36. Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Hydessa

A bel had been considerate enough to leave painkillers on the bedside table, but sleep was still limited. I honestly hoped it was them drugging me just to escape from my thoughts. But no, the one time I actually want that they seem to disappear.

I find I'm having to drag myself from the bed the next morning when it gets closer to when I said I would meet Beth for coffee. The brand is still red and raw, my arm aching as I try my best to shower and wash my hair while not getting it wet. It doesn't help that I swung a bat for the first time in my life probably a hundred times.

Why can't these assholes consider these things when they decide to RANDOMLY FUCKING brAND ME??

My frustration is simmering as I choose an outfit that will cover the mark on my arm. I silently wonder if this is an extreme way of simply getting me to not wear next to nothing in public again. Even if they did say they won't control what I wear.

I end up choosing a pair of leggings and a light shirt that is strategically cut across the shoulders with sleeves to my elbows, but covers my upper arms where I need it.

Locking up the house I start to make my way toward the beachfront. I walk down the now familiar path, waving to the elderly man outside his house like I always do, and appreciating the fresh sea air and warm sunlight.

I try not to think about the crime scene I left behind last night, about how the water has washed it all away. My thighs brush together as I move and I refuse to let my thoughts focus on why they are so sore. I push it all away in favor of having coffee with someone and trying to forget for just a little while.

Hey, at least I can take a name off my list.

Before long, I'm pushing through the doorway to the bakery. Allegra smiles happily at me as I walk up to the counter.

"Morning, Taylor," she says cheerfully.

"Morning, Allegra," I respond with a smile. "I'll just grab a coffee for now. Someone is meeting me here shortly."

She raises an eyebrow and gives me a sly grin. I roll my eyes. "Not like that," I say, flicking a hand at her. "It's a tourist I met the other day. She's super nice and a city girl like me, so I figured I'd be friendly."

Her laugh is light and carefree. "Don't get attached to the tourists; they disappear before you even know it."

My heart thuds in my chest at the thought of that being exactly why I'm here. But she wouldn't know anything about that, would she? She hadn't given me any impression she was involved and now that I know the masked men aren't the murderers, it could be anyone again. Well, anyone except Rye.

I force a smile and nod, hoping she doesn't notice the sudden tension in my eyes.

I settle at a table close to the window with my coffee, watching the town waking up, tourists starting to venture out for breakfast and taking to the beach. I can see that the carnival has new additions, like a large Ferris wheel, and there are workers already in there stocking up the sideshow prizes and food supplies. Excitement fills me briefly as I think about it opening tomorrow and what there is to look forward to.

And then I flush as I'm filled with heat at the thought of what I have already done there.

Taking a sip of my coffee I finally allow my mind to reflect on everything I learned last night about the killer, and about myself. I momentarily wonder what happened to Rye's body, did they let it float out to sea with the tide? I doubt it. They have to know that without anything to weigh it down, it would just make its way back to the beach and cause more issues than I'm sure Cain and Abel want.

What near death experience did the murderer I'm chasing experience to turn him into a killer?

The thought plays on my mind, gnawing at my curiosity. It must have been something traumatic, something that twisted his mind so profoundly that he felt compelled to inflict pain and suffering on others.

I'm lost in thought about the suspects and investigation when the door to the bakery opens again. I glance up eagerly, expecting to see Beth. But it's Makai.

I glance at Allegra to see her just as surprised as me. She had been the one to tell me we would never see Makai in the bakery given his dedication to fitness. His smile is big enough to show his teeth as he makes his way over to me.

"Good morning, Taylor. Sorry, I saw you through the window," he says by way of greeting.

I return his smile. "Morning, Makai. That's okay, I'm meeting someone for coffee," I respond, and something enters his eyes that I can't identify before disappearing again.

"I won't keep you then. I just knew you were interested in the kickboxing nights, and we have one this evening. I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it," he says.

I nod appreciatively. "Thank you. I'll definitely try to make it."

"Great, hope to see you there." He gives me another warm smile before turning to leave.

After he disappears out the door again, Allegra hurries over to me carrying the coffee pot, making a show of refilling my cup.

"What the hell was that?" she whispers, and I stare at her wide-eyed.

"I have no idea. I thought you said he would never come in here?" I whisper back.

She laughs. "Ummm, you will notice he didn't get anything from me. He just wanted to speak to you. Looks like you have yet another fan," she says with a wide grin.

I roll my eyes. "Don't be silly, there is absolutely nothing special about me at all," I say, trying to resist the urge to fold my arms across my chest. I'm probably too old to pout, and the brand on my arm would hurt like a bitch if I did.

She scoffs at me. "Excuse me, are you one of those girls who can't see how fucking stunning you are?"

I gape at her, but she ignores my astounded look and says, "When you get tired of all the boys chasing after you, maybe come over to the dark side... we have cookies," she says with a wink, turning to walk back to the counter as Jonah comes in.

My heart races slightly at her offhand comment, but I quickly dismiss it, shaking my head. As much as I appreciate the distraction, my mind drifts back to the investigation. Each encounter, every piece of information, feels like a small step closer to understanding the truth behind this mystery that I still don't have a clear picture of.

Jonah gives me a nod as he heads back out of the bakery with his coffee, but doesn't stop to talk. Obviously conscious of Allegra's interruption the last time he tried.

Beth still hasn't shown up, and a pang of worry starts to set in. I glance at my phone, checking the time with a frown. It's already 9:45am, past the time we agreed to meet. She didn't seem the type to simply not show up.

I decide to wait a little longer in case she is just running late. I continue to watch the people outside through the window of the bakery, sipping my coffee. Twenty minutes later, Allegra comes back over to my table, offering another top-up, but I decline with a frown.

She shrugs when she notices my look. "As I said, don't get attached. They always disappear."

My frown deepens as I decide to take the opening she gave me. "Do they?" I ask.

She glances back at me as she gets back to work. "'Do they what?" she asks.

"Disappear? Are there a lot of tourists that simply go missing? Is that a thing here?" I ask.

She laughs, but there is a tension in her tone that wasn't there before. "I mean they decide to leave early or forget they have to check out before they commit. It's why you can only trust the locals," she responds.

Her words are turning over in my mind when a notification comes through on my phone. For a moment, I think that maybe it's Beth, before I remember she doesn't have my number.

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

Do we need to write you a blog post, little shadow? Do we need to tell you how her blood was as red as her hair?

My breath catches and emotions I didn't expect well up inside me as I read the message for a second time. It's one thing knowing that it's happening with vague details, it's another having met a victim before they die. There is no escaping what they meant, but a part of me is glad that they spared me the details this time.

Beth is dead.

Taking a deep breath I type out a message and hit send.

How? Why? She wasn't homeless. She was a city girl like me. Was it Rye before we stopped him?

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

You know it wasn't. Think about it, darling girl, what would cause the change?

I think about it for a moment, running the theories through my mind.

He's accelerating. Losing control of his urges. His ideal target wasn't available and he needed to satisfy a need.

PSYCHO MASKED STALKERS

It's a good theory.

Really? That's all they are going to give me? I can't even curse out one of them specifically, because they are both as frustratingly vague as each other.

I sigh deeply, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in as I close my eyes. After a moment I open them again and pull up a contact on my phone and hit dial. After a couple of rings, the call is answered.

"Hey munchkin, everything okay?" The familiar voice of Papa on the other end soothes me momentarily.

"Yeah," I reply, my voice soft with emotion. "Just…" I pause, not sure what to say while I'm sitting in the bakery and not at the house. But I needed to hear the sound of home suddenly.

"Just what, honey? Are you okay?" my mom's voice comes over the line.

I sigh, just hearing her voice has warmth spreading through me. "Hey mom, I'm okay. I just met a tourist the other day here and now she's gone." I know that they will understand what I mean with the way I said it.

"Oh, honey," my mom says softly. "I'm so sorry. It's always hard to lose someone while on a case."

"Are you safe?" Dad's voice cuts in, concern evident.

My mind momentarily flashes to the several times I have absolutely not been safe. "Yeah, I'm safe," I reassure him, lowering my voice and trying to keep it steady.

I can hear one of them hum on the other end of the line which I know means they either don't believe me or they are thinking about something. Which, let's face it, they shouldn't believe me, I almost let another killer drown me last night. But the sex was too fucking good.

"Go to the local police there," Dad finally says, shocking me from my one way thought train to depravity.

Frowning, I look at the screen of my phone, yep it is my parents I'm talking to. "I'm sorry, have you been taken over by pod people?" I jokingly ask and their laughter has a smile spreading across my face.

"Think about it, if you go to the local police about someone you have physically met there and know wouldn't have just disappeared they will need to look into it. If they don't, then you will know they are involved," Dad explains, his reasoning does make sense. Especially because the sheriff and deputy are on my list of suspects. It's the first time I've had the opportunity to press for action without it being obvious I'm here investigating.

I hear Papa chuckle as though he's thinking about something specific. "And if they are involved and you ask them to look into it, they might mess up by trying to get rid of her. You have your knife, right munchkin?"

"Yes," I respond, rolling my eyes. "Okay, I'll do what you suggested and see what happens."

"Make sure you stay safe, no unnecessary risks," Dad commands and I choose to ignore the last part.

"Hey honey, have you spoken to Seanna recently?" Mom asks and I frown, they never ask that, she speaks to them as regularly as I do.

"Yeah, about two days ago like normal. Is something wrong?" My heart thuds in my chest at the thought.

Mom quickly reassures me, "No, well, not as far as we know. She just seemed a bit stressed or off when we spoke to her last. Maybe give her a call today?"

"Okay, I will," I promise, the concern for my sister now mingling with everything else I'm dealing with.

After promising again to be safe and telling them I love them, we say goodbye and end the call. I take a deep breath, trying to focus on my next steps. I need to get to the bottom of this, and quickly.