Urban Renewal (Urban Elite Book 1) by Suzanne Steele, Stormy Dawn Weathers

thinking, Max. I think you may have found your calling. Authorities always keep some detail out of the public record, that way if a suspect comes along who knows details we’ve withheld, then we know they’re tied in to the crime somehow.”
    “Well, that’s what I was thinking. Also, I’d be flooded with e-mails and it takes away from work time when I have to stop and answer them all.”
    “I’m assuming you understand how dangerous this line of work can get?”
    “In all honesty, I’m an adrenaline junkie. I’m also fascinated by the criminal mind.”
    “A potentially deadly combination. And all the more reason for me to keep a close eye on you.” I cut my eyes, giving Max a long, considering look as I weigh my next words. “What is it Max?”
    “I’ve got a weird feeling the killer is going to contact me and want to interact with me. Just think about how brazen he was to leave that severed leg out in the open like that. And then to write a message on it? He’s desperate for attention. What do I do if he does contact me?”
    “Does that scare you?” I probe gently.
    “Hell, yeah, Jack -- The guy cuts off body parts for entertainment. I can’t even begin to imagine the blood and gore on scene of where he cut that body up. Honestly, the average person would puke their guts out. He has to be one seriously sick guy to do that.”
    “With this being our first case, there are a few things for you to keep in mind, Max. If this guy contacts you it’s because he wants to use you, which can definitely work in our favor. However, the bad thing about that is that once he doesn’t need you anymore -- well, I’m sure you can fill in the blanks. He’ll have it in his head that you are a way for him to reach the masses. Always remember that you’ve got back up. Nobody is going to come in here and do anything to you, I won’t allow it. Just don’t do anything stupid, like meet him alone. This type of killer who likes to manipulate and play games is always going to push the envelope and try to get you to do things you wouldn’t normally do.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean, it’s easy to bond with a criminal without intending to, even when they’re the scum of the earth. That doesn’t mean you like them, it just means that you end up with a connection of sorts, no matter how twisted it is. They wreak havoc on every life they touch and yet they get inside an investigator’s head and some sort of sick bond forms.”
    “Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
    “I certainly fucking am.”



Chapter Ten
    His Muse
    Time to see if my bait has snagged a new playmate for me. I do love the internet; an endless sea of information and the ability to be concealed behind a keyboard. Complete anonymity. What more could a sick fuck like me ask for?
    I’m disappointed when I do a search and find nothing about the severed leg – more specifically, the severed leg of the nasty whore I stabbed in the heart.
    I try one more thing before I give up. I run an automated search of news alerts. I search chat rooms and blogs and that’s when I get a hit—and, oh, what a hit it is.
    There’s a picture of a pretty little brunette with chocolate brown eyes who looks like she just might want to play. My dick stirs in my jeans as I read her brief blog post. The sweet little thing is even inviting me to contact her? I stroke my semi through my pants, deciding that I may just do that.
    I have to admit, I like a girl with brains and, even better, this one has brains and beauty. I take a moment to think before I contact her. My response needs to be something simple, nothing fussy or pretentious. Yes, back to basics, I think…
     
    Roses are red, violets are blue,
    I’m ready to play, how ‘bout you?
    If you are, little blogger girl,
    contact me: [email protected]
     
    Of course, someone will try to trace the address, but they won’t find anything. I’m too smart for that. I’ve hidden my online