Page 141 of Rest In Pieces

He chuckles. “No problem. You don’t like him?”

“I don’t know him,” I admit, even though he’s been around for the last few movies. I let out a relieved sigh as the truck heads down the pass and disappears from view behind the trees.

“But…” he presses.

“But something about him sets off my alarm bells.”

“Alarm bells?” He laughs.

I turn to face him. “Yeah, you know, that built-in sixth sense women have about creepy men.”

He shakes his head, still chuckling, as he bends down to pick up the gloves. “He’s new to it all. He’ll figure it out, eventually.”

“Figure what out? How to be less creepy?”

“No, how to hide it better.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

“It probably isn’t for you, but for a predator, it’s the only way to survive. How do you think so many pedophiles end up in relationships with single moms? Moms are fiercely protective of their kids. Just ask my wife. Amy was four when we met, and it took her a year before she introduced us.

“They have to play it smart, which is why they work so hard at blending in and acting all meek and harmless. It’s a skill that takes time to perfect.” He chuckles, handing me the gloves before he picks up the water canteen next to his feet.

Something in his voice makes the hairs on my arms stand on end, and I instinctively take a step back.

He curses. “I gave myself away, didn’t I?”

“Jack? You’re freaking me out.”

“Oh well, I guess the jig is up. I went to all that trouble, making sure the truck broke down and spiking Stefan’s water.” He sighs. “Honestly, I have to say I’m disappointed it’s taken you so long to finally see me. I know you like your games, Agatha, but this one’s been torturous.”

He steps closer, and I stumble back, dropping the gloves. He swings the metal canteen at my head, stunning me, before grabbing my arm so I can’t move back any further.

“You didn’t reply to my notes. I thought you were playing hard to get until you let that Neanderthal into your bed. I wasn’t happy, Agatha, but then I realized you were just trying to make me jealous, like Amy did with her mother.” He yanks me into his chest, his grip on my wrist tight enough to leave a bruise.

“You were picturing me when he was inside you, weren’t you? I do that when I’m fucking my wife. I used to shove her face into the pillow and pretend I was fucking Amy. But now, all I think about is you and how I’m going to destroy your tight cunt. Of course, it’s not the same. She’s too loose to be you. She doesn’t scream or fight like Amy either, so it’s no fun. But you… hmm… oh, the fun we’ll have.”

Shock paralyzes me for a moment, but then clarity washes over me, and my survival instinct kicks in. I swing around and smack his arm before punching him in the side of the head. He releases my wrist and staggers back.

Before I can make a run for it, he pulls out a gun and aims it at my head. “Now that wasn’t nice.” He moves closer, the gun giving him confidence. All I need is for him to come a little nearer, and I’ll take his gun just like I did with Hicks.

A faint sound of thunder breaks the silence. It looks like the storm is moving in faster than expected. That might work in my favor and help me escape. The rain will affect his visibility.

“It didn’t have to be like this, Agatha. All I wanted was you. And I know you wanted me too, until that fucking biker got in the way. I didn’t care that you ignored my letters. That was our game of cat and mouse. You always gave me that secret smile that let me know how much you wanted me.

“I didn’t even care that you fucked him because I knew it was just to tease me. But you aren’t allowed to love him. That was supposed to be mine. Not his. Mine.”

Think, Amity. Get him talking. Make him come closer.

“I didn’t know you felt that way, Jack. You have a wife. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to look at you, let alone touch you. But now I know…” I trail off as the thunder crashes and a wave of realization hits me that brings tears to my eyes.

It’s not thunder. It’s a motorcycle.

While I focused on the sound and where it was coming from, Jack circled around behind me. It’s not the best position for me, but I can make it work. I just need him to let his guard down.

“It’s okay. You’re young, and you have a lot to learn, but I’m a good teacher, Agatha. I can show you exactly what I like and how I like it.” Just then, I see movement in the trees and suck in a sharp breath.

Jack must see it, too, because he presses the gun to the back of my head and wraps his free hand around my throat before I can make my move.

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