Sin City Assassin (The Bill Dix Detective Series Book 3) by C.L. Swinney

Petersen what needed to be said. He didn’t want to ruin the moment, but he had to tell them they were possibly in danger.
    “Steve, I’m sorry to tell you this, but the female who we think shot you just killed the DOJ undercover agent and managed to get away.”
    “What? How the hell did that happen?” Petersen couldn’t believe his ears.
    Dix knew he was pushing them to the limit with further bad news, but it had to be said.
    Michelle looked flabbergasted. “Damn, Dix, way to suck the life out of the room.” She shook her head.
    Dix held his hand up. “I’m sorry guys, but it gets worse.” He shook his head and began chewing on his fingernails.
    “Wait, what? How could it get worse? A man lost his life, and this psycho killer is free?” asked Petersen.
    Michelle looked at Dix with concern and frustration on her face.
    Dix put his hands in the air. “I know, it’s hard to believe. But, based on what we know so far, this female killer is likely a female assassin the locals know as the ‘Praying Mantis.’”
    Michelle and Petersen looked at each other and laughed uncontrollably.
    “Really? The Praying Mantis? An assassin named after an insect?” said Petersen. He and Michelle ribbed each other but stopped when they noticed Dix wasn’t laughing. The grim look on Dix’s face was disheartening.
    Petersen said, “That’s what’s got you all upset? She’s got no idea who she’s playing with. Bill, I have no doubt you’ll nab her.”
    Dix still looked worried. “You need to take this seriously. She’s a stone cold killer. The stuff she’s capable of is unreal.”
    “I’m not making light of that, Bill. She should pay for what’s she’s done, but what does that have to do with me?” Petersen couldn’t see the connection between the other killings and him.
    Dix looked out the hospital room window and sighed. “You’re next on the list, Steve.” The room went dead silent as his statement hung in the air like clothes drying on a line outdoors.
    Michelle blurted out, “What!”
    “Michelle, calm down, just hold on a second.” Petersen held up his good hand to silence her. “Bill, what are you talking about?”
    “She’s relentless and leaves no loose ends. You survived, as did the UC. She came back and killed him. I think she’ll be back, and this time for you.” Dix felt a pit in his stomach after finishing the statement. It bothered him to think she might be skilled enough to actually make it happen.
    Michelle sat next to Petersen and shook her head repeatedly as if in disbelief. Petersen’s face flushed a deep red, indicating to Dix that he was pretty pissed off as well. As Petersen mulled the information, Dix could see he was beginning to realize the connection to the female assassin was strong and Dix was probably right.
    Dix spoke again. “I’m gonna stay here and the locals are giving us three bodies to take shifts to be with you until you can be released.”
    Michelle and Petersen looked at each other, then back over at Dix.
    “There’s absolutely no way this ‘Mantis’ broad is getting past me. I’ll kill her with my bare hands.” Michelle feigned confidence.
    Dix looked in her eyes and believed Michelle meant what she said, but the problem was, this was personal to her and business to the assassin. Someone wanted all of them dead, and Dix was not so sure he could figure out who she really was or how to stop her permanently.
    “And, I’ve got my good hand,” Petersen chimed in. “We can fend her off together.”
    “Look guys, I know you can handle yourselves. I’m saying we need to try to have calm heads here. She was wounded and maybe she ends up dead. I hope she doesn’t come back. But, I had to tell you that I think you’re in danger.” Dix felt bad for getting them fired up, but he would have felt worse if anything had happened to them and he’d kept his mouth shut.
    Petersen looked out the window. “Bill, we’ve got this. Christ, they’re sending more cops