Chapter 24
I pulled into the driveway and saw Alex sitting on the porch. I knew he couldn’t stay away for too long.
“What are you doing here?” I climbed out of my car.
“To apologize.” He stood, tucking his hands inside his pants pockets.
“I’m not sure I’ve ‘cooled’ down yet.” I unlocked the door and stepped into the house.
“I’m sorry, Dahlia. I was out of line. It’s just all these murders have me crazy.”
“I think it has everyone in Key West crazy. But you just can’t pack up and leave your entire life behind because of one person. That right there is giving him control.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. Please say you forgive me.”
I stared into his eyes. I could tell he was genuinely sorry.
“Apology accepted,” I said.
“Really?” A grin spread across his face. “Thank you.” He leaned in and kissed me.
A week had passed, and Alex had stopped talking about moving out of Key West. I stumbled out of bed and went down to the kitchen for some much-needed coffee. I picked up the remote and turned on the TV.
“Authorities in Key West have confirmed the discovery of twenty-six-year-old dancer Mikela Adams, who had been reported missing last week. Mikela’s body was found early this morning at one of the island’s most famous landmarks, carefully posed up against the fat painted buoy, facing the water.”
“Oh, you’re getting brave dumping her body in such an open space,” I whispered to myself.
I picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
I’d felt like The Last Chapter Killer and I were in a game of cat and mouse.
One week. Exactly one week after Bart Rexley’s death, another body had been found.
It wasn’t a coincidence anymore. We weren’t strangers residing in the same city.
We were aware of each other. The game was now in motion.
The kind of game where every move demanded another.
My victims had to be punished for their sins.
His? I had no idea why he chose the victims he did. But it was time to find out.
“Morning, beautiful.” Alex strode into the kitchen and kissed my cheek.
“Morning. You seem to be in a chipper mood this morning.” I smiled.
“That’s because I slept great. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day with my students.”
I wouldn’t tell him about poor Mikela. I didn’t want him starting up again about leaving Key West. He’d hear about it at some point today. But for now, I just wanted to enjoy some peace.
“I have to get to the university. Dinner tonight at my place?”
“Sure.” I smiled.
“Great. I love you.” He brushed his lips against mine.
“I love you, too.”
After he left, I showered, dressed, grabbed my laptop, and sat on the couch.
My head started to hurt as I shut my eyes for a moment to try to ease the tension.
The cottage appeared the moment I closed my eyes.
Why was I here? Usually, Katherine would be sitting on the porch in a rocker, reading a book or tending to her garden.
But she wasn’t in either place. I walked past the cottage, my bare feet sinking into the warm sand.
Katherine stood at the shoreline in a long white sundress, her hair lightly blowing in the wind.
“Katherine, what are you doing?” I asked, stepping a few feet behind her.
“I think something’s changing,” she softly spoke.
“What do you mean?”
She wrapped her arms around her body as if she were cold. “I don’t know. I can’t explain it.”
“Try!” I loudly voiced.
“It feels like something is pulling me away from this place,” she said.
My heart started racing.
“Come here.” I wrapped my arm around hers and led her back to the cottage.
“Look at how beautiful it is here. Look how much your garden has grown since the last time I visited. You have the perfect life, Katherine. You’re happy.
You have no worries. The outside world is a very bad place where very bad things happen to people. You’re safe here, Katherine.”
“I suppose.” She smiled.
“Good girl.” I led her to the porch and had her sit in the rocker. “This is paradise. Your paradise. You’re never leaving here. Understand me?”
“I understand.”
“Good.”
My eyes opened as my heart raced out of my chest.