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After spending an hour setting up his trap, the man stepped from the shower and grinned at his reflection. Law enforcement in Black Rock Falls was a joke. He examined his body, making sure he had not one hair on his flesh, and chuckled. Watching the deputies running around chasing their tails was amusing, and he could remain in Black Rock Falls undetected for a long time. Sheriff Alton was gullible and her trained dogs as useless as tits on a bull. He had stolen a large pair of used crime scene coveralls and booties from the garbage outside the sheriff’s department right under their noses. This time he would wear the coveralls inside out. Imagine the face on the M.E. when he discovers one of the deputy’s hairs or DNA on another dead girl. He would watch the sheriff arrest her deputies and laugh himself stupid.
He craved a higher risk and a more thrilling kill each time. Having a couple of hours to plan his next kill had been challenging but he was smart. In Evansville, he cut his timing so damn close, the sheriff walked straight past him on the way to investigate the screams.
Kate had been his best work so far. He enjoyed the fear in her eyes as he cut. He moaned at the memory, loving the way his reflection remained in her eyes. Her terror of seeing him as his true self. He hated muffling her screams but noise echoed in the tiled room and he wanted to spend a lot of time with her.
The cuts on her eyelids had been a stroke of genius. Oh yes, his amazing skills shone though again, so underestimated for so long. Kate’s big blue eyes had followed his every move and the way her lip trembled with each incision had been a delight. Oh, she tried to scream, but the sound had been like the moaning of a whore.
Just as well, he had time to think. He needed to plan his next move. How could he pry Aimee Fox away from her parents? Then he remembered Thursday night in the Fox household was parents’ date night, which usually meant a visit to the Cattleman’s Hotel Restaurant and a movie. Aimee would expect her boyfriend—oh what was the boy with the greasy hair’s name? Ah, yes, Lucas Summerville—to visit her, but by sending him a bonus round in his new game, Lucas would forget all about Aimee and be in the online game room.
Wrapping a towel around his waist, he ambled into his bedroom and dressed quickly. If his plan worked, he would need to leave soon, and he went into the office to finish the final steps to gaining his prize. Seated at the desk, he opened his laptop. There she was, Aimee Fox, ripe and ready for the picking. She was chatting with Emily, Deputy Wolfe’s daughter. He grinned at the thought of plucking her right out from under her father’s nose. He
placed the girls on a split screen then relaxed to listen to their conversation.
He wanted Emily. He craved to fist his hand in her long blonde hair and see the life slip away in her eyes. He shook his head to dispel the images. I must follow the plan. He entered the online games room and sent a message using Julia’s username. As a new member of the Aimee Fox clique, she would be trying to gain points from her esteemed leader. He heard the pinging as the message arrived on Aimee’s computer.
“Just a minute, I have a message from Julia.” Aimee held up a finger to stop the conversation. “I’ve got to go out.”
“Where? Didn’t your parents tell you to stay home tonight?” Emily tossed a strand of long blonde hair over one shoulder. “It’s not safe to go out alone, not after three girls have been killed. Who knows who will be next?”
“I won’t be alone, silly. Julia has located three rare characters on the edge of Stanton Forest. She’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I only need two more characters, then if I find the Golden Wizard, I’ll get to the bonus level.”
“It’s a stupid game and only an idiot would risk their life going out alone. The game is not worth it.” Emily’s pretty face crinkled into a frown. “Wait until Lucas arrives then you can go together—or why don’t you drive?”
“I’ve already said I’ll meet her. I can’t just leave her hanging and I’m not driving. It’s a few minutes’ walk and there are houses all the way. It will be okay.” Aimee chuckled. “Remind me not to invite you the next time we go to a haunted house on Halloween.”
“There’s no such things as ghosts.” Emily frowned at her. “That’s different, there’s a killer running around Stanton Forest. A real person.”
“So why isn’t there cruisers driving up and down the street every five minutes?” Aimee chuckled. “If you’re that worried, I’ll find Julia and bring her back here then drive her home later. Okay?”
“I guess so.” Emily chewed her fingernails. “Maybe you should call me and stay on the line until you find her?”
“Great idea, then I won’t be able to hear the killer creep up behind me.”
“I’ll tell my dad you’ve gone out alone.” Emily glared at her. “You’re being irresponsible. He’ll call your mom and you’ll be grounded for life.”
“Jesus, how old are you?” Aimee grinned at her. “Stop acting like a baby. I’ll be fine and if you tell your dad, don’t bother calling me again. I don’t like people I can’t trust with secrets. I’ve got to go get dressed now or I’ll be late.” She disconnected.
Tingling with excitement, he pulled on his gloves and bent to pick up his bag. “Yes, Aimee, come and find me. I have a very special treat for you.”
Forty-Five
A ringtone Jenna recognized as Kane’s woke her from a deep sleep. She glanced around. Oh Lord, she had fallen asleep at Kane’s again but at least this time she was in his spare room. Where is he? She frowned at the persistent beeping then heard his voice speaking softly.
“Okay, I’ll let Jenna know. We’ll be there at six thirty.”
When he strolled into the bedroom, showered, shaved, and dressed for work, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee, she pushed the hair from her eyes and sighed. “You shouldn’t have let me sleep. Are we late for work?”
“Nope.” He handed her a mug and sat on the edge of the bed. “Wolfe was calling to remind me the cadaver dog team will be waiting at the spot we found Rogers’ car at six thirty. As it’s five, we’ll have plenty of time.” He gave her a long, considering stare. “Are you okay? Are we still good?” He cleared his throat. “You fell asleep again and I didn’t want to wake you.”
Glad to see a touch of color highlight his cheeks, she smiled. “Yes, I’m fine, but right now I need to shower and get ready for work.” She sniffed the delicious brew. “Maybe after I’ve had my coffee.” Her stomach growled. “I doubt we’ll have time to eat before we leave.”
“Sure we will. I’ll make breakfast then you can go and get ready.” He stood and smiled down at her. “Scrambled eggs okay?”
It felt good to have someone to care and be there when she needed a friend. How long had it been? Maybe three or four years since she could trust anyone. She returned his smile. “Scrambled would be bliss, thank you.”
* * *
At six thirty on the dot, they arrived at Stanton Forest in Kane’s SUV to find Wolfe and Rowley chatting with a team of dog handlers with barking dogs. Jenna and Deputy Rowley had left their SUVs outside the sheriff’s office, to minimize the police presence, and had instructed Deputy Walters to hold the fort until they arrived back at the office. With the extra deputies from Blackwater running double shifts in town and at the fairgrounds for the next few days, she had time to concentrate on the murders. She glanced up at Kane. “You know, I could get used to having six extra deputies.”
