The sun had sunk low in the sky, and darkness stretched around them. The day had been a blur. A nightmare that he couldn’t wake from.
He and Chloe had lingered at the house. He’d insisted she tell him everything that she could about her attacker. Joel didn’t get how the bastard had known private details about Chloe’s life. She sure wasn’t the type to share that shit with anyone.
Then they’d gone to the morgue. Seen the body of Kelly Addams. Chloe had stayed back. She’d scanned the file. He’d stared at the woman he thought was a victim, but Kelly had turned out to be so much more.
Then on to Gordo. And to the abduction of Wendy. Wendy…She was all right. An ambulance had taken her to the hospital, and Cedric had insisted that a cop stay with her for protection.
The hours had twisted together. They’d lost the sun.
How much time does Chloe have? She hadn’t moved in that video, but Joel would not believe that she was dead. She was still alive. But she couldn’t stay that way, not unless he got her out of that tomb.
So why are we just standing here?
Cedric motioned to the uniforms who’d rushed to greet him. They’d all just arrived at the scene—the St. Louis Cemetery Number One. There were several St. Louis cemeteries in the city, but Cedric had been adamant that he and Joel needed to begin at this spot.
“This is the most secure cemetery that we have in the area,” Cedric explained. “Only way folks can get inside these days is by guided tour. Got too many vandals, so the people in charge make sure it’s locked down.”
But if it was locked down—
“That means our perp wouldn’t have to worry about being disturbed. If he found a way inside, this place would give him the most privacy.”
Privacy…to seal Chloe in alive.
The uniforms weren’t going inside. What in the hell were they waiting for? Joel surged forward. If they weren’t heading in to search, then he’d do it.
But Cedric put a hand on his chest. “The guy didn’t just wake up today and decide to do this. He planned it out. Like I said, I think he’s smart. Smart enough to know that no one would be inside to see him here. Smart enough to get past the security that keeps others out. Smart enough…that he might have a surprise waiting for us.”
“I need to find her!” They didn’t have time to piss away.
“Look, I get that you want to search, I do, but I’m telling you—we have to be careful. The guy has bombs, we know that. He just used two to wreck that van. We can’t overlook the possibility that maybe he’s got others in there waiting for us.”
“I don’t care, I—”
“I care.” Flat. “It’s my job to care.” Cedric didn’t drop his hand. “You’re a civilian. I can’t risk you. You will stay out here.”
More men and women arrived, only they were wearing tactical gear. What the hell? Bomb squad? Yes, that’s what they were. His stomach twisted. “Cedric…”
“You stay out here. Let us do our jobs. If we find her, I will bring her straight to you.”
He was supposed to stand there and wait? With his thumb up his ass? “Cedric, no.”
“I don’t want to have to cuff you and shove you in a patrol car, but I will, if necessary.” Cedric’s stare was unflinching. “You go in there and you trigger a bomb, then what happens?”
“I don’t think we’re triggering the damn bombs. Chloe said she’d seen the device in the van before, that it was just like the one Kelly had used at the Serpent, and Kelly triggered that herself and—shit, I am going in there—”
Once more, Cedric signaled to the uniforms. Two hurried forward and grabbed Joel’s arms.
“Oh, the fuck, no—” Joel snarled.
“The fuck, yes,” Cedric fired right back. The bomb squad rushed into the cemetery. “Maybe the perp is watching. Maybe Chloe is the trap. You get close to her, and he triggers the bomb. Isn’t that what you think happened with Wendy Hyde? He used her as bait, got you in close, then triggered the bomb?”
Yes, that was what Joel thought. “Get your hands off me,” he snapped to the cops.
They didn’t let him go.
“I’ll find Chloe. She’s my friend. I won’t leave her trapped.” Cedric pointed at Joel. “Keep your ass out here because if you get blown to hell, how am I going to explain that to her?” He turned away. Squared his shoulders.
No, no. “Cedric!”
“Put him in the patrol car.” Cedric didn’t look back. “Do not let him in this cemetery. That’s an order.”
No, fucking—
Cedric disappeared into the entrance of the cemetery.
***
“I want to see Reese.” Chloe stood in front of her parents. They were in the garden. The sun beat down on them. Warm. The flowers smelled sweet.
Too sweet.
Her mother laughed. “Darling, we would all love that.” She trailed her fingers over her husband’s arm. “But he’s missing. You know that. He disappeared—”
A lie. She’d known the truth for quite some time. “I think I can make him better.”
Her father stiffened at Chloe’s words.
Her mother just laughed once more. “Are you confused, Chloe? Child, run along and play with—”
“I’m not a child.” She didn’t feel like she ever had been. “I’m thirteen.”
Now her mother’s laughter faded. Her blue eyes seemed to ice. “And you think that means you know everything now?”
“I know Reese isn’t missing. I know where you sent him.”
Her father rose from his seat on the bench. Concern flashed across his handsome features. “Chloe…”
She didn’t want him to lie to her. He lied too often, in order to protect her mother.
Her beautiful mother, who watched with such a careful gaze and a now expressionless face.
“He was never missing.” Chloe’s hands were tight at her sides. “That was just a story you told.”
“How long have you known this?” her father asked. No denial. No lie. He crept closer to her.
“After the fire, there wasn’t a choice.” That was what they must have believed. “Mother was in the barn when the fire was set. She could have died. You wanted to protect her, so you gave in and you sent him away.”
“Chloe, your brother is dangerous.”
Is, not was. “I think I can help him.”
Again, her mother laughed. Only this time, the laughter held a…sad edge. Strange, her mother was many things. Sad was not one of them. Even Chloe’s father glanced back in confusion.
“There is no helping,” her mother said. Lower, “I wish there was.”
Chloe would not believe that. “I can help him.”
Her mother rose. The sunlight glinted in her hair. Her blue eyes sparkled. Chloe had her eyes, but she had her father’s dark hair. Reese was the blond, just like their mother.
“Let me talk to her for a moment,” Chloe’s mother urged her father. “I can make her understand.”
Her father’s hand reached out and curled around Chloe’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of Chloe.”