Mississippi Heat, page 21
"Shit." The word was a hiss as David began to pace the room. "Do the police know about the stalking? 'Cause that's what it is."
"They know. And they've got patrols that come around Lacey's house every half hour. But this guy's smart, Dave. He probably already knows the patrol schedule and where the cops will drive. All he has to do is stay out of sight and wait." Now Brooks stared at the floor as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't like it."
"You're only going to be gone for a couple of days, right?"
"Yeah. I should be back by Sunday evening." Brooks began to move around the room again, this time gathering his uniform and boots so they’d be ready in the morning. "I can only hope that between the patrols and her parents being there, they'll be enough of a deterrent to keep this guy away while I'm gone." With a come ahead wave, Brooks strode from the room with his uniform in hand. When he reached his tiny excuse for a laundry room, he set up the ironing board and plugged in the iron. He laid out his uniform pants on the board so they'd be ready once the iron was hot. Turning, Brooks caught sight of David's toothy grin.
"What?"
"You're such a cute little homemaker."
"Blow me." Grinning at his best friend's snort of laughter, Brooks dug out the hanger he'd need once he'd finished pressing his uniform.
"Nah, you're not my type." Leaning against the door frame, David's grin faded. "Speaking of people who are your type, how's Lacey holding up these days?"
"She's more scared than she'll admit to most people." Testing the iron, Brooks deemed it ready and got to work on his uniform. "She doesn't eat half the time and has trouble sleeping most nights. I see her every day and even I'm starting to be able to tell she's losing weight, that she's got shadows under her eyes."
"You're really worried about her."
"Hard not to be." Brooks flipped the pants over and went to work on the other side. "Considering the circumstances."
"Well, yeah," David conceded. "But the way you're talking... how serious are you guys?"
"Serious." Setting aside the iron, Brooks spared his friend a glance before placing the pants on the hanger. "Hell, my dad says I've been half in love with her since I was eighteen." With a half smile, he shook his head as he laid his uniform jacket on the ironing board. "Guess he was right."
"You're half in love with her?'
"Nope. That was then. Now?" Brooks lifted the iron as he looked at David. "Now it's a hundred percent." Focusing on his uniform again, Brooks continued. "Guess I kind of always knew I'd end up here one day. Maybe not with Lacey, at least not until the day she came back to town. The minute I pulled up to the house and saw her hauling boxes out of a moving van?" He gave a little pfft sound. "I knew, then and there, I was sunk."
"Well, hell. Took you long enough."
"Right?" Now Brooks laughed. "Let me tell you, my mother is over the moon at the idea that I'm dating Lacey. She says, and I quote, that she's always loved that girl and that if I screw things up, she'll choose Lacey over me."
"Sounds like Georgia."
"Yeah." All amusement faded as Brooks carefully hung the now-pressed uniform jacket on its hanger. "But feeling this way about someone, loving someone this way? Makes the worry and fear for them a whole lot more intense."
"I get that." David clapped a hand to his friend's shoulder. "But her parents are there and the police are keeping an eye on the place. And, if it'll make you feel any better, I'll drop by a few times while you're gone." The sly grin crept back onto David's face. "Hell, with you outta the way, I may be able to talk some sense into her so she'll dump your ass and give me a chance."
"I'd appreciate the drop-ins, so long as you keep your hands off my woman." Brooks gave his friend a little shove. "Not that I think you stand a chance with a class act like Lacey."
"If she's so classy, how'd she end up with you?" David returned the slight shove with a smirk.
"You know what? Just for that, I'm going to enjoy snipering your ass repeatedly." At David's snort of derision, Brooks pointed in the direction of his living room. "I'm gonna grab a Coke. Go get the game ready and prepare to die."
"You got some big talk, son."
"And the skill to back it up, as you already know since my scores dominate yours."
"Yeah, yeah. But I've been practicing."
"You say that every time we play. And yet you still end up dead." Slapping his friend on the back, Brooks gave him a pitying sigh. "C'mon. Let's go so I can kill you and still get to bed at a decent hour."
"Why are we friends again?"
"Hell if I know."
Forty-eight hours had never felt so long in her life.
Lacey had thought she'd been prepared for Brooks's absence when he'd left for his drill weekend in the early hours of Saturday morning. He'd texted her to let her know he'd made it safe and that he'd talk to her that evening. And, knowing he'd be out of reach for most of the day, Saturday had dragged on for Lacey.
It seemed like everyone she knew was determined to keep any eye on her in some way, to keep her company. Ashley called with an invitation to lunch, while David popped by to check in and see how things were going. He'd had the decency to look ashamed when Lacey asked if Brooks had put him up to it, which she found to be sweet on the parts of both men. Mitch was busy down at the police station, combing through every detail of the abduction cases with Sheriff Martin, but still found pockets of time to send a quick text to make sure everything was all clear. And, being the only other person in the house, Caroline had tried to fill the void left by both her husband and Brooks by making plans or just hanging out with her daughter. Lacey had begged out of a day of shopping by pleading a deadline. Not a total lie, but the deadline was far enough out that she could have gotten away with procrastinating on it a bit.
But the deadline excuse only got her so far and come dinner time, Lacey found herself cornered into joining her parents for the meal.
She felt like she was in high school again.
The meal had been fine once they got past the small talk and the obligatory case updates. Her parents had entertained her with stories from their RV adventures and the friends they'd made along the way. And still, she'd been grateful when her phone had signaled an incoming call from Brooks. After a conversation that hadn't lasted nearly long enough, Lacey had gone to bed early. If for no other reason than to have some time where she felt like she didn't have someone hovering.
She knew her family and friends meant well, but the lack of personal space was starting to wear on her some.
Early Sunday afternoon, when Lacey felt like the band would soon snap, the universe seemed to take pity on her. A last-minute article request from a magazine she frequently wrote for had popped up in her email. She gladly accepted it, as it gave her something to focus on other than feeling crowded. Then Georgia Harding, God love her, invited her parents to dinner that evening.
"I don't think we should go," Caroline said as she stood at the kitchen counter, tearing lettuce for lunch salads.
"Mom." Straining for patience, Lacey tried to focus on the cucumbers she was slicing. "You and Dad haven't spent much time with Jerry and Georgia since you guys have been back in town. They've missed you."
"I know but..." Her mother's voice trailed off as Caroline gave her daughter a sheepish sidelong look. "I don't feel right leaving you here alone."
"I'm a big girl, Mom. I'll be okay."
"I know." A soft sigh escaped. "But big girl or not, you're my daughter and I worry."
"I know you do." Setting the knife aside, Lacey wound an arm around her mother's waist. "But we've all said we don't know how long this investigation is going to drag out. We've got lives that can't be ignored. And part of those lives is enjoying an evening with friends."
"It almost sounds like you're trying to get rid of us."
"It does, doesn't it?" With a little smile at her mother's laugh, Lacey gave the other woman a little squeeze before getting back to chopping vegetables. "Besides, I have plans for tonight."
"You do?"
"I do," Lacey lied easily. "Ashley's coming over for a while. I think she's grabbing a pizza and we're just going to hang out, watch a movie."
"Oh. Well." With a little side-to-side head bob, Caroline hesitated as she seemed to reconsider her friend's invitation. "It would be nice to spend some time with Jerry and Georgia."
"Of course, it would. They're your oldest and best friends." Lacey felt a glimmer of hope. "And I know they'd like to spend as much time as they can with you before you and Dad take off on your adventures again."
"You're right," Caroline murmured. "You're right," she repeated, sounding determined as she wiped her hands on the dishcloth before tossing it to the counter. "In fact, I'm going to text your father right now and tell him we have dinner plans."
Once her mother was out of earshot, Lacey let out a long sigh of relief. She and Ashley had talked about making plans, but nothing had been set in stone. Lacey hated lying to her mother but, in her defense, desperate times called for desperate measures. And her desperate measure had netted a few hours of peace and solitude.
For the rest of the afternoon, Lacey daydreamed about how she would spend her evening. Would she sprawl out on the couch with a glass of wine and a book? Or should she grab something to eat and climb into a steaming hot bath?
The thought of the bath brought back vivid flashes of the time she'd spent in that clawfoot tub with Brooks. She had to fan herself to cool down from the sudden flush of heat that spread throughout her body as she refocused on her options.
Wine and a book or dinner and a bath? Why, she thought to herself, couldn't she just do both? She had the little table next to her tub, which was plenty big enough to hold dinner and a glass of wine. She could soak, sip, eat, and read her evening away.
It sounded like bliss.
And since she didn't want the hassle of cooking-or the cleanup after-to mar her evening, she decided to have someone else do the cooking.
So, after she'd stood on the front porch and waved her parents off to the Hardings later that evening, Lacey jogged back into the house. Since her house was too far out for delivery service, she grabbed her phone and called in an order to her favorite pizza place. Her plan was to only be gone long enough to grab her food and come home. There was no harm in that, right?
Feeling lighter than she had in weeks, she tucked her phone in her pocket before she snatched up her keys, then jogged down the porch steps. Jumping into her car, she smiled all the way down the driveway and made the turn for town, not knowing what waited for her along the way.
19
Lacey was cruising down the main road toward town and was halfway through belting out the second song of her favorite CD when the performance was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of the thump-thump-thump of a flat tire.
"Shit." The single word was a hiss as Lacey turned down the volume and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. Killing the engine, she let the keys dangle in the ignition as she pushed herself from the car and slammed the door closed behind her.
Sure enough, even as she stood staring at her car, Lacey could hear the rear driver's side tire losing the last of its air. Watched as the tire drooped to flatten along the ground.
"Shit, shit, shit." Checking to make sure there were no cars coming in her direction, Lacey crouched down to study the tire. The full set was relatively new, as she'd had them put on shortly before moving back to Tatesville. She’d been assured they were a good brand and would get her through with no problems. But even brand-new tires couldn't withstand the assault of a nail in between the treads, such as the one she was looking at now.
Sitting back on her heels, Lacey studied the nail and wondered where it had come from. Brooks was far too careful to have left it lying in the driveway and besides, if he’d dropped nails where he knew they’d both drive, he would have mentioned it.
An itch creeped up to settle itself between her shoulder blades. She tried to ignore it, but there was just something off about a nail being perfectly centered in the treads of her tire. But right now, she had bigger problems to worry about than trying to figure out where the damn thing had come from. She let out a hiss of breath, the sound of it not unlike the sound the tire had made, and shook her head.
"Well, that's just great." Standing, Lacey planted her hands on her hips. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?"
She considered the phone still sitting in the center console. Maybe she could call Ashley or David for a ride or, God, her parents. And she'd have to call a tow truck. All these options left her sitting out on the side of the road, alone, as she waited. The thought of it had a knot forming in her stomach.
"This was a stupid idea, Lace. Really freaking stupid." She shoved her hands through her hair and was taking the first step back towards the driver's door when she heard the sound of tires approaching from behind her. Turning, she studied the car, one she didn't recognize as belonging to anyone she knew.
But she recognized the face of the man who stepped out from behind the wheel.
"Mr. Davis."
"Ms. Fuller." He started in her direction, pointed at her car. "Looks like you've run into a bit of a problem here."
"Yeah, just a flat tire." There was something in the way he was looking at her that set her on edge. "No big deal. I've got a tow truck coming." The lie slipped easily from her lips.
"I'm sure I could fix it for you, get you back on the road." His gaze on her was a little too intense for her liking. "If you've got a spare. I've got a jack and a lug wrench in my trunk."
"I appreciate it, Mr. Davis. Really. But the tow truck's already on its way. I'm just going to wait in my car until it gets here."
"A young lady such as yourself shouldn't be waiting on the side of the road alone." His voice had dropped to a menacing murmur.
"It won't be for very long, I'm sure." Trying not to be obvious, Lacey trailed a hand to the bracelet on her arm. "But thank you so much for stopping, Mr. Davis."
"Please, we're both adults." Somehow, his voice was both silky and creepy. "Call me Matt."
"Matt." Lacey could feel her mouth go dry as he took another step toward her. Instinct had her taking a step back to gain the space between them. "I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine."
"No, Lacey. I don't think you will be."
In the split second before he snagged her arm, Lacey managed to reach the button on her bracelet that sent out her emergency alert. She was praying it would work as she struggled to free herself from his grip.
"Nuh-uh." He tsked in her ear as she fought back against him. "We've done this dance before, haven't we? But, unlike some people, I learn from my mistakes."
Lacey felt the sting of a needle in the side of her neck, continued to struggle even as her vision grayed and, though she fought it with everything she had, surrendered to unconsciousness.
* * *
A pain in her shoulder woke Lacey. Must've slept on it wrong, she thought to herself, her eyes still closed as she fought to keep from drifting off again. She was so tired. Must've had a rough night's sleep.
She let her eyes flutter open and for a minute, Lacey was confused by what she saw. Instead of a bright window filtered by pretty, filmy curtains, she saw an unfamiliar wall of rough wood with gaps between the boards that let in little slivers of light. Confusion turned to fear as the memory of being abducted on the side of the road came flooding back. Fear turned to terror at the feeling of the ropes on her wrists and ankles, of the duct tape on her mouth.
Lacey struggled to think beyond the haze of the drugs still lingering in her system, beyond the incessant drumming they caused behind her eyes.
Nobody knew where she was, or that she was even gone from her house. All because she'd been stubborn and thought she knew better.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
The thought of nobody knowing where she was, or that she was even gone, had the pressure building in her chest. Her mom, her dad. Brooks.
Brooks.
She suddenly remembered the bracelet and tried, as much as the ropes allowed, to feel for it on her wrist. Lacey nearly wept when her fingers brushed against the smooth metal piece and found the button that would alert the ones she loved that she was in trouble.
She just prayed it worked. In the meantime, she wouldn't sit here like some helpless damsel in distress. She'd figured out how to save herself as a teenager. And now, as a full-grown woman, Lacey had more knowledge and self-preservation. So, she just needed to calm herself down and evaluate the situation.
Take in your surroundings, Lacey. Make a plan and get your ass out of here.
But before she could do much more than turn her head, the door to what she now realized was a shed opened. The light beaming through it flooded the small space, burning Lacey's eyes to the point where they started to water.
And there, framed in the doorway, silhouetted by the light, was the monster from the shadows that had terrorized a community for years.
"Look who's awake." Stepping into the shed, William Matthew Davis nodded as he closed the door behind him. "Good, good. We can get started, then." He took a scarred wooden chair and slid it across the floor in a long scrape before he settled onto it. Leaning back, legs crossed and looking relaxed, he studied Lacey for several long minutes before he spoke again.
"I've been waiting a long time to get you here, Ms. Fuller. Lacey," he corrected, holding up his hand. "Yes, yes. We agreed, didn't we, that as adults we didn't need to be so formal." Smiling, he dropped his hand back into his lap. "But, as I was saying, I've been waiting a long time. You were a surprise to me, the last time we were together. What I didn't bank on, however, was how much of a challenge you'd be. Challenges are good, they make one work for their goal. But do you know what's not good?" Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, Matt's expression turned from one of a pleasant smile to burning evil. "Failure, Lacey. Failure is not good and you made me a failure all those years ago."
