Page 38 of Built of Illusions

“What is it? What are you thinking?”

Josie blinked and looked at Nico who was staring at her. Roman as well. “What?”

“Your eyes were tracking around that board with intent. You’ve found something.”

Not a question. She shook her head. “For a moment I did, but it doesn’t work.”

“Tell me what you were thinking.”

She shook her head minutely. “I thought I saw a pattern, but it’s not complete.”

Nico shared another look with Roman. “Neither is the board. Tell me.”

She raised an eyebrow at the command in his voice, but didn’t argue with him. This was life-and-death serious. “Fine. I was thinking Zoey’s sculptures have a fierce edge and she reminded me of Wonder Woman or Xena. Then I realized the initials of the first four women spell Zena but with a Z. I thought maybe he was spelling out a name, but the rest doesn’t work.”

Nico and Roman jumped out of their chairs and moved to the board. Nico pointed at a spot between Anita and Amaranta, then another after Irene.

Nico took a marker and wrote across the bottom of the board.

Z-E-N-A-?-?-A-M-A-R-?

Josie frowned. “Why did you add the question marks?”

Nico tapped some of the photos. “Some of these happened three weeks apart. We’re speculating that we don’t know at least two victims, probably three.”

Three more women. Three lives he’d snuffed out.

Then Josie did the math and her heart stuttered. “He plans to kill again next week.”

And she might very well be the target.

Chapter 13

Buzz Kill

Nico watched the color drain from Josie’s face as she realized they were only days away from this asshole going after his next target.

The thought that it might indeed be Josie sent panic skittering through his system. She sat completely still as she absorbed the news, while Nico worried his legs might be the ones that wouldn’t support him.

Josie looked at the letters across the top of the board. “Could that part be Amaranta? She’s the one from Tucson.”

Okay, if she was going to ignore the glowing neon elephant in the room, the least he could do was support her.

Roman brought her a glass of water and she nodded her thanks. No smile, but that was too much to ask of anyone. Nico wanted to whisk her back to his house and keep her there. Make it a fortress to keep her safe.

Logically, he knew the best way to keep her safe was to catch this asshole and lock him up forever. Emotionally, he wanted to stay by her side until someone else caught him.

Nico shoved his hands in his pockets. His grandmother’s ring was there and he gripped it. She’d believed the world was good. Proved that it could be despite some of the horrors. I could use some of that faith right now, Abuela.

His parents’ place. There was always room for one more. Josie could move in there, then Nico could do his job knowing she’d be safe.

“What do you think?” Roman’s question had Nico zoning back in.

“Sorry. I missed that.”

Josie didn’t take her eyes off the board. “I think it’s more likely the words have to do with his mother rather than his father. Maybe her name. What do you think?”

Jesus. “I think you’re going to solve the entire case for us.” Because that was brilliant thinking.