Read Online The Scum of All Fears: Squeaky Clean Mysteries, Book 5 by Christy Barritt - Free Book Online Page A

forensic unit had all cleared out of our apartment building. Riley was still as uptight as ever. I had to admit: At this point, I couldn’t blame him. I was feeling pretty uptight, too.
    I could no longer deny that Milton Jones was here and that he was bent on revenge.
    “How’d he get here?” I rubbed my temples. “How in the world did Milton Jones make it across the country in that amount of time?”
    Riley shook his head, loo king just as perplexed as I was, as he leaned back on the couch. “I have no idea. The police are checking surveillance at airports and bus stations across the country. Maybe some kind of clue will turn up.”
    “Could he have planned his escape?”
    “Prison officials didn’t tell anyone when the transfer would be taking place. That’s what would make it nearly impossible for someone else to have been working with Jones when he got away. The other fact is that it would have been extremely difficult for him to plan anything while in prison. His phone calls were monitored and recorded.” He shook his head again. “I just don’t get it.”
    “Me neither.” And the more I thought about it, the more my head pounded. Finally, I stood, stretched, and rubbed my hands together. “As much as I wish I could sit around and think about this all day, I guess it’s time for me to get to work.”
    Riley had been sitting at the table, his jaw flexing and unflexing. Suddenly, I had his attention. He raised his head, his eyes wide with surprise and possibly agitation. “Get to work? Are you crazy?”
    I shrugged, trying to look more casual than I actually felt. “What else am I going to do? Sit around here all day?”
    “ That sounds like a great idea, actually.” From the intensity of his stare, I could tell he was serious.
    I sighed and shook my head, hating to be the bearer of bad news. “I can’t do that.” I didn’t want to be the idiot who went out and made myself easy prey for a killer who was bent on making my life miserable. But I didn’t want to put my life on hold and hide out like a scared little rabbit either.
    Riley shook his head . . . and kept shaking his head as he sliced his hand through the air. “I’m going to cancel all of my appointments and go with you today.”
    “That’s ridiculous. I’ll be just fine. Besides, you need to go to that task force meeting.” I had to admit—I really wanted to be involved also. But I knew there was no way I’d be getting an invitation. “Crime scene cleaner” didn’t quite fit with FBI, local police, and other authorities. “That will be the best way to help. Help find him and put him away again.”
    He leaned forward. “I don’t want you to be alone.”
    “Riley, I’ll be okay.” I squeezed his hand. “Milton Jones only struck at night, correct? I don’t think he snatched anyone in broad daylight. I’ll be fine.”
    Riley stared at me, an unreadable emotion in his eyes. “You’ve done some research.”
    “Of course.” That couldn’t be a surprise to him.
    His head dipped, as if his thoughts were too heavy to hold. “Jones was at one of your crime scenes. He’s got you in his sights.”
    His words didn’t comfort me, but I tried not to let it show. “Jones didn’t try to abduct me. He was obviously just sending a message. To stay inside all the time would be showing my fear. It would be letting him win. I won’t do that.”
    Riley’s gaze, almost tortured, met mine again. “Will you check in with me throughout the day? I don’t want to be overbearing, but . . .”
    “Of course. And we have a cookout at six, so I’ll be back for that. But I’m already way behind. People are going to start leaving bad online reviews for Trauma Care if I don’t get busy.”
    Riley nodded slowly. “I get it.”
    I disappeared into Riley’s bathroom to get ready. Earlier, Adams had given me permission to get a few things from my apartment. I’d grabbed some clothes, toiletries, and cereal.
    After I was dressed, I grabbed