He sat and the cat started purring, then squeezed his way out. “How’s my little buddy? You gotta know, I still think you’re nutso.” After giving him a quick rub behind his ears, he closed the bedroom door and went back downstairs.
The police had arrived and Emerson was giving her statement.
“This is Stryker Truman,” Emerson said.
“I understand you’ve been shot,” said the policewoman. “Let’s get you checked by a paramedic.”
“I’m good. My vest took the bullets.” He regarded Emerson. “You saved my lifeagain.”
“And you saved mine,” she replied before turning back to the responding officer. “It’s been a stressful evening.”
“I can imagine.”
“There’s a lot of evidence that needs to get bagged,” Emerson said. “Lyle Barnham’s cell phone, the wig, the wedding gown.”
“Crime techs are on their way.” The officer left them to speak with the paramedics, who were heading out without Lyle’s body.
“Pima was hiding between the pillows on our bed,” Stryker said. “I closed the door so he can’t get out.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you for taking care of us.”
He kissed the top of her head. “No one’s taking my woman, or her crazy cat, away from me.”
Her sweet smile was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“How’d you know I was in danger?” she asked.
“When Lyle turned on his burner, the program pinged me.” Stryker pulled out his phone. “All his data downloaded.”
Emerson peered over while Stryker flipped through Lyle’s photos.
“Oh, God,” she murmured. “He posed with the bodies. Look, he even took his wig off. Poor man. He was such a mess.”
“How can you feel sorry for him?”
“He told me his mom hated him and his dad didn’t want anything to do with him. Sounded like Spinetti felt bad for him, but his relationship with his grandfather was built on lies. I don’t think he was born a monster. I think his parents created one. When his fiancée dumped him, he snapped.”
“Yeah, like a psychopath.” He pulled her into the living room, away from the fray. “I’m sorry I didn’t make the connection that Lyle and Casey were the same person.”
“Your job was to hack into the systems. It wasmyjob to find the killer.” She exhaled a long sigh. “I am so relieved his killing spree has ended.”
“Me, too, baby,” Stryker said, pulling her into his arms. “Me, too.”
Nikki came flying into the house. “Are you okay? I heard two people were shot.”
“I got hit in the vest,” Stryker said. “And I took Lyle out.”
“I’d be dead if it weren’t for Stryker,” Emerson replied.
“Thank you for saving my girl,” Nikki said.
“No other option,” Stryker said, peering into Emerson’s eyes.
“I’ll get a search warrant for the Barnham residence,” Nikki said.
“And the guest house,” Emerson added.
“Right.” As Nikki stepped away to handle that, Captain Perry entered Emerson’s foyer.