  “Good.” She closed the laptop and stood. “That’s good.”

  Was she trying to convince him? Or herself?

  A few minutes later, they were back on the road, cruising the small quaint town of Cross Plains. Under different circumstances, he’d be thrilled to spend more time here, hiking the Icelandic trail.

  But right now, he was too focused on searching the cars around him for a potential threat.

  Thankfully, he didn’t see anyone resembling the assailant. One thing that worked to their advantage was that this guy continued to hide his face. It made Cash think the culprit was concerned that if he simply approached them without a mask, Jacy would recognize him.

  The diner wasn’t too crowded. They easily found a booth next to the window. It was cold there, though, and he noticed Jacy kept her coat on.

  “We can take an order to go, if you’d rather eat at the motel,” he offered.

  “No, this is fine,” she assured him.

  They placed their order. Their server brought coffee, too. Jacy’s eyes lit up as she cradled the cup in her hands.

  He was glad for the kick of caffeine after the rush of adrenaline had faded. When their food arrived, Jacy set down her coffee and reached for his hand. “I’d like to say grace.”

  “Of course.” He hid his surprise.

  “Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for keeping us safe, today. We are also thankful for this food You have provided for us. Help me to be strong as I seek answers from the past. Amen.”

  “Amen.” Her prayer was humbling. “You’re going to do fine, Jacy.”

  “I hope so.”

  They were halfway through the meal before his phone rang. Recognizing Dr. Shelly Abrams’s number, he quickly answered.

  “Detective Rawson.”

  “Detective, this is Shelly. I understand you’re looking for a hypnotist for a witness.”

  He met Jacy’s eyes. “I am, yes. Jacy Urban was attacked ten years ago, but fell down into a ravine and has no memory of her assailant.”

  “I remember that case very well. Head injuries that result in memory loss can be tricky,” Abrams said. “Hypnosis doesn’t always work in those situations. I’d like to meet with Jacy, see if I can help.”

  “You would?” He had trouble hiding his shock. “I didn’t realize you did hypnosis.”

  “I trained a few years ago, yes. When and where would you like to meet? I’m open the rest of the afternoon.”

  “Any chance you can meet us in Cross Plains?” He rattled off the address of their motel. “I think it’s best if we stay away from Madison for a while.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll meet you there in a half hour.”

  “Thanks, Doc.” He lowered his phone. “Dr. Abrams is going to do the hypnosis herself.”

  “Okay.” She stared down at her half-eaten meal then looked up at him. “I promise to do my best.”

  “That’s all I ask.” He reached over to take her hand. Her fingers were ice cold.

  And he could tell that, despite this being her idea, Jacy was scared to death of what she was about to remember.

  TEN

  Swallowing hard against the ball of fear lodged in her throat, Jacy tried to shake off the sense of foreboding. Being hypnotized was what she wanted. She desperately needed to remember who had assaulted her so Cash and the other police officers could put him behind bars.

  For the rest of his miserable life.

  She toyed with her french fry, trying to settle her stomach. She didn’t want to waste food, not when they were low on finances, but she wasn’t sure she could finish her turkey wrap.

  “Would you like dessert?” their server asked, eyeing the remains of Jacy’s meal with an arched eyebrow. “We have peach pie.”

  “No, thanks, but may I please have a to-go box?” Jacy gestured to her food. Cold fries were not nearly as appetizing as cold pizza, but she would not let them go to waste. Especially not when they were low on cash.

  “Sure, hon.” The woman returned a few minutes later with the box and their bill. “Have a nice day.”

  “You, too,” Cash said, pulling money from his pocket while Jacy put her leftovers in the cardboard container. Then he glanced at her. “Don’t be nervous. Doctor Abrams is great. She’ll do her best to make you comfortable.”

  “I’m sure she will.” She wasn’t nervous, but apprehensive. That wasn’t logical as memories couldn’t hurt her. Not the way bullets could.

  She reminded herself that if this hypnosis was successful, it was entirely possible that the assailant would be behind bars before the end of the day.

  “Ready to head back?” Cash asked.

  “Yes.” She injected confidence in her tone. “Let’s do this.”

  “That’s my girl,” he said, sliding out of the booth.

  His girl? The words warmed her heart, even though she knew they weren’t true. Although their brief kiss had left her wanting more, she’d been the one to instigate the embrace, not him. She picked up her leftovers, while Cash caught her hand in his as they made their way out to the SUV.

  Cash’s eyes swept the area. He unlocked the SUV, releasing her so he could open the passenger door. His protective attitude was sweet, but probably unnecessary here in Cross Plains.

  Her phone rang on the way back to the motel. Recognizing the lieutenant’s number, she handed the phone to Cash.

  This time, she could hear the other side of the conversation because Lieutenant Timmons yelled, “Where are you? I thought you were coming in to give your statement!”

  Cash didn’t look fazed. “We have a few things to do first. Besides, I told you we’d give our statements over the phone. I don’t want to take Jacy back to Madison.”

  “Leaving the city wasn’t part of the plan!” Timmons shouted.

  “I understand, sir, but keeping Jacy safe is my primary objective.” Cash paused then told him, “We’re on the road. I’ll call you once we’re settled.”

  There was a long pause where Jacy imagined Lieutenant Timmons was wrestling his temper under control. “Fine. Call me back ASAP.”

  “Yes, sir.” Cash handed the phone to her.

  “He sounded really mad.”

  Cash shrugged. “He’ll get over it. He knows that keeping you safe is important. He’s just angry I didn’t clear it with him first.”

 

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