AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He pushed his cold coffee away, and a server approached and handed him a white plastic to-go bag with foam boxes inside.
“You get the apple pie?” he asked.
“Two pieces.” She winked and disappeared.
The smell of baked meats, garlic and onion, and cinnamon permeated the space between them.
“Let’s say for fun our killer is hunting women who’ve been taken advantage of, hurt and abused. They go to the police for protection, and they end up dead. Let’s say that person is you, Regis.” Violet studied his facial features closely, waiting for a reaction.
He hooted and withdrew his wallet then threw a twenty on the table.
“Where were you last weekend when Atta died?” she asked.
“I’ll play your game because it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard. I was sick last weekend. Stomach bug. Ask Mother. She brought me homemade chicken noodle soup and saltines. Called in all weekend. Check with the SO.” Regis’s jaw ticked, and he inhaled a deep staccato breath then tied a knot with the plastic bag handles.
“I’ll verify this.”
He leaned over John and into Violet’s face. “I thought you’d be a better hunter,” he whispered.
“I’m just getting started.”
Wednesday, October 18
7:45 p.m.
He opened the back of the built-in chifforobe that connected her bedroom with the secret passageway, then inhaled her scent—the agent’s own personal fragrance wafting inside. She’d hung up her blazers, dress shirts and pants. Taking a moment, he let the silk of her shirt stroke his cheeks.
She wasn’t frilly or fragile.
She’d come down that creek bank earlier with ease and stealth. Coming for him. He hadn’t meant to drop the doll. He hadn’t finished it, but she’d startled him from his trek in the woods, from his hidey-hole where he kept his treasures—the one he’d wanted to use for the doll that she had now.
He hadn’t expected her to come to the woods’ edge.
The agent was powerful and strong. She knew what she wanted.
She wanted him. Had felt his presence. Been drawn to him.
And he wanted to take her. He toyed with a button on her blouse and shuddered, then quietly opened the tight space and entered her bedroom. Her scent wasn’t as strong in here. Her suitcase was zipped up and neatly placed by the wall under the window. Shuffling to the door, he cracked it and listened. Before entering the house, he’d made sure the feds were gone and he’d have complete access without being seen.
He was getting better at entering and going from homes without being noticed. The thrill of it flushed his skin and turned him warm like fresh apple pie. Not only was it easier to do each time, but the need to do it came faster, hotter, building like a dam of water that needed release.
Even now, he nearly salivated. Closing the door, he then hurried to her suitcase, laid it on the bed she’d made this morning and unzipped it. He let a long, soft breath escape and carefully explored each folded piece of laundry until he found what he wanted. He ran it between his fingers then stuffed it in his pocket before zipping up the suitcase and replacing it exactly where it had been.
He crossed to the chifforobe then turned back at the chair holding some of the old porcelain dolls and couldn’t help himself. He wanted her to know he’d been here. Wanted her to know he had access to her and could take her whenever he chose.
He was in control. He had the power. Her gun and her badge meant nothing to him.
Meant nothing to the holler. Whatever power she thought she had, he wanted to take it.
Consume it on the altar of his will and swallow her whole.
Chapter Nine
Thursday, October 19
12:18 a.m.
Ruby took the porch steps two at a time and barged into the trailer without knocking. Nadine had called thirty minutes ago hysterical and incoherent, begging her to come. She’d barely had time to dress before she’d hopped in the car and driven up toward the head of the holler to Nadine’s.
