The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

The plan had flopped, and Alisa couldn't help but grumble. "You never screw up- what happened this time? Weren't you supposed to be the expert?"

Harry bristled. Pride was his thing-he'd always felt untouchable, like he had the cops dancing to his tune. But now Monica had tripped him up twice.

His earlier victims? They'd all been women who conned men for cash-he'd justified it, in his own twisted way. Monica was different, but that only made his urge to get rid of her stronger.

His voice went cold. "I won't mess up again."

He hung up before she could say another word.

***

On the drive back, Monica glanced at Jason. "Why'd you buy that guy's fish so late? It's still alive, you know."

Jason kept his eyes on the road. "Tomorrow I'll make you steamed bass. Tonight, I've got fresh crab for your midnight snack."

Monica's eyes lit up. "Cooking for me? You're full of surprises! Left work early to pick me up and now you're making me food-what's got into you?"

Jason smiled. “I got transferred to Einsberg, so I'm not swamped anymore. I can actually come pick you up after work. But seriously, don't walk home alone at night. Promise me."

Monica shivered, remembering her scare. "Seriously, when I turned around and saw that guy, my heart nearly stopped. You think it was just chance he was there delivering fish?"

"No way," Jason said. "Who gets live crab delivered to a beauty salon?"

Monica thought about it. "Yeah, that is weird. Flowers, maybe. But fish and crab?"

Her eyes widened. "So he was following me?"

Jason nodded. "The police have had their eye on him for a while. He's slippery. I bought fish from him ages ago, barely spoke, but tonight, in a dark alley, he recognized me instantly."

Monica's voice dropped. "That means he's been watching you. He's the killer, right? You asked me about a mole near his eyebrow the other day—I didn't notice then, but now I remember something else. The smell. He had the same scent- fish and cologne-I picked up at the riverside crime scene."

Jason's whole face lit up. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. My nose never lets me down. Remember that weird fishy smell mixed with cologne at the hotpot place? It's exactly the same."

Jason nearly floored it. “We got the wrong guy before. Ryder was

covering for Harry. Monica, I'me

taking you straight home. Don't go back to the salon. It's not safe."

He wasn't taking any more chances with her safety.

Monica's hands were shaking. She'd come face-to-face with a killer tonight. If Jason hadn't shown up... she didn't want to think about it.

"You got a plan?" she asked quietly.

Jason nodded. "If he won't take the bait, we'll flush him out."

She didn't really get it, but she trusted him.

He pulled up outside her parents' place. Monica grinned. "So, what about that midnight crab snack?"

"Next time, I owe you." He pulled her in for a hard, lingering kiss. "That'll have to tide you over."

Monica was stunned-since when did Detective Jason get so bold?noveldrama

She grinned and pushed her luck. "Next time, I want steak. Three times."

Jason grinned right back. "Three times it is."

Monica was practically skipping she got out, blowing him a kiss. She'd

heard stories of wild ninet

but three with Jason would be a personal record.

"Don't forget!" she called, and kissed him back before heading inside.

Jason laughed. "Take the crab and fish up-give your folks a treat from their future son-in-law."

Monica climbed the stairs, balancing her seafood haul, lighter than she'd felt in days.

Once she was sure Monica was

was su

inside and safe, Jason drove straight

to the station. He found Hank,

tossed him a set of women's clothes

and anew phone. "Get changed,

make a new dating profile. We're

going fishing tonight."