At first, Rainey did not know what to do. Her instincts said start the car and get the hell out of there. All the anxiety and fear of the past year crashed into her bones so hard, she felt weak, unable to move. She could feel her body start to tremble and tried desperately to gain control. That one single letter, on the paper she held in her hands, represented every frightening image Rainey had been terrorized by for months, only this image threatened to push her over the edge. She wanted to run and hide, never coming out again. Nevertheless, he would find her, she was sure of that. For that one reason, she fought the primal urge for flight and, at that moment, Rainey Blue Bell decided to fight.

She was up and out of the car before Mackie realized what was happening. She unholstered the Glock and crossed the thirty yards to JW’s front door, in a matter of seconds. Mackie unhinged himself, from the front seat of the Charger, and sprinted after her.

“Damn it Rainey, stop! What are you doing?” he yelled between gasps for air.

Rainey banged on the Wilson’s door like cops do, loudly and persistently.

“JW, its Rainey. Open the door, its urgent,” she shouted into the glass windows, in the top of the door.

Mackie arrived, breathless and repeated his question, “What are you doing?”

“I’m letting these people know there’s a maniac out here somewhere and then I’m calling the BAU,” Rainey said, gaining steam, “and then I’m going to kill that mother fucker.”

Rainey banged on the door again, more forcefully.

“Calm down, Rainey. You’re going to scare these poor folks to death and wake up half the neighborhood.”

Rainey turned on Mackie, her face red, her voice booming, “They should be scared!”

The door to the Wilson residence flew open. JW stood on the other side of the opening, eyes wide, and a panicked look on his face. Behind him, Katie appeared pulling on a silk negligee over her matching pajamas.

“Jesus, Rainey, what the fuck?” JW said, moving aside as Rainey and Mackie pushed their way into the foyer.

JW shut the door behind them. Rainey came face to face with Katie Wilson for the second time in her life. She saw a flash of recognition in Katie’s eyes.

“I thought your name was Caroline,” Katie paused looking down at Rainey’s hand, “and why do you have a gun?” She glanced at her husband, “JW, what’s going on?”

JW ushered everyone into the den, where it was obvious he had fallen asleep on the couch watching TV He crossed to the coffee table, retrieving the remote, cutting off the television. Katie turned on the end table light and went to stand by her husband. Her mouth hung open as she took in Rainey and the giant, Mackie, armed and out of breath.

JW was the first to speak, “Okay Rainey, what in the hell has happened?”

“Why do you keep calling her Rainey?” Katie said. “Who is she?”

“I’m sorry to have frightened you ma’am,” Rainey answered, going immediately into Bureau mode. “I’m afraid I wasn’t honest with you yesterday. My name is Rainey Bell. I’m an old friend of your husband and a Special... former Special Agent with the FBI. Your husband hired me to protect you. This is my partner, Mackie.”

Mackie interrupted, “I’m sorry, but Mr. Wilson, I need you to show me all of your outside windows and doors.” JW hesitated, then Mackie added, “Now, Mr. Wilson.”

Katie slumped down on the couch, her fear more apparent, as the color drained from her face. Rainey checked the locks on the windows in the den. She peered through the curtains into the backyard, seeing only the shadows cast by the tall boxwoods surrounding them. He could be out there and she would never see him. Rainey turned back to the couch, holstered her pistol and sat down facing Katie, who was squeezing herself into the corner of the couch, her knees pulled tight up to her chest.

“I’m sorry we had to formally meet under these circumstances,” Rainey said, in a quieter calmer tone.

Katie reached out and clasped Rainey’s hand. A tear rolled down her cheek as she pleaded, “Please, tell me what’s happening.”

Katie’s fear was so real and her plea so genuine, Rainey made her mind up, that instant, that she would defend this woman with her life, if it came to that. Something in Katie triggered a protective instinct Rainey had never felt before. She wanted to hold her and tell her everything would be okay, to shield her from what came next. For Rainey knew she would have to tell Katie about the maniac, the one who had almost killed her, the same man who had been stalking Katie for months. Sweet innocent Katie was about to be introduced to the ugliness of the world. Rainey wished she could spare her that.

It helped Rainey focus, having someone else to worry about. She had been watching Katie to help out JW, but now she wanted to help Katie. For the moment, Rainey’s fears came second, as she tried to think of the right thing to say.

“Katie, please know that I am here to keep you safe. I will do everything in my power to make sure nothing happens to you,” Rainey said, patting the frightened woman’s hand. “I’ll explain everything when JW and Mackie get back.”

Katie said nothing and only nodded. Rainey saw a box of tissue on the coffee table. She lifted it to Katie, who took several sheets. She let go of Rainey’s hand, dabbing the tears from her eyes and cheeks. Rainey took the opportunity to send a text message from her phone. She stood, walked across the room, finding Danny’s name in her contacts list and sent a two-word text, “HE’S BACK.”

Rainey hung up the phone and slipped it back into its holder on her waist. She saw her reflection in the big hall mirror, and realized what she must look like to Katie. She was dressed in her black tactical pants, black tee shirt and shoulder holster with the big black pistol at her side. Katie must have thought the SWAT team was invading her house when they pushed through the door. Now, Katie looked anxious enough to spring up on the ceiling, at the least little noise.

The ponytail was making Rainey’s head hurt. She removed the hair band and ran her fingers through her hair. She made a show of calming down, as if the danger had passed. Her chestnut waves fell down around her shoulders. She took a deep breath and sat down, sighing loudly, as she relaxed back into the couch.

Katie put her feet back down on the floor and adjusted her gown. She too took a big breath and let it out slowly. Sometimes when people were in a crisis, they would mimic behavior instinctively, because they were so overloaded they could not think for themselves. Rainey had used the technique before. She was glad to see Katie responding.

Katie looked at Rainey, “You have lovely hair.”

It was odd what people thought about in situations of emotional pain and uncertainty.

Rainey smiled at Katie. “Thank you,” she said, and then added, “So do you.”

They heard Mackie’s rumbling bass before the two men reappeared. Rainey stood up when they entered the room. Mackie moved over and stood in front of the windows, where he periodically checked the backyard.

“Now, Rainey will you tell me what’s going on?” JW asked.

“Sit down JW,” Rainey indicated the recliner near where he was standing.

JW sat down. Rainey resumed her seat on the edge of the couch cushion. Katie leaned forward placing her elbows on her knees. All eyes looked eagerly at Rainey for answers. She thought again, about how Katie was going to react to the news. She tried to be as calm as possible, while she told the Wilson’s what real danger they were in.

“Katie, JW has had me following you for the last two days. He wanted me to catch the guy who has been sending the pictures of you and the notes.”

Katie looked stunned. She quickly said, “What pictures, what notes?”

Rainey was as stunned as Katie was. She did not know what to say. She looked at JW for answers.

“Katie, I didn’t tell you, because I didn’t want you to worry. You were trying to heal from the accident and the baby. I didn’t know how much more you could take,” JW explained.

“That’s why you wanted me to have a body guard, not because of your Senate campaign? If I had known about this, I wouldn’t have thought it was so silly,” Katie shot at him.

“I’m sorry. I did what I thought was best,” JW answered a little more sternly than Rainey had expected.

Katie’s retort was just as snappy, “That’s what you always do, isn’t it?”

The happy couple was not so happy inside the beautiful home. It was hard not to notice the animosity between the two. Rainey imagined it was not the first time Mr. Wilson slept on the couch. She needed to get them to focus.

“Look, you two can discuss JW’s decision not to tell you another time. Right now I need you to concentrate on what I am saying,” Rainey said. When she had their attention, she continued, “Tonight we uncovered information that leads me to believe the person stalking you is a serial killer the FBI has been looking for, for more than a year.”

JW sat up, “What serial killer?”

Rainey went on, “You may remember the women who were murdered and found floating in Lake Johnston, in the spring of last year.”

“The Y-Man Killer,” Katie said, her eyes widening again. “He almost killed that FBI agent and then disappeared.”

“Yes,” Rainey answered, “that’s him.”

“I heard a rumor that FBI agent was you. Is it true?” JW asked.

“Yes, I’m afraid that is true,” Rainey paused, “and now he has seen me and knows that I am watching Katie. He left a note on the street for me, sometime in the last half hour.”

“He was here, outside of the house, tonight?” Katie said, obviously mortified.

“I’ve contacted the Behavioral Analysis Unit working on the case. We should hear back from them very soon as to what action they recommend we take,” Rainey explained. “Till then, I suggest we all make ourselves comfortable.”

“Make ourselves comfortable!” Katie stood up, excited, “Why haven’t you called the police? Why aren’t we surrounded by cops? What about the neighbors? Shouldn’t somebody warn them?”

JW stood up, trying to grab Katie by the shoulders, “Calm down, Katie. We don’t want to attract that kind of attention.”

Katie flashed with anger, “Don’t you dare patronize me.” She backed away from him. “I think that’s exactly the kind of attention this situation calls for.”

Rainey tried to refocus the two, before the disagreement escalated, “Katie, I’m afraid that JW is right in this particular scenario. If you’ll both sit back down, I will try to explain what will probably happen next.”

Rainey took a quick look at Mackie. She looked at Katie’s angry, terrified expression. She thought about it for a second, and then turned back to Mackie.

“Wake up Junior and the boys,” she directed him. “Put them around the block in groups of two, always together.” She repeated, “Always together, remind them. Make sure they dress to blend in with the college crowd. They should call, if they see anything suspicious. Nobody goes after this guy alone. Oh, and ask Junior to move my car around to the driveway and park it out back. I left the keys in it.”

“What are you smiling at?” Katie was speaking to JW

Rainey turned around to see that JW was actually smiling, an odd response under the current circumstances. He must have seen the questioning expression on Rainey’s face.

He shrugged his shoulders, “I was just thinking I picked the right person for the job.” He turned to his wife, “I think she has everything under control and I think we should respect her expertise, in this matter.”

“Don’t be condescending, I’m not one of your tort juries,” Katie snapped.

“I don’t know what you’re so angry about. I was trying to protect you,” JW shouted back, the old temper just under the surface.

Katie screamed back through tears, “You were trying to protect your goddamned career, JW, at least be honest about that.”

Katie stormed out of the room and down the hall. Rainey heard footsteps pounding up an unseen staircase. JW watched his wife leave and then looked at Rainey. He made a move to go after Katie, but Rainey raised her hand and waved that idea off. Rainey dropped her eyes to the floor thinking how best to diffuse the situation. Mackie had been watching intently the whole time.

He finally spoke up, “Mr. Wilson, I could sure use your help setting my boys up.”

JW pushed the dark bangs out of his eyes. He nodded, saying, “Sure, sure...” as he followed, Mackie back out into the foyer.

“Call Ernie,” Rainey said to Mackie. “Tell her not to go to the office alone. I will contact her later.”

Rainey followed in the direction in which Katie disappeared. She found the stairs, just off the kitchen and followed them to the second floor. She looked in several rooms before finding a locked door at the end of the hall. She knocked softly.

“Katie, it’s Rainey. May I come in?”

She heard Katie’s bare feet coming toward the door, the hardwood squeaking with her steps. The door lock snapped back and the door handle slowly turned. Katie opened the door and immediately turned her back to Rainey, walking across the room to sit in an armchair near the window. Her face remained turned away, as Rainey entered the room and closed the door behind her.

“Lock it, please,” Katie sniffled. She reached for the tissue box, on the table, as Rainey turned back and set the latch.

Rainey came over and leaned against the window casing, so she was facing Katie. Katie was embarrassed by her tears and waved Rainey away.

Rainey reached down and brushed some stray hairs from Katie’s brow. She wasn’t sure why she did that, she wasn’t normally so familiar with other women, but it just felt like the thing to do. Rainey spoke softly, “Go ahead, and get it out. It is an honest response to stress. You’ll feel better, if you just go with it.”

Through her tears, Katie said, “I’m sorry that you had to see that outburst. I’m not usually so out of control.”

“This is an extreme circumstance, you’re allowed at least one outburst,” Rainey tried to lighten the mood.

Katie was suddenly seized with the giggles. She began to laugh and cry at the same time.

Rainey continued, “Good, laughter through tears, another excellent way to relieve stress.”

This caused Katie to double over. Rainey smiled down at Katie, watching as the giggles subsided and Katie began to take deep breaths, trying to regain her composure. After a few minutes, Katie sat up straight, smiled up at Rainey and excused herself to the restroom. She came back, after having splashed some water on her face and running a brush through her hair. Her eyes were lined in red from the crying, and her cheeks were a bit splotchy, but other than that, she looked like she had her act together.

She smiled at Rainey, “Thanks, I needed that.” She sat back down in the chair.

“Anytime,” Rainey smiled back.

“So former Special Agent Bell, what happens next?”

“May I?”

Rainey reached for the chair under the desk near the window. Katie nodded in agreement. Rainey moved the chair close to Katie and sat down. Katie leaned in to listen. She was calm now and focused. Rainey wanted to ease Katie’s mind somewhat, but not downplay the seriousness of the circumstances the two women found themselves in together.

“I think we are done with our stalker for the evening. My experience with this guy is he does not want to be caught. He knows I will probably contact the BAU and has gone to ground to watch and plan his next move.”

Katie calmly asked, “So, you think we are safe for the moment?”

“He will want to catch either of us when we least expect it. He will assume the cavalry is coming, so yes, he is gone for the time being,” Rainey reassured her.

Katie thought for a second. Then she asked, “So you think you are a target too, because of what happened?”

“He left the note for me,” Rainey said. “He wants me to know it’s him. He wants me scared, that’s part of his sick game.”

Katie creased her brow and looked into Rainey’s eyes. She seemed curious and empathetic at the same time, asking in a quiet voice, “Are you scared?”

Rainey hesitated to answer, and then she responded softly, “Yes, I’m scared. I’d be lying, if I said I wasn’t. However, fear can keep me focused. That’s what I’m counting on.”

Katie smiled, “I’m counting on you.”

Rainey met Katie’s smile with her own, “Your safety is my number one priority.”

Katie reached over taking Rainey’s hand in hers, “We’ll do this together, okay.”

They shared a moment that was suddenly ended by the cell ringing on Rainey’s hip. She looked at the caller I.D. and saw Danny’s name flashing in the window.

She stood up and walked toward the door, saying, “I need to take this. It’s my contact at the BAU.”

Katie nodded that she understood. Rainey unlatched the door and went into the hallway, closing the door behind her. She did not want Katie to overhear this conversation.

She flipped open the phone, talking into the receiver, “Damn, it took you long enough.”

“What do you mean, he’s back?” Danny sounded out of breath.

“Where are you?” Rainey asked him.

“I’m running up the stairs, because the fucking elevator in this old ass building is not working at the present time. What do you mean he’s back? Are you talking about our guy?”

Rainey felt the fear surface at the back of her throat. When she tried to speak her voice came out dry and harsh. “Yes,” she crackled out, and then cleared her throat. “Yes, it’s our guy and he knows where I am.”

The man who nearly killed Rainey had become “our” guy, because Danny blamed himself for the attack. Rainey never blamed him. She knew it was her fault. She was tracking a serial killer, in his territory, and she was distracted. Danny still felt guilty. He sat beside her bed for weeks, refusing to leave even when she had gone home to her apartment in Bethel, Virginia. When she left the Bureau last July, he had been grief stricken that he had caused it all. He made her swear to call if she ever needed anything. Rainey needed something from Danny right now. She needed him to rain down FBI agents from the skies all over “our” guy, before he succeeded in killing her this time.

“We’re on the way. Send me all the particulars. I’ll go over it with everyone on the way down,” Danny said, still running from the sounds of things.

“Thanks Danny,” she said, feeling the emotions well up in her throat.

Her eyes began to burn and water. She told herself it was just the stress release, from hearing his voice.

“Hang on Rainey, I’m coming,” she heard him say; before she flipped the phone shut and fell against the wall.

Rainey buried her head against her arms and sobbed. She had not cried in almost a year. The built up tension released from her chest, in breath taking retches. She did not hear the door open, but did not fight the hands that gently lead her back into the bedroom. The door shut and latched behind her. She was tenderly led to the bed, where Rainey buried her face in the pillows and cried until she had no more to give. A cold washcloth was applied to her forehead. A soft hand stroked her back until she rolled over. She opened her eyes, as Katie softly brushed the tear-dampened hair from her face. Katie smiled at Rainey.

“I’m glad you got that over with,” Katie said, “I’ve heard it will make you feel better.”