Page 75 of He Sees You
The first cruiser slides to a stop, lights painting the house in alternating red and blue.
Two deputies I don't recognize emerge, hands on weapons.
They see me and immediately tense.
"Hands where we can see them!"
I comply, keeping my movements slow, non-threatening. "My girlfriend is inside. She was attacked. The attacker is dead."
They exchange glances.
One approaches while the other covers him.
Professional, but not exceptional. Not like what's coming when Sterling arrives.
"Your name?"
"Cain Lockwood."
Recognition flashes across his face.
Everyone knows who I am—the hermit, the weirdo, the one who Sterling has been watching. The one who finds bodies, who appears at crime scenes, who makes people uncomfortable with his very existence.
"The sheriff's daughter—is she?—"
"Alive. Injured but alive. Jake Bauer broke in. Tried to rape her."
The deputy's eyes widen. "Deputy Bauer?"
"Former deputy, from what I understand. He was suspended three days ago."
More sirens.
An ambulance, another cruiser, and then—Sterling's SUV taking the turn onto his street at dangerous speed.
The tires scream against asphalt, and I can actually see the vehicle lift slightly on two wheels before slamming back down.
He's going to be a problem.
The SUV hasn't even fully stopped before Sterling is out, running toward his house.
He sees me and his expression transforms from fear to rage in an instant.
Pure, murderous rage that I recognize because I've felt it myself.
"You son of a bitch!"
He doesn't slow down, just charges directly at me.
The impact takes us both to the ground, his hands going for my throat.
For a man in his fifties, he's strong, driven by paternal fury and years of repressed suspicion.
"Sheriff!" The deputies try to pull him off, but Sterling throws an elbow that catches one in the face, breaking his nose in a spray of blood.
"I told you to stay away from her!" His fist connects with my jaw, snapping my head back.
I taste blood but don't fight back.
