Karen Rose - Kill for Me

Danny Agan for answering all my questions about police procedure.

Shannon Aviles for all her support and wonderful ideas.

Doug Byron for his help in DNA procedure.

Kay Conterato for going above and beyond the call of duty when she researched radio ID badges while hospitalized!

Marc Conterato for all of his medical expertisemy drugged, shot, stabbed, and poisoned characters thank you, too.

Myke Landers for sharing his experience as a survivor of a POW camp in Vietnam. I was honored and forever changed. Thank you.

Angela Maples for her guidance in the tracking of pharmaceuticals.

Shirley McCarroll, Tommy Gianides, Suzanne Verikios, and Jan Sarver for all their priceless information on Greek families and customs.

Frank Ouellette for answering my questions on the Chattahoochee River.

Nate VanNess for his help on tracking ISPs.

Terri Bolyard, Kay Conterato, and Sonie Lasker for helping me get unstuck. You all are awesome.

Karen Kosztolnyik, Vicki Mellor, and Robin Rue for all you do to make my dreams come true.

As always, all mistakes are my own.

ALSO BY KAREN ROSE

Dont Tell

Have You Seen Her?

Im Watching You

Nothing to Fear

You Cant Hide

Count to Ten

Die for Me

Scream for Me

KAREN ROSE is an award-winning author who fell in love with books from the time she learned to read. She started writing stories of her own when the characters in her head started talking and just wouldnt be silenced. A former chemical engineer and high school chemistry and physics teacher, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of twenty years, their two children, and the family cat, Bella. When shes not writing, Karen is practicing for her next karate belt test! Karen would be thrilled to receive your e-mail at .

Ridgefield House, Georgia, Friday, February 2, 1:30 p.m.

T he ringing of Bobbys cell phone brought an abrupt halt to their chess game.

Charles paused, his forefinger hovering over his queen. Do you need to get that?

Bobby checked the caller ID and frowned. It was Rocky, calling from her private phone. Yes, I do. Excuse me, please.

Charles gestured his assent. By all means. Should I leave the room?

Dont be ridiculous, Bobby said, then into the phone asked, Why are you calling?

Because Granville called me, Rocky said tensely, road noise in the background. She was in her car. Mansfields with him at the river place. Mansfield got a text from Granville saying Daniel Vartanian knew about the product, that hes coming with the state police. Granville says he didnt send the message. I dont think hes lying.

Bobby said nothing. This was far worse an outcome than expected.

After a moment of silence, Rocky hesitantly added, Vartanian wouldnt have warned them. He would have just shown up with a SWAT team. I... I think we were too late.

We were too late? Bobby asked scathingly and there was silence.

All right, Rocky said quietly. I was too late. But its done now. We have to assume the river place has been compromised.

Fuck, Bobby muttered, then winced when Charles lifted his brows admonishingly. Clear out by the river, not the road. The last thing you want is to meet the cops coming in as youre driving out. Call Jersey. Hes moved shipments for me before.

Granville called him and hes on his way. Trouble is, we can only fit six in the boat.

Bobby scowled. Jerseys boat is big enough to fit twelve in the cargo hold, easily.

That boats elsewhere. This is the only vehicle he had available.

Dammit. Bobby glanced at Charles, who listened avidly. Eliminate what you cant carry. Make sure you leave nothing behind. Understand? Nothing can remain. Use the river if you dont have time to make other arrangements. There are some sandbags behind the generator. Bring them here. Ill meet you at the dock.

Will do. Im on my way down there to make sure those two dont fuck it up.

Good. And watch Granville. Hes... Bobby glanced at Charles again, saw he now appeared amused. Hes not stable.

I know. One more thing. I hear Daniel Vartanian went to the bank today.

This was far better news. And? What did you hear that he came out with?

Nothing. The safe-deposit box was empty.

Of course it was. Because I emptied it myself years ago. Thats interesting. Well discuss it later. Now move. Call me when the job is done. Bobby hung up and met Charless curious gaze. You know, you could have told me Toby Granville was unraveling before I took him on as a business partner. Freaking crazy SOB.

Charless mouth curled up in a self-satisfied smile. And miss all the fun? I dont think so. How is your new assistant working out?

Smart. Still gets a little green around the gills when she has to process orders, but never lets the men see it. And its never stopped her from getting the job done.

Excellent. Glad to hear it. He tilted his head. So is everything else all right?

Bobby sat back, brows lifted. Your business is fine. Nothing else is your business.

As long as my investment continues to pay dividends, you may have your secrets.

Oh, youll get your dividends. This has been a very good year. Base business profits are up forty percent and the new premium line is just flying out the door.

But youre about to eliminate stock.

That stock was at the end of its useful life anyway. Now, where were we?

Charles moved his queen. Checkmate, I believe.

Bobby swore lightly, then sighed. So it is. I should have seen that coming, but I never do. Youve always been the master of the chessboard.

Ive always been the master, Charles corrected, and pure reflex had Bobby sitting up a little straighter. Charles nodded, and Bobby swallowed back the annoyance that rose every time Charles tugged the reins. Of course, I didnt drop by simply to beat you at chess, he said. I have some news. A plane landed in Atlanta this morning.

An uneasy shiver skittered up Bobbys spine. So? Hundreds of planes land in Atlanta every day. Thousands even.

True. Charles began putting the chess pieces in the ivory case he carried with him everywhere. But this plane carried a traveler in whom you have a vested interest.

Who?

Charles met Bobbys narrowed eyes with another satisfied smile. Susannah Vartanian is back in town, he said, holding up the white ivory queen. Again.

Bobby took the queen from Charless hand, trying to appear blas, when inside a geyser exploded. Well, well.

Well, well, indeed. You missed last time.

I didnt try last time, Bobby snapped defensively. She was only here a day when the judge and his wife were buried last week. Susannah had stood at her brothers side at their parents grave, her face expressionless even though turbulence had churned in her gray eyes. Just seeing her again after all this time.... The turbulence in Susannahs eyes was nothing compared to the seething rage Bobby had been forced to swallow.

Dont you snap the head off my queen, Bobby, Charles drawled. She was hand-carved by a master craftsman outside Saigon. Shes worth more than you are.

Bobby placed the queen on Charless palm, ignoring that last jab. Calm down. You make mistakes when youre riled. She went back to New York too quickly last week. I didnt have time to adequately prepare. It sounded whiny, which made Bobby angrier.

Planes fly both ways, Bobby. You didnt have to wait for her to return. Charles snuggled the queen into her velvet slot within his ivory case. But, it would appear you now have a second chance. I hope you plan more effectively this time.

On that you can depend.

Charless smile was cagey. Just promise me a ringside seat when the fireworks begin. Im partial to the red fireworks myself.