Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
She rolls her eyes and kisses me on my cheek. “I’m sure. Go on.”
Ellis and I retreat to the living room. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you more about Rand,” he says, settling into his recliner, “but my schedule’s been so nuts I haven’t had a chance.”
My whole body tenses. “Okay, what’s up?”
“I’ve been thinking about those death certificates. I agree, something isn’t right with them, and I’d like to look into it more.”
“With the department?” I give him my full attention. “Do you think it’s enough for a warrant?”
He shrugs, looking toward me, but not quite meeting my eyes. “I’d like to look into it, regardless. Nora… she deserves it.”
“Fucking right,” I agree. Then a thought occurs. “Won’t you get in trouble?”
“Don’t borrow problems, Atlas. God knows we already have enough of them.” He powers on the TV, effectively ending our conversation. “Should be on channel five.”
“The victim was found just behind where I’m standing,” an on-location correspondent says, speaking into the microphone, “marking the third homicide this month.”
“Do the police have any leads?” The station anchor, Chelle, appears almost bored.
“As this is an active investigation, the authorities are not releasing a lot of information. So, we don’t currently know for sure if it’s an individual working alone or if multiple people are involved.”
“We could potentially have a serial killer on our hands?” Chelle interrupts, staring dramatically into the camera.
The correspondent winces and then nods. “At this time, the police aren’t ruling anything out. We heard today that several local law enforcement agencies are teaming up in an effort to solve these cases. Unfortunately, for now, we have more questions than answers.”
“What can we do in the meantime?” Chelle asks.
“The authorities are asking everyone to stay alert and report any suspicious activity in hopes of finding whoever is responsible for these crimes.”
“Here’s to hoping they’re able to get a lead. I know I’ll sleep easier once justice has been served.”
“Three murders?” I ask, incredulous.
“That’s not counting the four from last month. All the same MO.”
“Fuck.” I scrub a hand over my face. “Are you working on it?”
“Yeah. It’s why I’ve been so busy. Fucking sicko.” The pure revulsion in his voice tells me all I need to know—the man behind these murders is a monster.
“All clean,” Nora says, joining me on the couch. “What did I miss?”
But before either of us can answer, the news anchor drops a bombshell none of us were expecting.
“And in other news, local pharmacist, Randall Wallace, is still missing.” A picture of him flashes across the screen. “The police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him…” She drones on, but my focus is locked on Nora, who is stock-still at my side.
“Pip.” I keep my tone soft, much like our first night at the motel. “You’re okay. You’re safe.” I reach for her hand, but the second my fingers brush hers, she’s off like a shot, sprinting down the hall toward my room.
“Fuck, Atlas, I didn’t know they had released that!” The worry on his face is as plain as day. I know he’s being truthful.
“It’s not your fault,” I tell him, taking off after her.
The door to my bedroom is closed—I test the knob—but not locked. “Nora.” I rap my knuckles against the frame. “I’m coming in.”
I’m half expecting to find her hiding in my closet again, but I don’t. Instead, she’s curled into a ball in the center of my bed. Her shoulders shake with silent sobs, and I swear to God my heart breaks right in two as I watch her cry.
“Can I hold you, Pip?” I ask, not wanting to cause her more distress.
She lifts her head, piercing me with her tear-filled eyes. “P-please?” Her chin wobbles and so do my knees. Her pain and fear are palpable, flooding every bit of space in the room.
I fucking hate it—I hate that she’s hurting and that I’m helpless to fix it. If I could, I’d take every ounce of her suffering and claim it as my own, if only to take the weight of it off her shoulders. But the universe is a cruel bitch, and all I can do is try my best to help her heal, one day at a time.
For the second time today, I crawl into the bed beside her. Once again, she wraps herself around me, this time pressing her face into my neck. I wrap my arms around her, rubbing my hands up and down her back in what I hope is a soothing way.
“I’ve got you, Pip. I’m here. You’re safe.”
She sniffles and burrows in deeper into my side.
“I won’t let anything happen to you.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Just rest. I’ve got you.”
I keep whispering reassurances in her ear, until finally, her tears dry, her muscles relax, and sleep claims her.