by Blake Pierce
*
Jessie awoke with a start.
Based on the angle of the light streaming through the blinds, she knew she’d slept late. When she checked her phone she saw that it was 10:24. Ryan wasn’t in bed. She was surprised that a Marshal hadn’t already rapped on her door, telling her it was time get moving.
She skipped the shower and got dressed quickly. When she walked out to the living room, she found Sam Mason on the couch, looking at his phone.
“Where’s Ryan?” she asked.
“Went for a walk.”
“And Hannah?”
“Still sleeping,” he replied, “Or at least pretending to. She hasn’t come out of her room yet.”
“What about Tommy?”
“He got the short straw and had exterior duty,” Sam said. “He spent the night in the SUV.”
Filled with guilt, Jessie decided that even though she was no chef and it likely wouldn’t be up to her sister’s standards, she’d try to make some breakfast. She searched the cupboards and found some instant coffee and pancake mix. There were some eggs and bacon strips in the fridge. Everything smelled fine so she got started.
There was enough for everyone, so after she plated everything, she told Sam to grab a seat and went out to the SUV to let Tommy know too.
“Thanks,” he said, looking exactly like a man who’d spent all night in a car.
“Sure. Do you know which way Ryan went?”
“Just up the hill behind the house,” he said, pointing. “He’s that speck over there. I told him that if he couldn’t see the SUV, then I couldn’t see him, so he’s being a good boy and sticking close.”
“Okay, I’ll text him that food’s on,” she said, pulling out her phone. Before she could start, it rang. Kat was calling.
“I have to take this,” she said. “Can you let Ryan know about breakfast?”
“Sure,” Tommy said, pulling out his own phone as he walked to the cottage. “And just so you know, Murph said he wants us to pull out no later than noon. Now that your protectee status has changed, he can’t get approval for us stay with you past 3 p.m.”
“Understood,” Jessie said, then answered the phone. “Hey Kat, what’s up?”
“Hi, I didn’t want to bother you last night during all the craziness but I thought I should check in. How’re you guys doing?”
“Better than this time yesterday,” Jessie assured her. “Though there’s probably going to be a tough road ahead.”
“What do you mean?” Kat asked.
Jessie sighed. She didn’t want to get into the details of how she, Hannah, and Ryan had used each other’s weak spots as tools to trick the Night Hunter.
“I’ll explain more later. For now, let’s just say that in order to stop this guy, we kind of had to tear each other apart a little. There are some open relationship wounds that still have to heal. But we’ll get there. How are things back in the big city?”
“Also good. I stopped by Central Station earlier this morning. Captain Decker is in a good mood. He said that with the Night Hunter case resolved, Homicide Special Section is getting plaudits from everyone. Good stories on the news, relief among residents. He said headquarters is even talking about bumping up the HSS budget.”
“Wow, forty-eight hours ago the unit was at death’s door.” Jessie noted.
“I guess that’s what happens when two of its members catch a serial killer that prospective officers study at the police academy.”
Jessie knew what she wanted to say next but suddenly found it hard to get the words out.
“Is everything okay?” Kat asked after a few seconds.
“Yeah. I just wanted you to know that we wouldn’t have caught him if it wasn’t for you. If you hadn’t sensed something was off and told Jamil to check that vacant building again, I’m not sure we’d be talking now.”
“I doubt that,” Kat said, embarrassed. “You guys are pretty good at what you do.”
“We are,” Jessie agreed, “But we let our guard down last night. Your warning saved us.”
“I’m happy to help,” Kat said simply.
“You know,” Jessie continued, fighting back the tears starting to well up, “I wanted to have this big talk with you, to go over what happened with Hannah and clear the air. It was so important to me. I wanted you to ask for my forgiveness so that I could look you in the face and decide if you deserved it. But I don’t want to do that anymore. I think I’m just going to forgive you right now and ask if you’d be my best friend again. How would you feel about that?”
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line and Jessie knew that Kat was trying to keep control too.
“I’d feel pretty good about it,” she finally said.
“Bygones?” Jessie asked.
“Bygones,” Kat said and they were both quiet for a bit. When Kat spoke again, Jessie sensed immediately that something was different. “There’s another thing.”
“What is it?”
She got the same odd feeling that had overcome her yesterday morning when Kat called her at the Ellen Wade crime scene. She had been holding something back.
“I hate to tell you this when you’ve been through so much already. But I promised there’d be no more secrets between us, so as much as you deserve a break, you also deserve to know: Andrea Robinson called me the other day.”
A pit formed in Jessie’s stomach. It had been a while since she’d last heard that name. Most recently it was when Andy had tried to kill herself after Jessie wouldn’t visit her at the psychiatric prison where she was being held.
“Okay,” Jessie said warily. “Why?”
“She said that the Night Hunter would manipulate me to get to you. She warned me that if I wasn’t careful, I would put you in danger.”
“Well, she was off on that one,” Jessie said. “Like I told you, you’re the one who warned us.”
“Eventually, yes,” Kat conceded. “But he did manipulate me. I read that crumpled note in the used car at that dealership, just like he wanted. I went to that vacant building in Pasadena and called you, which led him to find out where you were. Robinson was right. I don’t know how, but she predicted all of it.”
“So what are you saying?” Jessie asked, “That I should ask Decker to let her join HSS?”
“No Jessie,” Kat said, not amused. “I’m saying that a fabulously wealthy, mentally unstable murderer who once tried to kill you is thinking about you a lot. I’m saying that you should be careful.”
CHAPTER FORTY THREE
“Morning sunshine!”
Startled, Jessie turned around to see that Ryan had made it down the hill. She waved to him and spoke quietly into the phone.
“I hear you, Kat. But Ryan is coming over and I don’t want him to have to deal with this right now. Talk later, okay?”
“Okay. Take care,” Kat replied and hung up.
Jessie put her phone away and told herself to smile so that Ryan wouldn’t be suspicious.
“Morning yourself, early riser,” she said. “Are you an aspiring mountain climber now?”
He laughed at the idea.
“Are you kidding?” he said. “That hill wiped me out. I’m just glad there was snow to break my fall if my legs gave out.”
“They seemed to operate pretty well last night when you tackled that bastard.”
“I got lucky,” he said dismissively.
“You don’t do lucky, Ryan Hernandez,” she said, giving him a kiss.
“I got lucky when I met you,” he countered.
She blushed despite herself. As much as she loved what he said, she was equally relieved. Either he wasn’t holding her “quivering mess after Trembley was killed” comment against her or he was an incredible actor. Either way, she was happy to play along.
“Listen to you, all romantic first thing in the morning.”
“It’s almost eleven,” he pointed out.
“Being less romantic now,” she noted.
“Sorry,” h
e said. “I actually did see something romantic earlier. Did you notice the fountain in the yard over there?”
Jessie looked where he was pointing. There was indeed a small fountain with some kind of sculpture in the center of it, though she couldn’t see it clearly.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Check it out,” he said, taking her hand and leading her through the snow. As they walked over, she looked over at him.
“Are we going to talk about it?”
“About what,” he asked nervously.
“About how my sister gunned down an unarmed man last night,” she replied, surprised that didn’t know what she referencing immediately.
“Oh right, of course. I guess I just hoped we could put that discussion off for a little while. It seems like it might be a long one.”
“Yeah,” she agreed, “And we probably don’t want to have that discussion with two U.S. marshals nearby. I guess we can hold off until we get back.”
“Sounds good,” Ryan said, relieved. “For now let’s put that out of heads and focus on the pretty fountain.”
When they got closer, she saw what was in the middle of it—a small sculpture in the classical Greek style. A naked man and woman were entwined with arms wrapped around each other. It was hard to discern where one body ended and the other began.
“This town is full of surprises,” she said.
It really is,” he agreed, before his smile turned into a frown. “What’s that?”
He pointed to what looked like a small, plastic grocery bag at the base of the fountain. Bending down carefully, he picked it up. There was something in it.
“Be careful,” Jessie warned, suddenly on edge. “We can’t be sure Wally didn’t leave that as some last-ditch measure to take us out.”
“You think he left a bomb in a plastic bag by a fountain?” Ryan asked skeptically.
“I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“I guess we’re about to find out,” he replied untying the bag and reaching in.
“Ryan!” she said urgently, dismayed at how careless he was being.
Oblivious, he grabbed hold of something and pulled it out. When he opened his hand, she realized what it was: a small, black ring box. Just as she was processing that fact, he bent down on one knee, his leg sinking into the snow.
“What the—?” she began. She didn’t even know how to finish the sentence. Her throat went dry and her heart threatened to pound out of her chest.
“Jessie Hunt,” he said, looking up into her eyes, “Since the first moment I saw you in Professor Hosta’s criminology class, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Over the years, we’ve been partners, friends, and then, to my great joy, something much more. Nothing would make me happier than being your husband. I want to wake up every morning with you beside me. I want to grow old with you. I want us to go from comparing scars to comparing wrinkles. Jessie, will you marry me?”
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!
THE PERFECT IMAGE
(A Jessie Hunt Psychological Suspense Thriller—Book Sixteen)
“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.”
--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
THE PERFECT IMAGE is book #16 in a new psychological suspense series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, which begins with The Perfect Wife, a #1 bestseller (and free download) with over 5,000 five-star ratings and 900 five-star reviews.
In a high-end Los Angeles suburb, wealthy wives are being found dead in their luxurious homes, with seemingly no connection. As Jessie plunges deeper into their exclusive world of clubs, lunches, vacations and every possible perk, she quickly realizes that appearances are not what they seem in their silver-spooned world—and that a killer is actively hunting amongst them.
A fast-paced psychological suspense thriller with unforgettable characters and heart-pounding suspense, THE JESSIE HUNT series is a riveting new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night.
Books #17 (THE PERFECT VEIL) and #18 (THE PERFECT INDISCRECTION) and #19 (THE PERFECT RUMOR) will be available soon.
THE PERFECT IMAGE
(A Jessie Hunt Psychological Suspense Thriller—Book Sixteen)
Did you know that I've written multiple novels in the mystery genre? If you haven't read all my series, click the image below to download a series starter!
Blake Pierce
Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nineteen books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising thirteen books, of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising four books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books, of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising three books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising three books (and counting).
ONCE GONE (a Riley Paige Mystery--Book #1), BEFORE HE KILLS (A Mackenzie White Mystery—Book 1), CAUSE TO KILL (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 1), A TRACE OF DEATH (A Keri Locke Mystery—Book 1), WATCHING (The Making of Riley Paige—Book 1), NEXT DOOR (A Chloe Fine Psychological Suspense Mystery—Book 1), THE PERFECT WIFE (A Jessie Hunt Psychological Suspense Thriller—Book One), IF SHE KNEW (A Kate Wise Mystery—Book 1), and MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (A European Voyage Cozy Mystery—Book 1) are each available as a free download on Amazon!
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.
BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE
RACHEL GIFT MYSTERY SERIES
HER LAST WISH (Book #1)
HER LAST CHANCE (Book #2)
HER LAST HOPE (Book #3)
AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES
CITY OF PREY (Book #1)
CITY OF FEAR (Book #2)
CITY OF BONES (Book #3)
A YEAR IN EUROPE
A MURDER IN PARIS (Book #1)
DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2)
VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3)
A FATALITY IN SPAIN (Book #4)
SCANDAL IN LONDON (Book #5)
AN IMPOSTOR IN DUBLIN (Book #6)
SEDUCTION IN BORDEAUX (Book #7)
JEALOUSY IN SWITZERLAND (Book #8)
A DEBACLE IN PRAGUE (Book #9)
ELLA DARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER
GIRL, ALONE (Book #1)
GIRL, TAKEN (Book #2)
GIRL, HUNTED (Book #3)
GIRL, SILENCED (Book #4)
GIRL, VANISHED (Book 5)
GIRL ERASED (Book #6)
LAURA FROST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER
ALREADY GONE (Book #1)
ALREADY SEEN (Book #2)
ALREADY TRAPPED (Book #3)
ALREADY MISSING (Book #4)
EUROPEAN VOYAGE COZY MYSTERY SERIES
MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (Book #1)
DEATH (AND APPLE STRUDEL) (Book #2)
CRIME (AND LAGER) (Book #3)
MISFORTUNE (AND GOUDA) (Book #4)
CALAMITY (AND A DANISH) (Book #5)
MAYHEM (AND HERRING)
(Book #6)
ADELE SHARP MYSTERY SERIES
LEFT TO DIE (Book #1)
LEFT TO RUN (Book #2)
LEFT TO HIDE (Book #3)
LEFT TO KILL (Book #4)
LEFT TO MURDER (Book #5)
LEFT TO ENVY (Book #6)
LEFT TO LAPSE (Book #7)
LEFT TO VANISH (Book #8)
LEFT TO HUNT (Book #9)
LEFT TO FEAR (Book #10)
LEFT TO PREY (Book #11)
LEFT TO LURE (Book #12)
LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13)
THE AU PAIR SERIES
ALMOST GONE (Book#1)
ALMOST LOST (Book #2)
ALMOST DEAD (Book #3)
ZOE PRIME MYSTERY SERIES
FACE OF DEATH (Book#1)
FACE OF MURDER (Book #2)
FACE OF FEAR (Book #3)
FACE OF MADNESS (Book #4)
FACE OF FURY (Book #5)
FACE OF DARKNESS (Book #6)
A JESSIE HUNT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES
THE PERFECT WIFE (Book #1)
THE PERFECT BLOCK (Book #2)
THE PERFECT HOUSE (Book #3)
THE PERFECT SMILE (Book #4)
THE PERFECT LIE (Book #5)
THE PERFECT LOOK (Book #6)
THE PERFECT AFFAIR (Book #7)
THE PERFECT ALIBI (Book #8)
THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR (Book #9)
THE PERFECT DISGUISE (Book #10)
THE PERFECT SECRET (Book #11)
THE PERFECT FAÇADE (Book #12)
THE PERFECT IMPRESSION (Book #13)
THE PERFECT DECEIT (Book #14)
THE PERFECT MISTRESS (Book #15)
THE PERFECT IMAGE (Book #16)
THE PERFECT VEIL (Book #17)
THE PERFECT INDISCRETION (Book #18)
THE PERFECT RUMOR (Book #19)
CHLOE FINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES
NEXT DOOR (Book #1)
A NEIGHBOR’S LIE (Book #2)
