Page 2 of Headless Hollow

“The Headless Horseman was in my home and left me the head of my ex-boyfriend on the pillow beside me while I slept.”

Operators were trained not to show a reaction, but this was obviously too much for the girl on the line. “Jesus, that’s…that’s….”

“Fucked up,” I finished for her. “I need to make another call, what is the ETA on the police?”

“I really should stay on the phone, just in case.”

I smirked. “Just in case of what? Trust me, this head is not going anywhere unless my bedroom is the start of the zombie apocalypse, and if he’s still in the house, you’d better hurry up. I’ll call you if I need you further.”

Hanging up, I sent Brianna a message saying I was tied up with a disaster of my own, but I’d be in as soon as the scene was cleared. Best not to give her too many details yet. Next on my list was the one person that I’d seen more in the last six months than I had in years.

I bit my lip as I hit Detective Crane’s number and tried not to be excited about making the call. Seemed slightly inappropriate to be simping over the sexy Branson Crane while my ex’s head was in my bed.

“Izzy,” he asked and yawned. “Is everything okay?”

“The Headless Horseman struck again, and this time, he left the head in my house.”

“Jesus Christ. Are you okay,” he asked, his voice holding a hint of panic that made my stomach flip. I could hear him moving like he was getting dressed and could picture him pulling on his shirt over the hard muscles. My dreams were messing with my head. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, pushing aside the inappropriate thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m fine. He came and left like a sick Santa.”

“If I get a head under my Christmas tree, it’s time for me to quit this job. Listen, I’m on my way. Don’t move, I’ll be right there.”

I wasn’t going anywhere. “He also left me a note,” I said, not wanting the conversation to be over yet.

“What does it say.”

Unfolding the note I read it over once before reading it outloud to Branson. “He who wins a thousand hearts is therefore entitled to some renown, but he who keeps undisputed sway over the heart of a coquette is indeed a hero.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It’s a quote from Sleep Hollow, but I’m not sure why he’s left it for me.”

“Well now isn’t he getting fucking creative. There was nothing like that at any of the other murders. I’m getting in my car right now, I’ll be there very soon.”

“Thanks, Branson.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

He hung up, and I shook my head. It was terrible that I was happy the Headless Horseman was helping me connect with Branson. If he weren’t such a sick bastard, I’d give him a thank you card.

Two

Izzy

I watched as my team removed Christian’s body. It had been propped up in my dining room like he was sitting at the table for dinner. Which was ironic considering we used to fight all the time about how I did all the cooking and yet he bitched about what was made. Meanwhile he never lifted a finger to help.

“Don’t step over there. We haven’t processed that area yet,” I ordered, pointing and giving the new cops I didn’t know—and the sergeant that I did—a death glare. The jerks were always pissing all over my crime scenes with their dirty boots and chauvinistic attitudes. Fine, I’d only been in the position of Chief Deputy Coroner for a little over a year, and I was the youngest person on staff at twenty-four, but it wasn’t my fault that people kept retiring. We were a small town, and I was damn good at my job.

“This is only a body dump location and not the main crime scene. You’re not going to find anything,” Sergeant Irving said.

“That is not for you to determine. Now, either follow protocol and put on the booties so you don’t continue to destroy my crime scene or get out.”

Irving puffed out his chest and glared at me, but I stared back, not giving him an inch.

“Is something wrong, Sergeant,” Branson asked, and my body gave a little jolt of excitement at the sound of his voice behind me.

He looked between me and Branson and shook his head. “We’ll wait outside until the geek patrol is finished.”