Page 27 of Built of Illusions

A man who’d killed at least a half-dozen women knew where she lived. And he wanted her to know it. To feel him closing in.

How did she fight a shadow?

How did she stop one?

There was no evidence to show he’d been inside the house and she had to hang onto that. The windows and doors had good locks. If he tried to invade her home, she’d have some warning. And her phone would be with her at all times. With Nico and 911 on speed dial.

She didn’t own a weapon. Had never wanted one. She doubted throwing her easel would slow a killer for long.

The faces of the women from the board in Nico’s office swirled through Josie’s mind. In life, they were beautiful women. In death, he’d marred their faces. Slashed them with a big knife. That made her think of her chopping knife and she wondered how anyone could use that on another person.

Josie could feel herself spiraling into panic and knew she needed a diversion, but the four people checking her house made that impossible. There was no way to sink into her art while they were looking for evidence she was being stalked.

Why her? She had no connection to any of the women. Although they hadn’t been connected to each other either. As far as she knew.

Were there other women out there receiving tourist trinkets as well? How many did he plan to kill? What was his path? How soon was he coming for her?

Ignorance wasn’t bliss in this case. Josie hated it, and she needed to know more. If she could be active in the investigation, maybe she wouldn’t feel so helpless. Her perspective might give them another avenue or line of questioning.

Josie moved into her bedroom and pulled out the sketchpad of the women she’d drawn. They’d found another, although Josie didn’t know her name or face yet. But seeing that woman’s photos had somehow triggered Nico into realizing what the killer was doing.

When her hands started to shake, Josie gripped the sketchpad and took deep breaths. She could fall apart later when she was alone. Not for long because she’d need to keep alert. But she’d need to fall apart in order to get it together again.

For now, she flipped to a fresh page in the sketchpad and let some of the emotions escape. She didn’t censor her emotions or her hand. The pencil moved almost of its own accord as she filled page after page.

“Josie?”

Even though she instantly recognized Nico’s voice, she flinched. He’d moved into her doorway, hadn’t approached before talking. The man saw too much. Knew she was close to the edge and hadn’t wanted to scare her.

She nodded and controlled her emotions before she looked up to see his concerned gaze locked on hers.

His face was carefully blank. “The team’s all finished.”

“Did you find anything else?”

He shook his head and Josie nodded. “Good. Thank you. Has everyone else headed out?”

His turn to nod. “All the locks are engaged. You ready to pack up?”

“What?”

His eyes softened. “Josie. You’re not staying here on your own. Not tonight. If you had another bed, or a couch, I’d stay here, but you don’t. So come home with me.”

Her body reacted to his comment with a flash of heat and a whole lot of want. Even though he hadn’t meant it in a sexual way, her body wanted that. Maybe not tonight, but she wanted it.

Humor and desire showed in his gaze as he moved into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. With one hand, he reached out and touched her leg. A gentle touch meant to soothe.

And it did.

“I don’t think you’ll sleep well here tonight. I know I won’t. I’ll worry about you all night. I’m not pressuring you, but I do want you safe. Please, come home with me.”

Josie drew in a slow breath but she couldn’t look away from him. Finally, she nodded. His grin was instantaneous and his hand tightened on her leg. “Thank you. I’ll text PD and Roman to let them know, but they’re still going to step up patrols in the area.”

That was good. She hadn’t even met her neighbors yet and she was bringing danger to their homes.

When she still didn’t move, Nico rubbed her leg. “We’re going to catch him, Josie. We’re not going to let him hurt you.”

She knew it was an impossible promise for him to make, but it still made her feel better. “Give me a minute to pack a bag.”

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