by Ann Mullen
Tommy was finished and so was our discussion.
Sheriff Hudson and Deputy James stood.
“We’re right behind you, Tommy.” The sheriff looked at me. “If you feel the need to talk, please don’t call me. I can recommend a good therapist.” He chuckled as he turned to leave. “You both might need one after a week of being locked up together. Don’t kill each other. Now, I’m on my way to see Jonathan. Sometimes I just love my job.”
It’s amazing what something so small like a monitoring bracelet can do for your life. It kept Billy, Jonathan, and me out of jail. I don’t know all the details or how the sheriff managed to pull this one off, but I don’t care. I’ve learned my lesson. Never get caught.
A week later, Billy and I were sitting in the swing on the front porch, looking up at the stars, talking about how cold this winter was supposed to be, when the subject of the recent abductions came up.
“I have a theory. Want to hear it?”
“Sure, `ge ya. What is it?”
“The killer has a killing ground, a place where he takes his victims. Find the killing ground, and you find the killer. Reminds me of a case several years back. This guy was luring women off the road, claiming there was something wrong with their car. He snatches them up, and then they turn up dead, or never heard from again. Happens all the time.”
“Unfortunately, we can’t do anything. Look at us. We’re stuck here for a while.”
I laid my head on his shoulder. “I don’t mind, do you?”
“Not one bit.”
“You never know, Blackhawk and Blackhawk just might have another case to solve pretty soon. Ninety days isn’t that long.”
Shark showed up a few days later. He told Mom that he wanted to hang around and help with building her new house, claiming he didn’t have anyone to kill at the moment and was available for the job.
She thought that was hilarious.
…to be continued.
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family for providing encouragement and support in the writing of The Prey Bites Back. My mother, Minnie Crumpler, as always, was there for me with a kind word and a pat on the back. My husband, Tom Mullen, never gave up on me even when I was cranky. Kudos to my children, Wendy Kantsios and Tommy Mullen. I know you got tired of hearing me talk about my book, but neither one of you ever complained. Thank you all.
Thanks so much to my proofreaders/editors, Billie Kerfoot, Ethyle Guiseppe, Norman Slezak, and Trish Eckstein. Without you, this book would have been a mess.
This book is dedicated to Norman Slezak. Thanks for putting a bug in my ear.
Look for Ann Mullen’s next book:
Be Very Afraid
A Jesse Watson Mystery
Book #9
Visit Ann Mullen’s website:
www.aftonridge.com
E-mail the author:
[email protected]
Afton Ridge Publishing
271 Entry Run Road
Stanardsville, VA 22973
434-985-1957
