Chapter 14 #2
As far as her hitman job goes, she was taking any job she could get.
Age, gender, race never mattered. She only took the jobs that promised a high payment, and she’d always take the downpayment in person, half of the full price.
There are a few labeled spots where Kaya found she was taking payments, and there are a few images that I’ve set aside.
He’ll need all the proof I have of her jobs, it will be solid enough to send her to prison.
However, as The Death Angel, her killings make no sense.
There is only one thing tying all these murders together — a small jar that’s found next to the victims, full of blood, with a black ribbon tied around it.
Some of her victims were older couples, recently retired.
They were not necessarily wealthy for her to have any gain from the kills, and the more I’m skimming through these papers, the more I’m certain that she’s just been killing random people.
Some were left in dark alleyways, others in parks, or even their own homes.
My stomach drops when I inspect the crime scene photos, nausea building in the back of my throat.
Amy is killing for the love of the game, no other reason.
“Fuck,” I blow out, lowering the papers and taking another drag of the cigarette. “The bitch is crazy.”
“And far too reckless. Can you guess how many killing sprees I’ve had in my life?”
“Uh, no?”
“Exactly,” Kaya nods. “Because I cover my tracks up very well. Amy, on the other hand, was bound to be arrested at some point. Guess you’re her karma, then.”
“I’m still creeped out by the fact that we look so freakishly alike.”
“Add Theodosia to the mix, and you three could pass as triplets.”
I wince. “Yeah, well, not like I’ll ever meet Theodosia.”
“It’s probably for the best.”
I sigh, then glance out the window. It’s dark outside, and it’s barely past eight.
Theodosia should be arriving at the base soon, alongside Raven.
All I can do is hope she is not too severely traumatized by this, and that Raven hasn’t harmed her.
She deserves a decent chance at a life, one I never had.
She deserves to live her life without being tied down to a man such as Alexander Hawke, and I’ll do anything in my power to ensure that happens, even if it’s from the shadows.
For the life I never had, and for the life she will.
“Alright, let me categorize these,” I sigh.
“You do Death Angel, I’ll do Amy Marshall.”
With a nod, the two of us get to work. I’m very organized when it comes to things like these, and although it takes me much longer than it should, I decide to do it all in chronological order. Kaya only lifts a brow at that, but then follows along, doing the same principle.
“I might have eyes on Paul,” Kaya announces.
Her voice is so casual, as if she’s talking about the weather. Slowly, my eyes lift from the papers in my hands, lips slightly parted. My entire body freezes, and I blink, trying to figure out if she’s just pulling my leg.
“Excuse me?”
She finally lifts her gaze up, blinking. “What?”
“And you didn’t think of telling me sooner?”
She shrugs. “I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but I think this could be it.”
I take a deep breath, clenching my hands into fists, to prevent them from shaking uncontrollably. “Where is he?”
“One of my men spotted him downtown. It’s unclear if it’s Paul just yet, but the man is still lurking. He’ll let me know as soon as he’s certain it’s him.”
“Perfect. Then, the moment you grab him, I want you to give him a gun.”
Kaya looks at me as if I’d grown a second head. “Have you completely lost your goddamn shit?”
“Give him a gun with only one bullet. If he does what I think he will, he’ll use it immediately. And that’s when all the fun will begin for me.”
Cocking her head to one side, Kaya asks, “Any specific spots you want me to take him?”
“I have something in mind,” I mumble. “Though, I’ll go to check it out tomorrow, then let you know.”
“You’d better ruin that man.”
“Oh, I will,” I chuckle. “I’ll torture him for fucking days before I decide to kill him.”
“And I’ll find some good ways you can torture him without seriously injuring him. After all, you want to chase him around a bit.”
“I want to give him the hope of surviving, only to snatch it right back and kill him when he least expects it.”
The words leave my mouth, and excitement rushes through me. A lot of ideas are forming in my mind, and it’s only making me feel giddy. I won’t rush into the plan, because I’m almost positive that I’ll come up with something very creative once I’m alone with him.
“Oh, I’d love to witness that.”
I chuckle, then put all the files into a binder. With a nod toward Kaya, I reach for the phone, unlocking it and finding Arnault’s phone number. I suck in a sharp intake of breath, steeling myself for what’s about to come, then dial the number.
“Ms. Hawke,” his response is immediate, picking the phone up after the first ring.
“Ah, let me guess, you’ve been waiting for a call from me?”
“Of course I have. You’ve piqued my curiosity, and it’s been hard not to indulge.”
“Good. Then, meet me tomorrow.”
“When and where?”
“I’ll send you the address.”
“Good.”
“Oh, and Agent Arnault?” I pause, ensuring I have his full attention. “If you so much as try to bring back up, your wife will be dead before you can arrest me.”
“Is that a threat, Ms. Hawke?” His voice deepens, and it chills me.
“Absolutely.”
Without waiting for his response, I hang up the call. Kaya looks at me with a curious expression, raising her eyebrow in a questioning manner.
“Are you bluffing?”
I shake my head. “Instead of coming with me, go stake out his house. If I don’t send you a message thirty minutes after the scheduled meeting, kill her.”
“Fuck,” Kaya laughs. “I like this ruthless side of you .”
“Yeah, well, being an angel in this world hasn’t done me any good.”
I get off the floor, stretching my arms above my head.
We’ve done a lot today, from the training, to the entire Amy thing, and I’m exhausted.
I make my way to the bathroom, to take a shower, and yet again, my thoughts are consumed by Arlo.
It’s been less than a month, but I miss him like crazy.
The man is the source of my existence, and the reason I’m rushing to finish all of this.
All I want is to be in his arms again, and to feel the warmth of the safety he provides.
My personal heaven.
If this prolongs, I won’t be able to handle it. He is the reason I have the strength to go on, to fight and to finish this because I know that there is light at the end of this tunnel, and it’s almost within our reach.