Cut and Run 1 - Cut and Run

but Ty seemed to be thinking of it as merely another stepping stone to finding their killer.
    He opened his eyes again and looked—really looked—at Ty, studying him, catching on to the slightly detached air he had about him. He'd had it ever since they'd been reunited. Even back at his home in Baltimore. He remembered Ty's reaction to the woman being found in his hotel room all those months ago, and experience with psychology told Zane what was going on. Ty was still in shock. He'd gone through the treatment like a good little soldier, but he hadn't really processed any of the therapy. He had basically severed any links to deeper emotions to avoid anything hurting too much.
    Ty snorted and continued to pace, oblivious to Zane's study of him. “We should call Henninger,” he finally murmured. “Tell him to change the profile."
    "It'll be several hours ‘til he's off the scene and able to talk,” Zane reminded. He felt for Ty. Not just aching because Ty was so removed, but in other ways as well. It scared him, and his chest tightened as he watched his partner pace.
    "Call him anyway, this shit is important,” Ty grunted in annoyance as he patted himself down for his own phone.
    "All right. Call Henninger, then what?” Zane asked. “We need somewhere bigger than this to spread out the files he's supposed to bring us and give them a good study. We should probably change hotels anyway, just in case."
    Ty was very still, letting the last words sink in. “You think he knows we're back?” he asked neutrally.
    Zane swallowed, thinking back to what they'd talked about minutes before. “Yeah."
    "Us, specifically?” Ty asked quietly.
    Meeting Ty's eyes, Zane wondered if the curling anxiety showed in his own. “Yeah."
    "Me too,” Ty responded in the same quiet, calm voice.
    "Won't be long until he—"
    "He needs us,” Ty interrupted confidently. “He needs us to make him feel as if he's doing well. He won't try to hurt us again. I'm sure of it,” he lied.
    The lie didn't go unnoticed, but Zane had no plan to comment. He looked up at Ty sadly, wanting to say something, anything other than the soft words crowding in his throat. He swallowed on them again. He didn't know how much more “speaking” they could do. Finally, a sentiment broke free in a rasp. “I won't lose you. Not now."
    "I don't plan to get any more lost than I am,” Ty answered roughly. He turned quickly, pacing away from the bed as he flipped open his phone.
    Zane squeezed his eyes shut and cursed silently. Curling his hands into fists, he got off the bed, put on his jacket, and retrieved his lighter, sliding the cigarette from behind his ear as he walked toward the door again.
    Ty watched him go from under lowered brows, waiting for Henninger to pick up. When the younger agent answered, Ty quickly told him about the change in profile and the pattern they had discovered.
    "Poe?” Henninger asked in a low voice, obviously trying not to be overheard. “You're sure?"
    "The latest murder pretty much clinches it,” Ty answered. “We got one of those damn anthologies; we're going to go through it and see what we find. Did you get a chance to gather those personnel files for me?"
    "Not yet,” Henninger answered hesitantly. “I'll have them by the morning,” he promised quickly. “You wanted anyone who worked or lived in Baltimore between 2000 and 2002, correct?"
    "That's right,” Ty answered with an unconscious nod. “Now, go get the word out about the pattern, get Bureau analysts all over this shit. We have to get ahead of him."
    "Right. But how do I go to them with this?” Henninger asked worriedly. “What do I tell them?"
    "Make up something. Take the credit,” Ty instructed.
    "What?” Henninger asked in a slightly stunned voice.
    "Tell them you figured it out with this latest murder; it's pretty damn obvious when you think about it,” Ty suggested. “Tell them about the murder in Baltimore and how you made the connection from there. If they ask,” he was careful to instruct. “They probably won't, so don't offer any information you don't have to. They'll probably just be glad to have something to go on. If you get in too deep, just tell them you got a tip from a buddy in the Bureau who didn't want to be named. Give them my name and number in Baltimore if they demand it."
    He waited until Henninger got a notepad and gave him the number in case he needed it.
    "Anything else?” Henninger asked with a heavy sigh.
    "Just be