Page 22 of Gage

Gage

The waitingroom buzzed with tension, the air thick with tears and hushed whispers. Word had spread about Lori and the serial killer, and families from all over California had come, desperate for answers. Sisters, daughters, and mothers—missing pieces in the lives of those waiting—were at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Jasper stayed glued to my side, a comforting presence amid the chaos.

A woman seated nearby wiped her tear-streaked face and turned toward me. “Did she know about the others?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Did she know who they were?”

“Lori was lucky to escape,” I said gently. “She told me he said he killed his wife, and he took her because she had red hair—like his wife did.”

The woman’s expression hardened, her grief giving way to anger. “I knew he killed her,” she said, her voice shaking. “That bastard. If he were alive, I’d kill him all over again. Sofie was my friend. They met at a bar, and she thought he’d give her a wonderful life. He promised her so much. But now I see it—he must’ve been killing women even before he married her. There were missing women before they got married.”

The arrival of the FBI interrupted her. They moved with purpose, clipboards and questions in hand, their presence a reminder of how much had gone unanswered for so long.

One agent approached me. “We’re here to get answers about the missing women. Did she say anything?”

I frowned, frustration creeping into my tone. “The police told me they reported the missing women, but the FBI didn’t have time to investigate. Now you’re here asking questions?”

“I’m asking if she knows anything,” he repeated, his tone clipped.

“Lori doesn’t know anything,” I said firmly. “She fought for her life, that’s all she knows. Three crazed men wanted to kill her, and she survived. That’s the story.”

Eddie stepped forward, his voice cold and steady. “My daughter is still fighting for her life. If you want answers, start digging up that bastard’s property and find the women he killed.”

The agents exchanged glances before turning and leaving the room.

We sat in silence, the weight of everything pressing down on us, until the doctor came in.

“The surgery went well,” he said. “Now, we wait. If two of you want to visit her for a few minutes, you can, but sleep is best for her right now.”

Eddie turned to me. “Would you like to go with me to see Lori?”

“Yes, I’d like that,” I said.

We followed the doctor to the ICU. When we entered the room and saw her lying there, her face pale against the white sheets, Eddie covered his face with his hands, overcome with emotion.

“She’s getting better,” I said quietly. “They’ve got her hooked up to all these wires for a reason. We were lucky to find her when we did.”

“Yes,” Eddie agreed, his voice thick. “Thank the Lord—and Jasper.”

“Dad,” Lori’s voice was weak but clear, “I’m going to be okay. I want you to go home and rest. You can take Jasper home and keep him for me until I go home.”

She paused, her eyelids fluttering. “Now, I’m going back to sleep.”

“I’ll take Jasper home,” Eddie whispered. “But I’ll stay nearby for a few days. I want to see her get better with my own eyes.”

“I don’t blame you,” I said. “Would you like to sit with her for a while?”

“No,” Eddie said, shaking his head. “I think I’ll rent a room nearby, somewhere within walking distance, and get Jasper something to eat.”

“First, I’ll let the others know they can head home,” I said, stepping out of the room. “Then I’ll come back and sit with Lori. Someone should be here if she wakes up.”

“Sammy, my other daughter, will be here soon,” Eddie said. “Hopefully, she won’t cry too much. She’s been so emotional lately.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, curious.

“She married her high school boyfriend, and he’s been cheating on her ever since they married. I just hope she doesn’t take him back this time.”

“That’s rough,” I said, unsure of what else to offer. “Maybe they should’ve waited a few years to get married.”

Eddie sighed. “Sammy got pregnant, and his mother insisted they get married right away. Sammy didn’t stand a chance against that woman—she can be pushy as hell. I should’vestepped in more forcefully, but Sammy thought marriage would be fun, that he’d always be home with her.”

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