Chapter 12 #3
“He knows about Preston’s past,” Sloane continued. “He knows that Preston was buried alive as a teen. That Preston escaped from the Last Breath Killer.”
Debra sighed. “Obviously. Look, you have not told me anything that a basic profiler wouldn’t know. Not exactly impressing me here.”
“We’re dealing with a copycat. Someone fixated on the crimes of the Last Breath Killer. Preston was the only victim to escape, so, of course, it would be a major win for this perp if he could take out Preston. Finish what was started by his idol.”
Debra shook her head. “And you don’t think it’s possible that the original Last Breath Killer is at work?
The cops never found his body all those years ago.
After Preston escaped, they searched and searched, but they never turned up his remains.
Maybe he’s responsible. Maybe he came back to finish the job. ”
“No, I don’t believe that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I found the Last Breath Killer’s body last month.” Though there had not been much of a body left. Just bones. “The FBI is aware of the discovery. They have the remains at Quantico.”
Debra’s jaw dropped.
“That bit of news has not been released to the public just yet. I’d appreciate it if you did not pass it along to anyone else.”
“And on that note…” Once more, Atlas pulled her toward the door. A distinct pull. Not a careful tug. “We’re out of here.”
She followed him, but glanced back at the sheriff. “I want to see our grave site.” Yes, just saying those words made chill bumps rise on her body. “I want full access to the whole investigation.”
“You are not working this case,” Debra told her. The star on her chest gleamed. Her holster rode low on her hips, and the keys at her waist jingled as she shifted her position.
“I can help!”
“I don’t trust you.” Her gaze was sharp. “Stay in town and do not interfere.”
Oh, that was just not going to happen. Staying in town? Yes. Not interfering? Nope. She planned to interfere plenty. Interfering was a way of life for her. She would be interfering at the very first opportunity.
Atlas stayed by her side as they walked through the police station.
One young deputy stared at her with huge eyes.
And fear. Plenty of fear. He was tall and thin, and his uniform shirt seemed a bit too loose on him as his Adam’s apple bobbed and his bleary eyes tracked her movements, almost as if he expected her to launch some kind of attack at any moment.
She’d been stared at that way before. The look usually meant that people had learned about her past. During Cody’s trial, so many people had looked at her that way.
They’d thought that maybe Cody hadn’t acted alone.
That Sloane had been involved. That she’d pushed him to kill her mother and stepdad.
Then, luckily, the truth about Cody had come out. The truth that he’d done the same thing before. Only Cody hadn’t been caught the first time. Not when he killed the other parents…and not when he killed their daughter, Mia. Cody had gotten away with those three murders.
Cody Crenshaw was handsome. Blond. He had a dimpled grin.
Muscles for days and days. His family had been wealthy.
His home a mansion in a small town plagued by too much poverty.
His father had pretty much controlled the town.
Owned the factory there. And his father had always made Cody’s trouble vanish.
Until…
Until me.
Atlas pushed open the door at the front of the station. Sloane stepped outside, and the wind swept over her cheeks. She almost collided with Lily because her friend was out there and hurrying toward her.
Lily grabbed her hands. Squeezed tightly. “You good?” Lily asked.
No, but people used to think she was. Sloane just summoned one of her megawatt smiles. “Of course.”
Lily sighed.
Then, beyond Lily, Sloane saw…him. Preston. Hands loose at his side. Hair tousled. Face locked in brutal lines. Eyes on her.
Her smile dimmed. He stared at her—stared at her like—
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Fast and furious gunfire seemed to explode around her.
She heard Atlas bellow, and he grabbed Lily even as blood splattered in the air. Sloane screamed because that had been Lily’s blood. She reached for her friend, desperate, but…
Preston locked his arms around Sloane. His body surrounded her, and he hurtled her to the ground even as more gunfire rang out into the air.
She hit the concrete hard. Glass fell near her, and she realized that one of the bullets had blasted through the glass door of the sheriff’s station.
The spray of bullets had been wild, and she twisted her head to see the back of a red Honda fishtailing down the road.
Preston’s body crushed hers. She pushed against his arms even as Debra rushed out of the sheriff’s station with her gun drawn.
“What in the hell is happening?” Debra yelled.
“Lily!” Sloane tried to claw her way out of Preston’s hold in order to get to Lily. But he tightened his grip. Kept right on shielding her with his body.
Atlas had covered Lily. He rose up, and Lily’s blood-stained hand pressed to her husband’s chest.