Page 48 of Just Right

"Inside the house?" Meryl looked surprised.

"It's important that they stay as close as possible and provide a visible deterrent to the killer as well as active, on-site protection to you."

"So, you mean I've got to clean with a policeman watching?" She looked perturbed.

"Until we have more information on the killer's movements, yes."

"Oh, I'm sure I can manage without that. I mean, my neighbors and I look out for each other, and I’ll keep the door locked." She clearly didn’t like the thought of a cop on-site, interrupting her privacy and cleaning work.

"Ma'am, it's important that we keep you safe. A neighbor might not be in time to stop this from happening. These crimes have occurred very fast. This is our job, and we're trained to do it. I promise that the policeman will leave as soon as we have an update on where the criminal is."

Meryl sighed. "All right, then. Better safe than sorry, I guess."

"Exactly, ma'am. I'm going to call the local police to come around here immediately. Thank you for your cooperation."

As Connor turned away, Cami could see that the woman was mentally preparing herself, mentally accepting the need for protection. She guessed that it took a leap of logic to accept that you were in danger. It was easier just to deny it and to believe everything would be alright.

But right now, if the killer arrived, Meryl would be protected. Connor was already on the radio, calling for reinforcements.

And his phone was ringing. That made her nervous. Were they calling to say they'd caught this killer at the school where Jayne was teaching modeling?

He answered, frowning.

"Cami," he called. "Come quickly. There's been a development. And this could be serious."

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

"Jayne Bell has left the school grounds," Connor told Cami, and she felt cold inside at the words. "The local police called the school immediately, but there was a delay as there was no phone connection to the outside hall where she was teaching the modeling course. By the time the message had been communicated and the school had sent someone to go and look for her, the class had finished, and she'd gone."

"Where? Where has she gone?" They were both rushing to the car. Cami couldn't believe this. It was exactly what she'd been dreading. That the killer knew, better than they did, where she was headed.

"Apparently, she goes for a hike in the woods after she's finished her lessons. She walks to the school as it’s close by where she lives."

They scrambled into the car. Connor headed off. This distance—now closer to ten miles than twenty from Meryl's house—still felt impossibly long.

"Can they phone her?"

"They're trying. She's not picking up. They think her phone's on silent after the lessons, and she hasn't switched the ringtone back on."

"Can we track the phone?" Now Cami was feeling as if this was her worst nightmare come true.

"My office is on it. They're setting it up."

"We need to get there," Cami said.

"I know. We're not far away. I’m getting a visual description of what she’s wearing any moment.” The radio crackled. “Wearing black leggings and a gray top.” He sighed. Cami guessed he’d wished for pink, or something that would be more visible from a distance in the woods.

They drove for the next few minutes in silence. Connor's face looked set and stern. He was clearly equally worried about this new development.

"Where does she go after the hike? Straight home?"

"Yes. The school thinks so, anyway."

"He could be waiting there."

"Not anymore. Police are at her home already." The radio crackled as Connor accelerated onto the highway. "No sign of her. No sign of him."

"He's tracking her in the woods. I know he is. He must have watched her routine before now and known which way she goes." Cami felt panic fill her. This was what he was going to do. He'd taken Leanne while she was out hiking on the trails. The same would happen here to Jayne.

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