Page 28 of Stalking His Prey

“Solid alibis?” Todd asks.

Hawk laughs. “No.Softalibis that the police thought were good enough to release a possible serial killer back into the world.” He rolls his eyes. “Of course they were solid!”

“Bullshit!” Mack counters, taking a combative stance between me and Anna and Hawk. “You made shit up and had people cover for you! What about the blood in your truck?”

“Well, it’s funny you should mention that,” Hawk replies, definitely smiling now. He takes a step forward. This time, Todd makes no attempt to block him. “I had some tools stolen from my truck last year, and ever since then, I’ve kept a security camera inside, hidden beneath the dash. It can hold about two days’ worth of footage on it…”

Mack looks like he’s ready to make a move any moment.

“And you know what it showed when I gave it to the police?” Hawk asks. “It showed someone planting that blood in the back of my truck. And that someone…”—Hawk points directly at Mack—“wasyou.”

Mack moves fast. The gun is in his hand and aimed at Hawk before I can even blink.

My jaw goes so tight as I bite my teeth in terror. This can’t actually be happening.

I try to swallow, but my throat is too dry, causing me to choke and cough on my own saliva. I grip Anna’s hand as Mack circles the room, making for the door.

“It’s no use, Mack.” Hawk stands there like a stone statue, apparently unfazed as he stares down the possibility of death. “The cops are right behind me. You’ll never get away.”

“Shut up!” Mack snaps. His face is red, and beads of sweat are dripping from his chin. “You pathetic son of a bitch, you really think you’re hot shit, don’t you? Do you know how long I’ve been doing this? Ialwaysget away with it!”

“Not this time,” Hawk says, his voice unwavering.

“I’m The Tree Saw Killer!” Mack cackles, sounding like another man entirely. “I’m a legend! None of you pathetic little ants will ever catch me!”

A fearful gasp wrenches its way from my throat.

I slap a hand over my mouth, but it’s too late. I got his attention.

Mack’s eyes snap to me, filled with panic and hopelessness. He twists and aims the gun straight at me, and my heart nearly explodes.

How is this happening? He was hitting on me just last week!

“Come on, bitch! You’re coming with me!” He motions with the barrel toward the door and glances back at Hawk. “I’m leaving, and I’m taking her with me. You try to stop me, and I put a bullet in your new girlfriend’s brain. You got that?”

The sounds of police sirens fill the air outside. They’re closing in on the apartment. Panic pours into Mack’s eyes as the sounds grow closer. He jerks the pistol at me again and motions with his head toward the door.

“Up! Now!” he shouts. “Let’s go!”

What choice do I have?

I try to stand, but my body is paralyzed by fear. I’m barely even able to breathe. My chest feels like it’s on fire with every breath of air I gasp.

“Now–!”

What happens next happens so quickly it’s like watching a video on double-speed.

I force myself to stand, but before I can take a single step toward Mack, Hawk lunges straight at him like a leopard pouncing on a kill.

Mack shouts with panic and whirls.

The gun goes off. A loud bang nearly shatters my eardrums, and blood sprays the white wall as Hawk throws Mack to the floor.

Anna screams as Hawk pummels Mack’s face with his fists.

“You son of a bitch!”

Police flood into the apartment, their own weapons drawn.

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