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Shivering, she jumped to her feet and moved to the center of the room, turning in a full circle. “What do you freaking want from me, you asshole?”
Click… Click…
The sound of the clock on the wall drew her attention. There shouldn’t be any noise coming from the second hand, but there was. She walked closer and glared at the simple black and white piece. The clocked had stopped one minute before. “What? Tell me?”
I want your very soul…
She closed her eyes and moaned.
Clink!
Had a rock been thrown at her window on purpose or was there simply a launched piece of rubble from a passing car? Don’t be a fool. There’s nothing out there. Yet she moved toward the window. She knew someone wanted her attention. She stood two feet away from the glass and peered out, scanning the street. The cars passed by, obscuring her line of sight. Until…
Destiny moved closer, squinting from the early morning sun. After a few seconds she was able to focus. “Michael.”
He stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at her building. There was no mistaking the young man, even given the distance. She exhaled and moved to another window. He remained in the same position, unmoving, as if willing her to come outside.
She leaned against the wall and rubbed her arms. Fear remained deep inside as if he was stalking her. When she stole another glance, she could tell he hadn’t moved. Ducking down, she rushed toward the hallway, jerking on her slippers. She threw open the door and looked in the direction of her patient. He was gone.
Panting, she stepped onto her porch and noticed a piece of paper floating toward the deck boards. She managed to grab the slip before the wind blew it away. The business card was in black and white, a touch of red highlighting the name.
Club Noir
The card said little else but giving an address. She fingered the raised lettering before turning it over. The words on the back were the most terrifying of all.
Come find me. I’ll be waiting for you.
CHAPTER 8
“Jesus fucking Christ.” The words slipped from Grant’s mouth as he gawked at the sight in front of him.
Montana covered his nose before advancing. The body of the woman had been carved from her neck to her groin. The cuts were jagged as if done by a serrated knife. The muck along the base of the crudely made cross indicated that the killer had traipsed through the river. The girl’s feet were dirty, but not covered in mud.
“Who does this kind of thing?”
He didn’t answer. There were no words to describe the horror. Swishing away the flies, he took careful steps until he was six inches away. Her long, damp hair fell in strings across her plump face. Her mouth was open, offering a silent scream of terror. “Where’s the person who found her?”
“Still upchucking in the parking lot from what I heard.” Grant sniffed. “Whew.”
Donning a pair of latex gloves, he used a single finger to slide the hair out of her face. Her mouth was twisted and there was a deep slice starting from the tip of her right ear to the base of her neck. He reached out and moved her head a few centimeters.
Bam!
“No! Let me go. I won’t tell anyone!” She was kicked hard in the stomach, the force launching her backward a solid ten feet.
The man laughed as he took three strides, straddling her shivering body. “You’re such a fucking whore. Do you think you mean anything to me? Anything? You’re not what I need, nor could you ever be.”
Startled, Montana jerked back away from the victim, his hand shaking.
“Whoa, partner. You look like you’ve not only seen a ghost but had him at your breakfast table. What gives?”
He darted a look at Grant then back to the girl. He’d never had this kind of experience before…before his meeting with Destiny Blade. “I’m fine. Just fine.”
“Yep, I can see that, which is why you’re ashen. Do you know her?” Grant asked casually.
“No. I just…” He wasn’t prepared to tell his partner anything. “She was killed somewhere else and brought here.” He could still see a muted vision of what had to be a dimly lit parking lot. There were few cars, nothing to interrupt him. Him. Yes, Montana had no doubt the killer was male.
“How can you be certain?” Grant covered his eyes, avoiding the glaring sun.
