Page 66 of So Silent

He aimed for the center of that fucking prick’s forehead and squeezed the trigger.

***

Faith saw David’s car in the driveway of Michael’s house. He saw Michael’s car on the curb in front of the house, its driver’s side tires blown. There was no sign of another vehicle. How had West gotten here? Had he gotten here?

She brought the car to a stop and rushed out. Turk bounded after her and followed her to the house. As she ran toward the caved-in door, she heard Michael’s voice. “You fuck! I’m going to kill you!”

She ran into the house just in time to see Michael’s fingers tighten around the trigger. She looked at his target and saw.

“David!”

David’s eyes snapped toward her. Michael spun toward Faith with a snarl.

“Faith!” David shouted. “Don’t shoot her!”

He rushed Michael, but Turk barked, and both men froze and looked at him. Faith looked into the kitchen and saw Ellie sitting up slowly.

“Ellie?”

Michael dropped his gun and ran to her side. David looked at them with confusion and looked at Faith. “What’s going on?”

Faith’s phone buzzed. An unknown number.

She read the text, and everything became clear.

I warned you I would break you, Faith. David’s not at the cabin. He’s at Michael’s house. Michael just killed him for murdering Ellie. But she’ll be all right. She’ll wake up in a few minutes to see that the man she left me for is a killer too. And he’ll spend the next ten years in prison. Who knows? Maybe I’ll see him around.

It was so easy. You all think you’re so smart. But you’re not. You’re no less foolish than any of the other sheep I’ve butchered.

I told you, Faith. I told you I would break you. You have your dog, I suppose. Cry on his shoulder as you bury your boyfriend and watch your partner led away in handcuffs. You bruised my heel, but I have bruised your head.

I win.

“Faith?”

She chuckled and looked up at David. “David, this is Michael, my partner, and his wife, Ellie. Michael, Ellie, my boyfriend David. David, would you mind helping Michael fix his door? I have an errand to run, then I’m buying everyone dinner.”

“What?” Ellie said. “What’s going on?”

Michael’s eyes narrowed a moment. He looked at Faith. “Is it over?”

“Oh yeah,” she said. “It’s over.”

Michael broke into a smile. “Then go do what you have to do.” He kissed Ellie’s forehead. “Let’s take care of your bump, baby. Frank tried to do something, but Faith took care of it. Nothing to worry about anymore.”

“Oh… Are you all right? Who’s he?”

“My name’s David,” David said. “I’m Faith’s very confused boyfriend.”

“I’ll explain what I know,” Michael said. “The short version is that Faith just beat the Copycat Killer. Also, sorry for almost shooting you.”

“Well…” David said. “You didn’t, so I guess that’s okay.”

"Shoot you?" Ellie said. "What?" Then her eyes widened. "Oh. Oh! Oh, that letter from Frank! He knocked me out, and then… was he trying to trick you guys into killing each other?"

“Something like that,” Faith said. “But don’t worry. This was his last chance. And he blew it.”

“So it’s over?”

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