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A cool breeze rustled the trees and sent a swirl of golden leaves dancing at his feet. The smell of damp earth and pine enclosed him as if creeping out of the darkness to smother him. He missed the comfort of his weapon at his side. It had been a familiar friend and confidence booster in many unpleasant situations, and he’d hated leaving it in the compartment under his seat. As he walked, he glanced around at the foreboding trees cloaked in shadows and his imagination took flight. So many people had died in Black Rock Falls taking pathways just like this one and falling into the hands of a psychopathic killer. Deep inside he wanted to turn around and get the hell out of Dodge but remembered his mission and kept walking, his rubber-soled boots making little sound on the pathway.
An owl hooted close by followed by another some ways off, sending a warning that a stranger had entered their domain. A loud crack as if someone had trodden on a dry twig came from his right and, heart thundering, he turned his light to scan the trees. Red eyes, low to the ground, blinked and then something furry scampered in the opposite direction. A sudden burst of uncertainty gripped him and he quickened his pace, glad when the porch came into full view.
He ran up the steps and hammered on the door. It opened some moments later and a guy looked him up and down. Colt nodded to him. Dylan Court. He’d memorized every name on the football team. “Hi Dylan, I’m here to see Seth.”
“He’s in his room.” Court’s expression was none too friendly but he stood to one side. “Top of the stairs, last room at the end of the hallway.” He waved him through the family room. “He said you planned to drop by. Nice moves today.”
Colt nodded. “Thanks.”
It was as if the temperature in the room had dropped. The sudden silence and cold, suspicious stares of the men sitting on the sofas unnerved him. One, maybe two he could handle, but four would be a problem. Ignoring the icy reception, he picked his way through the beer cans and takeout wrappers littering the floor and then ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
The house smelled like it needed a good clean, and he wondered how six or so grown men could live in filth. He reached the room. The door was open. The room was a stark contrast to the rest of the house and as neat as a pin. Seeing Lyons working at a desk, he paused and knocked. “Hey, are you busy?”
“This can wait.” Lyons pushed away from the desk and stood. “The plays can’t.” He gave him a long stare and frowned as if evaluating him. “You’re smart. I’ve been digging into your files. I hope you don’t mind?” He dropped onto the foot of his bed. “You see, Colt, I can’t figure out why a nerd like you wants to play on the team. You don’t seem the type to want a career in football.”
Colt smiled. “I don’t.” He leaned against the doorframe and met Lyons’ perturbed gaze. “My future is in forensic science and one day I hope to become an ME.”
“So why try out for the team?” Lyons clasped his hands together. “There’s not much money in forensic science, and with your skills you could make millions if you made the draft.”
“I won’t make the NFL because I’m too old, but I need to keep fit and figured the team needed me.” Colt shrugged. “Forensic science is a career that’s going to take me into old age. I’d be washed up in football in two years.”
“I guess that makes sense if you’ve no family money to fall back on. You don’t seem the type to hang out with us jocks.” Lyons stared at him for a long time. “If you do, we have a little initiation to prove you’re one of the guys and that I can trust you.”
Unease crawled over Colt but he grinned. “Oh, I’ve been through a few initiations in my time. What do you need?”
“Someone sweet and innocent.” Lyons rolled his shoulders. “Like that blonde I’ve seen you talking to.” A slow smile spread over his lips. “We like to share things here. Booze, women, you know the deal.” His gaze never left Colt’s face. “I need to know where you stand; are you in or out?”
Emily. He forced his mouth to remain fixed in a grin. “Oh, I’m in.”
“Good, you’ll have to prove it, but for now I’ll give you a day pass.” Lyons rolled over and grabbed a book from his bedside table. “This belonged to Alex. He had an accident at the gym and broke his neck.” He stared at the book for a long moment. “We’d known each other for some time and now he’s gone. How do you deal with working with dead bodies?”
It was obvious Lyons didn’t trust him and he’d have to change his mind. What Wolfe had told him the first time he’d entered the morgue drifted into his mind. “I don’t see a corpse. I see a person with a story to tell. I want to discover what happened to them.”
“I’d see a corpse.” Lyons shuddered. “So, you get to hang out with the sheriff as well?”
Colt barked a laugh. “Hang out? I don’t think so. She’s far too busy at crime scenes and barely looks my way. I keep out of her way.”
“Let’s get back to the sexy blonde I noticed sitting with you in the cafeteria.” Lyons wet his lips as if savoring a memory. “How come she’s hanging out with you?”
Of all the girls on campus, Lyons had picked out Emily Wolfe for his friends to rape. “Emily is interning at the morgue so our paths cross, is all.”
“Emily, huh? Will she come to a party here if you invite her?” Lyons chuckled. “The boys need a distraction.”
Searching for any excuse, Colt shook his head. “Not a chance. She’s a little young for me and only sits with me at lunch to read over my notes from last semester.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sure I’ll be able to find you someone else if it’s part of an initiation.”
“But I have a hankering for her. I like them sweet and innocent.” Lyons gave him a slow smile. “Introduce me and I’ll make a move on her, but to prove you’re one of us, you’ll have to be involved.” He sniggered. “Don’t worry, they never complain.”
You won’t have one chance in hell with Emily. Colt swallowed the bad taste in his mouth. “I can’t wait.” He held his hand out for the book. “It’s getting late, are you ready to go over the plays?”
“Sure.” Lyons stood. “Come downstairs, we’ll talk in the kitchen.”
Two hours later, Colt stood and picked up his iPad and Alex’s playbook. “I’ve got to go. My aunt bawls me out if I get home late and disturb her.”
“That must make dating a bitch.” Lyons frowned. “Maybe you should move?”
Colt shook his head. “I barely break even now. I share the food and utilities with my aunt.”
