“The exam found penetration consistent with penile assault.”
“Any fluids?”
“None. This guy was clean. Wrapped it up, didn’t sweat or even so much as breathe on her. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wore a goddamn hazmat suit with a built-in condom.”
“That’s an image.” I blinked and focused on the lineup of dead girls I’d laid out on his desk.
Every time I thought about a serial killer, I thought of Rebecca.
Of Wren.
And now Maggie.
My mind screamedprotect her. That’s all that mattered. Even if I had to watch another man lay his hands on her, kiss her, fuck her, fall for all her hippy-witchy shit—even if it made me choke on every goddamn inch of her I wanted but couldn’t have—it had to be worth it, because in the end, all that mattered was that she was safe.
Maggie
I held the phone over my face as I watched Katie’s latest hair catastrophe evolve into a full-on masterpiece on video chat. Her pixie had grown out into something gloriously ridiculous—a black faux hawk with bright pink tips that somehow read equal parts punk and birthday cake. Frankly, anything she did would probably look good on her. Shecould show up in a paper bag and people would ask her who her designer was.
“Pop quiz!” she announced, setting her phone on her vanity so I could see the whole transformation. “Skeet Ulrich or Matthew Lillard?” She was already painting on a glittery eyeshadow with dangerous precision.
“Don’t you know me at all?” I teased. “I’d take ‘em both at the same time.”
She squealed like I’d given her the best possible answer. “That’s my girl. I’ve trained you well.”
Katie’s hands moved like a scientist—precise strokes of liner, an excited wiggle of her shoulders when she found the exact color of lip gloss she needed. She had this way of turning getting ready into a ritual—watching her was like reading your favorite spellbook aloud and expecting fireworks.
“So, what are you up to, Katie-bug?”
“Well, I was thinking about making a quick video. We still need four grand before we have the down payment on the building.”
“Oh! That reminds me!” I said, sitting upright. “Guess who’s NightShiftGT.”
“Who?” Her eyes snapped to mine.
“Graham.”
She stopped mid-stroke on her lower lip, eyes wide as headlights. “What?! No way. How do you know that?”
“He stopped by.”
“Mags!” Katie finished painting her lips, then brought her face close to the screen. “What did Hunter say?”
“Actually… he invited him to the bedroom with us.”
“Shut up. Really?” Her voice brimmed with glee. “Does he know who he is to you?”
“Yeah… I guess he’s okay with it.”
“Girrrl, that is crazy!” Katie was already buzzing, fascinated. “Is he going to do it?”
I laughed, despite myself. Katie’s enthusiasm always baffled me. I could have told her we were going to have an orgy-fueled ritual with the entire precinct on Halloween with her as the sacrifice, and she wouldhave been thrilled.
“I don’t think so,” I said, sitting up. “I think he’s scared he’ll have to touch Hunter’s dick.”
Katie lost it. I was pretty sure I could hear her cackle across town through the window.
“Oh, to be a fly on the wall during that,” she said.
