Page 24 of The Crime of Intensity

“Seth,” I bellow, catching the attention of the deputy walking my way. “Get Mr. Hemwig home before he starts to spout more nonsense no one likes to hear.”

The camera guy keeps filming.

“Didn’t I tell you to turn that thing off? You have as long as it takes me to reach for my cuffs to get your asses into your news van and get the hell out of my town. If not, I’ll throw y’all in jail and leave you there to rot all damn weekend.”

Again, with the freedom of speech nonsense.

“Try me,” I snarl and reach for my cuffs.

Finally, they jump into action and scurry their asses into their van and speed off. Muttering a few curses I stomp across the road.

I snap my fingers at Wrench who is sprawled in front of the door. “Lazy bastard, you could have helped me out by biting their asses.”

Marvin opens the door for me and when I step inside he softly says, “I thought we agreed not to draw him out.”

It’s then I realize my action could have provoked Davey. Though, it’s hard not to provoke the fucker because I’m the damn sheriff and I’m just doing my job. Probably why Marvin doesn’t look angry and simply makes an observation by the sound of his voice, along with the look on his face.

I place my palm against my forehead and sigh. “I can’t even do my job without stepping on the serial killer’s long freaking toes.”

“I would have done the same thing if you weren’t already doing it,” Marvin murmurs and pulls me close.

Letting my body sink into his only lasts a heartbeat or two when both our phones start to ring. I reach for mine while Marvin answers his.

“Dammit, Kat, what were you thinking?” my father snaps.

Gritting my teeth I fire back, “I was thinking Mrs. Johnson was having a hard time getting into the diner where her sister and other neighbors were waiting to have tea. Mr. Hemwig was spouting nonsense no one needs to hear. The whole incident shouldn’t have taken place and that’s why I put an end to it.”

My father releases a sigh. “You know what you did, right? Atticus called me with an update about the killer and his background story. You’re on the fucker’s radar now. Those news fuckers? They were live, Kathleen. The whole thing was captured on TV. Your face is out there now, how you lashed out at those men. A complete power position, stomping on men’s dicks. Let me talk to Marvin.”

I glance in Marvin’s direction. “He’s talking on his phone. Besides, Dad, you’re not on this case: we are. I was doing my damn job without thinking that it would put me on the killer’s radar because my mind was too occupied with protecting the citizens of this town. Those vultures only care about screentime minutes of entertainment, even if those folks didn’t know shit. I’m gonna hang up, there’s work I’d rather be doing other than getting scolded by my father.”

I’m about to hang up when he says, “Be careful, Kat. We don’t want to see you get hurt…or worse.”

A deep sigh rips from me as I stare at Marvin who is shoving his phone into his pocket.

“I know,” I tell my dad, and add, “Here’s Marvin.”

Handing the phone to Marvin, I stalk into my office and drop myself into the chair. What a clusterfuck. There might be a chance the killer didn’t see the live feed or has left town. On the other hand, he has been escalating by dumping bodies in his hometown. He keeps returning here and it’s as if he wants to end it or something.

“Your father is worried, as is my brother,” Marvin states as he strolls into my office.

Without looking in his direction I grumble, “Your name is on the top of that list too.”

“Yeah, well, your name on top of the serial killer’s list will do that to a man when his woman’s life is put at risk.” He lets his ass drop into one of the chairs on the other side of my desk.

I’m getting annoyed but it’s fleeting when Marvin says, “We’re closing in on the fucker on all sides. We know who he is, what he looks like, his motives, and his background. It’s only a matter of time until we catch the bastard. I won’t be leaving your side anyway, my brother has put everyone on high alert, and your father is putting other wheels in motion. Let him fucking come for you so he’ll end up dead sooner rather than later.”

“So, you’re not going to throw me in a cell to keep me safe?” I challenge.

The man smirks. “The way you threw me in a cell the last time I was in town?”

I roll my eyes. “You were annoying and instead of–”

“Hey,” Marvin interrupts. “I was still getting a grip on my damn emotions, okay. Give a guy a little leeway when a woman makes the ground shake underneath his damn feet.”

“Are you telling me I rocked your world without realizing it?” Reaching for a file Seth must have put on my desk, I add, “Back then I would have been happy if the ground opened up and swallowed you whole.”

He leans forward and places his forearms on his knees. “That’s not nice, and I hope to hell you feel differently now.”

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