Page 54 of Evidence of a Folktale

“I’ll still have deputies search the areas,” Griffin said. “The killer might be smart, but accidents happen.”

“And all we need is one.”

Gwen Rossaand Ellery Roja’s phones were still missing when Bel finally left the station for the night. She’d hoped the killer dumped the victims’ belongings either in a drain or a dumpster, giving them an idea where the women were taken, but it seemed their killer was not only smart enough to remove the batteries but also had the foresight to keep their phones far from the police’s reach. It wouldn’t surprise her if he’d destroyed the devices so they could never be traced back to him. Killers loved keeping souvenirs, but it’s also what got the guilty caught, and something warned her their guy wasn’t ready to be uncovered just yet.

A short drive later, Bel pulled onto her dark street and parked on the gravel before her cabin. Her single-room home sat on the outskirts of Bajka, her backyard the woods that eventually led to the Reale Estate. A few rental cabins lined the lonely road, making for a private existence, especially since the unit across the yard from her had stood empty ever since a witch murdered its owner. It was normally a peaceful neighborhood, and the dimly lit road never bothered her, but the minute Bel stepped out of her SUV, she felt it. She was being watched, and it wasn’t Eamon’s presence. She recognized the way his eyes caressed her skin. He’d stalked her from the darkness long enough for her to grow accustomed to the weight of his gaze, but this was a stranger’s presence.

Bel inched closer to the front door, her hand slipping to her holster. She silently undid the strap as she scanned the snowy yard, but before she could reach the stoop, a dark shape emerged from the street’s shadows and raced for her.

“Handsin the air and don’t move!” Bel snatched her Glock from its holster and aimed it at her stalker, thumbing off the safety with deadly ease.

“Oh god!” a feminine voice shrieked, and Bel watched in disbelief as the stranger slid to a stop, slipped on the snow, and plummeted to her backside. “Ow!”

“Miss Monroe?” Bel leaned forward to get a better look, but there was no mistaking the actress. “I almost shot you! What on earth are you doing here at my home?”

“I’m sorry,” Taron Monroe moaned as she rubbed her tailbone. “Can you put your gun away?”

Bel glanced from her weapon to the pretty woman andthenheld her aim steady. “Why are you here? Are you following me?”

“Kind of,” the actress admitted.

“What is wrong with you?” Bel asked. “Stalking a police officer? I realize you only play one, but you should know better than that.”

“I’m sorry. I figured you would recognize me. Please, can you put the gun away?Ijustwant to talk.”

“How do you know where I live?” Bel flicked the safety on and slipped her Glock back into its holster before pulling out her phone. She didn’t know why Taron Monroe had followed her home, but she wasn’t taking any chances. She’d learned her lesson about innocent encounters turning deadly, so she thumbed open her text thread with Eamon and typed two words.

Bel

Cabin. Now.

“I waited until you left the station and then followed you,” Taron said, still lying on the snow. “Can you help me up?” She extended her hand, but Bel had half a mind to leave her where she sat.

“Following a police officer home is extremely inappropriate, if not illegal,” Bel said without moving to help her. “If you wish to speak to me, pleasestop by the station.”

“I wanted to talk to you in private.”

“We could’ve done so there.”

“Clearlyyou don’t pay attention to my show.”

“Not really.”

“Aesop’s Files is one of the most watched shows on television right now,” Taron said, finally realizing Bel wasn’t going to help her. “I can’t go anywhere without being photographed and plastered all over social media.” She stood to her feet, still rubbing her backside. “If I went into the station during business hours, it would end upon the internetwithin five minutes. It’s quiet here. No fans followed me, sothat’s whyI came… can I come in? It’s freezing out here.”

Bel stared at the actress, taking stock of the woman’s form. She was athletic in a Hollywood way. She looked great on screen, but necessity hadn’t forged her musclesas it didBel’s. Ever since Abel had locked her in his basement, she’d made a point to strength train and hone her hand-to-hand combat skills. It had served her well when Dr. Blaubart kidnapped her. She’d been handcuffed, yet still fought him off. Pretty Taron Monroe had nothing on her… but then again, Bel’s elderly neighbor had turned out to be a witch so powerful she could control Eamon. Size didn’t matter when magic was involved.

“I swear I’m not here to hurt you.” Taron glanced behind her as if she expected the paparazzito suddenly materialize from the snowplow’s dirty mounds. “I just want to talk.”

“Fine.” Bel beckoned her visitor toward her door. She had her Glock and her pitbull… and Eamon. As long as the actress was human, Bel was the dangerous one.

“I have a dog,” she warned as she unlocked the front door. “He’s?—”

“Oooooo a baby!” Taron bent over and shoved her hands out for Cerberus’ exuberant greeting, and Bel couldn’t tell whose tail wagged harder, her dog’s or the actress’ metaphorical one. Cerberus instantly took to her, so maybe she wasn’t a threatafter all.

“Wow! Okay, big boy, woah.” Taron toppled backward… again, falling to the snow as Cerberus blew past her and into the yard. He lifted his leg to pee and then bolted for the darkness. For a split second, Bel’s heart lodged in her throat until she heard the low rumble of a man greeting his favorite animal.

“Your dog is so cute,” Taron said as Bel helped her to her feet this time. “I can’t have a pet since I’m so busy, and I hate it.”

---