Page 140 of The Dollmaker

“Missing.”

He floored the accelerator as he redialed Andrews. “Tessa is missing. What can you tell me about the funeral home?”

“I’m pulling building plans now. Bowman is with me, and he wants to talk to you.”

Sharp barely registered. “Sure.”

“Bowman here. I’m sending our newest man and putting him on an intercept course with you at DeLuca’s.”

“I don’t need a new guy.”

“It’s McLean.”

Tessa woke in stages. At first she was aware of a quiet shuffling around the room, then the strong smell of chemicals, and finally an aching pain in her side. Eyes closed, she tried to raise her hand to her head but couldn’t lift her arms.

What was wrong with her? Was she still asleep? She thought back to when she was in the car accident and she couldn’t move her legs. Fear sliced through her as she tried to convince herself that she was okay. But her legs didn’t move. She didn’t feel the prick of the doctor’s probe on the bottom of her feet. Had she been in another accident?

Terrified of what she might discover when she awoke, she hesitated, praying it was a dream. But as tempting as sleep was, she knew this was real. Summoning her courage, she opened her eyes, wincing against the bright light. Again, she tried to raise her arms, but this time realized they were not paralyzed but strapped at her side. She was in a chair akin to what she’d have found in a dentist’s office.

As her mind cleared, she focused on a stainless-steel table laid out with surgical instruments similar to the medical examiner’s office.

“Good, you’re awake.” His voice was soft, soothing, and calm. “I didn’t want to rush you. I thought you’d need the rest.”

She stared for a moment, willing her mind to calm. “Let me go.”

The man came around the side of her chair and smoothed his hand over her hair. “Certainly. All in due time.”

“Why?”

His smile was so soft and pleasant. “Oh, don’t look so upset, Serenity. You’re with me now, and you are safe.”

Panic clawed, making it hard to remain calm. “I’m not Serenity. I’m Dr.Tessa McGowan.”

He shook his head. “Out there you may be, but in my world you’re Serenity. My perfect doll.”

“I’m not a doll. I’m a woman.”

He stepped back from her. “If you keep scrunching up your face, those wrinkles will stick. Didn’t your mother tell you that?”

“I know you from Terrance Dillon’s funeral.”

“I took care of him as well as Kara and Diane. They didn’t send me Elena. I just found out they’re going to cremate her, but then that’s not such a terrible loss. She ruined her face, destroyed all my beautiful work.”

Beautiful work. She struggled to remain calm. “She got away from you.”

He stepped back, frowning. “Almost. Not quite. I’ll be more careful with you.”

She twisted her hands in the bindings. A part of her wanted to scream and rant, but she could already tell by his reaction to Elena that he didn’t respond well to harsh tones. “I remember you,” she lied as she struggled to place him.

“You do?” He took a step toward her.

She suppressed a flinch. “You were kind. It was a terrible time for me when my mother died.”

“I knew you were upset. Like a broken little doll. I wanted to take you in my arms that day and tell you it would be all right, but I couldn’t. There were too many people. But I kept up with you all these years.”

“You spoke to me,” she lied.

“I was there.”

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