Page 19 of Blood and Sand

“Black women, around the same height, professionals, with very similar features. What are you trying to tell me?” I picked up one of the photos. “You have an attraction to Black professional women, seemingly those who are into BDSM. Or maybe you’re just into it and tie them up after you kidnap them. But if that’s true, where are you meeting them?” I drew the photograph closer, staring. Dissecting every last little detail, from the position of the bindings to how tightly they were bound, leaving deep purple bruises on their dark skin.

Oh shit!

“What the hell is that?” I picked up a different picture, then another one to see if I saw it on the others. “Yes! It’s on every photograph. How in the hell did I miss that?” I said to the empty room, excited I’d finally had a breakthrough. “All the bodies have it tied within the bindings. The infinity symbol.”

I rubbed my forehead.

“A promise of eternal love? That could be why he’s dumping them in twos. Binding them together in death for eternity.”

My head shifted to the door at the sound of something being shoved under the bottom. I walked over and looked through the peephole. Nothing. I picked up the manilla envelope and opened it, pulling the paper out.

Welcome home, DeeDee. I missed you so much. I wish I could have followed you to Atlanta, but I was indisposed at that time, but she’ll no longer be an issue.

Did you get the letters I sent you? Probably not. I know the FBI screens things, and I haven’t been able to find out where you live yet, but now that you’re here, that’s no longer an issue. Looks like my plan worked. It took a while to get him to call you. That asshole detective isn’t fit to breathe the same air as you, but I’ll take care of him soon enough. I’m so excited you’re finally back where you belong—with me.

I hope you liked your gifts.Although none of them were a good enough replacement for you, I had to make do with what I could until you returned. Eventually, I’ll have the real thing, and we’ll be bound together in death for eternity.

“Gifts?” My brows furrowed. “What the fu…”

The paper slipped from my hands, floating to the carpet. With trembling hands, I walked over to the table, grabbed my cell phone, and called the only person who could help.

“DeeDee, what’s wrong, baby?” His voice sounded tired but concerned.

“Rey, the killer. He gave…I believe he left me a letter.”

“Fuck! Okay, I’m on my way. Don’t open the door unless it’s me.”

I nodded.

“DeeDee!”

“Rey.” My voice trembled. I’d been this scared only one other time in my life. I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know what to do.

“I know you’re scared, honey. I’m on the way. I promise. Don’t open the door unless it’s me, okay?”

“Okay.”

Chapter six

Detective Rey LaCroix

It had to be a sick joke or misunderstanding. It just had to be. There was no fucking way my killer had contacted Dana. No way.

I drove like a bat out of hell to get to her, ignoring all traffic laws, totally disregarding my safety and others. It took me less than fifteen minutes to pull up in front of her hotel.

I quickly jumped out of my truck and ran through the front door of the hotel past the door attendant—who swiftly followed me, trying to get me to stop—as I rushed through the lobby. There weren’t any customers milling about, probably because it was three in the morning. The desk attendant was the only one sitting in the reception area, engrossed in whatever she was looking at on her phone.

“Sir!” the doorman frantically yelled, catching the attention of the desk attendant. “You can’t leave your vehicle parked there! Sir!”

I didn’t have time to explain why I didn’t give a fuck about what he had to say. My focus was getting to my wife.

“Sir, you’re parked in a fire zone!”

“Police business,” I responded without looking and flashed my badge, silencing the doorman’s protests and sending the desk attendant back to her station.

The stairs were my only option. I’d take the risk of being ambushed in a stairwell, where I had a fighting chance, over being caged inside an elevator.

My heart raced. My emotions swirled. Rage, confusion, but most of all, fear covered me.

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