Page 72 of Only One More Lie

Whatever that guy was doing outside, it didn’t appear he’d left them any surprises. Duke was thankful for that.

Maybe it wasn’t the killer who had been out there. Maybe it was one of the state troopers checking to make sure everything was okay. Or maybe even a worker from the camp.

He could jump to any number of conclusions. But he wouldn’t.

He had to remain objective.

He walked back to the door and signaled to the rest of the group, letting them know that they could come inside.

Slowly, they filed in. But everyone appeared on edge with their tight shoulders and darting gazes.

“Wait . . . you’re sure it’s safe?” Mariella’s voice wavered.

“No one is hiding in here,” Duke assured her.

“Good, because I need to run to the restroom.”

She hurried down the hall.

As soon as she stepped through the bathroom door, she called, “You guys . . . you’re going to want to see this.”

They took off toward the bathroom, anxious to know what she was talking about.

Duke sucked in a breath when he glanced at the mirror.

Someone had drawn a beard on the mirror. No face. No body. Just a beard scrawled in black marker floating in the middle of the reflective glass.

He hadn’t bothered to look at the mirror earlier. He was too busy looking for intruders.

Was this image some kind of warning? Or was it a sick joke?

CHAPTER 37

Gibson showed up at their cabin a few minutes later.

Andi and the gang had known it was important for him to see this beard for himself. That he checked for any evidence the police might need in building a case.

But as soon as he saw what had been drawn on the mirror, he shook his head, a grim expression in his gaze. “I don’t like the look of this.”

“None of us do,” Andi said as she stood in the hallway, trying to give him space.

Gibson turned and glanced first at Duke and then at Ranger. “This guy could be targeting either of you.”

Andi watched as Duke ran a hand over his beard. Then she had visions of what the killer might do to him if he ever got his hands on Duke.

The blood drained from her face at the very thought.

Theyhadto catch this guy before he struck again. They had no other choice. Because she couldn’t stomach the thought of Duke or Ranger going through that kind of pain. Of either of them no longer being with them.

“This guy’s clearly sending a message.” She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to get the images out of her mind.

“But this doesn’t fit his MO.” Gibson remained in the bathroom but turned toward them as they gathered around the doorway. “The December Dismemberer doesn’t normally give any type of hint about what is going on or what he’s planning.”

“I find that suspicious also,” Duke said. “Why change now? Besides, he’s never struck the same place twice.”

“Maybe something changed,” Gibson said. “Or maybe this is someone just trying to frighten you, to get you to leave this area.”

Andi had thought of that also. “I can’t help but think that someone is trying to shut this camp down.”

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