Page 10 of Beautiful Prey

“Eve, are you there?”

“Y-yes. Yes, I’m here, sorry.”

“I understand if this is too much to ask.”

Jamie returned, and I turned to him. His eyes widened in concern, but all I could do was smirk at him. “No, I’m glad you asked,” I said. “When can I start?”

CHAPTER THREE

I flung my bag over my shoulder, then pulled my suitcase out of the trunk of my car before slamming it shut. The wind from the water at my back picked up, whipping my hair across my face. I looked around at the hotel along the shore, pale blue fading to gray where the paint was chipping along the edges of the wood.

It was only a temporary stay until either I found a room to rent somewhere else in the little town of Bayville or until Emery stopped talking to me. Whichever came first. The hotel looked out toward Lake Huron and the bay. To my left, I could see the city of Alpena just north. To the south, I could see the nature reserve and the marsh. From across the water, a mile or two off, I could see the bridge leading to St. Agnes. From there, I could barely make out the large complex among the trees.

I had just enough time to clean up, get dressed, and eat a quick meal before I was to head over. Just after sunset. Dr. Langley said we could discuss better session times in the future so I didn’t have to venture the narrow roads at night.

It had only taken me a couple days to pack and to prepare for my stay. My school was a few hours away so there was no way I was going to be able to drive that distance several times a week. Jamie—being the sweetheart he was—took in Sammy untilI returned, even though his partner, Ben, grumbled about cat-hair.

“I’m betting right now your thesis will be the most read and talked about in the community this year,” Mrs. Conley had told me when I had contacted her about the arrangement. “You get anything out of this guy, and I see a publishing deal coming next year. But we’ll discuss that at a later date. Good luck there, Eve.”

She’d exempted me from future classes, sending any further assignments online. With school taken care of and my stay charged through the week, I was ready to go.

Busy with preparing for tonight, I didn’t let Emery penetrate my thoughts. I got my key from the bored looking desk clerk and quickly made myself at home in my small but comfy looking room that overlooked the water—and the island. I started hanging my clothes in the narrow closet beside a picture of a lighthouse that looked similar to the one on St. Agnes, with a storm brewing in the background.

I took my time showering and pinning up my hair, then threw on some casual clothes before heading to the cafe for a quick dinner.

It was when I returned to my room after and started to change into a red blouse and pair of gray slacks that I finally let Emery back into my head. Just thinking of him made my heart race. The way his sunset eyes peered at me from the red skull mask. The image was eerie enough to make me shiver. It was like something else was there behind the mask, not a man, but something unnatural. Something dark andwrong.

I couldn’t imagine what might have caused such a sinister demeanor like that. What horrifying secrets were in his past, what wicked thoughts swirled around in that deep, dark well that was his mind.

But I was willing to find out.

I grabbed my bag and made for the door. The sun was nearly below the horizon as I slid into the driver seat of my Honda and started my drive out toward the marsh and to the bridge leading to the island.

Getting past the checkpoint on the bridge was quicker this time since they remembered me. I weaved through the narrow road across the island with the forest dark on either side of me until I saw the facility and the clock looming ahead. I parked in the same spot as before. Anxiously, I walked toward the door.

“Well, look who's back,” John said, barely greeting me with a smile. He shook his head as if feeling sorry for me. “Couldn’t get enough, huh?”

I waited once more in Dr. Langley’s office as they pulled Emery from his room. This time I was alone, as Langley was away at a meeting. I listened to the sounds of the inmates clanging against their doors or a dull moaning in the distance as I stared at the pictures along the wall and the dusty bookshelves, wondering if I’d have an office like this, in a place like this, in a few years…

“He’s all set,” John notified from the doorway.

I followed him to room 5b, trying to calm my nerves, trying to shake the feeling of terrified anticipation and gut-wrenching uneasiness from being face-to-face with that red-skulled devil.

Through the shadows and dim yellow lights, I saw Emery sitting in the same position as last time, his back turned from the door, his hands chained to the chair.

Slowly, he turned his head, like he did when he thought someone was beside him, and peered over at me. My heart flipped a little as his gaze caught mine.

We stared at each other for a mere two seconds, but it felt like forever.

“Hello again, Emery,” I said, at last.

His eyes narrowed, flitting down my form, taking in my blouse and slacks. “Eve…” he said in a hushed tone before turning away.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to my seat opposite him, aware of his eyes following me. I tried to give him a polite smile but could only manage a smirk. “It’s a little cold in here, isn’t it? I should have brought a sweater.”

Emery eyed me with curious, yet calm, indifference. “Sit here instead, and I’ll warm you right up.” He parted his thighs to indicate where he wanted me to sit exactly. As creepy as that was, the way he said it was so casual it almost sounded innocent as if he hardly meant anything inappropriate by it. Then I heard the tone of amusement and sarcasm and knew he was likely joking. If I even so much as got a foot next to him, he’d have me pinned to him in a second. His hands might be chained, but he had the ability to find other creative ways to hurt me.

“I’ll pass,” I said as politely as possible, reaching into my bag to take out my recorder.