Page 37 of Wanted by the Lawman

“Can that be verified?”

“Yeah.”

“So, you’re saying what you and Sabrina had was just a…”

“Sex, Sheriff. Twice. That’s it. I don’t have time for the dating scene.” He resituated himself in the chair as a smirk crossed his expression. “I’m not sayin’ I’m glad that she’s dead, just that I didn’t know her. You know how it is for us.”

“For us? Who’s us?” Zander asked.

“Guys, man. You two are old, boss, but you remember what it’s like to be young and all these pretty girls are wanting a piece of the quarterback.” He laughed.

Slowly, Rudy rounded his desk, crossing his arms over his beefy chest. “No, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but maybe you can tell me if Sabrina was seeing someone else? Did she have “sex” with a lot of boys? By chance did she drop a name while you two were…hanging?”

“Nah. She wasn’t like that, you know…I was the first to hit that and she thought it meant something. But no tears. That bitch was over me.” Dalton must have caught Zander’s seething stare because he shifted and turned two shades whiter. “Sorry. I mean Sabrina.”

Zander would give the kid the defense of being young and stupid, but until his alibi checked out he certainly wasn’t off the list of suspects although Zander doubted the boy could tie his shoes appropriately let alone pull off a murder without pissing his name in the snow. “What do you mean that she was ‘over’ you?”

“I ran into her one time and she told me she was dating again, this time some old man who was mature.”

Zander looked over at Rudy who exchanged a look of interest. “You say an older man, like Cade and me?” Rudy hid his grin.

The kid shrugged and rolled his eyes. “I have no effing clue. I didn’t see him, but I don’t think she was into geriatric. I don’t know nothing. She never said his name and I never asked.”

“Was she into drugs?” Zander planted his hands on the edge of the desk.

“Not when we were together. A couple of times she had a spliff but that’s all, man. She wasn’t into that serious shit. She said she had to keep her focus on getting good grades and not getting into trouble again.”

“Again?” Rudy and Zander asked at the same time.

Dalton shifted impatiently. “I don’t know much of the details, but she was pulled over when she was drunk a year back and she thought she was done for, but the cop let her roll because he was off duty. It scared her, made her think about her life. She said he was cool.”

“I’m going to assume you have no clue where she was pulled over?”

“Here. She was partying with some people she met at college or something.” He waved a hand.

~~~**~~~

The cool night breeze whipped through the parking lot and the man lifted the lapel of his jacket to keep some of the air off. He saw headlights coming from down the street and he scooted deeper into the shadows so there was no chance of being seen, but still had a clear view of the house he’d been watching. Right on time, the car stopped and the young girl got out. Her hair was contained by a purple knitted hat, but he knew she had long, soft waves that he ached to run his fingers through. She was on the phone and the wind caught her laughter which brought it to his ears like a soft melody. He heard her say ‘Goodbye’ and she hung up. The darkened street was empty and one of the security lights near her house was broken. He could easily steal from the shadows and take her before anyone would be the wiser. Although he was thirsty for another kill, he knew the importance of waiting and learning his targets before he did something impulsive that could be the end of his game.

The pretty brunette hurried up the sidewalk and a clanging sound from down the street made her stop. She turned, staring out into the night and her gaze seemed to pause on him. He held his breath. He was safe where he stood and was certain she had no clue that he watched her…and yet he wondered if she could feel his presence? Sense his hunger? She was a smart girl. His mouth salivated.

A cat darted up to her and brushed her ankles. She bent to pick the fur ball up and a jealousy unlike anything the man had ever felt before rushed through him. Sweat beaded his brow. His gut clenched with a need much stronger than any addiction. He wanted her and soon he’d have her. He had to have her.

He always got what he wanted…

Just like the dead girl on the mountain. His dick hardened. He had liked her, even enjoyed spending time with her, and hadn’t meant for things to go so wrong so quickly. In the end, the outcome was as it was meant to be. He couldn’t allow any of his victims to live once they realized the torment inside his mind—realized he had demons that needed fed with sweet, innocent blood.

His cravings were getting stronger. His need was growing out of control.

Once the girl disappeared inside of the house, he pulled back against the brick building and drew a deep breath into his tight lungs. In due time…

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