Deadly Deception (SCVC Taskforce) by Misty Evans Page A

Adam was testing her. Rejecting her at the meeting, only to turn around and make their first engagement on his terms by calling her.
    So like Daniel.
    But she hadn’t answered, foiling his plan.
    Wrong move. Should have answered.
    Thomas strutted in, a pop in one hand and a bag of pretzels in the other. The man never stopped eating and drinking. “You don’t know it was him,” he said, seeming to read her chaotic mind. “Stop beating yourself up. Dyer’s tracing the call. Might have been a spammer.”
    Ronni stopped in front of the window. The night was dark, clouds rolling in. In the parking lot, two cars—hers and another—sat under solar-powered LED lights. “It was him.”
    “Why’d he ignore you at the meeting?”
    “I surprised him. Those who believe they’re divine set the rules and control every situation in their favor. Surprises aren’t allowed.”
    Thomas sat on the table, munched on a pretzel. “But you saved his life and he hasn’t seen you in twenty years. You’d think he’d at least be curious.”
    “He was only three at the time of the siege and probably doesn’t remember me. Plus, he may have been told a different story about his survival during his deprogramming.”
    “Whoever deprogrammed him did a shitty job.”
    No kidding . “Power, control, manipulation. The keys to being a cult leader. By ignoring me at the meeting and then calling me afterwards, he was establishing his dominance.”
    A rude snicker. “Will he call back?”
    “I don’t know.” A car pulled in next to hers. “Cooper’s here.”
    “Good. Maybe he’s got something from Dyer.”
    A minute later, Cooper strode in, flinging a sheet of paper on the table. “How did Adam get your number?”
    Ronni glanced at the paper, saw a call log and a handwritten note from Dyer stating the call had indeed originated from the farm. Her number and the call were highlighted in yellow. How did Adam get her private phone number? “I didn’t give to him. All I filled in on my info sheet was my name and a message saying I needed to see Adam.”
    “I thought maybe you gave your number to Melly when you talked to her,” Thomas said.
    “Melly?” Cooper braced his hands on a chair back and leaned in. He didn’t look happy.
    “Melanie Rooters.” Ronni fished the woman’s business card from her purse. “She claims Adam saved her hair and nail salon from bankruptcy. Records show they’re co-owners.”
    Cooper took the card. “I’ll have Dyer check into it. Meanwhile, do we still have a chance at getting you in?”
    The question of the hour . “He’ll call back.”
    “You’re sure?”
    No . “He’s cautious but curiosity will get the best of him. He’ll want to see me, relive old times, and find out why the hell I’m trying to get in contact with him after all these years.”
    She sounded more confident than she felt, but the art of bluffing had become second nature during therapy. How do you feel? Fine . How is work? Fine. Are you sleeping? Like a baby .
    Lies, lies, lies.
    “All right.” Cooper glanced at his watch. “Let’s all go home and get some rest. We’ll regroup in the morning.”
    She was too keyed up to rest. Thomas seemed to understand. “You go on home. I owe Ronni a drink. I’ll make sure she gets to your place safe and sound.”
    Cooper’s focus went from Thomas to her and back. He started to say something, called back whatever was on his tongue. “Keep your guard up. We don’t know what this guy is capable of.”
    I do , she wanted to say. Adam was handsome, charming, and socially savvy. And if he was like most cult leaders, he was also abusive, cruel, and untrustworthy. But all she needed was proof he was engaged in criminal activities—the kind of activities that would put him in jail for life.
    “You got it, boss.” Thomas hopped up from his chair and he and Cooper exchanged some kind of crazy handshake-back pat thing. Cooper left, and Thomas snagged his Dew. “Let’s roll.”
    “You