I stop because Donnie huffs. “We have the same M.O.”
I shake my head. “No, Donnie, we don’t. The throwing knife we picked up has a serrated edge, and all of the victims are left with jagged cuts.” I point to the wound on one of the victims. “This man was killed with a smooth-edged weapon. But that’s not what killed him. Some type of blunt force trauma to the head killed this man. The knife wound was done afterward.”
The Chief sighs. “He’s right Donnie. We have two killers.”
After some time, the Chief sits back down and looks at both of us. “I don’t believe Maddie is in danger, but that brings me to my next order of business. Sit down Drew, and let’s have a little chat.”
I sit down across from the Chief at his meeting table. Donnie stretches backward, seemingly without a care in the world.
The Chief looks between me and Donnie. “You know I have that conference in Austin coming up this week. Donnie is going with me for additional training to become a Sergeant.”
I smile. Although I tire of Donnie’s crap, I’m proud of him. “Hey man, that’s great,” I tell him and we fist bump.
“You are right. Maddiecouldbe on the list of potential victims, although it’s unlikely. The idea of something happening to her while we are away doesn’t sit well with me. Do you think she could stay with you for the week?” He sounds like having her with me would be an imposition.
Fuck.A whole week with her? My cock tries to pop up, but I think about my grandmother, and it shrinks back down. Still, my mind is going in every direction, trying to sound calm. “Yeah, of course she can. I’ll get her moved over to my house after my shift this morning.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
He slaps my back, and we discuss The Mad Hatter and this copycat murderer. The only thing I can think about is that he wasn’t concerned for Maddie’s safety. Sure, he said all the right things, but there was an undertone there that gave me a weird vibe. It was more of a control thing.
Shit, maybe I’m reading into it, but Maddie was correct. Her father and brother are leaving her alone on her birthday.
Well, she has me.
I makeit a habit not to kill on Sundays. After my shift, I went home and cooked dinner but ate it alone. My father and brother were at work. I was grateful for the solitude and peace. My nerves were at ease as I ate. Finally, I was able to get an entire meal down without being made fun of or a fight over who gets to hurt me tonight. When I think about being near them, my stomach gets queasy.
My phone goes off as I’m washing the dishes, and I smile. Knave is texting me. I don’t think much of it. It’s his night off and sometimes we chit chat.
Knave:Whatcha up to?
Me:Just finished dinner. What are you doing? No date night with lover boy?
Knave:Actually, on a date right now but had a moment and wanted to check in on you.
Me:Thank you Knave. I’m good.
Knave:Alright. You know you can always come live with me if those bastards start something else.
Me:I know. Thank you.
Knave:Ok, gonna get going before lover boy decides on a dessert.
I finish cleaning and head to bed. I’m pretty sure any normal teenager would be doing something fun. Not me. I just want some uninterrupted sleep.
* * *
When my alarmwakes me up, I groan. I hate Mondays. I open my bedroom door, and Donnie is standing across the hallway. He’s standing next to the doorway of the bathroom, leaning up against the wall.
“Since we’re heading out in a few hours, Drew is going to take you to school, and you’ll be going home with him tonight. Dad and I are going out-of-town like we discussed.”
I shrug my shoulders like this isn’t the greatest thing in the world. “Ok, cool.” Trying to get to the bathroom, I sidestep him, but his attention is on me. He grabs my hair, forcing my head up toward the ceiling. There’s an immediate, sharp pain down the middle of my back as he angles me until my eyes meet his.
“Are you happy we won’t be here?”
“That … that’s not it Donnie. I swear.”
He doesn’t believe me and tries to slam my head into the wall. Quick thinking has me moving my hands up to deflect the initial hit, but it doesn’t keep me from getting hurt. My forehead hits the wall, and when he pulls me back, I see stars. I take a deep breath, trying to keep from being dizzy. I’m pretty sure a bruise is already forming.
