“Not even a ‘Hello’ or ‘How ya doing’?” Michel’s voice crept up an octave with amusement. One hand was in his pocket, the other was leaning against the car as if to hold himself up. “Now that ain’t no way to greet the man you once would’ve done anything for, baby—”
Selene gritted her teeth. Their marriage had ended on a sour note, which didn’t surprise her considering all that he’d put her through. He’d made things difficult for her during divorce proceedings, somehow believing she would stay with him.
When it was finally over between them, Selene considered it a blessing in disguise when Michel abruptly moved to California. Now he was back...possibly looking for trouble.
She sought to maintain her cool, but only to a point.
“I’m not in the mood for your games, Michel,” she said firmly. “If you have something to say, say it, and let me be on my way.”
The smirk on Michel’s face changed into a scowl.
“I see you’ve still got that stubborn streak in you, Selene,” he said humorlessly.
“You call it stubborn, I call it smart and looking out for my best interests.” She glanced around again, and saw an elderly couple heading towards their car who didn’t seem to notice them.
Michel pursed his lips. “All right then, I’ll cut to the chase. I’m in town on business...”
Selene batted her eyes with a healthy dose of skepticism. In spite of being a problem drinker, Michel had been an astute businessman during their marriage. He’d owned several clothing stores that specialized in fine Italian suits, and had made some wise investments. But when the economy soured and the stock market flattened, so did his success, while his abuse of alcohol worsened. Michel was forced to sell the stores to pay off increasing debts and, eventually, sold most of their stocks. The increased strain on their personal relationship led to increased violence on his part, till Selene had finally reached her breaking point.
“What business?” she asked flatly.
Michel dug into his back pocket and removed a torn piece of newspaper, handing it to her.
“From last Sunday’s Bluffs Bay Daily,” he explained. “I like to keep up with what’s happening in my old town.”
Selene read the headline: “The Woods Offers Big Reward For Strangler.” Puzzled, she raised her eyes to meet his. “Do you have information about the killer?”
He ran his hand across his chin, taking the article from her. “Not yet, I don’t...”
She sighed. “What do you think you’re doing, Michel?”
Stuffing the clipping back in his pocket, he responded matter-of-factly, “It says you and your rich friends are offering three hundred and fifty g’s for information leading to the arrest of this killing monster. That’s a pretty nice chunk of change. And since I’ve been having some money troubles lately, I thought I’d just nose around a bit. You know, see what or who I can come up with—”
“You can’t be serious?” Selene said incredulously.
His brows descended over cold eyes. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
“This isn’t bounty money, Michel!” she snapped. “And the killer isn’t out there just waiting to be found so you can run off into the sunset with the reward money.”
“What the hell are you so uptight about?” Michel snorted. “I still have a few contacts in town. They might know something or know somebody who does that could lead me to the strangler—”
“All right, fine—whatever.” Selene did not want to stand there arguing with him about it. What her ex-husband did with his time, no matter how preposterous, was none of her concern. Not anymore. Except for the fact that he’d tracked her down and brought this to her attention. Why? “If there’s nothing else, I really have to go,” she said, and hoped he would leave it at that.
But, of course, he didn’t.
“There is one other thing...” Michel said slowly, resting his arm on the roof of her car. “I’ve been giving this some thought. And the way I see it, if I can solve this Woods Strangler case, with the reward money as a starting point, maybe you and me can get back together—”
Selene would have laughed out loud were the thought not so unsettling. “Have you lost your mind?” She couldn’t smell alcohol on his breath, but didn’t rule out that he’d been drinking.
Michel smiled wickedly. “Last I checked, my mind is still there. Don’t you see...this could be our chance to right the ship, Selene? I’ve got the drinking pretty much under control and my temper, too. All I need is just one good break here and—”
Selene stopped him before he could utter another foolish word. “Listen to me, Michel, I’m married to a man I dearly love. I’m not about to—”
“You used to love me, baby,” Michel said. “And you can love me again...in time.”
“There’s not going to be another me and you again—ever! Do you hear me? Not after everything you put me through. Go back to wherever you came from and just leave me alone.” She paused and softened her tone. “Please—for the sake of what we once had.”
Selene hoped she had gotten through to him, and decided to try to get in her car. But before she could open the door, Michel pressed into it with his knee.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
Selene was shaking, but tried to remain calm. “I’m going home to my husband. Please don’t try to stop me. I don’t want any trouble, and you shouldn’t either.”
“It might be unavoidable, Selene.”
She caught her breath. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means this ain’t over.”
Oh yes, it is. Selene willed herself to not lose it, which was precisely what he wanted. But she didn’t want to provoke him either.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out between us, whether you want to believe that or not—but we both know why, don’t we?”
“Yeah, we do.” He gave her a hard look. “It’s because you took what we had and destroyed it.”
Selene could scarcely believe what she was hearing. Or that he could truly believe it himself.
“I’m leaving now,” she said through clenched teeth, and tried to open the car door again. “Let me go—”
Michel kept his leg pressed against the door defiantly.
Just when Selene thought they were at a standstill, she heard someone over her shoulder say, “I thought that was you, Selene—”
She turned and saw Julian McKenzie approaching with a small grocery bag in his hand.
“Julian...hello...” Selene breathed a sigh of relief that he happened to show up when he did. Otherwise things could have turned nasty with her ex.
“Everything all right here?” Julian glared at Michel, and then looked at Selene with concern.
“Yes, everything’s fine.” She frowned at Michel. “I think we just had a little misunderstanding. Isn’t that right...?”
In spite of his physical stature, Michel looked intimidated by the larger man, and backed away from the car door involuntarily.
“Yeah, just a misunderstanding is all,” he muttered. “Guess I’ll see you around, baby...”
“I don’t think so.”
Selene’s heart was still racing as Michel walked away. She swallowed and faced Julian.
“So who’s the dude with the attitude?” he asked.
“Someone I’m trying hard to forget,” she said simply, watching him get into an old, but familiar, cream-colored Cadillac.
She was thankful that Julian didn’t press her for more information.
“What are you doing here anyway?” she asked, as if he were committing a crime by shopping outside of The Woods. Never mind the fact that she knew he worked for the Bluffs Bay Fire Department, which was nearby.
“My daughter, Alicia, has a stomach ache,” he explained. “And I stopped by to pick up some medicine.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Selene said.
Julian shrugged. “I’m sure she’ll be okay.” He glanced at her grocery bag still in hand. “Loo
ks like you bought dinner.”
“Well, not exactly. Just a few items to add spice to it, you might say. Quinn’s doing the cooking tonight.”
He grinned. “Is that right? Good for him—and you. My wife won’t even let me near the kitchen till the food’s on the table. Not that I’m complaining.”
Selene chuckled. Suddenly she realized the bag was beginning to weigh on her arm. “Well, I’d better get going now.”
Julian opened the door for her. “Do you want me to follow you home?”
Though Selene knew that it wouldn’t exactly be putting him out of his way, since they lived just a couple of blocks apart, she didn’t want to make a bigger deal out of this than it already was.
“No, that’s not necessary,” she said, “but thanks anyway.” She put her bag in the passenger seat and got in the car.
“Drive carefully,” Julian said.
Selene pulled out of the parking lot. Glancing in the mirror, she thought she saw Michel following her. Fortunately, it wasn’t him. She sucked in a deep breath before steadying herself. She wished Michel hadn’t left her feeling so unsettled.
Maybe it was over now and he would leave well enough alone.
Selene’s instincts told her otherwise.
* * *
Michel Giovanni watched as his ex-wife zoomed out onto the street, as if she were free of him for good.
Yeah, think again, bitch. That big bastard won’t always be around to come to your rescue.
He should never have let the best thing to happen to him get away back in the day. But he’d been too messed up at the time to do much about it. Now Selene had let that son of a bitch take his place in her bed and he didn’t like it.
Not one damned bit.
As far as Michel was concerned, Selene was still his and always would be. No matter what she or anyone else thought. Their relationship had simply been on hold for a while. That would all change as soon as he hit the jackpot with this reward money. He was sure of that.
Inside the Cadillac—that had once been his pride and joy, and was now the last thing he’d managed to hold onto from the glory days—Michel grabbed a bottle of beer from the seat, opened it, and guzzled down about half, savoring the taste like it was the best thing on earth. He pulled the article from his pocket and studied it with interest, trying to figure out the best way to take advantage of the hysteria The Woods Strangler had created in town.
Michel took another swig of beer and drove out of the lot. Ironically, he found himself behind the dude who had interfered in his private discussion with Selene. Obviously the man was someone she knew.
Michel continued past the vehicle as the man, oblivious to him, veered off in another direction. It was the same way Selene had driven to go home. Michel didn’t need to follow her. When he was ready, he knew right where to find the woman he intended to reclaim as his.
CHAPTER TEN
Selene was only vaguely aware of her surroundings as she passed the other houses on the block and pulled into the driveway next to Quinn’s Lexus. She was still rattled by the unexpected encounter with Michel, and had checked the rearview mirror every few minutes to see if he had followed her. Apparently he hadn’t, giving Selene hope that Michel had gotten the message once and for all just as she thought he had a year ago when their divorce was finalized.
Before she went in, Selene peeked over her shoulder at the tree-lined street just to be sure Michel wasn’t lurking.
Upon entering the house, she got a whiff of the dinner Quinn was making. Her stomach began to churn. When she got to the kitchen, she expected to find her husband cooking. But he was not there. Selene saw the food simmering on the stove and put the bag on the counter.
When strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind, Selene let out an involuntary scream.
“Whoa, baby—it’s just me,” Quinn said, turning her around to face him.
Selene colored as she met his eyes. “Sorry,” she uttered meekly.
A look of concern flashed across his face. “So what was that all about?”
I can’t tell him my ex might be stalking me. But how can I not tell him?
Even if the experience fell short of stalking by definition, the intimidation was still there. Michel had frightened her. She didn’t even want to think about what might have happened if Julian hadn’t shown up.
“It’s been a tough day on the job,” she told him, thinking about Ashley Leighton and her abusive husband. “I guess between that and being hungry, I’m a just little jumpy.”
Quinn’s features relaxed. “Well you’re home now and safe with me. And I can definitely do something about your hunger.” He looked in the bag and pulled out the items he needed to complete his meal. “Ah, just what the chef ordered!”
Selene smiled, happy to be of assistance. Her stomach would thank her shortly.
The phone rang and Selene nearly jumped again, fearing that it was Michel. She managed to hold her ground without Quinn being the wiser.
“I’ll get that—” he said.
“No, let me,” she said hastily. “You finish making dinner.”
Quinn didn’t argue even if he sensed there was more bothering her than she’d let on. He could see it in her face. He figured she would tell him when she was ready.
Selene picked up the cordless phone in the living room. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of it being Michel calling to further harass her. What would she say to him? Would Quinn overhear?
Holding her breath, Selene answered it. “Hello—”
“Hey, girlfriend. What are you up to?”
Selene smiled and let out her breath when she heard Elisa’s voice.
“We’re just about to enjoy one of Quinn’s fabulous dinners,” she said cheerfully. “What’s going on with you?”
“Not much. Just sitting here watching a boring video. And Marvin’s shaving his big old head.” Elisa groaned. “Some life, huh?”
“Hey, lots of people would love to have your life,” she said.
Selene thought about Michel being back in town. Maybe it was time for her to put her demons to rest once and for all.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
He loved hanging out in The Woods Park at this time of year. It was clean by the standards of most parks he’d been to and there were plenty of nice looking ladies doing their thing to keep him interested. But what he liked best about the park was that it offered plenty of areas where one could see and not be seen. And that would serve him well today.
Three hundred and fifty big ones to hunt him down, huh? The thought was amusing. He had little doubt that most people in town—including the rich ones—would turn in their own mother or father if they thought it would get them the money.
Hell, he’d probably squeal on his own folks for the cash if they were they guilty and not already dead, rotted corpses.
As it was, he would have to be even more careful in selecting his prey without being caught by some nosey-assed neighbor or other eager citizen of the community. Not to mention the cops. Everyone was gunning for him, so to speak. But he was too clever and unsuspecting to be fingered as The Woods Strangler.
Not this day anyway.
As far as anyone could tell, he was just another person taking a leisurely stroll in the park. Which was fine by him, but not for some unlucky bitch who might cross his path.
His movement along the tree-lined dirt path was calculating and deliberate. He had timed this to work around the presence of the newly formed citizens patrol group that made regular rounds in the park.
He suddenly stopped in his tracks at the sight before him. Well, well, well...what do we have here?
In the clearing was a blonde-haired babe in a one-piece bathing suit lying on her back on a towel, apparently asleep. A paperback was open, the pages resting against her ample chest. Judging by her golden tan, this wasn’t the first time she’d been sunbathing. Bored with her reading, the stupid bitch had simply dozed off.
Big mistake.
The desire to kill once again started to build in him like steam in an engine. Whereas the first time it had been entirely impromptu, the feeling of someone dying by his hands had struck a chord from deep within. He knew then that this was his calling.
He peered at the young woman from behind a big tree, guessing she was in her late twenties or so. Like the others, she was pleasing to the eye. Slim with nice curves, she looked like an angel at rest who was about to come face to face with the devil himself. She stirred a bit, as if sensing his presence.
He glanced about uneasily, fearing that this might be a trap. Could she be an undercover cop? He weighed the possibility, studying everything around him, but seeing or hearing nothing that sparked the slightest suspicion.
He was sure he was safe. That was more than he could say for the pretty lady.
Circling around her ever so quietly, he now stood at her bare feet, admiring her long, shapely legs. He could hardly believe his good fortune, which once again set off warning bells.
Didn’t she watch the news? Read the papers? Didn’t she know that women weren’t supposed to be alone in the park while a heartless serial killer was on the prowl? Not very smart.
Her loss would be his gain.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he was startled when she suddenly sat up.
“Hope you like what you see, perv,” she spat, narrowing her eyes at him.
He looked away. “Sorry, I’m not a voyeur. I was just taking a walk and saw you.”
She sneered. “Yeah, right. Well now that you’ve seen me, you can just keep on walkin’, freak.”
He grinned. Feisty bitch. “No problem,” he told her. “If you’re smart, you’ll get going, too. Haven’t you heard about the dude running around this city killing attractive women?”
If she had, she was not saying. Instead, her pouty lips became a straight line. “I can take care of myself, thank you.”
Don’t bet on it. You’ll lose.
He smiled, nodded, and said, “Okay, if you say so. I’m outta here.”
Killer in The Woods: A Psychological Thriller Page 4
