The girl went down, gagging and groaning.
“Camille!” Serena placed her hands on the gun in front of her and tried to yank it from the clasp, but she didn’t know the trick to release it and didn’t have time to figure it out. And if she pulled the trigger now, she’d hit Camille.
Nate slammed Camille back against the chair, whipped her hands behind her back, and pulled on her arms until she arched her back and screamed. Then he said, “Do anything like that again before the game is over and I’ll end it now, you understand?”
Sobs wrenched from Camille’s throat and Serena clenched her fists, silently begging God to intervene. “Don’t, Camille, don’t fight him, honey.”
Camille gave up with a wail, leaned her head back, and cried.
Nate jerked her head up. “Now, now, that’s no way to behave at my table.” He walked to Serena, the gun held in front of him. With his left hand, he motioned for her to sit. “Now, put your hands back on the gun. You lost. You get to shoot your friend.”
“What?” she gasped. “I’m not going to shoot her.”
“You will or I’ll shoot her. Then I’ll shoot you. Then I’ll go find your mother—again—and shoot her. And before you ask, yes, your mother was a message to Gwen that I was going to play the game whether she liked it or not.”
“A message?” Stunned, Serena simply gaped. “Why didn’t you just kill her?”
He barked a laugh. “You would have preferred that?”
“Of course not! I just don’t—”
“Understand.”
“Yes, I don’t understand.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want you grieving your mother. Grief does crazy things to people. You might not have functioned for days, weeks, months. I needed you functioning. It was the only way to get at Gwendolyn. When she took you, I’d simply take you away from her.” He looked at his sister’s now lifeless body on the floor. “And that’s what I did.”
He was insane.
He was also in control at the moment.
Nate spun the cylinder again. “So if you don’t play, I’ll go after your father, then your pretty little friends at Covenant House and see how many of those sweet young things like to play games. It’s your choice. Taking one life for the good of many. If you don’t want to be responsible for the people you love dying, shoot her.”
Camille shook like a tree in a hurricane. Serena stared down the gun at the girl and knew she couldn’t even shoot to miss. The gun was held and aimed firmly in its holder. She looked back at Nate. “And what happens to me if I shoot her?”
“You get to live.”
Visions of the dead girls, the victims of the Doll Maker Killer, came to mind. “Somehow I doubt that. You just said the winners got a bullet in the forehead and were placed on display for all to see.”
Confusion riddled his gaze for a moment, then he said, “Well, then I guess I can change the rules, right? After all, Drake’s in prison and Gwen’s dead. So the rules can change.” Satisfaction gleamed as he waved the gun. “So, I’ll let you live. But if you don’t shoot her, you’ll definitely die. And if you don’t pull the trigger, she gets a turn. If she kills you, then she lives. It’s as simple as that.”
“That’s the dumbest game I ever heard of,” Camille whispered.
Chills swept over Serena. One hard tug and she’d be free of the cuff around her ankle. But where would she go? Could she get to the door and get it open before Nate put a bullet in her back?
No, she couldn’t.
She released the gun and said, “Then let Camille take a turn because there’s no way I’m going to pull that trigger.” She dropped into the chair and stared defiantly at the man.
Camille jerked. “I can’t shoot you!”
Serena turned her gaze to Nate. “What do you do when the players won’t play?”
Cold, soulless eyes stared back at her. “Kill them and find new ones. Just like Dad and Gwen used to do.”
37
Dominic’s heart chilled as he heard Nate’s emotionless statement. A member of the SWAT team had managed to place a listening device on the window. Fortunately, it worked even through the thick glass. The one area Gwendolyn had cut corners. It was thick but not soundproof. He looked at Hunter. “We’ve got to get in there now.”
Hunter asked, “Does the door open inward or outward?”
Dominic had Mac check for hinges.
“In,” Mac said.
“Let me know when he’s in front of the door.”
“Copy that,” Mac’s voice came through his earpiece clearly.
Serena watched Nate’s cruel eyes. He paced as he waited for her to pick up the gun. She desperately tried to think of a way out and came to the sickening conclusion that there was none.
Nate gestured with his gun. “I don’t have all day. I have a job to get back to. Now let’s go.”
“Who’s going to bury the bodies this time, Nate?” she whispered.
He frowned. “I’ll worry about that later. Shut up and pull the trigger.” He walked up to her and placed the gun against the side of her head. Serena settled her hands on the weapon in front of her, felt the coldness of the butt of the gun against her palm.
Sweat slid from her temple and she swallowed.
“Do it!” His scream shattered the silence broken only by harsh breaths. She flinched and stared at Camille. Where could she aim? How could she communicate with the girl to move left or right—
“May I pray first?” she blurted.
“What?” He stilled and looked at her, disbelief stamped on his features. “Pray?”
Serena bowed her head and reached down, pulled the cuff open.
“Pray!” he screamed. “No, you can’t pray! Now take the gun!”
“I’ll go first!” Camille cried. “I’ll do it!”
Nate swiveled and moved to the girl. He backhanded her and Camille’s head snapped back. She spat blood and glared at him.
“It’s not your turn,” he sneered.
Nate moved back to Serena and grabbed the back of her hair. She cried out as he lowered his head next to hers. “You’re ruining my game! Do I have to do everything?” He wrapped his hand around the gun.
“No!” With all of her strength, she shoved back with her elbow and caught him in the stomach. Air whooshed from him as he stumbled back.
Then the door exploded inward, clipping him in the shoulder. He went down, his gun sliding across the floor, and Serena raced around the table to grab Camille and push her down. Choking gas filled the room and she figured someone had tossed a flash bang into the room as they knocked the door down.
“Freeze! FBI!” Shouts and screams filled the air.
Camille clutched at her and Serena nearly cried her relief when Dominic appeared at the door, weapon drawn, eyes searching.
They landed on her and she saw the instant relief fill them.
Nate Lindell fought his captors as they did their best to subdue him in the small space. With a yell and a twist, he brought a hand up and broke the nose of the officer nearest to him. Blood spurted from the man as he fell back with a harsh cry.
His partner tackled the man. Dominic added his weight and together they worked to subdue him. Serena pulled Camille around to the other end of the table, out of harm’s way.
Another harsh cry sounded. She whirled to see a large knife Nate managed to procure flash in the dim light of the room.
“Dominic! Be careful!”
Nate went down, clipped behind the knees by another officer. Then incredibly, he was back up, as was Dominic.
A gunshot sounded.
Nate’s eyes went wide and blood bloomed across the chest of his starched white shirt.
Serena’s ears rang as she spun to focus on Camille, who sat at the table, staring, wide-eyed and frozen, her hands locked around the weapon.
Dominic tackled the man once again and this time he stayed down.
More officers swarmed inside. Camille remained still as stone, her eyes
on the man who had added his own short reign of terror to their day.
“We’re fine now, Camille. We’re fine.”
“He was going to kill Dominic.”
“I know.” Serena pulled the girl’s hands from the weapon and wrapped her in a hug as an officer uncuffed Camille’s ankle from the leg of the chair.
Together, they walked toward the exit.
Serena tried to shield Camille from the two bodies on the floor, but the girl pulled away. Dominic’s arms wrapped around Serena as Camille looked into Nate’s lifeless eyes and whispered, “You lose.”
38
MONDAY, 5:40 P.M.
Serena looked at Dominic. “So, when Nate came to the morgue looking for Leslie, he recognized Gwendolyn and contacted her, wanted to know what her game was.”
Dominic nodded. “She told him to butt out of her business, and he thought that by helping her get you, she’d finally let him play.”
“Which is why he killed the police officer and gave her a chance at you,” Colton said and shook his head. “Sick dude.”
Dominic said, “But neither of them knew I was just a few minutes behind you. Nate took off and Gwen grabbed your briefcase and fled.”
“And the notes she started leaving were directed toward Nate.”
“And we let him know that by telling him what they entailed.”
“I’m sure that was just fuel to his fire.” Katie smirked, then sobered. “But he was a sicko anyway, just like the rest of his family.”
Alexia sighed. “I wonder why some kids who are abused turn out so awful like Nate and Gwen, and other kids, like Dom and me, I think we turned out okay. I mean, we’re not perfect, but at least we don’t go around killing people. We actually want to help people.”
Serena shook her head. “I don’t know. It could be the influences in a child’s life. Not just family, but teachers, church people, friends, et cetera. You know?”
Alexia looked at Serena. “Yeah, I know. You were one of those influences. Even though your dad wasn’t always around and he frustrated you a lot, I could tell you loved him and he loved you.”
Serena blinked against the rush of tears. “Yeah. You’re right about that.”
“And Marcus Porter was there for me,” Dominic said.
Serena leaned forward in her seat. “That’s why I want to be so involved with the girls at Covenant House. I want to see them grow into the people God meant for them to be. To move past their mistakes and build something from their lives.”
“How’s Camille?”
Serena glanced down the hall. “Asleep, I think.”
“How’s the baby?” Hunter asked.
“No damage from the blow to her stomach. She had an ultrasound after they brought her in.”
“Is she going to keep it?”
Serena drew in a deep breath. “She’s not sure yet. She’s for sure not aborting, so that’s good. If she wants to give it up for adoption, I told her I’d help her find a family who would give it a blessed childhood.”
“The childhood she never had,” Alexia murmured.
“Right. But until then, I told her if she would stay in school, she could stay with me.”
Dominic gazed at her. “You’re amazing.”
Colton stood. “I’ll see you guys later. I’m going to see if I can do anything to locate Jillian.”
He left and Hunter and Alexia stood too.
Hunter said, “We’re going to see your dad at the hospital. The psych meds seem to be working and he’s having a better day today.”
Alexia shook her head. “He’s been an undiagnosed schizophrenic all these years. No wonder he couldn’t keep it together when we were younger.”
Hunter squeezed her hand. “He’s getting the help he needs now.”
Alexia looked at Serena and Dominic. “He asked to sign the divorce papers. Said he could do one good thing and give Mom her freedom to find some happiness in her life while she still had some time.”
“What did Mom say about that?” Dominic asked.
“She seemed okay with it after she realized Dad wasn’t changing his mind about it.”
Hunter wrapped an arm around Alexia’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, hon.”
She shrugged, looked at Dominic, and said, “It’s for the best, right?”
“Dad’s adamant. And in his right mind right now, so, yeah . . .”
Alexia slipped out from under Hunter’s protective arm and gave Serena a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Me too.”
“See you later.”
Serena watched them leave. She looked at Dominic and said, “It’s time.”
“For what?”
“To look in that package.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’d already made up my mind to look, but by the time I did, everything was already going crazy and I simply didn’t get a chance. And I don’t think Jillian had any clue the trouble she’d spark with this thing.” She took a deep breath and walked to the small table in the foyer. Reaching behind the mirror just above the table, she pulled the package out.
Walking back into the den, she opened it, and slid the envelopes out. Bypassing the one she’d already read, she sat on the couch and opened the second one.
“Wait a minute,” Dominic said, reaching over to place his hand on hers. “Before you get into that, I need to tell you something.”
Surprised at the intensity of his tone, she let the envelope fall to the couch beside her. “What is it?”
“I’m falling in love with you.”
She blinked. Then smiled. “Well, that’s good news.”
He huffed a laugh. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say after I worked up the nerve to tell you?”
Trembling on the inside, her heart filled with a tender love for the man sitting next to her. “It’s only been a short time, Dominic, but I’ve come to care about you so much. We’ve been through some pretty intense times and I think that just sort of heightens all the emotions—”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Put your doctor persona away for now. How does the woman feel?”
“She’s falling in love with you too,” she whispered.
“Good.” He settled his lips over hers.
As she settled into the kiss, she decided he was right. Too much analyzing wasn’t good. Right now, she simply wanted to feel. Feel loved and safe and right where she wanted to be. Right in Dominic’s arms.
He lifted his head, eyes narrowed, and said, “How long do I have to give you before you would say yes?”
She lifted a brow. “Why don’t you ask me and find out.”
He laughed. “Okay. I will. When you least expect it.”
She smacked his arm and he kissed her again. Then said, “Okay, let’s look at the package.”
“Oh. Right. The package.”
She lifted the envelope from the sofa, pulled out the letter.
And started to read.
39
“So, what’s the next failure of a plan?” Frank couldn’t help the snide question.
Silence echoed over the line.
Then the voice said, “It was a good plan.”
“Not good enough.”
“If Serena had been killed by Gwendolyn Lindell, no one would have been the wiser. She would have simply been another victim of a serial killer. No one would have been able to connect her with us.”
“We still don’t have the package.”
“That’s all right, we have something better.”
“What’s that?”
“A lead on Jillian. Her plane lands tomorrow at 10:50 a.m.”
Frank stilled. “She’s coming here?”
“She is.”
“Don’t let her leave the airport alive.”
“That’s the plan.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are always so many people involved in putting a book together that I’m afraid to start thanking them because I don’t want to forget an
yone! But I’m going to give it a shot.
Thanks to my awesome editor, Andrea Doering, who believes in me and my work—even when I have my doubts!
To Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency for all your hard work on my behalf and for believing in me too!
I can’t say thank you enough to Officer James (Jim) Hall and Retired FBI Agent Wayne Smith, who proof my law enforcement details. Any inaccuracies are mine and mine alone. You guys never charge me enough!
Also, a big thanks to Ruthie Owens at Spartanburg Regional Hospital for answering all of my many autopsy questions about a year ago.
And of course, I can’t forget the rest of the amazing and talented Revell team. Michele Misiak, Claudia Marsh, Barb Barnes, and the art design team—you guys rock and I love working with you all. I know there are more of you who are behind the scenes, so I’m thanking you too!
One person I also want to thank is Taylor Bevil, a young lady I’m proud to call friend. She’s an insightful, detail-oriented reader who caught a couple of mistakes when I asked her to read the story. She also offered excellent suggestions on how to make the story better! Thanks for your input, Taylor!
And last, but never least, I want to thank you readers who buy my books and support what I do. I definitely couldn’t do this without you!
Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, including Too Close to Home, Don’t Look Back, and A Killer Among Us. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Lynette graduated from the University of South Carolina and went on to earn her master’s degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children.
Books by Lynette Eason
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WOMEN OF JUSTICE SERIES
Too Close to Home
Don’t Look Back
A Killer Among Us
EBOOK SHORTS
Gone in a Flash
DEADLY REUNIONS
When the Smoke Clears
When a Heart Stops Page 29
