Page 60 of His to Possess

He returned, gripping my arm. “Stay low and don’t take more than a few seconds. If there is someone outside, then he knows I’m here. They could be calling for reinforcements. We need to get the hell out of here.”

“Grab my computer and the notes. No one can get ahold of them.”

He nodded, waiting until I crouched down before going into the bedroom. I was shaking as I attempted to grab some clothes and makeup, the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. I couldn’t believe I’d been such a fool. Why had I been assigned the case? My guess is someone figured I could be led down a certain path. That was insane. I managed to throw on some clothes, struggling into a pair of hiking boots.

I grabbed everything I could think of, including every box of ammunition I had, and found Max waiting by the door.

“We’re leaving the lights on, except for the hallway light,” he said quietly. “My truck is just outside. Stay directly behind me and keep low.”

I nodded, still shaking. I pulled my weapon into my hand and as he grabbed my bag, I yanked my keys from the hall table.

We made it to the truck without incident, but I could swear there were eyes watching us. I was still shaking as he climbed inside the driver’s side, immediately revving the engine. He rolled out of the parking spot before turning on his lights and the second he switched them on, my eyes were drawn to something standing near my house. The all-black figure was crouched low. Was I insane seeing a glow coming from a pair of eyes? No. No. Now I was hallucinating.

“What the fuck is that?”

He didn’t bother looking, merely accelerating. “As I told you, they might have called in reinforcements and if they have any connection to law enforcement…”

He allowed the sentence to drop. “Then they’ll be dressed in sniper gear. Jesus.”

“Just sit tight until we get out of the city limits.”

I shifted my gaze toward him. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safe for both of us.”

“Where?”

He said nothing as he slammed his foot down on the gas, weaving through the streets at over sixty miles per hour. I didn’t press the issue until we were on the interstate, heading out of town and I suddenly knew exactly where we were going.

“We’re going to Roselake,” I muttered, my hand gripping the door handle as if I was ready to escape.

Still, Max said nothing.

“Tell me. Tell me, god damn it!”

Sighing, his grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Yes, we’re going to Roselake.”

“Why? Do you really think these people have anything to do with the murders? Please don’t tell me you’re buying into that crap.”

“I’m not buying into anything, Kathleen. I own a cabin there.” He yanked out his phone, hitting a single button.

“What?” I was shocked. Then I realized that I hadn’t thought about his obvious American Indian heritage. I was one lousy fucking detective. “They picked you because you were from Roselake.”

“That’s what I’m guessing. We’ll be safe there. I have friends and my father lives in the community. He serves on the city council. Trust me, we’ll get all the help and protection we need.”

I swallowed, shrinking into the softness of the leather seat. Still terrified. Still on edge. But I knew what I’d thought earlier was correct. Max was likely the only person I could trust. Was my partner in on this? Was his? There were too many questions and zero answers.

I huddled in the corner as the miles flew by, processing the information as well as everything that had occurred between us. “I’m scared, Max. For the first time in my life I feel like I have no control.”

“I know, but everything is going to be all right.” He spoke softly, easing his hand to my leg.

“How can it? We have a serial killer either finding victims at random or… Shit. There has to be a connection between them.”

“I agree. We’ll work on that first thing in the morning. Tonight, we’re going to get some rest.”

Rest. As if I would ever be able to close my eyes again.

“Do you believe in monsters?” I asked as I noticed the first interstate sign for Roselake. I’d anticipated his hesitation.

---