Page 25 of Ghosts From Christmas Past

“I’m on my way there now.”

Dylan glanced around the wooded space that bordered his property. Would they catch the killer before he finished what he’d started eight years ago?

Chapter Eight

Everything was falling apart. How long before she remembered the truth? Him?

The woman that had been inside the house held his future in her hands. Even though she may not remember him yet, she would. It was only a matter of time.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, he raged at himself. He should have made sure she was dead that morning. If he had, no one would ever be the wiser.

He carefully slipped inside the house. Though she was no longer here, her presence was. The quiet settled around him. He’d find her again. There was no way they could keep her safe forever. He’d find her and he’d do what he should have done. And when he did, everything would go back to being normal. His normal.

???

“What’s going on?” she forced the words out. They were halfway to Bitter Creek when she finally was able to breathe normally again.

Dylan reached over and clutched her hand. “Someone was there at the house watching it.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “The dude walked around the house. Came up on the porch. Tried to look through the windows, and then he got spooked by something—probably Jesse’s approach. He had a four-wheeler parked in the woods and left before Jesse could reach him.”

She couldn’t take her eyes off Dylan. His jaw clenched tight. He was past worried.

“I thought he’d head to the forest service road to get away, but Sam’s been there for a while and he hasn’t showed. He must have taken a different path. Maybe he figured we’d be waiting for him there.”

The details washed over her while she tried not to panic. “What do we do now?”

Dylan blew out a breath. “For now, we’re going to the sheriff’s station. The sofa there’s fairly comfortable.”

His smile had the power to ease her fears as it had so many times in the past. Like it had the night they’d eloped. She’d been so afraid to tell her parents, but Dylan never wavered. He’d told her he’d be there with her, and everything would be okay.

Charlie shook her head. “I’m too keyed up to sleep.” All she could think about was the man who had taken so much from her. The man who was determined she wouldn’t live to tell of his crimes.

In the distance, the lights of Bitter Creek appeared. Off to her right a jolt shot through her system as they passed her family’s home. As she peered through the trees, something alarming captured her attention. Every light in the house appeared to be on. “Dylan.” She grabbed his arm, the tremor in her voice caught his attention, and he saw what she did.

Dylan reached for the cruiser’s mic. “Jesse, I need you over at the Swenson’s place right away. All the lights are on in the house. Someone’s been there. I’m calling Sam in as well. I’ll get in touch with Chief Denning and have him send over his crime scene unit.”

“I’m on my way,” Jesse told him.

“Call me the minute you have news.”

“Copy that.” Jesse ended the transmission.

“Why would he go to the house and leave the lights on?” Charlie couldn’t understand what type of game the killer was playing.

“He’s trying to rattle us. Keep us chasing after his distractions to hinder the investigation.” He looked her way. “Which means he’s worried. And if he’s worried, he’ll be off his game. Make mistakes. When he does, we’re going to catch him.”

Charlie so wanted to believe this would all be over with soon, but unless she could identify the man who was coming after her, how could they ever hope to have it end? She settled back into her seat and tried to relax. Once her eyes closed, his chilling words ran through her mind.

You belong to me. . .

He’d told her he loved her while plunging the knife into her body.

We are the same blood. . .

Her eyes flew open. We are the same blood. She was almost positive the killer had said those same words to her. But what did he mean?

The town came into view. Dylan’s full attention was on reaching the station and getting her inside. She glanced around at the brightly lit Christmas lights that were everywhere.

Today was Christmas Eve. Eight years ago, the worst possible thing had happened to her. Was it just a coincidence that she’d awakened now, at this time of the year? Or was this God’s hand guiding her back to the land of the living? Helping her to remember that dreadful day so that she could find the person responsible for taking her parents’ lives.

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