“A candle, Tyler.Tallow, if possible, but beeswax is acceptable.”
Tyler’s whole body shook.How did he know about Elise?Did he still have people on the inside?How were they talking to him?Was that what the papers were for?Were they sending messages through the want ads or something?
Fear seeped through his anger, crawling up his spine, hooking his nostrils, spilling out through his parted lips.“You evil bastard.”
“Not evil, Tyler.I am here tostopevil.”
“Fuck.”Tyler rubbed his eyes.
“A candle, Ty—”
“I’ll get your fucking candle,” Tyler snapped.“Now eat your fucking muffin.”
“There’s no need for vulgarity,” Cox said mildly.
“Go fuck yourself.”
Tyler rubbed his face while Cox resumed eating the muffin.When he was finished, Tyler took the tray back and practically ran from the room.
Cox’s laughter echoed from behind him as he headed for the kitchen then to the women’s ward.That night, Tyler shook too badly to finish.He faked it after five minutes, then cut his date with Marcy short and left to clock out.
On his drive home, a single thought echoed in his head on repeat.He knows I have a daughter.
