I had let Andrew’s suspicions get the best of me. Worse, I had stomped on the first real sign of maturity in Connor. He and I had never been close, but he was still my brother and if he was serious about this girl then I should support him. I’d have to fix this. Tomorrow, when he was calmer, I’d tell him I would explain everything to Monique. I’d make her listen and not blame Connor for my idiotic interference.
My stomach gurgled as a craving for junk food hit me, my mouth watering in anticipation. As a peace offering, I rang Sarah’s mobile but it went to voicemail. When I got into my car I left her a message, asking her to get back to me if she wanted something. She hadn’t replied by the time I reached McDonalds so I decided to eat inside. I placed my order, collected my quarter pounder meal and took a seat in a booth in the back corner. Halfway through my meal my necklace went cold. I shot out of my seat, spilling coke over the tray, and ran outside to better pinpoint the direction of the call.
The chill of my necklace paled in comparison to the ice gripping my heart. I raced to the edge of the highway running alongside McDonalds, barely aware of the traffic rushing past. I knew exactly whose soul I was being called to reap. Cars tooted at me as I ran across six lanes, not caring if I was in one piece when I made it to the other side.
When I stood on the kerb I stopped for a second, turning in a circle and concentrating on the chill in my necklace. From the blast I got when I faced north, I could tell she was somewhere behind the large petrol station opposite McDonalds. I skirted the well-lit building and headed for the shadowed truck stop around the back. Sirens shrilled off in the distance as I scanned the shadows, my necklace guiding me unerringly to a body slumped in the corner of the fence separating the petrol station from the KFC on the other side.
Monique lay on her back, clothing askew, eyes unseeing as they stared up at the night sky. With her hair brushed back from her face, nothing obscured the bruised and bloodied features of the girl Connor had said he wanted a relationship with.
I fell to my knees beside her, one hand reaching out to catch her soul as it detached from her body, its light dim. I swayed as guilt ate at me. I’d been so sure I was doing the right thing by chasing her off, but I’d been wrong and she’d paid the price. I bowed my head, sniffling, a strangely familiar scent tickling my nose. What was it?
‘Tyler?’
I turned as I heard Sam’s voice. Tears blurring my vision, I stood on wobbly legs and stumbled towards him. ‘I was too late. She’s dead,’ I said, then my knees crumbled and the last thing I saw was the concern in Sam’s hazel eyes as he raced forward to catch me before I hit the ground.
Chapter 22
I was reluctant to open my eyes and leave the safety of Sam’s arms. But as consciousness returned so did my memory and I sat up, a sob choking my throat as I rocked backwards and forwards, unable to alleviate the pain tearing at my insides.
Sam held me tighter, calming my movements, his hands patting my hair. ‘It’s okay. You’re safe. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.’
I wrenched myself out of his arms, falling forward onto my knees. Before he could touch me again, I lurched to my feet and shook my head when he made a move to comfort me. He stepped back, hands at his sides. I turned around and watched as police and paramedics scrambled around Monique’s dead body.
‘Tyler …’ Sam put a hand out towards me and I pulled away from his touch. I didn’t deserve his comfort.
He strode forward and took my face in his hands. ‘You’re in shock. We need to get you checked out.’ Without waiting for my response he signalled to the paramedics and one of them hurried over.
She ignored my murmur of protest and bundled me into the back of the ambulance. I sat in silence, unable to find the words to answer her when she asked me questions. I could barely manage to nod or shake my head. As she fussed around me, I caught glimpses of Sam as he conversed with his fellow officers. Every now and then he would glance over at me, worry lines etched on his face.
Finally, the paramedic had done all she could for me and released me into Sam’s care. Numb, I let him lead me over to his car and it wasn’t until I sat slumped in the passenger seat, with him crouching in the doorway, I regained my voice.
‘I’m sorry,’ I said, swallowing several times to relieve the dryness in my mouth.
‘Here, drink this.’ Sam took the top off a bottle of energy drink and held it to my lips. The syrupy liquid slid down the back of my throat and I gagged before my parched insides realised how desperately thirsty they were. I grabbed the bottle and gulped down half of it without pause. In a matter of seconds the sugar hit my bloodstream and I sat up straight.
I turned to Sam and instead of concern I saw wariness in his gaze.
‘Can you tell me what happened to your friend?’
With a deep sigh, I gave him half-truths. ‘She wasn’t my friend. I didn’t know her.’
‘Then what where you doing here?’
‘I was at McDonalds, and I started to get nauseous. I thought a walk and some fresh air might make me feel better.’ I gave another sigh. ‘But as soon as I got outside it got worse and I didn’t want to throw up in front of everyone so I ran across the road, hunting for somewhere I wouldn’t be seen. That’s when I found her.’ I didn’t have to pretend to be horrified. Tears streamed down my face as I relived the moment when I realised I hadn’t saved Monique, instead I’d signed her death warrant.
‘Did you see anyone or hear anything?’
I shook my head, wiping my eyes on my sleeve. ‘No, there was nobody here.’ Then I focused on Sam. ‘How did you get here so fast?’
‘We got a call at the station, saying a woman was being attacked.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘When I saw you, I thought you were the victim.’ He took a shuddering breath. ‘Scared the hell out of me, until I saw you were okay.’ His lips formed half a smile. ‘Even if you did pass out at my feet.’
‘Sorry.’ My turn to attempt a smile. ‘At least I didn’t throw up on you.’ I shuddered, a hand going to my stomach as my fake nausea turned real. I swallowed hard to keep the energy drink down, a rush of heat swamping my body.
‘I’ll take you home,’ said Sam. ‘We can talk about what happened tomorrow.’
‘I’ve got my car,’ I said, the nausea disappearing as fast as it had arrived. Then I groaned as I remembered my hasty exit from McDonalds. My keys and phone were on the table with my half eaten food. When I explained this to Sam he insisted on walking me across the road, watching on as a curious staff member handed me my things.
I shuffled to my car, making sideways glances at Sam with each step, wondering what he was thinking.
‘I’m not going to eat you,’ Sam said with a smile when he turned and caught me watching him.
‘I wasn’t … I’m not …’
‘Relax, we’ll sort it out tomorrow.’
I nodded but as soon as he looked ahead I peeked at him and saw his smile had been replaced by a frown. I knew he thought the same thing I did; sorting it out was not going to be easy. I’d been found beside a murder victim. He had to consider me a suspect. The situation would go from bad to worse once he connected Monique to Connor.
I wanted to tell him everything, explain what I’d done and why, but I had to talk to Connor first. I had to find out once and for all if my half-brother was a serial killer.
I said nothing when I reached my car, simply unlocking the door and climbing in. Then I turned to face Sam.
‘Are you sure you’re right to drive home? We can leave your car here or I can get one of the constables to follow us to your place.’
‘I’ll be okay,’ I said, putting a hand on Sam’s arm. ‘You’ve got work to do. I don’t want to get in the way.’ My voice cracked at the end of my simple statement. It meant so much more and I think he sensed this as his frown deepened.
He put a hand over top of mine where it rested on his arm. ‘Tyler-’
His phone buzzed and I pulled my hand free. ‘You�
��re needed,’ I said. ‘She is counting on you to catch whoever did this to her.’ I held back tears as I leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Sam’s phone buzzed again and he checked the screen as he stood up and backed away, closing the door with his free hand. For the second time in as many days, I drove off, conscious of him watching me until I was out of sight. When I could not see him anymore I let the tears fall.
A better person would have cried for someone whose life had been tragically and violently cut short but my tears were more for me and the downward spiral of my life. Soon I’d be as dead as Monique. Even if I did somehow manage to escape my fate I’d never be able to have a relationship with Sam. A reaper and a homicide detective were a recipe for disaster of monumental proportions.
As I crossed the bridge I pushed all thoughts of Sam and lost opportunities to the back of my mind. I drove to Connor’s place, praying I would find him home with half a dozen reliable witnesses to verify his whereabouts for the last hour. Instead, I found his house in darkness and no sign of his car in the driveway or garage. I went to Logan’s but Connor wasn’t there or at Dad’s. It was the same at every place I thought my half-brother might visit. Dejected, I turned for home. My heart raced when I got to the flat and saw his car at the kerb.
I burst inside. Sarah lay on the couch, Connor looming over her. Her hands were on his chest, pushing him away.
‘Get off her.’ I launched myself over the coffee table, grabbing Connor by the arm and wrenching him onto the floor. I stood over him, one hand gripping my necklace, the other outstretched. My hand shook and ice wrapped itself around my heart as I waited for him to pounce.
‘What the hell?’ Connor scrambled backwards and got to his feet. ‘Are you crazy?’
‘You’re the one who’s crazy.’ Sarah stood up and punched Connor in the stomach. Then she darted to my side, chest heaving, smoothing down her mussed hair. ‘I said I felt sorry for you, but that didn’t mean I wanted you to ram your tongue down my throat.’
Connor’s eyes narrowed and he glared at Sarah. ‘Bullshit. You were begging for it until Tyler showed up and ruined everything, as usual.’
‘I was not.’ Sarah moved forward with her fists raised. I grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back behind me.
‘Stop it, both of you. I want to know what the hell was going on when I walked in. Sarah, are you okay? Did he hurt you?’
‘Nothing a litre of mouthwash won’t fix,’ said Sarah as she wiped a hand across her mouth. ‘Ugh, I can’t believe I had his tongue in my mouth. Gross.’
Connor flushed and took a step forward. ‘I’m the one who should be washing his mouth out. I should have known better than to touch Logan’s sloppy seconds.’
‘You little bastard,’ Sarah pushed past me, hand raised, eyes blazing.
‘Sarah, no, it’s not worth it. Let it go.’ I lunged forward to cut her off. I glanced over my shoulder at Connor, uncomfortable with having him behind me.
I moved so I could see both of their faces at the same time. ‘Connor, how long have you been here?’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t know, half an hour or so I guess.’
‘Where were you before that?’
‘What’s with all the questions?’
‘Tell me where you were.’
‘After you ruined my date, I drove around for a while and then came here to chew you out some more, only you weren’t home. Sarah didn’t want to let me in at first, but after I explained what you’d done she took pity on me.’ He gave another shrug. ‘From the way she was acting I figured she wanted a piece of me, so I gave it to her.’
‘A piece of you? A piece of you? The only thing I want is for you to drop dead,’ said Sarah, her shrill words echoing inside my head.
I put up a hand. ‘Sarah, please, not now. This is serious. Is what Connor said true? Has he only been here for half an hour?’
‘Half an hour too long, but yeah.’
‘Geez, Tyler, you’re starting to sound like a cop, checking my alibi.’
I grimaced, his reference to an alibi sending shivers down my spine. Connor would have had plenty of time to kill Monique and then drive to the flat to hit on Sarah. But what if I was wrong?
With a deep breath, I prepared for the worst. ‘Monique is dead.’
‘What the hell?’ Connor strode forward and grabbed my arms above the elbows, giving me a shake. His blue eyes were wide, face pale. ‘Don’t joke about stuff like that. It’s not funny. It’s sick.’
‘Connor, I’m not joking. I saw her body.’ I started to shiver, my lips wobbling, tears coursing down my cheeks. ‘She was murdered, like the others.’
Connor opened his mouth but no words came out. His grip on my arms went slack and he crumpled in front of me. I barely moved in time to catch him, my arms going around his waist as Sarah launched herself forward to help me. Together we lowered Connor onto the couch where he sat with his head lolling against the headrest, his eyes wide open with tears streaming out of them as he stared up at the ceiling.
I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine and gesturing for Sarah to do the same. Linked, the three of us sat in silence, Sarah and I waiting for Connor to come to grips with the terrible news I had sprung on him.
I hated myself for causing Connor pain, all my doubts about his innocence gone. He couldn’t fake this reaction. He hadn’t killed Monique.
The three of us sat in silence for ages. Then Sarah untangled her hand from Connor’s and went into the kitchen. I could hear her moving around as she put the kettle on and prepared hot drinks. Soon she returned and placed three steaming mugs on the coffee table in front of us. I gave her a smile of thanks as I sat forward and twisted my body so I faced Connor.
‘Here,’ I said, picking up the middle mug and holding it out to him, ‘Sarah has made you a coffee. Try and drink some.’ I let go of his hand and he mechanically took the mug and raised it to his lips.
‘Shit,’ he pulled his face back, slopping hot coffee onto the couch in between his legs. He wiped at his mouth as he put the mug back on the table. Tears glistened on his lashes when he faced me, a determined glint in his eyes. ‘Tell me what happened.’
I told him the same version of the story I had given Sam.
Connor listened without saying a word, his gaze never leaving my face. When I finished he picked up his coffee and took a cautious sip, seeming to mull over everything I’d told him. Then he drained the mug in one gulp and stood up. ‘I have to go. I can’t stay here anymore.’
‘Connor, wait. I don’t think you should be alone.’
‘I wouldn’t be alone if you hadn’t come in and chased Monique away. Now she’s dead. Because of what you did. You killed her and I can’t stand to be around you right now.’ He pulled his keys out of his pocket and strode to the front door.
Sarah moved to stop him but I grabbed her arm and held her back, flinching when he slammed the door closed behind him. He was right. It was my fault.
How many more women were going to die because of me?
Chapter 23
I went to bed, sure sleep would elude me. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Monique lying on the ground, her dead eyes accusing me. But stress couldn’t compete with exhaustion and I eventually drifted off, falling headlong into nightmare.
I was trapped in a burning room, flames scorching my back and the smell of singed flesh filling my nostrils. I pounded at a locked door, begging someone to help me while Grimm laughed at me from the other side. The door opened and I tumbled forward, landing in a violent ocean, lashed by wave upon wave.
My throat was dry and abraded, my lungs screaming for air. I opened my mouth and choked as a wave crashed into my head, sending salt water pouring down my throat. I kicked my feet, desperate to get to the surface, floundering as the force of the ocean pushed me further underwater until I could no longer tell which way was up. My body jerked as my lungs filled. My vision faded and something took hold of my arm, pulling me out of the water.
&
nbsp; I flew through the air, closing my eyes to protect them from the biting wind tearing at every inch of my body. Whatever had hold of me let go and I fell, an endless fall where I tumbled over and over, landing with such a smack it forced the water I had swallowed from my lungs, leaving me retching even as I gasped air in as fast as I could. A coughing fit hit me as the last of the salt water I’d swallowed was expelled and when it ended I lay there, shuddering, waiting for a new horror to beset me.
Nothing happened. Sensation returned to my body. Was my nightmare over?
I opened my eyes as I got to my feet. I stood in absolute darkness. I turned in a circle, my bare feet making no sound. The sense of absence told me where I was even before I touched my body and felt the soft silk of the dress I’d been wearing the first time I’d appeared in the Underworld.
‘Grimm,’ I said, the words falling flat in the dead air.
The mist appeared in an instant, enveloping me in its cold tentacles. Though I didn’t move a muscle, the sensations against my skin told me I was being moved. It was disorientating and I closed my eyes to ward off dizziness. I kept them closed as an icy wind bit at my face. Then everything went still.
My feet were cold, cold and wet. I opened my eyes and instantly shut them again. The afterimage of what I had seen hovered on the inside of my eyelids, the glare dimmed. Slowly, I reopened my eyes and gave a bleak laugh when I saw where Grimm had dumped me. This was no ordinary dream, the echo of his laughter as I’d burned too vivid to dismiss.
Skeletal trees surrounded me, dead branches laden with frost, shadowing the snow covered ground beneath my frozen toes. The air was still, lifeless, and I fought the urge to hug my body. Grimm was watching me, I could feel it, and I did not want him to know how unsettling I found this desolate landscape.
In stark contrast to the complete darkness of the Underworld, this place was awash with a light so bright it brought tears to my eyes as they fought to adjust. But the change of scenery did not lessen my fear. I hadn’t been transported here to make snow angels. This place was as dangerous as the void where Grimm had first approached me, perhaps even more so.
Lost Reaper Page 14
