Page 101 of Forever Gone

Deb checked the time on the phone and stood.

“Anyway, I should get back to work.”

The killer rose, too.

“I’d love to see your new house.”

Deb’s smile returned, immediate and bright. “Why don’t you come over tomorrow night?”

The invitation came easily.

The killer imagined the front door opening. The new rooms. The private place Deb had chosen after ending the marriage. Perhaps photographs would still be waiting in boxes. Perhaps Deb had already erased every sign of the old life.

“What time?” the killer asked.

“About eight?”

“Perfect.”

Deb folded the paper bag and placed it in a park bin. “I’ll send you the address.”

“I already know Eagleton pretty well.”

“It’s easy to miss. I’ll send it anyway.”

“That would be lovely.”

Deb stepped toward the path, then turned.

“See you tomorrow.”

The killer smiled.

“You can count on it.”

Deb walked back toward Main Street.

Wind lifted the short blond hair at the crown. The black coat moved around Deb’s legs as another handful of leaves came down across the square.

The killer watched until Deb passed through the gate.

Tomorrow night, the red lipstick would not matter.

Deb would be much prettier with her tongue removed.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

By ten-thirty, the sheriff’s station had settled into its night rhythm.

The front office remained open, but the daytime traffic had gone. Phones rang less often. Boots crossed the corridor at longer intervals. Somewhere beyond the briefing room, a deputy laughed once and then lowered the volume when the sound carried.

Selena sat at the end of the table with her laptop open and the HearthSpace warrant application displayed on-screen. The Commonwealth’s Attorney had submitted it to the on-call circuit judge hours earlier. Since then, the status had remained unchanged.

Urgent Review Pending.

The words almost seemed contradictory. But Selena understood. A misused warrant could blow an entire case.

Across from her, Kelly worked through access times supplied by the regional internet provider. Three columns listed dates, account numbers, assigned IP addresses, and connections to HearthSpace servers. The information proved the victims had used the service. It did not reveal usernames, private communities, or messages.