Page 138 of The Dollmaker

Tessa glanced toward the bag, but when Veronica began to cry, she set it aside.

“I was on the phone with Mom and Dad,” Veronica said finally. “They’re flying back from California right now.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She shook her head, wiping away a tear. “I’m trying to understand this. I’m trying to figure out why someone would be so full of hate that they’d do what they did to her face.”

“I don’t know, Veronica. This person is clearly sick.”

“You know Elena was sorry she didn’t visit with you after your accident.”

Absently, Tessa rubbed her leg. “It was a long time ago.”

“Does it still bother you?”

“Only when I’m tired and have been on my feet too long. For the most part, it’s not too bad.”

“How did you get hit by a car?”

“You didn’t come here to talk about my accident.”

“No, I didn’t. I met with the police sketch artist, but I’m afraid I wasn’t much help. It was basically the face of a thousand different men.” She fiddled with a ring on her index finger. “I’ve been trying to remember if there were any super creeps that stood out when Elena was in college. There were always guys staring at her. She was so pretty. So perfect. But I can’t place anyone in particular.”

“I’ve been doing the same. I just don’t remember anyone.”

Veronica shook her head. Tears glistened. “This is all so surreal. You know I have an appointment with the funeral home tomorrow? Jesus. I never pictured this moment in my life, ever.”

“No one ever does. I was overwhelmed when my mom died. There were so many details to think about. I don’t think I could have gotten through it all without my aunt.”

Veronica shoved out a sigh. “Look, I can see you’re tired and need to put your feet up. You’re the only one I can really talk to about this.”

“It’s okay.” As Veronica turned toward the door, Tessa said, “You need to be careful. We still don’t know the killer.”

“I saw the cop parked out front of your house. Are you scared?”

“More angry than scared. I want this guy caught.”

She opened the door. “Be careful.”

“Right.”

When Veronica left, Tessa locked her door and turned her attention to the bag. Inside, she found a simple brown box. Carefully, she removed it and pulled off the top to find a layer of white tissue. Peeling back the layers, she caught the glimpse of black hair and then a glass eye with a fixed stare. Her heart rammed against her ribs. It was a doll. “My God.” She dashed to the front door, snapped it open without thinking, hoping she could catch Veronica. But when she opened the door, the man standing there stopped her midstep with the touch of a stun gun to her gut.

“Dr.McGowan?”

Gritting her teeth, she couldn’t form words as she looked up at the man, knowing they’d met recently. Her body tingled, twitched, and burned from the effects of the stun gun as her legs crumbled. He lifted her, supporting her weight as he took her inside the apartment.

Before the door closed, she looked past him to the cop car. The cop’s head was slumped forward. She opened her mouth to scream, but she couldn’t draw in air to speak. The door closed. Finally, she muttered, “Don’t do this.”

He stood her upright and released her as he searched his pockets for something. All the while he watched as she staggered to an entry table for support, willing her legs to work.

Hands trembling, she reached for a vase, gripping the lip as she concentrated on lifting it. It felt as if she were lifting hundreds of pounds. Finally, she turned and hurled it at him.

The man easily deflected the missile with one arm as he held a syringe in the other. “There is no need to be afraid. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to transform you, my sweet little doll.”

Screaming weakly, she turned to run, but her body still wouldn’t perform. She tripped, and strong hands grabbed her.

“You are being naughty, little doll. You need to be still. You need to be silent.”

---