Page 56 of Thorned Vengeance

“Mark, get packed up and let Jez know we’re moving on,” Thorn orders. “We’re leaving in thirty. Tell her to dig deep and see if she can find out which state we need to head to. For now, we can head in that direction. We have time to pick a route once we get on the road.”

“Got it.” Mark rushes back into his room.

Thorn stares at me for a minute. “You okay?”

“No.”

“We will catch him,” Thorn promises.

I nod solemnly. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… How many more people have to die before we do?”

CHAPTER 25

“Wow, thanks.”

I watch the teenage girl shove the fifty in her pocket, spin on her heel, and walk out of the hotel. Since I had to meet her in the lobby, I can’t do what I want to do which is grab her and shove her against the wall to have my way with her.

Carrying the box of pizza to my hotel room, I grin at the image of the delivery girl’s innocence. She couldn’t have been more than seventeen which means she likely has no clue about the evil she was in the presence of.

While I eat, I recount the events that took place in Philadelphia. The murder wasn’t my normal MO, but that didn’t make it any less satisfying. In fact, it was a nice change of pace.

Once I’m full, I set the remaining food on the table and move to the bed with my laptop. I have a blog to write, and I need to do it while certain details remain fresh in my mind.

It takes me an hour to complete the post, and I hit submit so it’s published online. Then I navigate to Delaney Jefferson’s website and click on the ‘contact me’ button. It’s one thing to publish my blog for the world to see but sending it to an intended victim is another.

It has to be perfect.

I reread my typed words to make sure it’s exactly that.

When Eloise Davenport purchased her ticket for the Spirit Spying Ghost Tour: Nightmare Row, she had no idea she was about to walk into her own living nightmare. She no doubt thought that in the city of brotherly love, she’d be safe, but her killer had other plans.

While the details I’m about to outline for you have not been made public, yours truly was able to procure information from a very reliable source. Here is what I know…

Officials have not conclusively linked the Phantom Strangler to Davenport’s horrific murder, but all signs point to him. The victim was found naked, and she was propped up against the gated entrance of a cemetery. The bruising around her neck indicated that she’d been strangled, but the item used was not located. Based on the ligature pattern, a belt was used.

Blood was smeared across Davenport's breasts, and dried blood caked her thighs.

My cock hardens as I read the details of my crime. I wrap my fingers around my length and jerk off as I relive my time with Eloise Davenport. Once I’m finished, I hit the submit button on Delaney’s website contact form.

Happy reading, Miss Jefferson.

CHAPTER 26

DELANEY

“I think we should head to San Diego.”

I scroll through the emails on my phone while Mark and Thorn argue about where we should head next. They’ve been fighting since we got in the car this morning. Hell, they’ve been at each other’s throats since we left Philadelphia two days ago. Mark wants to go to San Diego, and Thorn thinks the Phantom will strike in Nevada. They asked me for my opinion, but at this point, I have no clue which location is next. I don’t want another dead body on my conscience, and there’s absolutely nothing to go on.

“I gotta stop and get gas,” Thorn announces. “Anyone hungry?”

“Are we driving all night?” Mark asks.

I shrug. “Until we hear from Jez, we don’t know what direction to go.”

Thorn pulls off the exit. “Let’s get gas and food. We can regroup, check in with the club, and devise a plan for the night.”

After pulling into the gas station, Thorn fills the tank while Mark and I use the restroom. As we’re coming back, my phone chimes with an email notification. I climb into the front passenger seat and open my email app.

---