Love Inspired Suspense July 2015 #2 Read Online Free Page A

for you to back off.”
    â€œSir, he’s escalating.” She told him about the credit card. “Something has changed. If I stop now, how many more people will die? I can’t let this go.”
    Granger’s voice dropped. “You’re a good agent, Samantha. With a promising career ahead of you. I would hate to see you throw all that away on a personal vendetta.”
    â€œThis isn’t a vendetta.” Personal, yes. Lisa was like a sister. But Sami wanted to see justice done, as she’d told Drew. She didn’t want any more lives lost. “Sir, please, let me follow the clues where they lead.”
    â€œYou really do believe there’s a case here?”
    â€œI do, sir. And it’s within the purview of our office.”
    â€œThen we need to assemble a team. Get a profiler involved. Go through the proper protocol. I’ll contact the Legat there in Vancouver and get the ball rolling.”
    The FBI had sub offices located in various parts of the world. The Legats—legal attachés—liaison with the governing authorities. Canada had three sub offices operating in Vancouver, Toronto and the main sub office in Ottawa. Though Sami would appreciate any help they could provide it would take time. Time that James Clark might not have. Or the next victim and the next.
    â€œThat sounds great, sir, but in the meantime this unidentified subject is free to continue to kill.” Why didn’t he understand that she needed to move now, not wait for an official task force to be formed? “Sir, I’m close. I can feel it.”
    He heaved a sigh. She could picture him rubbing a hand over his jaw the way he did when he was faced with a decision. She sent up a quick prayer he would see the logic in her request. She liked and respected her boss. He and his family were good people.
    â€œI suppose what you do on your own time is none of my business.” He paused, then added, “Until it is.”
    She smiled and leaned back against the hallway wall. “I have two weeks of vacation time accumulated.”
    â€œIndeed. I’m giving you some leeway, Agent Bennett. As long as you are an agent of the FBI, you will act accordingly. Check in with the local police and keep me apprised of any and all developments at all times. That means you don’t act until you’ve talked to me. Follow, survey, observe. Gather information. Do I make myself clear?”
    â€œYes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
    â€œI hope I won’t regret this, Agent Bennett.”
    â€œYou won’t, sir.”
    â€œDon’t do anything stupid, Samantha. If you so much as get a whiff of danger, call for backup. Tonight could have gone horribly wrong.”
    Her insides twisted with the truth of his words. “Yes, sir.”
    After hanging up, Sami found the restroom, where she rinsed her face with cold water. The white tiled sink and chrome faucet gleamed in the overhead fluorescent lights. A large rectangular mirror covered the wall behind the sink and her reflection stared back at her.
    Tonight could have gone horribly wrong.
    The words rang through her head. If Drew hadn’t stopped her from entering that motel room, what would have happened?
    But he had and now she was in the Canadian Consulate General’s headquarters. A place she’d never imagined she’d end up tonight. But then again, she hadn’t known what to expect. Certainly not being detained by a handsome Canuck with control issues.
    Her hands shook. A normal response given the adrenaline letdown. She needed to pull herself together.
    But the frustration from not catching Birdman tightened her shoulder muscles. She should have been used to disappointment by now, but pessimism wasn’t normally her bag. Lisa would say Sami was a discouraged optimist. An oxymoron for sure.
    A knock on the door startled her. Her hand went to her holstered gun. “Yes?”
    â€œI’m finished with my report.