Page 22 of XO Karma

I’d need to be medicated if I lived with Detective Asshat too.

“How can I help you?” the clerk asks her.

“I have a prescription to pick up,” she says. Her tone is soft and melodic, and I should not enjoy the voice of the woman who’s stalking me.

“Date of birth?”

“October 22, 1994.” So she’s early thirties, only a few years younger than me. Good to know.

“Please confirm your name,” the pharmacist says dryly.

“Lillian Huxley,” she replies, and my curiosity heightens. I don’t believe Liam is married. If he is, he’s never worn a wedding band. I couldn’t find a single social media presence outside of police-related work, which I suppose isn’t entirely surprising. Could he have a sister? The shade of blonde in her hair is identical to his. Oh, shit.

Two fingers find their ways to my temples, digging in. Of course the hottest woman I’ve ever seen would be Liam Huxley’s sister.

She’s also stalking you.

Yes, and there’s that.

Despite chugging espresso hardly an hour ago, exhaustion settles into my bones. Rather than deliriously chasing my new little friend around town and risking discovery, I opt to head home for some online sleuthing.

I’m desperate to learn more so I can determine a solution for her little stalking hobby.

I just really hope I don’t have to kill her.

7

LILY

Karma Request #2533

Crime: My ex’s new girlfriend keyed my car

Evidence: (2) images, (5) screenshots, (1) video

Preferred Punishment: Leave a ten-pound bag of flaming shit on their doorstep

Payment Offered: $250

How To Find The Target: [Shown after job is accepted]

“Looks like you had a big lunch, buddy,” I coo at the pitbull attached to the leash on my wrist while I scoop his second dropping and throw it into a bag with the rest of the day’s collection.

There are times in life where I ask myself, How the hell did we get here?

Dog walking for hours to gather shit for a poop bomb is one of them.

Thanks to the pet sitter app I downloaded, I’ve earned $154 and just secured the last fecal deposit needed for tonight’s Karma.

After returning Sal to his owner, I head towards home, desperate to rid myself of this heavy, putrid bag. I lined the inside with plastic, but the smell is still absolutely fucking wicked.

Driving was preferred, but Liam insinuated if I got a speck of dog crap in the truck, front or back, I wouldn’t live until tomorrow. He’s joking, I think, but I still don’t want to risk his wrath. He goes all Detective Dick on me. It’s annoying.

When I turn the corner, a familiar face has me sucking in a breath. Crossing the street towards a convenience store is my current obsession, Aster Blake. Memories of the red-hued room and horrific photos flash through my mind. The same photos that appeared in the Solarium crime section two days later, claiming zero relation to Kodak. Although a body, or rather the dismembered pieces, were left behind, so I guess that tracks.

Does that mean we have another psychopathic body-chopping murderer on our hands? I shake my head, willing the thought away. I can only focus on one infamous unaliver at a time.

Aster’s part in all this is still unclear, but either way he’s a damn good lead. Biting my cheek, I weigh my options.