Page 131 of Girl Between
“Cadie wants you there. I need you there, okay?”
She recognized the truth in his gaze and nodded. “Okay. 8 o’clock.”
114
“I told you this would happen!”he shouts. “I warned you!”
His incessant sniveling is only a minor irritation compared to the turmoil brewing in my mind. They found her. I always knew they would, but it’s more than I bargained for, watching her moved from her earthly tomb.
In a way, it’s a relief. It’s been years since I’ve been back to visit. She deserves more. It’s what started all of this. My chest tightens with rage as I think of all the ways I failed her.
It wasn’t just me though, was it?
It’s why I keep searching, keep harvesting. To prove it can be done. To prove it was purely his incompetence that killed her.
I turn to face the pathetic man. He’s outlived his usefulness. Perhaps it’s time I help him see that.
I stalk toward him, scalpel in hand.
“What are you doing?”
I don’t answer.
“No! No! This isn’t what we agreed!”
I grin, setting down the blade. It would be too easy, over too quickly. Instead, I pick up a syringe. “Don’t worry,” I say, plunging it into his neck. “I have bigger plans for you.”
I stare down at his motionless body. He’s so old, so frail. Incapacitating him is too easy. I sigh but remind myself I’ll have everything at my disposal to make him pay. Soon. It’s not time yet. I have other things to focus on.
Turning my attention back to the news, I frown. I’m not happy about having to accelerate my exit plan. But I knew this day was coming. I’m prepared. I just need to pull the trigger. Offload the last of my harvest. It will be hard to stop, but I have more than enough money now. More than enough to start a new life.
I move to my laptop. The glow from the screen is a beacon in the encroaching darkness. I begin to type, easily snaring more desperate targets.
My fingers fly over the keyboard. Each keystroke brings me a step closer to my destiny. When I finish, I crack my knuckles and grin.
This will be my swan song.
There’s only one task left.
My phone buzzes on the table beside me. I read the text message and smile. Enlarging the photograph, I let the tingle of excitement take hold. One last hunt. One last victim.
She’s perfect. And she’ll never see me coming.
115
Dana walkedthe short distance from her hotel to Chartres Street, slipping into the little bookstore on the corner. Crescent City Books was everything Dana had expected. She was greeted by the familiar scent of old books and a large tabby and white cat named Isabelle, who purred lazily from her perch on an antique chair.
Dana knew she shouldn’t be doing this. She’d told George she’d wait. But she couldn’t get the image of the emerald locket out of her mind. Before she could stop herself, she was calling Miriam. Her next call was to George’s mother. And that was that. The plan came together effortlessly.
She wouldn’t have pursued it if the women were busy. But they were both available, eager even.
Dana checked her watch. She was a few minutes early.
Deciding to put her time to good use, she perused the books. She stopped at the display of a new series celebrating werewolves and hunky shirtless men near the front window. The sign read:Crescent City Wolves,by Bella Night.
Dana smiled, letting her finger trail over the colorful bindings. This was what she loved about New Orleans. The city was willing tocelebrate the occult. But she wasn’t a fan of how fiction twisted fact to suit itself.
The bell at the front door jingled, drawing Dana’s attention. She looked up, her gaze landing on Marjorie George. Miriam walked in behind her, eyes bright, glimmering with questions.
