Page 72 of Whispers at Dusk
Della handed him her phone, and he nodded and left them.
She realized Mason was watching her.
And his expression was worried.
“Della, you have to play this one close to one of us at all times,” he said.
“Mason—”
“You’re careful, you’re an excellent agent. You’re also relentless and determined. On this, we’re all in on any move you make. A killer wants you specifically, Della,” Mason said.
She smiled. “Well, he can’t have me. And,” she added, looking at the others, “I don’t intend to be reckless. We want to get this man.”
“We’re all in agreement. No matter where he goes, we take care. No one should face this monster alone. He has too many tricks up his sleeve,” Bisset said.
Edmund returned with Della’s phone. “Well, sleep could give us better minds,” he said, handing it to her. “Oh, I realize this might be an intrusion on your privacy, but I think it’s important that we do this. We have attached Special Agent Carter’s phone to yours. That way, one of you can listen while the other is keeping us apprised of whatever might come in.”
“That’s great,” she said. Edmund still appeared a little awkward and embarrassed, and she laughed.
“It’s okay. My personal calls aren’t all that interesting. It’s fine,” Della assured him.
“Oh,” Bisset said. “I have police at the hotel, too.”
“At the hotel?” Della asked. “But we believe he’s gone—”
“But he has a special interest now. Safe rather than sorry,” Bisset offered.
“I wake up at the drop of a hat, but all help is appreciated,” Mason said.
“Sure. Maybe one of us will dream up a solution,” Della replied.
They all managed to smile. Bisset locked their headquarters office, and they walked the short distance to the hotel together.
When they reached the suite, Mason bid Della good-night and headed for his room.
“Hey,” she called after him.
“Yeah?”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m not the one with a homicidal psychopath calling me and suggesting I’d have been perfect for him for eternity or a few decades.”
“He is a homicidal psychopath,” Della said. “It’s—Mason, it’s good I’m in his sights. We can catch him that way.”
He was quiet for a minute, and she thought he wanted to argue. He lowered his head and then looked at her.
“I know. Just—”
“Just?”
“We must be behind you at every turn. Close behind you.”
“Agreed,” she said softly. “Though at this moment—”
“I think we’ll know by tomorrow where he’s going. He won’t wait long before taunting us again.”
“You mean killing again.”
