Page 131 of Whispers and Wildfire
“Do you know what he said to them?”
“Why?”
“I just need to know. Was it something like, ‘Don’t be scared, it’s going to be okay?’”
“Hang on.” He paused for a moment. “That’s exactly what all three victims reported him saying. How did you know?”
Melanie buried her face in her hands. A hit of anger rippled through me. I wanted to rip this guy to pieces.
“Fuck,” I breathed. “Eleven years ago, Melanie was abducted outside her apartment. It happened in LA, but there are some weird similarities, including that one.”
“What else?”
I met her eyes, and she nodded. I could tell him what I knew.
“She was alone at night in a parking lot. He grabbed her from behind and choked her until she blacked out. He whispered the same thing in her ear when he did it. He drugged her, and she woke up in the trunk of a car. She got away before he could do anything else. She didn’t see his face, and they never found him.”
“You said LA?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. I want to get in touch with the agency down there who worked that case.”
“It couldn’t be him, could it? Here? What are the chances?”
“I don’t know what the chances are, but it’s worth investigating. We need every bit of information we can find. Where’s Melanie staying?”
I met her eyes. “With me.”
She didn’t protest. Just pressed her lips together and nodded.
“Good,” Garrett said. “We don’t know what this guy’s game is or where he might strike again. Pinecrest and Echo Creek are watching out for him as much as we are. They’ve got neighborhood patrols and retired cops keeping watch, especially after dark.”
“The SPS is handing out whistles and set up a buddy system.”
“Yeah, we’re aware. It should help. I don’t want the whole town freaking out, thinking they can’t leave their homes. But be cautious. You especially. Don’t leave Melanie alone until we catch this guy.”
“I won’t. Keep me posted if there’s anything else we should know.”
“I will.”
“Thanks.” I ended the call.
A second later, I was out of my chair, scooping Melanie into my arms. We settled on the couch, and I held her tight.
“What if it’s him?” she whispered. “What if he’s here? How could he be here?”
“I don’t know. But he’s not getting anywhere near you.”
She took a deep breath. “It might be someone else. This could be a big, unfortunate coincidence.”
“It could be. But I’m not taking any chances. Come stay with me.”
“Honestly, I don’t think I’d be able to sleep by myself right now.” She nestled her head against my chest.
“We’ll stop by your place this afternoon and grab whatever you need.”
She nodded.
