"That's a big milestone. Congratulations."
"Takes a lot of hard work, I'll tell you that. Marriage isn't easy. Sometimes, I'll admit to you, there were times we could have killed each other."
"Is that so?" Now, it felt like a struggle to keep his voice normal. This conversation was veering way too close for comfort to his own personal plans.
"My wife always said to me, 'I might want to murder you, but at least I've never thought of divorcing you'", he admitted. "But I guess we're lucky. And I'm the first to admit that divorce is sometimes the best solution if you really did make the wrong decision."
The killer nodded and smiled, but he was fretting inwardly. This man had no idea who he really was. He had no idea what he was about to do. He was just a friendly old neighbor, who was sharing his weekend plans. One of those people who thought the whole world had as much time to chat as he did.
"Well, I should get going," he said, trying to sound casual. "It was nice to see you again. A fun chat."
"Enjoy your shopping. I'm off on my way. See you around!"
The old man waved and then was gone.
The killer exhaled slowly and then turned his attention back to the task at hand. That conversation hadn't helped him. It had not been what he needed. He had to calm himself again and focus his thoughts.
His grip on the pepper spray tightened. The man's words should not bother him, he told himself. Instead, they should be a reminder to him of why he was here. He was here to serve justice on people who should never have had any anniversaries. Who'd stolen someone who was rightfully his. This would be his justice.
Innocent as the other man’s words were, he should use them as a reminder about his own plans and hopes and dreams.
This was a reminder that he had to stay focused on his goal.
He put on his big jacket, a size too large for him, one that might even have fitted his muscle-bound adversaries. He stashed his knife in one pocket, his pepper spray in another, and in the inside pocket, he stowed the tool that was so helpful to him in getting through the garage windows. Even though he wasn't the strongest, this tool made it easy.
The killer walked calmly towards the man's house. He had surveyed the home patiently beforehand and knew the exact layout of this large and well-equipped double-story home. This man, who was so selfish and who had so much, should not be allowed to live. He was a disgrace.
He knew the man would be out for the evening. This was one of his nights to socialize. He was going out to a club, and then perhaps for dancing and for another drink with his friends. Although he didn’t know the exact time when he was due to come home, he knew it would be in the next three or four hours. But he preferred to be early. It was easier to arrive early and wait, than to rush and be late.
It was all going to end for him when he walked in the door. The killer knew the plan, and he knew he was going to succeed. He was going to take out the big guy and make sure he never saw another day.
He was going to spray him in the eyes, and then he was going to stab him, and he was going to cut him, and he was going to try and do it with even more strength and resolve than last time. There was a better job to be done. He could improve this time around.
His heart was racing.
He'd done his research. He'd staked out the house several times. He'd watched the man's routine and knew when he would arrive home. He had no doubt that he would kill him, and he would get away with it. There needed to be no room for doubt in his mind.
He walked confidently toward the house and then through the gate into the back yard. Once there, he strolled up to the garage window and then he put the tool to use.
In a minute, he was in, standing in the cool, oil-smelling space, feeling a sense of pure excitement about his next move.
Now, all he needed to do was wait.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When May got back to her house, eager to find out what Kerry had discovered, she saw her sis was waiting in the living room. She'd stoked the fire, and she had also set out some food on the coffee table. May's mouth watered as she saw the bowls of shrimp pasta. Delicious. Since Kerry could burn anything but coffee, May guessed she'd ordered them from a restaurant in town. She'd even poured them each a glass of wine.
"Did you catch your killer?" Kerry asked.
"Not yet," May said ruefully, shrugging off her jacket in the warmth and sitting gratefully down. "The lead didn't pan out. But we have profiled him, or her, and at least there are parameters in place."
"Be patient. Some cases just take more time." Kerry hesitated. "I did tell the folks we'd be there for dinner tomorrow night if I’m still around. I thought that gave more time for both of us to be free. Hopefully your case is wrapped up, and I'm still not called back."
"Hopefully."
May smiled at her sister, feeling more affectionate toward her in that moment than she had in a long time.
As she took a sip of the wine, May couldn't help feeling grateful that the dynamic between herself and Kerry had improved so much over the last few months.
