Page 8 of The Quiet Witness

“I promise you.”

He was right.

She shoved it into his hand.

“Thank you.”

Kate huffed, flopping back into her seat. The cream-colored leather was barely visible in the dark. It didn’t really suit his profession.

“Wouldn’t black have been a better color?” The internal slap reverberated across her brain. Did she really just open conversation with what was most likely a… serial killer? About his hygiene, no less.

“Come again?” Surprise lit up the lines on his face.

The leather creaked beneath her as she shifted position. “You know, blood and all.” She mumbled.

A grin took over his features. Making him seem almost… boyish. As much as a man like him could ever resemble a child. “At least I see what needs cleaning.”

Right.

That explained the incessant tickling in her nose.

Bleach. He must have gallons of it stocked somewhere, ready for use whenever the situation called for it

What are you going to do with me? The question lay on her tongue, itching to slip from her lips. But asking it… bared a vulnerability she didn’t want to show. And the answer?

Maybe she didn’t want to know.

Chapter 3

Welcome

“We’re here.’’

Kate sat up. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes to take it all in. Yes, they were here all right, and it fit the picture.

Towering pine trees flanked a lonely house, a small light bulb burned brightly at the entrance. Hollering a welcome Kate’s stomach didn’t echo.

She watched, entranced at the small specks of moonlight transforming the thick carpet of snow into glittering diamonds. It would have been beautiful, but now, it was only comical.

Maybe inside there’d be a bed with a big bad wolf in it. Nah, couldn’t be. The wolf was already standing right beside her passenger door.

The man opened it without hesitation, of course he did. She’d fought sleep at every single turn in the road, determined to see where he was taking her, only to see there were no houses around for miles and miles. She was in no man’s land.

And the only person around with a heartbeat now graciously extended his hand for her to take. She merely glanced at it, tiny scars littered his palm. Most likely inflicted by fellow victims, she dared guess they had never made it as far as she had.

Then again, perhaps her demise lay waiting for her in this house, holding its breath for her to cross its threshold and forever keep her in its claws.

Wow, Kate. That is a positive mindset even for you.

If anything she really was a realist. Low expectations equaled zero disappointments. Life teaches you handy things like that.

She ignored his attempt at chivalry, jumping out of the car on her own. The result was pinpricks shooting through her legs as soon as she made contact with the frost-bitten ground and stumbled slightly. He did his best to hide the faint flicker of amusement crossing his face. But she’d caught it.

He merely shrugged before turning to pop the trunk, taking hold of two black bags before striding up to the house. He didn’t even glance back. Taking the five steps leading up to his place with grace before disappearing from view.

A deep sigh escaped. Heart weighing heavy, she took another look around. But in this weather, with this solitary location. Making a run for it now, with the clothes hanging from her frame, would be a suicide mission. And he knew she knew it.

Into the wolf’s den I go.