THE SHADOW BETWEEN US

The interview with Caroline's husband yielded little. Yes, she'd been having nightmares. Yes, she'd seemed distracted lately. No, he hadn't noticed anyone following her or any strange phone calls. No, he couldn't think of anyone who would want to harm her.

By the time they finished, the rain had intensified, pounding against the roof in sheets. Cora stood on the porch, watching patrol officers canvass the neighborhood as darkness began to fall. She felt Mason Reid approach before she saw him.

"You don't want me on this case," he said, coming to stand beside her. Not a question.

"I work better alone."

"So do I. Usually." He kept his eyes on the rain. "But these disappearances—there's something different about them. Something personal."

The way he said it raised goosebumps on her arms. "Personal how?"

Instead of answering, he handed her a business card. "My number. When you're ready to talk—really talk—about what's happening here, call me."

"What makes you think I'll call?"

His expression was unreadable in the dim porch light. "Because four women have disappeared, and only three bodies have been found. Because whoever is taking them is escalating—the time between abductions is getting shorter. And because you know as well as I do that there's more going on here than a standard serial case."

Cora pocketed the card, not agreeing but not dismissing him either. "I'll look over your notes. If there's anything useful, I'll be in touch."

It was as much as she was willing to concede. Reid seemed to understand that, nodding once before turning to leave. He was halfway down the steps when Cora called after him.

"You said we've met before. When?"

He paused, rain soaking through his jacket. For a moment, she thought he might tell her the truth. Instead, he offered another fabrication.

"We worked a case together in Seattle, five years ago. Consulting for the FBI on the Lakeside abductions. You probably don't remember—you were juggling multiple cases at the time."

Another lie, smooth as glass. Cora had never worked the Lakeside case.

"Why lie about how we know each other?" she asked bluntly.

Something flashed across his face—pain, perhaps, or resignation. "Maybe I'm not the one who's lying, Dr. Evans."

Before she could respond, he was gone, disappearing into the rain like a ghost.