The Girl Next Door. Cynthia Eden

over his shoulder at the clock on the wall. “I’m really glad you agreed to my deal.” Her head tilted. “Just how good are you at blending into the shadows?”

      His lips twitched. “I get by.” If she only knew.

      “Good,” Gabrielle said decisively, “because I’ve got a lead for us to follow and our partnership starts right now.”

      * * *

      HIS OLD FRIEND let him right inside the apartment. But then, he’d expected an easy entrance.

      He’d also expected to see the haggard lines of grief on Van McAdams’s face.

      “Did you hear?” Van asked as he turned away. The guy left the door wide-open.

      Van had better training than that. Much, much better.

      “I saw the story on the news.” His gloved fingers closed over the doorknob, and he pulled the door shut. He turned the lock quickly. There could be no time for any disturbances.

      Van’s shoulders were slumped as he headed toward the den. “What am I supposed to do now? Without Melanie, I don’t have anything.”

      He pulled out his weapon. Slipped silently right up behind the man who mistakenly thought they were friends. “I guess you can join her. You can die.”

      Before Van could even turn to face him, it was too late. He’d attacked.

      Van’s body hit the floor seconds later.

      The killer smiled. So easy. So incredibly—

      Voices rose in the hallway. And one of those voices was familiar.

      Cooper Marshall.

      He stared down at the bloody knife in his hand and considered his options.