“By that time, with all the screaming we were doing, or I was,” Theresa said, “more climbers showed up. Felicity and Eve arrived. They were meeting Miguel and Avita. They became very distraught or looked like it to me. Eve especially. I felt sorry for her and Avita. Miguel asked Felicity and Eve to take Avita away from the scene while we waited for the paramedics to arrive. I wasn’t any help with my screaming, so I volunteered to do it.”
Val continued their story. “The sheriff came to the conclusion that we must have scared off the murderer before he could finish off Lawyer and build his altar the way he wanted.”
Shabina dropped her head into her hands. “We need to figure out who’s doing this.” Her eyes met Raine’s. Raine nodded and immediately sent out a text to their friends to come to Shabina’s house if possible after work. She told them why.
Vienna and Harlow already knew about the attack on Lawyer because they were surgical nurses and had been called to the hospital to help try to save their friend.
“He was struck from behind,” Raine said, reading the text from Vienna. “He most likely didn’t even see his attacker. The sheriff believes he was actually on the boulder, back to the assailant, when the first rock smashed into his head. He was dragged into the heavy brush when he was unconscious. It was the murderer’s bad luck that, even unconscious, Lawyer made noise, and the other climbers heard him.”
“I was so scared once I realized we were right there, in the same place with whoever is killing people,” Janine said. “Poor Edward was so distraught. So was Miguel. Edward told me later that Lawyer Collins is a good friend and a really good man. I felt terrible that I couldn’t console him.”
“This killer has to be stopped,” Shabina reiterated.
—
The women gatheredat Shabina’s home once again. As usual they brought their dogs with them, and Shabina had made more food than they could possibly eat. They were there for one real purpose—it was time to figure out who was doing the killing. They were all intelligent, and they had the same facts and clues the FBI had. They also had the advantage of knowing the two locals who had been victimized.
“This person is a serial killer,” Stella declared. “I haven’t touched them, or I would be having nightmares. That’s the way it’s always happened. I can’t imagine that I would suddenly lose the ability to envision the details before the murders happen.”
Stella’s father had been a serial killer, and more than once, she had helped the police track down killers.
“That doesn’t mean you haven’t seen the murderer or even spoken to him,” Raine reminded. “It just means you haven’t had physical contact with him. That’s the way it works, right?”
Stella nodded. “It always has in the past.”
“I’m glad you don’t have to go through the nightmares, Stella,” Zahra said. “It’s so hard on you, even with Sam there now.”
“Sam isveryupset with me for not telling him you were in trouble, Shabina,” Stella informed her. “And I think he’s slightly hurt as well. He considers himself part of our group and doesn’t understand why you didn’t include him when you told us everything.”
“He would have gone straight to Rainier. You know he would have. It’s the same with Zale. Had he been told about the severity of my PTSD and what was triggering the episodes, he would have let Rainier know immediately,” Shabina explained. “I lucked out that Zale is in the field and can’t be reached.”
“I’m sure Sam reached him,” Stella said. “Rainier made it clear to Sam that you’re to be watched over.”
Shabina wasn’t surprised that Rainier had included his friends in her protection detail. “I’ll talk to Sam, Stella. I knew he would feel it was necessary to talk to Rainier, and I didn’t want to put him in that position. Not when I was asking for confidentiality.”
“I tried explaining,” Stella said. “Rainier apparently found you with a gun, Shabina.” Her voice was very quiet, and the other women instantly fell silent, exchanging looks.
Shabina sighed. “I was in a bad way, trying to figure out how best to give Rainier his life back, and yes, I did have suicidal thoughts. I was grateful that all of you kept coming to my house and even up to the campsite. I needed you, and you came through. I couldn’t ask for better friends.”
“That was too close, Shabina,” Stella said. “If Rainier isn’t here and you’re triggered, someone needs to stay with you.”
Vienna agreed. “We can’t lose you because you have a momentary lapse in judgment. That’s what PTSD can do to you—make you feel as if the world would be a better place without you.”
“We’d like you to agree to have one of us stay with you when Rainier is away,” Raine said. “Especially if you’re having a difficult time.”
Shabina swallowed her pride and nodded. She didn’t want to lose her life in a moment of despair. She had everything she wanted right there, and yet she was intelligent enough to know another event would happen at some point. She had to be prepared with a plan.
“I can do that. Thank you for caring so much.”
“You won’t be thanking us after Sam and Zale get with Larado and his crew to boss you around,” Vienna said. “They’ll probably sleep on the floor of your bedroom.”
Shabina groaned. “Don’t say it out loud. I wouldn’t put it past them to have listening devices in here.”
“I checked.” Raine sounded smug. “They don’t. Moving on. I’ve been thinking about these murders and trying to put it all together. They must have a common denominator.”
“The Sunrise Café,” Harlow said. “All the victims ate in her café at one time or another.”
Shabina shook her head. “The young kid, Craig Barker, living out of his van, had never been to my café. He’s the only one that hadn’t.”
