“Well, isn’t that interesting.”
“What’s more interesting is that I had the forensic lab retest the cigarette from the Karrigan case against Cress’s DNA. It was a match.”
“Where is he now?”
“Not sure. But I was hoping to tap you in to help find him.”
“Be here in five,” his deep voice rumbled.
“I’ll make it in three.”
“Good.”
I disconnected from Wes and brought up Scarlett’s contact. She was working at the flower shop today, which had a good vantage point of Pine Street. If Tyler was wandering around, unaware we were looking for him, he might be in the area. I needed her to keep an eye out for him, and she should know what he was capable of.
Another call that went to voicemail. Dammit.
I pulled up in front of Wes’s house and parked, taking a moment to text Scarlett while Wes jumped in. An unsettled feeling crept over my skin.
Me: Baby, keep a lookout for Tyler. He’s dangerous. If you see him around the area, let me know right away.
Me: Call me when you get this. I’ll explain everything.
“I need to swing by Daisy’s. Letty’s not answering me,” I told him.
“Let’s go.”
I told myself that nothing was wrong. She was just busy at work, no reason to freak out, but I couldn’t shake the feeling in my stomach that something was wrong.
I called her again. And this time when she didn’t answer, I left her a message.
“I’m on my way to you, Letty. Be safe, okay? I’ll be there in five minutes. I’m on my way.”
33
Scarlett
Music played softly through the speakers as I swept the floor at Daisy Days, a traditional Japanese melody that was soothing and relaxing. I made a mental note to ask Daisy when she got back what that instrument was that sounded like a harp. I really liked it, and I liked to think that the baby did too.
The bell above the door jingled, and before I could even turn around, the lights went out.
The darkness closed in around me, the light from outside silhouetting a figure in the doorway.
“Hey,” I yelled. “Excuse me. Turn the lights back on.”
“I don’t think I will, thanks,” the voice said. The click of the lock echoed in the quietness. A chill ran down my spine when he took a step further into the space, closer to me. I held the broom like a staff.
“It’s Tyler, right?” Between Daisy mentioning his name that day he was in here with me and his arrest after he assaulted her at Harpoon’s, I was well aware of his name.
“Scarlett Hart. You’re not the only one who knows namesaround here.”
“Turn on the lights, Tyler. This isn’t funny.”
His dark laugh made goose bumps rise on the back of my neck. “Mmm. It is a little funny. You should see your face right now. I bet your eyes are all wide and wild.”
My heart was beating at lightning speed, my limbs frozen to the floor. I could hear my breath turning ragged.
“Don’t be embarrassed. I like that look,” he said, taking another step closer.
