tea, which was now almost cold and a little bitter, then set the mug on top of the book. She didn’t bother setting the alarm. She’d be awake at her usual time—dawn or before. Switching off the lamp, she rolled to face Jason’s side of the bed and drifted to sleep.
****
Sara stretched, pried her eyes open to look at the clock, then bolted upright. Nine-twenty? It can’t be. Panic gripped her. Eyes squeezed shut, she massaged her temples. What’s happening to me? I’ve never slept in like this. Not even the day after I lost everyone. Hands shaking, she looked at the window to confirm it was actually the next morning. Last night—in the library—had to be a hallucination. There’s no other explanation.
She stood, took a moment to allow her sore knees time to adjust, then went to the bathroom. After she’d splashed cool water on her face and brushed her teeth, she moved back toward the bedroom. She stopped in the doorway. Something wasn’t right. For a moment she couldn’t place her finger on what it was exactly. She just knew things weren’t as they were supposed to be. Finally her gaze lingered on the nightstand and it dawned on her...the book wasn’t under the mug. She stared at the spot for a long moment, willing the book to magically reappear. It didn’t, of course. Heart racing, she tore her gaze away, moved into the room and began a methodical survey of the area.
There. The book was lying open on Jason’s side of the bed; partially hidden by the covers she’d inadvertently thrown over it. She could have sworn she hadn’t picked up the book and read any during the night. Still... Shaking her head to clear her mind, as well as dispel the queasy sensations in the pit of her stomach, she retrieved the book, snapped it closed, then collected the mug. Still in her pajamas, she padded downstairs as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Other than her life—and sanity—slowly coming unraveled.
****
He leaned forward in his chair, coming closer to the monitor. He couldn’t have hoped for a better image, or clarity. Coughing up the extra dough on his last trip to Dallas for the high grade equipment had been worth it. His supplier hadn’t asked questions, nor did he keep records where his customers could be tracked. Probably how the man remained alive since most of the people he dealt with had criminal backgrounds. The supplier didn’t care as long as he made a buck.
Now he studied Sara as she stood in the doorway, surveying the bedroom. Anticipation built in him. Would his plan work? He’d plotted for months, finally settling on just how he’d get her out of the picture. He sneered. There didn’t seem to be any reason why he couldn’t have a little fun with her beforehand, though. He inched forward. Holding his breath, he almost willed her to see the partially hidden book. Then recognition and confusion lit her face.
“Yes! ’Bout time.” He almost pumped his fist in the air.
Only she didn’t panic or scream like he’d hoped. After the initial reaction, she’d just walked out of the room as if nothing had been wrong. “Well, hell. Looks like I’m going to have to get a bit more inventive.” He barked a laugh. He didn’t want easy. That wasn’t any fun. This way it’d be more entertaining.
Except for the cops digging up the stupid body, his plan was on schedule. But that was a minor inconvenience, one he could easily work around. He frowned. Why had they done that? He’d made sure Jason’s death looked like it was from natural causes. So why’d they dig him up? And why now?
“It doesn’t matter. You dumb jerks won’t find a thing. You aren’t smart enough.”
Still, he’d have to think of a way to “properly” thank the ever efficient Riverbend police force for the disruption. For now, he would move forward with his secondary plan. Stifling a hysterical laugh, he shut down the feed, anticipating his next move and just how terrified dear little Sara would be.
Chapter
****
Sara stretched, pried her eyes open to look at the clock, then bolted upright. Nine-twenty? It can’t be. Panic gripped her. Eyes squeezed shut, she massaged her temples. What’s happening to me? I’ve never slept in like this. Not even the day after I lost everyone. Hands shaking, she looked at the window to confirm it was actually the next morning. Last night—in the library—had to be a hallucination. There’s no other explanation.
She stood, took a moment to allow her sore knees time to adjust, then went to the bathroom. After she’d splashed cool water on her face and brushed her teeth, she moved back toward the bedroom. She stopped in the doorway. Something wasn’t right. For a moment she couldn’t place her finger on what it was exactly. She just knew things weren’t as they were supposed to be. Finally her gaze lingered on the nightstand and it dawned on her...the book wasn’t under the mug. She stared at the spot for a long moment, willing the book to magically reappear. It didn’t, of course. Heart racing, she tore her gaze away, moved into the room and began a methodical survey of the area.
There. The book was lying open on Jason’s side of the bed; partially hidden by the covers she’d inadvertently thrown over it. She could have sworn she hadn’t picked up the book and read any during the night. Still... Shaking her head to clear her mind, as well as dispel the queasy sensations in the pit of her stomach, she retrieved the book, snapped it closed, then collected the mug. Still in her pajamas, she padded downstairs as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Other than her life—and sanity—slowly coming unraveled.
****
He leaned forward in his chair, coming closer to the monitor. He couldn’t have hoped for a better image, or clarity. Coughing up the extra dough on his last trip to Dallas for the high grade equipment had been worth it. His supplier hadn’t asked questions, nor did he keep records where his customers could be tracked. Probably how the man remained alive since most of the people he dealt with had criminal backgrounds. The supplier didn’t care as long as he made a buck.
Now he studied Sara as she stood in the doorway, surveying the bedroom. Anticipation built in him. Would his plan work? He’d plotted for months, finally settling on just how he’d get her out of the picture. He sneered. There didn’t seem to be any reason why he couldn’t have a little fun with her beforehand, though. He inched forward. Holding his breath, he almost willed her to see the partially hidden book. Then recognition and confusion lit her face.
“Yes! ’Bout time.” He almost pumped his fist in the air.
Only she didn’t panic or scream like he’d hoped. After the initial reaction, she’d just walked out of the room as if nothing had been wrong. “Well, hell. Looks like I’m going to have to get a bit more inventive.” He barked a laugh. He didn’t want easy. That wasn’t any fun. This way it’d be more entertaining.
Except for the cops digging up the stupid body, his plan was on schedule. But that was a minor inconvenience, one he could easily work around. He frowned. Why had they done that? He’d made sure Jason’s death looked like it was from natural causes. So why’d they dig him up? And why now?
“It doesn’t matter. You dumb jerks won’t find a thing. You aren’t smart enough.”
Still, he’d have to think of a way to “properly” thank the ever efficient Riverbend police force for the disruption. For now, he would move forward with his secondary plan. Stifling a hysterical laugh, he shut down the feed, anticipating his next move and just how terrified dear little Sara would be.
Chapter
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