Chapter 61
SIXTY-ONE
Dana Jo had been at the meeting tonight. He’d watched her fidget as she’d entered and homed in on her nails, which were chewed down to the nubs. A nervous Nellie and all because of him.
Laughter bubbled inside him at the fact that he was responsible for that fear.
Except she didn’t remember his face.
Still, her comments had needled him and he’d left the meeting early, making an excuse about an emergency. Now he hovered in his car where he’d parked in the shadows of some trees across the street from the church.
Being so close to her was bittersweet. Part of him wanted Dana Jo to look at him and remember everything so he could savor the terror in her eyes when she did. But his rational side warned him that if she did recognize him, she might go to the cops and then the truth would be revealed.
He didn’t intend to let that happen.
Sweat beaded his neck as he waited on the meeting to end.
Finally she hurried out, walking to her car with her keys poised to fight and pepper spray in her hand like they taught in those self-defense classes for girls.
She’d said just enough tonight to garner sympathy from the others in the room but not enough detail to raise suspicion that her story was different from the way the news had portrayed it when she’d been found.
When she got in her car, she locked the doors and looked around, then dropped her head into her hands. Her shoulders shook with her sobs, and she rubbed her temple as if massaging a bad headache.
The door to the meeting room opened again and the woman named Lily stepped outside, the wind tearing her hair from the clasp at the nape of her neck.
Something about her bugged him.
He’d bet his nuts she was lying about her name.
Her face seemed familiar. As if he’d either seen her before or seen her photograph…
Damn, she was a pretty thing. Too old for the profile he was hunting but… she might make a perfect date just to find out more about her.
He’d been tempted to ask her for coffee but wanted to do a little research on her first.
He’d seen her glance at her phone at the break. Wondered if she had a child at home she needed to check on. Or a man. Boyfriend? Husband? He hadn’t seen a ring on her left hand.
Maybe a lover checking up on her.
If not, did she want one? Having a girlfriend would make a perfect foil for what he was doing.
She hadn’t mentioned a kid. But that didn’t mean she didn’t have one.
She’d be fun anyway, but a kid would make it even more fulfilling. One at a time, he intended to save the world from these unfit mothers.
If he enjoyed himself in the process, then what the hell? Why not?
The door to the church opened and two other women in the group filed out together, talking quietly as they headed toward a gray Honda, indicating they’ve ridden together. Both shot nervous glances around the parking lot as if checking to make sure they weren’t going to be accosted.
Lily drew his attention again as she ran across the street to the coffee shop. A dark sedan was parked near the entrance but instead of going inside the coffee shop, the passenger door swung open and she slid inside.
He’d sensed something was off about her. That she didn’t belong.
He hadn’t seen signs of withdrawal. And she hadn’t shared much at all. Everyone there had secrets. Just as he did.
What was she keeping from the group?