“Hey,” she laughed. “Look, it was fun, but I have to go.”
“I want more,” he said with a serious expression.
“I need to go,” she said, trying to pull away. He pulled her back, laying her flat beneath him.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you go. I’m sorry.”
Her eyes went wide as he gripped her neck, squeezing and squeezing until she finally stopped breathing. Her eyes were still staring up at him in horror as he rose and dressed.
He packed his things, angry that he’d have to leave the comfort of his hotel, but these things couldn’t be helped. If he stayed, he’d have to drag the body out of the room and risk being seen. She should have been honest with him from the beginning.
Lesson learned. Next time, ask about their family and occupation.
When he reached the door, he turned with a smile.
“Thanks for a good time, babe. Too bad we couldn’t make this last.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“We have a dead body in a hotel room in Lexington,”said Hiro. “She’s the daughter of the sheriff. Worked a night shift at a local steakhouse and was seen leaving with a man fitting the description of Archie. Hotel cameras have them walking in together and then him leaving around 0300. Alone.”
“Shit,” muttered Jonas. “Will the father speak with us?”
“He’s at the hotel with detectives gathering evidence now. We haven’t told him anything yet.”
“Thanks, Hiro. We’ll head that way now.”
By the time they arrived, Carl, Aiden, and Ham were already speaking with the sheriff. He was distraught but also ready to track down the man that killed his only child.
“We’re terribly sorry for your loss, sheriff,” said Aiden.
“She was a good girl. Worked as a teacher during the day and at that steakhouse at night to pay for her college loans,” he said, shaking her head. “I didn’t judge her sex life. She was an adult.”
“No one judges that,” said Aiden. “We believe we know the man who did this. We’ve been tracking him for a while now. He’s wanted in the death of a woman and her unborn twins from several years ago.”
“I’ve seen that come across my desk several times,” he frowned. “You think he’s the one that killed my daughter?”
“Cameras say it was him,” said Jonas, looking at the man.
“Why haven’t I seen that footage yet?” he asked with suspicion.
“We’re able to access some of that without going through all the red tape,” said Jak. The sheriff stared at him, cocking his head. “Sir, we’re members of the Voodoo Guardians Security Agency.”
“Holy shit,” he murmured, shaking his head. “This guy must be something else if you’re here for him.”
“It was my wife and twins he killed,” said Jonas. “My current fiancée used to date him. She was the emergency room doctor that turned him in, and now he’s after her.”
“I can’t believe this,” he said, taking a seat in the lobby. “Detectives are gathering evidence upstairs now. I can’t go up there and risk destroying anything or contaminating the scene. You’re welcome to send a few men up there.”
Carl nodded at Rett, Conor, and Sebastian who immediately took the elevators upstairs.
“Sir, I know that this will be difficult for you and your men, but we will get this man. I need to ask you to hang back.”
The sheriff stood quickly, shaking his head. He paced back and forth, then stared at the group of men who had said nothing else. They did understand what they were asking and that it was a nearly impossible task for the lawman and his team.
“I’m not stupid. I know that I’m too close to this. If I see him, I’m going to want to shoot him, and that won’t help anyone. I want him to pay for this and for what he did to your wife and children. I won’t like it, but I’ll stay back.”
“You can help us,” said Garr. “Anything you can do from your office would be very helpful. We’re accessing traffic cameras right now to find the direction that he went when he left the hotel.”
