Vaughn exited the car, drawing his weapon as he did.
Ivy watched for a moment, saw that like hers, Rebecca’s front door hung open.
This is my fault. I should have pushed Dr.Moorehead harder. Forced him to call the cops. And if he refused to do it, I should have done it myself.
Without thinking, Ivy found herself getting out of the car just as Vaughn ducked inside Rebecca’s apartment.
It’s all my fault.
Ivy pushed open the door.
The air was heavy with the smell of blood.
Coppery, thick.
The apartment was small, maybe seven hundred square feet, with an open layout.
She found Vaughn in the kitchen, hunched over. A chair had been knocked to the ground and a rectangular kitchen table was askew.
Something in the back of Ivy’s mind told her to get out. To not look.
To do anythingbutlook.
She couldn’t help herself.
Ivy took three steps to her left, and her line of sight cleared the laminate countertop. Vaughn was pressing the first two fingers of his hand to the side of Rebecca’s neck.
There was blood everywhere—sticky puddles on the ground.
Rebecca’s eyes were wide open.
When Vaughn exhaled and pulled his hand back, Ivy gasped.?
?Chapter 56
You should’ve waitedin the car.
Vaughn wrapped his arm around Ivy and escorted her from the building. She was trembling. Whispering that this was all her fault.
“It’s not—it’snotyour fault.”
Ivy sobbed once. Rebecca Quinn was dead, knife wound to the throat, God only knew where else. Still holding Ivy, Vaughn called Darnell.
“What the hell is going on, Vaughn? I’m hearing from Delaney that—”
“I need CSU.” Vaughn gave the address. “One dead.”
“Dead? Another gassing?”
“No, knife wound.”
Ivy whimpered.
“It’s not your fault,” he repeated. “Darnell, hurry the fuck up.”
After he got off the phone, he called Delaney again.
“What’s up? CSU just arrived.”
