“Why, he was helping me for about a half hour and left just a few minutes ago.He took out my trash and then went into his garage.I think he has a workshop or something on the second floor since whenever he’s here, he’s either renovating the house or he’s in the garage.”
Thank God for nosy neighbors!
“Not sure why he’s renovating though,” she added, “because Susan, his aunt—God rest her soul—kept the house updated and clean.And she had it decorated so beautifully and?—”
Rafe stepped forward, interrupting the woman.“You’re sure he’s still in the garage, ma’am?”
“Yes.He only went in there a few minutes before you got here.As a matter of fact, I’m baking him a Bundt cake right now to thank him for all he does for me.”
If Sean had his way, Wallace wouldn’t be getting the Bundt cake—he’d be eating shit in prison or burning in Hell.“Thanks for your help, ma’am.Why don’t you head back inside?You don’t want that cake to get overcooked.”
Her eyes widened.“Oh, you’re right.There’s nothing worse than the smell of burnt food.Now, don’t tell George I’m making it for him—I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
“Our lips are sealed, ma’am.”
Any hope they had of her returning to her house immediately was lost when she asked, “Why did you say you were looking for George again?He’s such a nice man.If you want, I could introduce you to him and?—”
While she’d been rambling, another uniformed deputy arrived on the scene, and Sean waved him over before interrupting the older woman.He spoke loud enough for the approaching man to hear him.“Ma’am, this deputy will need your contact information and has some more questions for you.He can do that inside your home so you can check on that cake, all right?”
“Oh…” She eyed the deputy and then faced Sean again.“Of course, yes.Are you sure you don’t need me to introduce?—”
“No, ma’am, we’ve got it covered.Thank you.”Sean gave his head a subtle tilt toward her residence.“Deputy, if you could take care of that, I’d appreciate it.”
The man coughed what sounded like “bullshit” into his fist and then pasted on a fake grin.“Sure, no problem.”
As the woman was escorted away, the men started for Wallace’s property.They met the other uniformed deputies at the top of the driveway, and before the two could report anything, Sean signaled that their target was in the garage.He gestured for them to head around the back of the small building in case of a rear exit or windows.
Brian quietly stepped over to the pedestrian door on the side of the building.The overhead doors were a last resort, as lifting them would alert Wallace.
Finding the door locked, Sean’s brother pulled the small lock pick set from the inside pocket of his jacket.Everyone else pulled their weapons from their holsters.Brian had the lock undone in under a minute, then put away the pick and drew his own gun.As quietly as he could, he turned the knob and opened the door.Rafe and Sean tactically rounded the door jamb like they’d been partnered for years.Weapons out in front of them, they scanned the garage’s interior.The white car Wallace had been driving earlier was parked on the far side.Meanwhile, in the closest parking spot was a gray Toyota Camry with damage to the front passenger side right where it’d made contact with Sean’s body a few days ago.
Brian tapped Sean on the shoulder and pointed at a set of wooden stairs leading to the enclosed second-floor loft.A closed door called to them from the top of the stairs.Sean led the way, moving as fast as he dared without making a sound.When he reached the door, he tried the knob and found it locked.This time he was foregoing the lock pick route.Busting the door down would get them in a lot faster and hopefully shock Wallace to the point he’d freeze before he hurt Grace.
Taking a half step back, Sean shifted his weight onto his left leg and lifted his right foot.
Keep him talking, Grace.Give Sean a chance to figure out that you’re missing and who has you.But how the hell is he going to figure out the serial killer is a mild-mannered pharmacist who wears a white coat at work?White is the color the good guys always wear, right?Just keep praying Sean puts it all together and rescues you in time!Keep the psycho talking.Fall back on your psychology training.It had been a required course—use it now!It’s the only chance you have to give Sean more time!
It had taken a few minutes of the man’s cruel face bouncing around her memory before she finally recognized him.She had no idea what his name was, but she was certain he was the pharmacist who she’d handed Sean’s prescription to a few days ago.
The man stared at her, hopefully mulling over her last question, so she repeated it.“Why are you doing this?Did I do something to make you mad?Did those other women?I’m sorry if I did.It was never my intention to insult or hurt you.”Try to get him to humanize you.See you as a good person and not someone he wants to kill.“My—my name is Grace, I’m a physical therapist.Did you know that?”
He tilted his head, and his eyes narrowed like he was uncertain.But still, he remained silent as he stared at her.Her eyes flitted to his hand, and her gut clenched as she saw him slowly twirling a knife between his fingers.It was a Leatherman knife, like her father owned, similar to a Swiss army knife.
Trying not to panic, she swallowed hard, and her gaze returned to his.“I don’t even know your name.”
That seemed to catch him off guard.The confusion in his eyes deepened.“Why do you want to know my name?”
“I-I guess it’s—it’s a habit—when I tell someone my name, I like to know theirs.”
“Hmmm.You’re not like the others.”He stepped forward, the knife still spinning between his fingers as if he didn’t even realize he was doing it.
“I-I’m not?”
“No.The others didn’t ask questions like you.”Another step toward her.
Grace’s arms ached from the position they were in and the struggle from before.Her chest hurt.Her heart was pounding so hard, she was shocked he didn’t hear it.Her mouth was dry, and she was surprised she hadn’t peed her pants from the fear coursing through her veins.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, “D-does it bother you that I’m asking questions?”
