by Christi Snow
At this point in the class the students were practicing the moves, so Pete settled right into the class, helping to correct form and technique throughout the classroom to those who needed it. Julie didn’t get a chance to talk to him until almost all the students had left. He’d leaned up against the wall with his eyes shut and his head leaned back, the tension in his muscles obvious.
She laid her hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”
His eyes were so full of pain and sadness, she physically hurt for him. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just been a long difficult week. It will be over soon.”
And it was only Monday, but she figured he was talking about whatever the issue was with the police department. “Do you want to talk about it?”
He shook his head, but smiled tiredly at Toni who walked up beside her. “Not right now, but I may take you up on that sometime soon. Thanks, Julie. I’m sorry I was late tonight.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just take care of you. Y’all have a good night. The guys and I can finish up with the rest here.”
They walked out, Pete with his arm around Toni’s waist. She hoped his problems didn’t hurt their new relationship.
Lyle walked up also looking at the couple. “Man, this sucks.”
“Yes, it does. Whatever’s going on, I hope he gets it straightened out soon.” They all needed that for him. His two friends hadn’t been left unscathed by his situation as they appeared almost as distressed as he did. Whatever was going on in the Lubbock PD was taking its toll on all its officers. Having dealt with several of them on a regular basis, these guys knew how to handle stress, but none of them seemed to be at the height of efficiency right now.
Lyle nodded and pressed his lips together in thought.
With a serial killer loose and becoming more and more unpredictable, the guys of the Lubbock PD needed to be on their game.
Chapter 37His final special one before Julie. He smiled kindly at her. “It’s okay, Louisa. The end to your unhappiness is close at hand.” He ran his gloved hand along the side of her face, ignoring her flinch. “You know, I’ve been watching you. I see how unhappy you are with the life Slade has left you with. It’s hard having a brother who has such absolute, corrupt power. He really is a bad man, but that’s okay, because it brought us together. Tonight I’m going to free you from all your pain. And by liberating you, you’ll help me liberate my sweet, innocent Jocelyn.”
A tear rolled down his cheek. The end was so close. It was bittersweet. He’d enjoyed his time with his special ones and knew that the ones who lived were happier for it. And those that hadn’t, like sweet, little Louisa here… Well, their sacrifice for the cause would lead them to the happy ever after. A place where no sadness existed. They should all be so lucky.
“You should be so thankful, Louisa. You’re my final gift, my final special one, before Julie, who’s my lucky number thirteen. Then Jocelyn and I will be together forever. No more unhappiness for any of my special ones. Thank you.”
She’d closed her eyes and he knew in his heart that she’d accepted her fate and was thankful for it. For him. He loved that he was able to free them. No more pain or sadness.
He stilled for a single moment, enjoying the expectation of her nakedness spread before him. His erection grew as he enjoyed the beauty before him. She was perfect as a special one. Her fresh bruises a testament that she’d earned this right. He grasped her spread thighs and slammed his dick into her, feeling her shudder around him. She knew this was necessary. A final cleansing for Jocelyn.
It was going to happen way too quickly for him this time, knowing that she would be his ultimate. A shudder rolled down his spine. Yeah, he was out of time. He slammed the syringe home into her chest and emptied it. The release of the drug this close to her heart made her death immediate. She clenched around him in death and he experienced the ultimate climax as he emptied into the condom, his last before Julie.
Next time, he would find bliss in Julie’s body and they’d both finally be free of their pain. Free of this sad, painful life.
Chapter 38Julie settled into the covers of her bed and picked up her telephone. Every time she thought about doing this, she needed to make a list. That just meant she was on the right track by making this call. She needed to work out these emotions and deal with her sister.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Rach, it’s me.”
“Hey, you. How are you feeling?”
“I’m good. I went back to work this week and everything’s really good.” Julie played with the stitching on the quilt of her bed, fighting the urge to pick up a pen. God, she didn’t know how to get into this with her. “Rachel,” she whispered, “I’m really sorry.”
“Sorry for what, Peanut?”
Julie swallowed her tears, needing to be able to talk so she could get through this. “I’m sorry I blamed you when my life fell apart. I knew it wasn’t your fault, but I needed someone to blame for my world collapsing around me last year.”
“Jules, you know you don’t have to apologize to me for that. You were hurting. It was a natural reaction. There’s nothing to forgive here. We’re family. It’s all good. Besides, I’m a psychologist. Even when you get furious with me, usually I know why you feel that way.”
Julie gave a watery laugh. “God, do I even want to know how many psychological papers you’ve written about me? It helps to have the entire manual of psychotherapy in one person in your family, huh?”
Rachel’s light laughter tinkled across the distance of the phone. “I got my on the job training way early in life. But seriously, are you really okay? How was your appointment with Dr. Eckert?”
“It was good. I mean really good. I think I’m going to really get better this time. He pointed out some things about what happened when we were kids that I never considered.” She swallowed again. “I’ve worked so hard to never think about it. I never gave myself a chance to process those events as an adult.”
“Jules, we were both too young to deal with what we did.”
“Do you think we made a mistake never telling mom and dad about it?”
“At the time, absolutely. We should have told them. We were too young, you especially, to be able to process that kind of trauma. And it was a trauma for both of us. You weren’t the only one who had a hard time dealing with it all. There’s a reason I became a psychologist.” Her voice lowered. “Jules, you’re so strong. I know you think the issues you’ve been having, especially in the last year, are about you being weak. But as a professional, I look at you and see how incredibly strong you are. Most eleven year olds would have buckled under the trauma you went through without help, but you didn’t. You just became so much stronger for it. I’ve always admired that strength and I’ve seen it all again this past year.”
“I’m not strong. I’ve been an incredible coward, but I’m doing better. I’m getting better.”
“Does this have anything to do with a certain gorgeous blond hunk that never left your side in the hospital?”
“Yes,” Julie whispered. “Rach, Chris was Nugget’s father.”
“I had a feeling that was the case. He was way too worried about you to just be a friend. Have you told him?”
“Yeah, and he’s handled it really well all things considered. You could say we’re dating.” That seemed so odd, but in an incredible wonderful way to be able to finally say that.
“That’s great, Jules, but he’s a guy who’s had his own trauma. Just don’t forget that. It’s going to be so important for both of you to be open and honest with each other. It could be way too easy to sink into yourselves and think you can handle your own problems. You especially, because I know that’s already an automatic thing for you. You guys can make it work, but you need to stay upfront with each other.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hyatt.”
“Sorry. I can’t help it. I’m trained to see problems before they occur. If there’s anyone who’s earned a smooth and happy relationship, it’s you two. I want that fo
r you.”
Julie smiled to herself. “Believe me, Rachel; we’re ready for that too. No more traumas; no more drama. God, it sounds like pure Nirvana.”
“Ha, listen to you rhyming. It must be love.”
She giggled. “I think it really is, Rachel. He’s incredible, but I’m terrified that something’s going to come along and ruin it all again. Tell me I’m being stupid, because I know I am, but I can’t help it. I’m so scared of losing him again. I don’t think I could live through that.”
“If that happens, you’ll survive it, because you’re strong, but I think you two are going to be okay. I have a really good feeling about this.”
“Thanks, Rach. I love you and I’m so sorry that I’ve been so awful this last year.”
“Stop, you’ve been fine. You’ve just been hurting and even with that, you’ve been fine. Honestly, Julie, you have enough to worry about. This is not even a blip. Don’t worry. You and I are sisters. That means you’re stuck with me, no matter what.”
“Thank God for that. I love you, Rach.”
“I love you, too, Peanut.”
Chapter 39Thursday morning, Chris and Colton pulled into the parking lot at Mad Rob at the same time. While Chris waited for Colton to get off his motorcycle, he spotted a man he immediately recognized walking across the parking lot to them. Chris glanced around, but the man was the only one who appeared to be there.
“Be ready,” he murmured stepping closer to Colton. “This guy was the head honcho of the group that attacked me last week.”
Colton glanced up sharply and immediately tensed, but the man approached them with his hands out and palms up to show he wasn’t a threat. He stopped ten feet away from them. “I’m not here to cause any problems with you. I’m here to give you information.”
Chris exchanged a puzzled look with Colton before turning back to the guy. “Why would you want to give me information now?”
“Because the man who wanted you dead has taken my sister as retaliation for you living.” The guy’s eyes hardened and his jaw clenched as he looked off in the distance working through his anger. He looked back to them when he appeared to have himself under control again. “Now I want him dead, but I can’t go after him without risking my boys and their livelihood.”
“Why should I trust anything you say? And if I can trust it, what do you want from me in exchange for this information?”
“Don’t press charges against me. I got nothing against you personally, but this guy didn’t give me a choice.”
Chris gave a subtle nod. “Deal.”
Colton clenched his jaw, obviously not agreeing with the guy’s terms, but he didn’t say anything. He just remained at the ready by Chris’s side.
“You’re an upstanding citizen. I want you to report this to someone you can trust in the fucking LPD. I want this cop to pay for what he’s done.”
Every muscle froze. “Did you say cop?”
“Yeah, now you see my issue. I can’t go after Larson without having the entire fucking police department on my ass. It wouldn’t be any big deal if it was just me. Watching that fucker bleed out after I stabbed him would be worth prison, but I can’t leave my boys. They need me here to prevent a turf war.”
Chris didn’t care about the gang issues. He needed to get the guy back to the dirty cop. “You said Larson. Are you talking about Pete Larson? He’s the guy who ordered you to attack me?” A sudden icy dread snaked through Chris’s stomach. Why would Pete want him beat up?
“Yeah, but we weren’t supposed to just attack you. You weren’t supposed to be breathing the next day and because we failed, he went after my sister, Louisa. I don’t know if she’s still alive or not, but he’s got her. I know he’s got her. She always comes home. She’s a good girl and she didn’t show up last night. Maybe if you report it, they can find her before it’s too late.” His hands clenched into fists and he watched Chris to make sure he understood the information he shared with him. “Make him pay,” he demanded and with that, the guy took off running.
“Do you think he’s telling the truth?” Colton asked.
“I don’t know. He risks a lot if he’s lying just by coming here. Why would he lie? But why would Pete do this? He’s never seemed to have a problem with me and he’s a good cop. What’s going on here? Come on, we need to call Brian.”
Luckily Brian was in the area when they called, so he arrived within fifteen minutes. The two of them ushered him into the conference room.
He sat down and pulled out a notebook. “So, Chris you mentioned on the phone that you had some new information about the attack on you.”
“Yeah, when we arrived here this morning one of the guys involved that night was waiting for us in the parking lot. He said if I didn’t press charges that he had some information for us.” They proceeded to tell him what the guy told them. As they talked, Brian’s expression became more and more closed-off and unreadable.
When they were finished, Brian asked, “He said the missing girl’s name is Louisa?”
Chris nodded.
Brian pulled out his cell phone and placed a call. “Barnes here. Do we have an ID on the victim from last night yet?” His eyes widened at the information being relayed to him over the phone line. “Louisa Jenkins. She wouldn’t happen to be related to Slade Jenkins, is she?”
Brian listened for a moment more before he murmured, “Damn,” and sunk his head into his hand. “Okay, I’m following up on a lead right now. I’ll be in the office in about an hour or so.”
He hung up the cell phone and met their curious gazes. “I don’t know what’s going on here. We have a dead girl in the morgue who’s the sister of the local gang leader, but I find it hard to believe that Pete’s behind this, no matter what his problems are right now. It’s very likely some kid in this gang has an issue, since it looks like she’s the latest victim from our serial, and Slade is trying to protect his own. Regardless, I need to go talk to Pete. I need you two to keep quiet about this until I unravel it all. Don’t mention this to anyone else, especially Toni since she’s involved with Pete.
* * *
Julie was about to leave for lunch when her cell phone rang. “Hello?” she answered.
“Hey, Julie, it’s Pete.”
“Pete, how are you doing? We missed you in class last night.”
“I know, I’m sorry. There’s just a ton going on.” She could hear the strain in his voice. It didn’t sound like things were getting any better. “I was wondering if that offer to talk was still available.”
“Absolutely. In fact, I was just about to go on my lunch break. Do you want to meet me somewhere?”
“Actually, would you mind coming over to my place? I don’t feel like dealing with other people today.”
“No problem. I’ll even bring food. Does bbq sound okay?”
“Sure, that sounds great, Julie. I’ll see you in a bit.”
She gathered up her purse and debated texting Chris before she left, but then remembered they had a lunch meeting today at Mad Rob with some of the local contacts from the Department of Homeland Security. She’d just have to wait to catch up with him after work. Right now, she had a friend in need of cheering up.
* * *
As Julie crawled out of her car, clutching the bag of food to her chest at Pete’s house, she was surprised to see Toni pull up and park. She hadn’t noticed Julie yet as she gathered what looked to be her own bags of food out of the passenger seat. As she stepped away from the car, she looked down at her phone. Her stride faltered when she finally glanced up and saw Julie standing there waiting for her.
Toni winced when she noticed Julie’s bag of food. “Crap, I should leave. He’s just been so down. I was hoping to cheer him up with a surprise lunch.”
“Don’t be silly. He’ll love to see you, too. Seriously, what guy wouldn’t be thrilled to have two gorgeous girls come to his house for lunch when he’s down? Come on. Let’s go see what we can do for him.”
“Are y
ou sure? He had no idea I was coming. I could leave and he’d never know I was here.”
“Yes, I’m sure.” She basically had to drag Toni up the walkway, but was sure that Pete wouldn’t mind the extra surprise. If he didn’t want to talk with Toni here, Julie could just come back after work.
Julie rang the doorbell and Toni cowered behind her, muttering, “I really should leave. He didn’t invite me and now I feel like a third wheel.
Julie rolled her eyes at Toni, but turned to smile at Pete when she heard the door opening.
“Hey, Julie. Thanks for coming.” He opened the door for her, but his eyes widened when he saw Toni standing behind her.
“Guess who I found in the parking lot. She looked like someone in need of a hot young stud so I brought her along with me, hoping there might be someone around here who could take care of her needs.”
They walked into the house as Julie talked.
Toni stepped up on tiptoe to give Pete a kiss on the cheek. “I’m sorry. If I’d known Julie was coming, I would have left you two alone, but she grabbed me in the parking lot and wouldn’t let me escape.”
Pete scowled, but Julie hoped it was just because of the surprise, not real irritation that Toni was with her. Surely with everything else going wrong with him, their relationship wasn’t on the rocks, too. It was probably more the case of him being a macho guy and not wanting to show any vulnerability in front of the new girl he liked.
Julie plucked the bag of food out of Toni’s hands and headed toward the kitchen to give them a few moments of privacy. As she moved further into the house, she was surprised at the disarray she found there. If she didn’t know better, she would think that Pete’s place had been ransacked. She glanced around the room, taking in the broken side-table lamp, the turned over chair and the general disastrous mess that faced her.
It looked as if there had been some sort of struggle here and then she saw the blood. Her heart stuttered. There was a huge puddle to the side of the couch, splashing up on the wall, and judging from the dark streak in the carpet, whoever belonged to all that blood had been pulled down that hall.
