Except this wasn’t a hospital, and the man staring back at her wanted toendher life. Not save it.
“I asked you aquestion!” he yelled between perfectly aligned teeth.
“No.” She kept her voice steady. “Nothing about this is funny.”
“Then why were you smiling?”
“I was thinking of a song. About life and irony.”
“Why?” The question sounded more curious than angry.
She didn’t want to tell him, but knew if she didn’t, things would only get worse. If she cooperated, then maybe he’d make her death quick and painless.
You know that’s not how this will end.
Kennedy swallowed hard and answered the question. “I was quitting after tonight. Y-you were going to be my last customer.”
The asshole threw his head back and laughed.
“That is ironic. And very unfortunate. For you, that is.” He shook his head and sighed. “But you, dear Kennedy, are serving a higher purpose.”
“A p-purpose?”
“Indeed.” He brought the knife closer. “You see, there’s an old friend I’ve been meaning to catch up with. Our reunion is long overdue, and I feel I should bring her a gift. Something she’ll know is from me.”
The sound of her frantic heartbeat rushed past Kennedy’s ears as the tip of the scalpel ran along her arm. It didn’t break the skin, but only because the sick freak didn’t want it to.
“You’re going to make the perfect surprise for my friend. She’ll take one look at you and know that I’ve returned.”
Oh, god.
“Please, don’t do this.” She pulled against the restraints.
“Ah, sweet Kennedy.” The man smiled. “It’s already done.”
He set the scalpel back onto the tray. Releasing the cuff holding her to the table, he forced her left arm across her body, re-cuffing her left wrist to the same metal loop keeping her right arm in place.
The position was more awkward than painful, but when he grabbed the scalpel again, she realized his intention.
Though she tried to stay strong, Kennedy screamed when the sharp blade made its first cut. She gave into the fear and pain, jerking against the cuffs in an attempt to break free.
With each wound that followed, Kennedy heard herself begging for him to stop. And she kept begging.
For a way out.
For God to bring her mercy.
She even heard herself scream for the deadbeat mother who’d walked away one morning and never came back.
The man set the bloody scalpel back onto the tray and grabbed the rope. He wrapped it around her throat and pulled it tight.
Kennedy never screamed again.
****
Dallas Detective EricWest studied the body with a trained eye. A cool spring breeze blew the scent of death his way, so he shifted a couple of feet to his right to avoid standing down-wind.
“Damn.” His partner stepped up beside him. “She looks young.”
