We’ve always been two different sides of the same person. “Sometimes that happens with twins,” she said with a weak smile.

“How close are you?”

“Is there a point to your questions?” Annoyance flowed into her words. She didn’t owe him any answers.

“There is,” he said simply. He looked at her and waited, honesty in his gaze.

He’s smooth. Part of her wanted to dump her entire history with Jayne in his lap.

“Tell me your point first.”

“Your sister is running around with some bad company.”

“That sounds like a song lyric.”

He snorted. “Derrick Snyder isn’t an ideal boyfriend.”

“No kidding. This is the second subject you wanted to talk to me about?”

He nodded.

“I suppose you know the two of them broke into Mason’s home?”

“Yes, I saw that. Snyder has a half dozen warrants out for his arrest. The marshal’s office has tried to pick him up a number of times but can never find him.”

“That’s exactly the type that attracts my sister. The bad boy. The badder they are, the more she wants them.”

“I assume you’ve taken steps to prevent identity theft?” he asked with a lecturing tone. “You are ripe for the picking with a twin like that.”

Ava choked back a laugh. “The first time she stole my identity, I was sixteen. You bet I’ve done everything I can.”

“Sixteen?” he asked, disbelief on his face.

“Yep, I passed my driver’s license test and she didn’t. She stole my license out of my purse all the time. In her mind it was hers. Over the years she’s opened credit cards in my name, taken out loans, and even used my college transcripts.”

Ava enjoyed the disbelief on Brody’s face. He’d seemed like the unshockable type.

Gotcha.

“So anything you have to tell me about my twin probably isn’t going to surprise me.”

“Christ. I guess not.” He shook his head.

“I’m lucky I have connections to keep tight tabs on my personal records and get my credit quickly fixed when Jayne does try. Did you find where she and Derrick Snyder are living right now?”

Michael shrugged. “Who knows? That sort of guy slimes his way around the city, leaving a messy trail behind him. It takes luck to catch him.” His expression narrowed. “Did you know a few of the charges are for rape? And some physical abuse counts? He’s more than just a ‘bad boy’ that attracts women. I wouldn’t want any woman to meet him in the dark.”

Oh, Jayne. Ava couldn’t breathe.

“You don’t keep in contact with her?”

“Our relationship has ups and downs. Right now we’re in a down. Although she did call me yesterday.” The relief on Michael’s face alarmed Ava. “He’s that bad?” she whispered.

“Bad enough that I’d get my enemy’s girlfriend away from him.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Her mind raced. She still had the phone number Jayne had called her from in her cell phone.

“Do you want me to try to locate Derrick Snyder? And your sister?” Michael asked.

Ava eyed him warily. “I’d rather you used your connections to look at the history of my victims.”

“But you’ve got an army of agents and detectives to do that. Who’s searching for your sister?”

She gave a sharp laugh. “That would be me. Even though Jayne throws everything I’ve ever done for her in the trash. She’s mentally ill.” Ava pressed her lips together, stunned that she’d revealed something so private.

He nodded slowly. “I gathered that from the history I saw.”

“I’ve done everything. She may be in danger, but she put herself there, and anything I do will probably endanger me as well. That’s the pattern with her, but I can’t give up,” she said softly.

“I understand. I’ll poke around a bit more for Derrick Snyder, and I’ll see what I can come up with for the Bridge Killer victims. I’ll let you know what I find.”

“Thank you.” Ava stood and held out her hand.

She needed to call Jayne.

18

Troy was glad he’d saved Rick for last. All his research on him had been worthless. The man had moved. Three weeks had passed between Troy’s reconnaissance and the evening he’d gone to take down Rick. Two women now occupied the apartment where he’d watched Rick talk on the phone and watch TV all day.

It’d destroyed his perfect schedule.

One man left.

If he didn’t grab Rick soon, there was a chance he would go to the police. Rick wasn’t the type to watch the local news or glance at a newspaper headline. He was more concerned with finding his next high and getting laid. The chances were good that Rick hadn’t realized three of his past acquaintances had recently died. But once he heard, he’d be on high alert.

The killings were supposed to be over within four days. Troy had planned it down to the hour. And Rick had screwed with the plan. What if he moved because he knew what was happening? He shook his head. He’d left Rick for last because he deserved the highest level of torture.

So much for plans.

Troy steered his sedan into a just-vacated curb spot on the crowded suburban Portland street, accepting that he would have to walk a few blocks. This was what he hated about this section of the city. The closest public lot was blocks away and finding street parking was like scratching a lottery ticket.