Page 15 of A Dark Place

“I should have killed you along with my father.” The words from his mentor echoed down the sloped landscape past his family’s final resting place.

He’d grown up under Buckley’s strict control. Graduated and married, never realizing the price he’d be forced to pay for his freedom from his father.

Buckley had a thirst for blood. He’d boasted about the lives he’d taken as a young man. Even his wife’s. Through the years of being imprisoned for his wife’s death, Buckley’s quest for blood had grown, ready to be unleashed.

He still remembered the day his mentor came to him and told him killing was in his blood, and it was time to set it free.

The first victim’s death happened quickly. He’d gone outside and been sick. After watching the violence his father exacted on his mother and brothers as well as himself, he never imagined how difficult it would be to take a life. . . until he’d done it.

His mentor’s skills far overshadowed his father’s. He’d done his best to please Buckley, never imagining he would enjoy the thrill of the kill more than his father or Buckley. But he had. And he couldn’t wait to claim another victim.

???

Asher spotted her at the back of the room staring out the window. As he approached, Olivia turned. That worried furrow between her brows was the first giveaway of how she felt.

“You okay?” he asked. “How’s Tracy?” It was a shock to learn the killer had tried to get to Tracy again.

“She’s hanging in there.” Olivia forced a smile, and it relaxed her pretty face. She was so beautiful, and he couldn’t deny he had feelings for her, but their past connection to his brother stood between them. Always would.

“Tracy’s tough. She’ll be okay.” He stood beside her and stared out at the city lights. “We have everyone on Lizzy’s list in protective custody. They’re safe.”

Olivia turned toward him. “That’s a relief.” She searched his face. “There’s something else?”

He wasn’t so sure. “Maybe,” he said at last. “There was a single set of footprints at the home of one of the women on Lizzy’s list. They led from the side of the house through an empty lot behind. We think he was there before we arrived. If Luke and Declan had been delayed a few minutes more—”

Olivia clasped his hand. “But they weren’t.”

“Yes, but with all the people on the list out of play, who will be his next target?”

A small shiver visibly slipped through Olivia’s frame. “He’s smart. Buckley might have been the one who taught him to kill, but the new Van Gogh is going to change things up and keep us guessing about what’s coming next.”

Her words settled over him uneasily. “Has ERT found anything useful at the church or on Sylvia?”

Olivia shook her head. “Not yet. It’s believed the killer wore gloves when he brought the victim into the sanctuary. And. . .” She lowered her voice. “I heard back from Sheriff Callahan. Lizzy attended the church for a while. I’m guessing that’s the connection.” But she didn’t sound completely convinced and neither was he.

“You have doubts?”

She nodded. “It seems a little too convenient. I feel like we’re missing something.” She shook her head. “Luke and I spoke to several of the neighbors that looked after the church. We have a lead. The afternoon before Sylvia was found, one of the church members drove by the place on his way to the grocery store. He noticed a car parked at the side of the building. When he returned he noticed it was gone. It fits with the timeline.”

Asher’s eyes widened. “This is huge. Could he describe the car?”

“He did. Although it was afternoon, it was getting dark. But there was a light at the side door of the church. He’s positive the car was white. Four doors. Thought he saw a Toyota emblem. He said the car had no license plate. At the time, he didn’t think much of it.”

“The killer removed the plate from the car, then drove to attack Tracy,” Asher surmised. “That car was found abandoned in a shopping center some distance from Tracy’s house. It couldn’t have been used in the latest attempted kidnapping, though.”

“He’s stealing cars to grab his victims. He doesn’t want anything to be tied to him.”

“Sounds like it. The car he used at Tracy’s was stolen the day before the attack. It belongs to an older couple in Vicksburg.” The distance from the crime and the site of the stolen car surprised Asher.

“That’s some way. He wasn’t taking any chances.”

“No. The couple lives in a quiet neighborhood. The car was left parked in the drive. They didn’t have a doorbell camera, but some of their neighbors did. We’re having their footage sent over.” Asher ran a hand through his hair. He hadn’t slept for more than a couple of hours in days. Too much coffee and vending-machine food. “We need a break. This guy is so unpredictable that he could change his MO at any moment. He has already.”

Olivia smiled sympathetically. “We’re getting closer, I believe it.” She looked around. “Where’s Declan and Luke?”

“Declan stayed behind to help canvass the latest would-be victim’s home. I’m not sure about Luke.”

The words had barely cleared Asher’s lips when Olivia whispered, “Uh oh. Here comes trouble.”

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