Chapter 8

CHAPTER

EIGHT

DETECTIVE MICHALES

When Mia Dillon walked into the precinct to file a report about being sexually assaulted in the Rusty Anchor parking lot, I thought I might finally have my way in to pin something on these rich, arrogant assholes.

Sam.

Rich.

Cocky.

Conceited.

Dark Hair.

Fancy black sports car.

It took me only a few minutes after her interview to know with all certainty that Samuel Millington was the man she was describing. She was going to be the one . The piece of the puzzle that finally connected Samuel, Grant Geyer, Edmund Parker, William Cattaneo, and Elizabeth Beaufort to the string of women disappearing from my formerly quaint small town. Right up until she disappeared in the middle of the night without a fucking trace.

Just like the rest of them.

When I followed Samuel Millington last night, I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I watched him and all of his devious friends arrive at an old estate on the outskirts of town. Sneaking onto the property, I could never have imagined what I would stumble upon.

Hearing screams and peering into the window, I found Edmund Parker in the midst of a foursome. Three women bound in handcuffs devouring each other as though their lives depended on it— which they probably did— while he enjoyed all of them.

I’ve been watching the video I recorded last night. A countless amount of times. On my phone. Then, on my laptop. Over and over for evidence.

Edmund relentlessly pounding into a petite little redhead while shoving her face into the pussy of a blonde. He strikes her already bright red ass as he slams into her, leaving crimson handprints across her flesh. She screams for him repeatedly, but not for him to stop.

She fucking loves the way he fucks her.

Trying to concentrate on the details—instead of the abhorrent sexual acts—I take as many notes as I can regarding the women in the video. I watch the video through to the end, then start it over to begin watching the redhead again. And again before turning my attention to the blonde she was servicing. I loop the video on repeat, seeking out details of these women as though it’s an obsession.

Because it is.

By the time I finish, I have photos of the redhead and each of the blondes from the video. My notebook has the few additional details I was able to find. Printing everything out, I shove it into an evidence folder and head to the precinct.

They’ll have to listen to me now.

I have proof of just how brutal and wicked these monsters are.

At the precinct, I make several copies and distribute them throughout the office to ensure everyone has the photos of these three women.

“Michales? Is there some sort of investigation into the porn industry the rest of us aren’t aware of?” Callahan holds one of the photos in the air with an arrogant grin plastered across his face.

“I’ve been telling all of you?—”

“What the fuck, Michales!” the chief yells as he violently yanks the photo out of Callahan’s hand. Walking into the office, he snatches up all of the photos I just distributed before shouting, “My office. Now.”

Following him, he slams the door behind me when I step into his office. He takes a seat at his desk and tosses my evidence across his desk.

Discarding it like it is trash.

“I ask, you answer,” he huffs as his eyes dart between me and the papers strewn across his desk. “Is this Edmund Parker?”

“Yes.” I nod confidently, confirming what I discovered last night.

“For the love of Christ, tell me you downloaded it from some self-posting pornography website.”

“No, Chief.” He shakes his head disappointingly as I answer. “I was following Samuel Millington, and?—”

“Shut the fuck up. Right now.” He cuts me off abruptly as he stands and slams his hands into the top of his desk. His head hangs as he takes a few deep breaths. Lifting his gaze to mine, his nostrils flare as he continues to berate my detective work over the past couple of weeks. Not stopping until he’s demanded both my badge and gun.

“As of now, you’re on disciplinary leave,” he shakes his head, “and lucky that I’m not arresting you.”

Slamming my badge into his hand and my gun onto his desk, I storm toward the door. He barks, “Stay away from them, Michales.”

Fat fucking chance.