I See You (26 page)

I roll my eyes. “Maybe the fact you told me my old pervy neighbor was murdered along with his poor ankle biting dog.” I sigh and smile when he squeezes my hand. “It’s because he saw something isn’t it? He was killed because of me.”

“It’s likely that’s what happened, yes. But that still doesn’t make it your fault. You were a victim too, Nina.”

His eyes hold such sadness for me that it almost makes me want to comfort him. How crazy is that?

“Why didn’t he kill me?” It’s a question I’ve always asked myself.

“Someone as depraved as him? I suppose he gets off on it, letting the victim live. It’s something he chose to do which, in his mind, gives him power. Makes him feel like God. His choice as to whether you live or die. It’s also harder to survive those kinds of assaults for some women than to not. You don’t even know how strong and amazing you are, do you?” He smiles and it reaches his eyes.

“I don’t feel amazing.”

“What’s really bothering you? You were happy yesterday. Tell me more about this Devon guy. How long have you known him?”

I smile to myself, then last night’s weirdness comes back and my smile falters. “He moved in around five months ago but we’ve only been in a relationship for around two of those. Although I’ve gotten to know him over the five months he’s been here he’s still very . . . closed off. I’m just a bit . . . I don’t know really, I found him sleepwalking last night and he got really defensive when I tried to help him.”

Luke frowns but doesn’t voice what’s on his mind. “I noticed his hand was bandaged. Did he do that during one of his episodes?”

“Oh no, that was an accident with his back window. He got it stitched and it’s fine.”

Luke’s cell rings and he rolls his eyes as he pulls it from his pocket. “No rest for the wicked.”

“If it’s Mrs. Perry, I’m not here!”

He laughs. “You spoilsport. The woman is lonely.” He laughs as he answers his phone. He listens for a while then looks at me with an amused expression causing me to frown. “And when did you last see your cat, Mrs. Miller?”

I poke my tongue out at him and mouth, “See? Now there’s more crazies than me in town.”

He chuckles quietly and nods then turns. I watch him walk away, the muscles on his broad back tight against the material of his shirt. I’ve settled in perfectly, and I’m proud of myself, I’ve made friends and have a job I love. And of course, Devon. Although he was short with me last night, I knew he was just feeling a little run down. He’d been tired and, his migraine probably affected him more than he’d let on.

The desk phone rings and I peer hesitantly at the display, “Damn it!” Blowing out a breath, I pick it up. “Good morning, Mrs. Perry. How can I help you today?”

T
HE LAKE IS QUIET WHEN
I slip through the gap in the bush at the south end of the grounds. It’s early afternoon and I’m lucky to find it deserted. I’m nervous as I venture further in. Before, a year ago, I would have been bouncing with anticipation as I clutched my camera hungrily, Noah’s games making me salivate, but now I don’t want this shit. I want the life that most people have; go to work, come home for an evening with the family and then to bed again, work, home and bed. It’s maybe boring to some, but after the whole of my life has been full of cruelty and depravity, I crave boring.

The wind picks up as I step into the open area and stirs the dead leaves around my feet, the breeze rustling whatever leaves remain on the trees above and around me. It’s almost too quiet and my body shudders apprehensively.

My gaze settles across the water to where I last saw the young couple swimming and having sex. I can still picture them, their bodies molded together in their moment of passion.

I take another look around. Noah must have been watching that day, watching me take shots of the amorous twosome. He isn’t here now. I’m not sure how I’m positive about that, just that I am.

I slowly make my way around the lake, my eyes flicking everywhere. My feet shuffle because I know what I’m going to find and I don’t want to. I don’t want to see what my brother is capable of yet again.

This to him is a sport, amusement to stop him being bored, and now that I’m included in the game, a pawn in his sick and twisted recreation, his competitive streak will be at full strength, his need to show me who is boss driving him harder and harder.

I’m worried for Nina, yet for some reason I know she will be the last move of the board for him. I come first. It isn’t about Nina anymore, this is about us; me and my brother.

A noise to my left makes me stop and tilt my head to the side. I frown, cussing the wind when it hinders my hearing. I turn towards the wooded area it came from and walk slowly forwards, my throat aching when it starts to constrict with unease. I know as soon as I see the faint smear of blood on a rock that’s sat under a tree that they are here, and I’m on the right route Noah has mapped out for me. Glancing down at the stone, I ignore the need to reach down and wipe at the blood with my fingers. The last thing I should do is leave any of my own DNA at the scene.

My heart beats out of my chest when I hear a quiet whimper from further into the wooded area. They’re here, there’s no doubt about it. Another low sob makes my feet move again and I move branch after branch out of my way as I stagger into the dense forest.

I close my eyes and take a fortifying breath when I spot a pair of shoes poking out from behind a bush. My mouth dries and my stomach twists as I make my way around.

“Jesus fucking Christ!” I choke out when the scene unfolds. The guy’s naked body is propped up against a tree in a sitting position. He has a wreath made of twigs around his head, the sharp thorny parts embedded in his skull. His only hand is in his lap and in his hand is his . . . head. His eyes are still wide open, as wide open as his mouth is in his silent scream. Snow White is laid on her back in front of him, her Prince’s severed arm protruding from her cunt, her legs wide when she appears to have two broken hips. Her long black hair is spread like a halo around her head and her dislocated jaw holds a bright red apple. And even after all that, the thing that sickens me the most is the seven large stones that circle her. Each one has a comical face drawn on it, each posing a different face. It’s obvious they are the seven dwarves.

“IT’S JUST A GAME TO YOU, ISN’T IT?” I scream, spinning in a circle when my anger guts me. But I’m more angry at myself when my thoughts linger to my camera and how much fun I would have had documenting this scene.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME?”

I gasp when Snow White whimpers. I look at her in shock, amazed when I find her eyes on me. “I can’t help you!” Her eyes widen and she sobs again. “I can’t!”

Closing my eyes, I shake my head again, then turn and leave. I know she’ll be dead soon. She won’t be able to tell anyone I was there. But I can’t risk leaving any scent of me around them. I just can’t, as monstrous as that makes me. Their fairy-tale is ending, yet mine, with Nina, is just beginning and I won’t risk that for anyone.

My body is exhausted as I pull up on my driveway. I have another migraine coming and I need to take some painkillers and crash before it becomes unbearable.

Steve meanders over when I climb from my car and twists his fat little body around my feet. “Gimme a chance, big guy,” I murmur as I flick the locks on the car and walk up the side of the house to the side entrance. My feet stumble when the fucking Sheriff appears from the back of the house.

His eyes narrow and I swear he hears me growl in irritation. “Mr. Trent,” he says. “Sorry to trouble you. I wondered if I can have a quick word.”

My teeth virtually vibrate in my mouth but I force a smile. “Of course.” Unlocking the door, I gesture for him to come inside. He follows me, and when I turnaround, his eyes are everywhere, scrutinizing my things, my life. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, nothing really. I came to start again.”

I frown, my body stiffening. “I’m sorry, I’m not with you.”

“Yesterday.” He smiles. “Our little altercation. I didn’t want you worrying that I’m going to press charges against you.”

I hadn’t given it another thought but I smile. “I appreciate it. Thank you.”

He nods. “It seems that Nina is important to us both and I didn’t want any hard feelings between us to make her feel awkward.”

I tip my head, my heart rate escalating as I stare him out. His lips twitch as if he’s aware what’s racing through my mind. It isn’t hard to interpret what he’s really saying. He fancies his own chances with her? The fucker thinks he is in with a chance to slip into her little cunt. That he can easily take her from me?

Not a fucking hope in hell.

“I see you’re good with cats.” He nods down at Steve who is still weaving his way through my legs. “Do you find they always gravitate towards you?”

What sort of question is that? I don’t answer him, regarding him with narrow eyes.

“So, where are from originally, Devon?”

“What the fuck is this?” I snap. “Am I a suspect in some stupid investigation?”

He stares at me, my outburst stunning him but he slowly shakes his head. “Well, of course not. Unless there’s something I need to know about you.”

“What the fuck?”

He holds up his hands in defense. “I apologize. I was joking, but it would seem we have a different sense of humor.”

I grit my teeth, squeezing my bottom lip with my top teeth. “Yes, it looks that way.”

He gives me a smile, one that causes his eyes to glint, but then his grin breaks and he coughs, rubbing at his chest. “Can I trouble you for a glass of water?”

Does this look like a diner? I stomp over to the sink and run him a glass of lukewarm water just to be an asshole. Handing it to him, I quirk a brow, silently asking if he’s done but he grimaces. “Can I be a real pain and ask for some ice. It’s so hot today.”

Huffing, I snatch open the freezer and grab a couple of cubes then turn and virtually throw them in his glass. “We done?”

He chuckles and places the full glass down on the counter without even touching the damn thing after the run-around he’s given me over it. “I’ll be off then. I just thought we should clear the air. Have a good day, and thanks for the water.”

He lets himself out as I stand rooted to the spot in the kitchen. “For fuck’s sake, Steve!” I snarl as I grab his food and scoop some onto his saucer, my temper still bubbling away inside me.

“Motherfucker needs to back the fuck off,” I murmur before my head starts to throb with pain. “Fuck!” I grate out, stumbling into the hallway and up the stairs to my bedroom.

The laptop is still open on the bed and I sit down, bringing up the email from Noah again. I blink and peer closer. This time the idiot has fucked up. It’s got a traceable IP address because the program I ran before I went out has come up with a hit.

“Got you.”

Clicking the details tab, my mouth falls open at the name and address.

“Holy shit! No.”

IP: 6.12.143.901

Address. 4513 Franklin Boulevard

Kansas

Registered to: Tricia Bentley.