Page 56 of Going Once

He sat there for a few moments more, watching the changing expressions on her face.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“Wondering if I’m going to live through this.”

Anger followed shock.

“Hell yes, you’re going to live through this. And then you’re going to live a long and happy life.”

“It hasn’t been all that happy lately.”

His chin went up, and his eyes narrowed. “I could change that…if you were interested.”

She’d just gotten an answer to her question without having to ask. Her voice was a little shaky, but that was because her heart was beating so fast.

“I’m interested.”

“Thank God,” he said softly.

A weather warning began scrolling across the bottom of the television screen. They both read it in silence, and then Tate spoke.

“Well, this could amp up the Stormchaser’s kill rate.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“If he’s still in the area, the river will rise even more, and more people will become stranded. He could make a second sweep, which means we’ll have new bodies turning up.”

“Do you think he’s still in the area?” she asked.

Tate hesitated, and then realized she needed the truth. It was her life on the line, and becoming too complacent could get her killed.

“Yes, I believe he’s still here.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Because of me?”

“Yes, because of you, but we will make sure you are safe.”

Nola’s eyes narrowed angrily. “You don’t have to sugarcoat anything. I saw him at work, remember? Coldhearted, methodical bastard that he is. He pulled up beside that roof and raised the gun, and then—” All of a sudden she leaned forward. “Oh! Left-handed! I just now remembered! He pulled the gun with his right hand, then traded hands and shot with his left!”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Tate flew out of the chair and ran to grab his laptop. He booted it up, then went to a file that held the killer’s previous texts.

Nola got up and followed him to the table where he was working, watching as a page opened.

“Son of a bitch!” he said. “Okay, I was right. Now how does this…?”

“What is it?” Nola asked.

“He’s been sending us texts almost from the first. His personal relationship with us has become part of his thing. It’s like he considers us partners in how his game plays out.”

Her stomach suddenly rolled. “Does he know about our prior relationship?”

Tate nodded.

“Is that part of why he’s after me?”

---