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wanting.”
    A glimmer of hope speared through her as she considered what it would be like to truly be by herself for the first time ever. Part of her couldn’t believe that her grandfather would send her somewhere alone, but hope overshadowed her doubts. “Could I really do that? You think it would be safe?”
    William nodded. “A lawyer friend of mine is going to be staying in the little cabin. He picked up the keys yesterday, and I think he was heading up there today, but the cabin you normally stay in with your parents is empty.”
    Kendra threw her arms around her grandfather. “That sounds perfect. Thank you.”
    He motioned down at the sandals on her feet. “Did you pack any other shoes besides those?”
    “My tennis shoes are in my gym bag in the trunk.”
    “In that case, why don’t you let your grandmother get you some breakfast, and then you can try to take a nap. I’ll load up some supplies and check out the car before you head up the mountain.”
    “Thanks, Grandpa.” Kendra nodded and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”
    “I love you too.”

Chapter 5
    Charlie entered the briefing room, his stomach still a bit unsettled after the events of the night before. He’d slept restlessly all night, images of gunfire infiltrating his dreams with annoying regularity. Determined to appear unfazed by the fact that he had shot someone, he moved forward and exchanged greetings with a few of the men and women he worked with before taking a seat on the left side of the room. A minute later, Special Agent in Charge Elias Washington walked in and took his place at the front of the room.
    The chatter ceased immediately.
    Elias set a file on the podium beside him and spoke in a grave voice. “I’m sure you have all heard of the Malibu Stalker.”
    A wave of assents rippled through the room. Charlie looked around. Concern showed on everyone’s faces, confirming to him that he was the only person in the room who didn’t know who this Malibu Stalker was.
    In that moment, he wasn’t sure what was worse: being the new guy in the Phoenix field office and not knowing what they were talking about or being back at FBI headquarters where everyone knew him as Senator Whitmore’s son.
    Biting back a sigh, Charlie lifted a hand to get Elias’s attention. “I know I’m the new kid on the block, but who exactly is the Malibu Stalker?”
    As expected, everyone turned to stare at him. Thankfully, Elias answered without any animosity. “He’s a serial killer the Los Angeles office has been tracking for the past three years. He’s the prime suspect in six murders, including this most recent one. All of the victims fit the same general description. Tall, blonde, early to mid-twenties.” He hesitated before lifting his eyes to look out at the room. “They found another victim last night. The medical examiner places the time of death to be about four days ago. The victim was supermodel Joslyn Korden.”
    Charlie’s gut clenched as he considered the challenges of identifying the culprit. From his training, he knew that serial killers typically looked like normal people and could be exceptionally difficult to recognize.
    “The LA office has asked for some extra support from us on this case. They specifically asked for agents who have prior experience with serial killings.” Elias looked around the room, and then his gaze settled on Daryl Montgomery, one of the senior agents in the room.
    A knowing look passed between the two men, and Daryl nodded. “I’ll go.”
    Elias nodded his approval. “Assemble your team, and check in with Rick Michaels in LA. He’s taking the lead on this.”
    Charlie listened quietly as the morning briefing continued and various new assignments were passed out. He was surprised that he wasn’t given any new cases, especially after he and Ray had closed down the pornography ring the night before.
    When the meeting concluded, Elias motioned in his direction. “Charlie, I need to see you in my