You Are My Sunshine

by Angie Merriam

  “I don't know, Trish. I guess there is no guarantee but we have law enforcement on our side. You have your dad and Dade and I have Matt,” I offered.

  “You have my dad and Dade too, girlfriend. You're family, don't ever forget that. I guess you're right. We got some baddasses protecting us, huh?”

  “Hell yeah we do. Plus, I still remember some of those karate moves Dade taught us when we were teenagers,” I said and felt a wave of relief to hear her laugh.

  “I have to get back to work. If you want to stay and wait for my shift to end I will have one of those whiskey and Cokes with you.”

  “Absolutely. Now get your ass back to work, slacker,” she said before slapping my butt and settling back into the booth.

  The night was busy. I swear every Lincoln resident made their way through Dana's that night. The recent murders were everyone's topic of discussion. It didn't take long for bad news to make its way into every house in Lincoln. I kept an ear out, hoping I might hear something I could take back to Matt. Everyone had their own theory but nearly all of them involved someone from out of town. Maybe someone from the city? Like me, they just couldn't imagine one of their neighbors being a murderer.

  “Hey, Sunshine,” I heard and turned to find my friend, Nick, sitting in a corner booth looking like he'd already had too much to drink.

  “Hey, Nick. What brings you out tonight?” I asked while grabbing his empty glasses.

  “Oh you know, same as everyone I guess. Keely's murder has me a little shaken up,” he slurred. I bet it did. Like Matt, he'd had an affair with her. Unlike me, his wife, Shannon, had forgiven him but not before they separated for a while. During that time, I'd dated Nick briefly. He was a nice enough guy but not for me. We parted as friends and I was glad we'd been able to remain that way.

  “Where's Shannon?” I asked curiously. He looked at me, and I saw something foreign flash through his eyes. Anger maybe? He squirmed uncomfortably and sucked down the last of his drink.

  “Out, I guess. She said she might go into the city.”

  “Everything okay?” I asked and was genuinely concerned.

  “Yeah, yeah it's all good, Sunny,” he said suddenly smiling. It was a strange exchange and left me feeling uneasy. “Have a good night, Nick,” I said and turned away. “Yeah, you too, Sunshine Everly,” he said and for some reason, my skin crawled. I told the bartender that Nick was done drinking and minutes later they threw him out after he made a scene when they refused to serve him. I glanced at Trish, who gave me a 'what the fuck' look. I shrugged my shoulders and finished my side work. Half hour later I was off the floor.

  I ordered my own whiskey and Coke and sat down with Trish. “What the hell was going on with Nick? He looked all kinds of fucked up.”

  “I don't know, Trish, but he kinda gave me the creeps tonight. Something about the way he looked at me was off. I'm probably just paranoid,” I said and tried to laugh it off.

  “Fuck that, Sunny, we can't afford to not be paranoid. I know everyone here is convinced it's a stranger committing these murders but I'd bet my last dollar that it's someone we know.”

  “You've been thinking about this haven't you?” Trish works in real estate now, but she had given law enforcement a try first. It was in her blood, I guess, but she was too girly to be an officer. That didn't stop her detective senses from creeping in now and then. Luckily, in Lincoln, she'd never really needed to use them, but there were times when things went on in the city, and she was almost always dead on with her prediction. It was a gift, really, that would have served her well as a police officer, but she didn't want that. She liked having her hair and nails done and dressing up in pretty clothes. She loved being a real estate agent, and she was good at it.

  “Damn right I've been thinking about it. Who hasn't?”

  “True but why are you convinced it's someone from Lincoln?”

  “Well, if it had stopped at Amanda I wouldn't be but it's just too damned coincidental. Two young women from Lincoln are murdered and left just outside of town. It just doesn't make sense that it's an outsider. I don't know, Sun, but I just feel it's one of us,” she said before finishing her drink and looking sadly at me. “I'm getting another drink,” she announced. “Me too please,” I added.

  Unfortunately, I was afraid she was right. I ran through my head all the possible suspects and couldn't come up with a single one. Well, except Nick, who had been acting really strange but that wasn't a reason to accuse someone of murder.

  Trish walked back to our table and placed my drink in front of me. “Thanks, love,” I said and offered a smile.

  “We need to be extra careful, Sunny.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Are you dating?” She asked casually. I laughed at her expression because if I was dating she'd be the first to know.

  “Really, Trish? Like I could go on a date without you knowing.”

  “That's a no?”

  “Yes, that's a no. I'm not dating anyone. Where did that come from anyway?”

  “I don't know. I just worry about you, that's all.”

  “Well, don't. I'll be fine. What about you, are you dating?” I asked and saw a sly smile creep across her beautiful face. “Ooh, do tell, my friend,” I pleaded and she shook her head no. “Not yet but soon I promise.” Was she kidding me? We told each other everything. At least I thought we did.

  “Well, I should be pissed at you but I'm too tired and freaked out right now but you better spill it soon.”

  “I will. I just need to figure a few things out first,” she replied, smiling.

  “Okay, you better figure it out soon though. You know I'm not a patient girl,” I teased. I finished my drink before announcing I had to go.

  “So soon,” Trish whined.

  “I have to pick the kids up at Matt's. No more drinks for me. Walk me to my car?”

  “Sure.”

  “Don't walk to your car alone when you leave here okay? Have one of the guys walk you out,” I said sternly.

  “Promise, plus I got my handy taser,” she said, smiling, holding up her new toy.

  “Okay, love you, Trish. See ya later.”

  “Love you too, Sunny,” she said before hugging me tightly and kissing me on the mouth. She'd always kissed me on the lips. That's just how she is. Her whole family is like that. I returned the hug before sliding into my little Toyota and pulling out of the parking lot.

  Chapter Four

  Two days ago

  He sat in the corner of a dingy bar in Portland. He watched as patrons came in sober and left walking sideways. He didn't drink. He couldn't afford not to be in control of his mind. He was sipping his soda water when he saw her finally walk in. He'd been wanting to kill her for as long as he could remember, but she was such a good fuck he hadn't been able to do it. She was a whore, and he knew it. He watched her grow into a woman and heard the rumors around town. She was always the go to girl for a blow job in high school and as they grew into adults, she was the girl who married men could go to when home life became too suffocating. She seemed happy being that woman. He kept her as his own go to girl out of pure selfishness for much longer than he'd anticipated.

  He felt his desire for her creep up as he watched her at the bar. Her curvy body was that of a goddess, and her straw colored hair hung in curls to the upper edge of her ass. She stood there knowing every man in the bar was watching her. He could read her body language, and it was telling him she was looking for her next good man whom she could fuck, both physically and generally. Something about sleeping with a taken man then watching his life fall apart made her feel powerful and mighty. It was a twisted game she played. She was almost as twisted as he was.

  One couldn't blame only her, though. The men didn't have to partake in her offerings, but they always did. He'd watched her worm her way into Matt Everly's life. He'd been one of the few not to jump right into bed with her. He truly did love his wife, and Keely knew that. Matt was one of her biggest challenges, but she was not
one to doubt herself. His late nights at work and Sunshine being distracted by their brat was enough to convince him that he was lonely, and Keely could make it all better. After months of pursuing him, she finally won. They spent one night together, and it was enough to tear apart his marriage. Keely stood back and watched the pain the Everly's suffered and felt nothing but pride. He didn't know if he was proud of her or disgusted by her, but he knew her time was coming.

  Keely would be his next trophy, but he had to proceed slowly. He was careful about the women he took. The first woman he took from Lincoln was many years ago. It was Keely's mother. He thought about the irony of the situation, like mother like daughter. Amanda was the first woman he killed from Lincoln since Keely’s mother. That's how he stayed under the radar for so many years. He never tried to kill one of his own. He grew up in Lincoln and married in Lincoln. All his friends and family were there. He truly loved the town and after the first murder he'd committed so long ago, he hoped he'd never have to kill another one of his own. Amanda was unplanned and what he considered an accident. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. However, Keely had been a target for longer than he could remember and the good people of Lincoln really shouldn't be so surprised by her demise. They were saddened about Amanda, but he knew they wouldn't feel that kind of remorse for Keely. They would feel fear certainly, but not remorse.

  So, there he sat in the corner of the bar that he'd frequently followed Keely to. He usually stayed hidden and watched her but not tonight. Tonight he was going to be the one going home with her, or to be more accurate she was going back to his motel room with him. At least that's what he would tell her. He had gone over the plans thousands of times in his head and on paper in the months prior. He was careful though and any shred of paper that he wrote his plans on found its way to the fire the moment the words burned into his memory.

  All he had to do was wait for her to notice him. He continued drinking his soda water, watching her. He was growing impatient. Just as he thought he should go order another drink and accidentally bump into her, she turned and saw him. Her face lit up, and she waved frantically. He smiled his bright smile back to her and motioned to the empty seat next to him. She shook her head, held up one finger and mouthed, “One minute.” So it began.

  “Hey you,” she said and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Hey yourself,” he responded. “What's a pretty girl like you doing in a dive like this?” he asked even though he knew the answer. He expected her to say, “Because I'm a slut silly,” in her best baby voice, but she just shrugged and said, “I don't know. Looking for love in all the wrong places I suppose.” She batted her eyelashes at him, and he felt his dick grow hard. He hated the effect she had on him. No man should be in love with such an evil whore of a woman. He hated that he thought he might be in love with her. That was the only thing that kept her alive this long. His head knew that but his heart and cock didn't. That's why she had to go. He'd go crazy watching her fuck one guy after the next.

  “Keely, you know you don't have to look for love. I'm right here,” he offered seriously. He wondered briefly if he could keep her as his sex toy. He would miss her for sure, but deep down he knew that wasn't possible. Besides, she wasn't a one man kind of woman and he didn't like to share.

  “And you know I never look for that kind of everlasting love. Just one nights worth.”

  “Looking for anything specific tonight, love?” He asked but he could see by the look in her eyes that she'd found him.

  “Nope, done looking. Luckily I already know you fuck like a machine.” She slid closer to him and rested her hand on his bulging package. She took a long drink of what he assumed was Vodka/Cran, her favorite, before letting her lips rest on his. The kiss was soft, light at first. When it became a little more aggressive and the threat of him exploding in his jeans became evident, he pulled away. Breathlessly, he took her hand and pulled her up and out of their booth.

  “You don't waste time, Keely. That's for damned sure. Let's get out of here.” He pulled her behind him while she giggled like a school girl. They barely made it to her car before he took her mouth in his again. He turned and pushed her against his rental car and pushed his hand up her skirt. He wasn't surprised to find her lady parts bare and dripping wet. “You're such a dirty girl,” he said between kisses while his hand fondled her most sensitive spot. She was grinding her pelvis against his hand, and he could feel she was on the verge of cumming when he stopped. “Nope, not here. You're a naughty girl. I'm not letting you get off that easy.” He slipped his hand out and reached around behind her, opening the door. Her arms were still around his neck, nibbling the soft skin when he pulled out of her embrace and pushed her inside the car, slamming the door closed.

  “You want to play rough tonight,” she said teasingly when he slid behind the wheel. She had no idea how right she was. “Where's the little missus tonight?” She asked while she checked her makeup in the visor mirror. He hated when she brought up his wife. When he didn't answer she pressed harder. “Does she know about your extra-curricular activities?”

  “Shut up, Keely. Don't talk about my wife. Not tonight.” His warning was given with a stern voice, but she just laughed. She wasn't afraid of him like she should be.

  “Oh, don't be a baby. She's gotta know something is wrong when you come home smelling like my cunt. Maybe she's just one of those stupid, fucking women that look the other way when their husbands cheat.” She was pushing him too far. His free hand snaked around the back of her neck and squeezed the delicate skin hard.

  “I told you to shut the fuck up about my wife. We are not talking about her tonight. Is that clear?” Finally, he saw a hint of fear in her eyes when she looked sideways at him. He released her neck and cranked up the stereo.

  Shit, he thought. He didn't want her too fearful of him. Not yet. He planned on getting off one last time with her before he stopped her from breathing. She sat still in the seat next to him. The playfulness gone. He allowed his free hand to caress her breast before it traveled down to the goodies under her skirt. Her breathing was picking up, and her legs opened willingly for him. She was relaxing.

  When they pulled into the parking lot of the dingy motel he'd rented, he could see the look of disgust on her face. She may have been a slut, but she wasn't dirty. She had standards. In the past, their indiscretions took place at a five star motel in the city. He knew she'd be wary of a dive like this, but he didn't care. He couldn't risk being seen and the likelihood of being seen by someone with prying eyes in a five star hotel was much higher than in a crappy motel full of crack addicts and hookers.

  “What the hell? You're staying here?” She said, not trying to hide the disgust in her voice.

  “Yeah, it's an adventure, Keely. A dirty girl like you has surely stayed in worse places than this. Don't worry, I brought clean sheets.” He smiled at her in reassurance.

  “Fuck you,” she spat, clearly pissed.

  “Stop acting like a spoiled bitch and get your ass inside so I can stick my cock in your tight little hole,” he said. His face was close to hers, and his hand was between her legs. She didn't like the place, but she wouldn't pass up the fuck.

  “Whatever. Hurry up and get me inside. I have a reputation to uphold. I can't be seen coming or going in a place like this.” He laughed out loud at her statement. Funny that a slut like her could actually say she had standards. He didn't say as much though, he'd scared her earlier. He didn't want her trying to run away.

  “What the fuck are you laughing at?” Annoyance laced through her whiny voice. He just shook his head and took her hand. He led her to his room. It was on the bottom floor at the end of the complex. The walls were lined with wooden panels, and the room smelled of stale smoke and dirty sex. Her face crinkled up in disgust when they walked in but brightened when she saw the freshly made bed, red satin sheets. Her favorite. She never thought to question why he had red satin sheets on the bed. After all, their meeting in the bar had been ‘accidenta
l’.

  She didn't waste time getting started. She never did. He made love to her sweetly the first time then a little rougher the next. They screwed, rested, screwed, rested, and screwed again until she declared she needed a shower. They showered together and he truly felt sorry that he'd have to kill such a lovely woman. He washed her body, scrubbing her skin until it was crimson red. When they were both nice and clean, they returned to their disheveled bed where he broke out his surprise for her.

  “Oh shit, you are wanting to play rough,” she said and smiled. He laid out the whip, rope, nipple clamps, a vibrator, anal beads, and lit some candles. He tied her hands above her head and her ankles together but loose enough that her knees could fall open in a diamond shape. His game was beginning. He started slow, just a little candlewax dripped across her breast, onto her nipples. Once it cooled and hardened, he'd peel it off and felt triumphant when her body quivered in delight. He moved onto the nipple clamps which he'd decided he'd leave there.