Page 111 of Threat of Danger
He stopped when he was all the way in, giving her a moment to catch her breath, giving her body a chance to stretch around his size and get used to him being inside her. Sharp pleasure raced through her body. She moved against him in blind passion, demanding more.
She’d had sex with other men, but she’d never made love with anyone else except Derek. Nothing could compare.
Derek was ... everything—gentle yet demanding at the same time, masterful, patient while making her impatient, out of her mind for more, faster, harder. By the time they exploded in pleasure together, she could hardly breathe.
The past two days had been hell. Her heart was still full of grief over losing Chuck. Her body ached from hitting the water. But somehow, miraculously, Jess fell asleep with a smile on her face.
By the time she woke at midday, Derek was gone. True to form, everybody else was in the kitchen. At least half a dozen brand-new casseroles covered the table.
“Grabbing a shower.” Pam popped up from her chair. “I have to get to work.” She gave Jess a good-morning hug, then disappeared upstairs.
Zelda began sorting her neighbors’ gifts, her expression dazed. “I’ll never have to cook again.”
Jess walked to her for a hug next. “You deserve a break.”
Zelda didn’t look happy for a break. She looked heartbroken. Then she looked at Kaylee perched on a stool by the small kitchen island, and some of the grief eased from her face. She opened her mouth to say something, but a knock at the door interrupted.
Jess went to check. “Sheriff Rollins.”
He looked dead on his feet. He really did need to retire. “Miss Taylor.”
Jess stepped aside. “Come on in.”
He carried a briefcase and set it on the antique sofa table with care, then took off his hat. “Good morning, Zelda. Kaylee. I’m so sorry for your loss, you all.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.” Zelda came from the kitchen. “And thank you for gettin’ Jess and Derek safely out of the woods.”
The sheriff cleared his throat. “About that ...”
He popped his ancient briefcase open.
Inside were half a dozen items, all carefully separated in plastic bags. Jess’s heart started pounding when the sheriff pulled out the first bag, her pink diary inside. “I think this might be yours. I’d appreciate a confirmation. If you can confirm without having to touch and open it, even better.”
Jess’s throat was suddenly too dry to even say yes, so she nodded. The doodled flowers on the cover, and the carefully calligraphedMrs.Jessica Daleywere definitely all hers.
The sheriff dropped the bag back into the briefcase and closed it. “He kept mementos.”
A cold shiver ran down Jess’s spine. “I left that diary in my room, under the mattress.” She thought of Crane in her bedroom and shivered again.
The sheriff watched her. “Any idea when and how he got into the house?”
“I don’t know when, but he ... um ... made friends with my mother.”
Sheriff Rollins shook his head with disgust. “Seems he did that with the other victims as well. Contacted the mothers and offered condolences and help.”
Jess shuddered.So freaking creepy.
“I’ll leave you all to your morning, ladies.” The sheriff turned to leave. “I’ll call with any updates as we find out more.”
“The body?” The words tore from Jess.
The man paused at the door to look back at her. “In the morgue in Burlington.”
Her shoulders slumped as she felt an old weight lift.He’s dead. This time, he’s really dead.
As the sheriff walked out, he added, “You wouldn’t want to see him now. Damn crows pecked out his eyes while Deputy Muller walked away to take a piss. If you pardon my language.”
For several minutes after the sheriff left, the three women stood in the living room, stunned and shaken.
