Page 28 of Little Twisted Things

“Well, I certainly do now.” My eyes narrowed.

“I alphabetized my literature books.”

“What?” I laughed.

“See,” he pointed at me, “that is why I didn’t want to tell you. Anyway, I have some good news.”

“Oh yeah?”

“I’ve been invited to the University of Fort Lauderdale as a key speaker for their literature conference.” He grinned.

“That’s wonderful, Alex. When is it?”

“I leave in a couple of days.”

“For how long?”

“Just two days. I’ll be back before you know it.” He kissed my forehead. “Unless you want to come with me?”

“I would, but Tess is leaving tomorrow for Maine. She’ll be gone the rest of the week and put me in charge of the gallery,” I lied.

“Wow. That’s great. You get to be boss for a few days.” He pulled me into an embrace.

His phone dinged. He pulled it from his pocket, and his eyes widened.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I just got a breaking news alert. They found another body.”

“What?” My brows furrowed as I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

We’re at the scene of another brutal murder. The victim has been identified as Lawrence Gearheart, CEO of Stonewall Financial Group. Our sources tell us his body was discovered last night by Tracy Adams, one of Key West’s leading realtors, on the galley floor, arranged like the other victims. Detectives will neither confirm nor deny whether this was the work of The Last Chapter Killer. Wait.

The reporter tapped her earpiece.

We just received information that the words: This is his last chapter, were indeed carved into his abdomen, which confirms this was another brutal and gruesome attack by The Last Chapter Killer.

“Jesus Christ.” Alex rubbed the back of his neck. “This is getting scarier by the day. I don’t want to leave you alone with that maniac on the loose.”

“I’ll be fine.” I smiled, placing my hand on his chest. “And I agree. It is getting scarier by the day. But I do have a taser and pepper spray in my purse.”

“You have a taser?” His brows furrowed.

“I bought it after the last young girl was killed. See.” I smiled. “I’m prepared. Besides, I took defense classes a few years back.”

14

The Last Chapter Killer

“FUCK!” I shouted as I gripped the sides of my head and paced around the room after watching the eleven o’clock news.

Someone had stolen my story. A copy. An imitation. Coward. Someone wanted the police to believe this belonged with the others and wanted my name attached to it. But it was mine. All mine. It was something I’d created special for my victims, and then someone came along and inserted themselves into MY story.

I sat in the recliner, my fingers tapping against the arm of the chair.

“Who are you?”

After that Kevin guy was set up to make it look like I’d done it, I wasn’t too bothered. The posing was the only similarity. But this next guy? The carving in his abdomen. My signature. Stolen by someone who didn’t have a clue. They crossed the line. Somewhere here in Key West, another person was watching the same news report, thinking they’d gotten away with it by pointing the police in my direction. I was The Last Chapter Killer. Not them. ME.