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“We appreciate the gesture of good faith, thank you. Also if you could inform us when you have an out of state meeting?” He leaves the question hanging, but I nod in agreement.
“You guys have been cautioning me since you first brought me in for questioning and I’ve been more than patient with you. I answered your questions today as a witness, but if you bring me in again as a suspect or put restrictions on me that impact my work, I’ll be asking for my lawyer.”
He gives me a brisk nod before walking away.
I head toward Rue, but Hask spots me and heads my way, intercepting me. “You can’t be with her while she’s giving her statement or with the sketch artist.”
I don’t bother to argue. “Just tell her to call me.” I turn and leave before he says something that has me punching the fuckerin the face. It would give him too much satisfaction to haul me out of here in cuffs, even if it were for assaulting a police officer instead of first-degree murder.
Chapter Fifteen
Rue
It’s been three days since the police were here, and I’m still thinking about the man I’d seen in my vision. Once the sketch artist had finished, the police were able to identify the man. His name was Bobby Jones, and he was one of the Lullaby Killer’s previous victims.
Sheer relief came with the knowledge that there wasn’t someone out there desperately waiting for me to save them. That relief, though, was quickly followed by sadness, knowing I watched a man die and there was nothing I could do to stop it from happening because he was already dead.
Needing a distraction from everything going on in my life, I decide to do a little digging into myself. I need to know if I am going to be evicted or have my lights turned off since I have no idea how much money I have. It turns out I didn’t have to worry. Once I finally managed to get into my bank accounts and contact my landlord, it turned out I had inherited quite a bit of money when my parents died from their insurance policies and investedit. So, I have enough to cover all my bills for the next few years, which are all automatically paid from my account. And I’d paid my rent a year in advance.
I’m sure I never planned for something like this to happen to me, but if I had, this is the best possible outcome I could have hoped for.
Now that money isn’t an issue, I have to figure out what to do with my free time. Sitting around in this place is driving me crazy, and after receiving the music box, I’m on edge. I need to find something to do away from this place.
That’s not the only thing making me feel uncomfortable, though. It’s that damn vision. As much as I hate to admit it, I had convinced myself I was some kind of charlatan, reading people’s actions and reactions and feeding into what they wanted to hear. I’ve seen the TV shows. I’ve watched how the clairvoyants or psychics, or whatever they call themselves, are vague when they throw shit out until someone inevitably takes the bait. All they have to do is reel them in.
What I saw, what I felt, was far too real for my liking. I swear, it was like I was there. I could smell the smoke in the air and taste the copper tang of blood on my tongue. I watched the scene as the killer killed, but a small part of me is grateful that I didn’t have to experience the pain the victim felt. I’m barely hanging on by a thread right now, and I don’t think throwing in PTSD will help.
Rubbing my eyes, I close my laptop and climb to my feet, walking over to the window to look outside. I spot one of the two patrol cars watching the house before I back away and sigh. I need to get out of here, but I have no idea where to go.
Valen disappeared after the police questioned us, and I haven’t heard from him since. I don’t know if I’m relieved or pissed, or a mix of both.
I pick up my cell phone, the cops returned to me, and scroll through the contact list before tossing the thing back down, embarrassed by my lack of friends. Am I a bitch? Do people just not like me? I blow out a frustrated breath before I end up throwing myself a pity party.
Deciding to grab a book and sit outside for a while, I head toward the living room when the doorbell rings. I freeze. It’s not the typical reaction, I know, but I have no friends, so it’s unlikely a friendly visit. Though I’m not sure serial killers ring doorbells.
“God, I’m losing my mind,” I mutter to myself before making my way to the door and looking through the peephole. I sag in relief and unlock the door, swinging it wide when I see Nathan on the other side.
He takes one look at my face and frowns. “What’s wrong? Did you get another gift?”
“No, no. I’m just on edge, that’s all. I need to get out of here.”
“Well, then, it’s your lucky day. I’ve just finished for the day, and I have the next three days off. Want to go catch a movie and maybe grab something to eat?”
“As friends?” I bite my lip. I already have feelings for Valen. I don’t need to add Nathan to the mix.
“As whatever you want. I have zero expectations. I just want to relax and spend time with a pretty lady. What do you say? You game?”
I think of Valen’s three-day no-show and thinkfuck it.
“Sure, let me grab a jacket quickly and some shoes. Make yourself at home.” I let him in and head to my bedroom as he closes the door behind him.
I check myself out in the mirror. My white midi dress with brown and navy blue flowers printed on it is pretty enough for eating out and watching movies without looking like I’m trying too hard. I grab my denim jacket and slip my feet into my brown cowboy boots before running my fingers through my hair andspraying it with a little sea salt spray for a beachy wave. Not bothering with a bag, I shove my wallet, keys, and ChapStick into my pocket before returning to the living room.
Nathan is sitting on the sofa with his head tipped back and eyes closed, but when he hears me enter, he opens them and gives me the once-over.
“You look beautiful, Rue.”
I feel my cheeks redden. “Thanks.”
