Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer Read Online Free PDF Page A

Hobbs had promised to copy the rest of the files and overnight them. This two-inch stack was just the beginning.
    Dane began to flip through the pages. Valentine had been one grisly bastard.
    And he had only one weakness.
    “Dane.”
    He looked up at the captain’s voice.
    “I don’t want her leaving the city,” Harley said. “Whether we’re dealing with the real deal or some copycat, that woman is linked to these killings.”
    “All of the guy’s victims in Boston were blondes,” Dane said.
    “And now we’ve got us a dead brunette,” Harley cut in.
    Dane met Mac’s thoughtful stare.
    “Katherine’s a brunette now,” Mac said.
    Yes, she was.
    When he’d first found Savannah’s body and seen her clutching that rose, Dane had made the connection to the Valentine case just like the reporters had. He’d remembered that Valentine liked to bind his victims and then stab them in the heart.
    But as for all the small pieces, the facts, the profiles…that was what he needed to discover if he was going to find out what the hell was happening now.
    “Read that report. Start piecing together all that you can on Valentine,” Harley ordered. “We have to work fast, because if it is him, the bureau will be down here trying to take over my case.”
    No missing the
my
.
    “We all know you have a way with the ladies, Black,” the captain continued. Detective James, who’d stayed around toshamelessly eavesdrop, snickered at that. Harley ignored her and pointed at Dane. “So I want you to use some of that charm and keep Katherine Cole in New Orleans, you got me?”
    Dane nodded. “Don’t worry, Cap. Katherine’s not going anywhere.”
    Because she was the key to the case, and he’d be damned if he let the bodies start to pile up in his city.
    Valentine had a weakness, all right, and Dane would be using that weakness against him.
    Katherine, you’re not getting away
.
    Not when he needed her so badly.

    The house was clean. No, more than that.
Immaculate.
Fresh paint on the shutters. The windows gleamed as if freshly polished. There were no leaves or any debris anywhere in the front yard.
    Dane stared up at the house. Katherine Cole’s house. She had no close neighbors. No one to see what was happening at her place.
    No one to hear the screams.
    He raised his hand to the door and knocked hard with his fist.
    While he waited, he exhaled slowly and wondered what kind of sweet talk he should use.
    Then Katherine Cole opened the door. She stared at him with her wide, lost eyes, and he just said, “Help me catch the bastard.”
    She nodded.

– 3 –
    The house smelled like her. Fresh strawberries. Sweet. Heady.
    Katherine led him into the den, a den that looked like something out of a glossy home magazine. Picture-damn-perfect, but without a single personal touch. No photos. No mementos.
    “You know who I am.” She turned and faced him with her chin up.
    He inclined his head. “Katelynn.”
    “No!” she snapped as she shook her head, sending her dark hair sliding over her shoulders. “I…” She cleared her throat. “I go by Katherine now.”
    Right. Best to lay the cards on the table. “You planning to leave town?” Dane asked as he raised an eyebrow.
    “That’s what Ross wants.”
    The marshal was going to be a problem. “And what do
you
want?” he demanded as he strode toward her. He gave her credit. The woman didn’t back up.
    Her breath whispered out over her lips. Sexy lips. “I want my life back, Detective Black.”
    He closed in on her. Inhaled more of that sweet scent. “Then work with me,” he said. “Stay here in New Orleans. If this really is Valentine, help me to stop the bastard.” He said “if,” but the truth was that he already suspected they were facing the real deal. Thecrime scene had been so perfect, and those wounds on the victim’s arms had been an exact match to the other killings.
    Katherine stared up at him. She was small, no taller than five foot five, and she tilted