Before he could take off, I grabbed him by the hand and pulled him toward the monster on the floor. His feet dragged and he cried as if he feared I was going to back out on our deal.
“Shut up,” I snarled. I reached down and pulled the fork out of the bastard’s gut. Blood dripped from its two points. He still didn’t move. He might have been dead.
I didn’t care. I hoped he was.
“Take this,” I ordered. The boy took hold of the bloody fork with both hands, the same way I had held it when I stabbed the bastard. “Go outside and start screaming. Throw this on the sidewalk so people see it and know something bad happened in here. Then run down the street screaming for help. Don’t stop until someone calls the police. They have to call the police. Do you understand?”
He nodded frantically.
“If the police don’t come, he’ll get away and find you again. You have to tell them what he did to you and that you stabbed him to get away. Understand?”
He nodded again, big tears rolling down his cheeks.
“You can’t tell them about me, remember?”
Another bob of his head.
I got my bag and my teddy bear from behind the couch. “Go!”
I watched for a moment as he ran out the door. He threw the big fork onto the sidewalk just like I told him and started to scream for help.
I dared to breathe, and then I turned to go.
Harsh fingers wrapped around my ankle.
My heart stuttered to a near stop. I fell face forward. My bag and teddy bear flew from my hands.
“You fucking bitch!”
I twisted around and kicked him in the face with my free foot. He howled and his fingers released me. I grabbed my shit and ran.
That was the last time I saw the monster that stole my life ... until one week ago.
Twenty-Eight
Detective Walter Duncan
Liv isn’t returning my calls. I’m worried as hell.
I tell myself she might be sleeping in, but my gut says something isn’t right.
Thankfully, I feel way better this morning. That run to catch Melanie Hardeman messed me up but good.
I smile as I think of how Liv took care of me.
“She’s a good one,” I say aloud. Truth be told, sometimes I still talk to Stella. It makes me feel less lonely when I’m alone at the house like this.
Mario Sanchez arrived home at eight this morning. He and his buddies drove through the night to be home in time to rest and prepare for a birthday party this afternoon. One of his pals is turning thirty. He called and said I could come to his house whenever I’m ready.
Just as I’m loading up to head that way, my cell vibrates with an incoming call from dispatch.
“Duncan.”
“Detective, this is Officer Rajas. There are six people waiting here at headquarters to see you. Reeves and Hyatt—the two in the BOLOs are among them. I’ve sequestered all six to the conference room.”
“Keep someone watching them,” I urge, my heart rate picking up. “I’m on my way.”
I’ll text Liv as soon as I get to headquarters and park. No time for texting now. I need to focus on driving.
