Without another word between us, she limps back to the house.
A rush of power washes through me, and I feel good over granting her the right to live, for the time being.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
JON FREDERICK
7:30 A.M.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
PIERZ
I WOKE UP TO A CAR pulling into the driveway. Tony parked his rusty Chevy and walked to the rock pile. I quickly dressed and met him there. The rock pile had been carefully disassembled by the CSI team, and Tony solemnly reflected on the scene. “Mandy’s body was pretty decomposed, but covering it with rocks kept the animals from getting to it. Her neck was broken. I think it’s safe to say that it happened in a struggle. Whoever did this didn’t break any bones, other than her neck. She probably didn’t intend to kill her.”
I told Tony, “Sometimes I wonder if Mandy called my name that night. I woke up to something, but I didn’t hear any more after that. Maybe it’s my brain trying to fill in, after the fact.”
“A false memory.” Tony looked out into the field. “I know you think all these attacks are related, but I don’t believe that. I think Mandy’s death, ten years ago, is separate from the assault of Brittany, as well as the attempt on your life.”
“I feel like I’m missing something obvious, so I keep recounting everything that happened ten years ago,” I said. “My parents were going through bankruptcy. What if my parents owed money to whoever killed Mandy, and he threw her on our land just to create misery for our family?”
Tony thought hard for a few long minutes. “I doubt it. This murder was about Mandy.”
“I think the murder was about Mandy, too. But maybe there’s a separate reason she ended up on our land. She didn’t walk there— she was too afraid of the absolute darkness out here. Someone picked her up and drove her to our farm from the Bell home.”
Tony looked straight at me. “Open your eyes! Serena is the reason Mandy Baker ended up on your land. She was with her. She resented her. She led the police to her body. What more do you need? Wouldn’t it be more likely Serena struck her in the heat of an argument, than Serena just fell asleep? Your friend Clay probably helped her move the body, and maybe she slept with him because she owed him.”
Tony could be a jerk. Instead of responding, I silently walked back to my parents’ house.
Mom was standing propped against the kitchen counter, looking older than I remembered. Wrinkles gathered around the pain in her eyes, and I could see some white at the roots of her auburn hair. She wore a white cotton undershirt, covered by one of Dad’s red flannel shirts.
She had made me some eggs and toast, which were too done for my liking, but out of consideration for her effort, I thanked her and ate it.
Mom turned to me and, rather unemotionally, stated, “With his paranoia, Victor will never live through all those guys picking on him for entertainment.”
As Mom went on and on with her dire prophesy, I felt brick upon brick piling up on my back. It was shameful for me to take money from Serena, but I had to swallow my pride to keep Victor alive. I told Mom, “I need you to help me. What can you tell me about the state of Mandy’s body?” Mom was the one person Victor would have shared details with. I stilled her shaking hands with my own.
Mom thought for a moment. She knew from my work that the state of the body spoke volumes. “The straps were torn from her tank top, and her jeans were undone and partially down.” Mom laughed softly to herself. “You know how naïve Victor is. He said, ‘Maybe she died in her underwear so somebody dressed her.’ I just agreed. Mandy wasn’t wearing a jacket, and it was well below freezing.”
“How was her body positioned?” Mom looked confused, so I explained, “Was she curled up, or lying on her stomach?”
“She was lying on her back. Victor said she looked like she had been laid to rest.” A small shudder rippled through her shoulders.
5:30 P.M.
BIRMINGHAM APARTMENTS, MINNEAPOLIS
THE BAIL MONEY WAS ACCEPTED, but Victor wasn’t going to be released until Monday, when the paperwork went through. During murder cases, counties were deliberately slow at processing paperwork on Fridays so they had the weekend to gather further evidence.
Tonight would be my moment of reckoning with Serena. I took the money, so now I had to face her. I wasn’t upset with her. Serena was a lover—maybe a little overindulgent at times, but a lover, nonetheless. I was an obsessive jerk who ruminated over imperfections, and I hated myself for that. That had to end, if I was going to maintain a loving relationship. I hadn’t always been like this. Before Victor’s psychosis kicked in when he was about twelve, I was a fun-loving kid. I needed to find peace again. I had tethered my life to my past with Mandy Baker, and I yearned to be free.
As I HAD SOLD ALL MY FURNITURE for bail money, Serena sat on the only place left to sit, the edge of my bed. She was in a lovely sundress, and nervously but matter-of-factly shared her past interactions with Clay, up to the present. It was easy for me to get lost in her green eyes and long dark curls. Serena told me, “Before I bare my soul any further, I want you to know that I like small towns, and I like Pierz. The same crap happens in houses across the nation. The only difference is that in the country, the houses are farther apart. And no matter where you live, the haters are always the loudest. You still have a lot of people who believe in you.”
I accepted this with a simple, “Thank you.” It was nice, but I needed answers. “Why are you on your own list of suspects?”
Serena swallowed hard and looked down. “I’m responsible for Mandy’s death. I brought her to my home. I didn’t stop her from drinking—hell, I drank with her. She must have tried walking to your farm and froze to death. She was heartbroken and drunk, and had nobody. Your parents claim Victor found Mandy’s dead body and buried her, and I believe them. This is my fault. It was never my intention to hurt your family. I just needed you to hear the truth from me before I turn myself in. I love you, and I swear, if I had known Victor had buried her body ten years ago, I would have turned myself in then. I am so sorry—”
“Shhh.” I felt bad for Serena. I took her hand and told her, “Mandy didn’t freeze to death. I talked to Tony. They don’t have the forensic pathologist’s report yet, but it appears that her neck was broken from a severe blow just below her skull. Victor is incarcerated because Mandy was murdered.” I could see a weary sense of relief and sadness wash over Serena as I continued. “She didn’t walk to our farm. She was deathly afraid of the complete darkness of the country at night. Mandy was struck hard by someone who was probably on top of her while she was lying prone. From what Mom managed to get out of Victor, her body was found lying face up. The straps were torn on her tank top, and she wasn’t wearing a jacket. Her body was dumped on our land. So you can cross your name off the list.”
Serena wrapped her arms around me in a fierce hug and said, “Thank you for telling me that. I can’t decide whether to be sad or happy to hear it. It helps me, but not Victor, and poor, poor Mandy.” I held the embrace out of fear that this was all we had left. She pulled back and searched my eyes intently, and finally asked, “Jon, what have I done that I can’t be forgiven for?”
“I’m miserable, and I want you to be happy, but I don’t think you can be happy with me,” I said. I tried to think of a way to explain it. “This is how I envision boundaries. When I choose an intimate partner, that person is on the top floor of the house with me. My family and close friends are important, so they’re on a floor just below us. And everyone else is outside. You were sexual with someone in my house, and when I think of you with Clay, it makes me crazy, and being crazy is very painful. It makes me unstable, and having an unstable foundation makes me subordinate to you. I feel like the only way I’m ever going to have peace again is to empty the house, except for family, and start over.”
Deep in thought, Serena silently studied me before she softly said, “I’ve seen you resolve difficult thi
ngs.” Nothing was said for three long minutes before Serena tentatively rested her hand on mine and broke the silence. “Jon, if this is the only way, go ahead and clear out the house.” She softly stroked my cheek and searched my eyes. “Is it empty?”
I didn’t want to, but I didn’t have another solution. So, I closed my eyes for a moment before I sadly told her, “Yes. It’s empty— except for my crazy family.” I took a weary, deep breath.
Serena smiled cautiously. “Then, I’d like to step in from outside and introduce myself. I’m Serena Bell, and I’d like to date you. If it makes it easier, I’m already in love with you.”
One of the problems with picturing abstract ideas is that the image can be an obstacle. It takes someone who is patient and creative, like Serena, to help me out. We would start anew, as she suggested, with Clay removed from friend status. He was now on the outside, and overall, I felt good about it. I wouldn’t choose to be friends today with someone with whom Serena had a past relationship. Situation resolved.
I told her, “I love you, Serena. I’d like to start over. It’s too hard not to.”
Chapter
Twenty-Three
SERENA BELL
11:00 P.M.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
BIRMINGHAM APARTMENTS, MINNEAPOLIS
JON’S BREATHING WAS SLOW and relaxed. He and I had a long night of honest, nonjudgmental sharing. It lifted a heaviness off my heart. When my emotional rollercoaster finally crashed, I slept for ten hours straight. After sleeping in, we worked out together, showered, ate at Café Ena, and went for a long walk before returning to bed. My body was a little sore, but it was the kind of soreness that brought a smile to my face. Quite a start for a couple who claimed to have just met. This wasn’t going to help Clay’s opinion of me, but I didn’t care.
I lifted my head off Jon’s chest and asked, “What do you think of the possibility that Mandy was waiting for Clay?”
Jon ran his fingers tenderly through my hair. “It’s better than any theories I have. My mind’s been racing, and I’ve struggled with sleep since we’ve been apart. Stay away from Clay.” I was startled by his vehemence.
His bright-blue eyes pleaded with mine. “Clay’s been drinking more lately, and it concerns me that he publicly embarrassed you.”
“I embarrassed myself. I never should have been there. I hope you know that I’d give anything for a lifetime full of days like I’ve had with you.”
Jon scratched lightly along the top of my spine. “It’s only been a day.”
I closed my eyes and enjoyed a nice, long scratch. I may have purred. When he finished, I told him, “If it wasn’t your dad or Victor who murdered Mandy, I’m down to two suspects—Clay Roberts or this Whitey person.” I propped myself up on an elbow and suggested, “Fly with me to Florida. We could visit Ray Benson together.”
Jon smiled. “You should be a detective. Say Hey Ray is the one person who can identify Whitey. I wish I could go with you. But I need to get Victor free, and make sure he’s in a mental state my parents can handle. I’m not wild about the idea of you going alone, though.”
I rested my head on his chest once again and listened to his heart. “Are we okay now? I don’t want to leave if we’re not good. I’m afraid if we don’t solve this, I’m going to end up in jail. Tony hasn’t made it a secret that I’m his prime suspect.”
“Leave Tony to me. He can be obnoxious, but he eventually listens to logic. I’m not letting you take the blame for this.” He tightened his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
I slid my body up to kiss him. “Let’s go to church together tomorrow. I’d like to sit with my parents. They’re worried about me, and I want them to see how happy you make me. We could have lunch together.” I looked directly into his blue yes, and it just came out. “I want to have a family—with you.”
He didn’t hesitate. “Marry me.”
I wasn’t expecting this. My heart sank and my eyes welled up as I silently shook my head.
Crestfallen, Jon looked away.
I took his chin in my hand and kissed him. “I love you, Jon, but not now. Let’s get this taken care of, and then I want you to officially propose to me. Keep in mind, I didn’t say no.”
“I thought I did just propose to you.”
I knew he felt badly, so I tried to make light of it. “No, you said ‘marry me.’ Kind of like a grunt. I want the sweetness I know you’re capable of. Woo me off my feet, like you’ve done before.” When he didn’t respond, I said, “This is just a postponement. I tell you what, I know you’re headed back to Morrison County Monday. How about if I extend the weekend a little by meeting you at my parents’ old place Monday night?”
Chapter
Twenty-Four
PANTHERA
8:10 P.M.
MONDAY, APRIL 14
MINNEAPOLIS
THE PROSPECT OF PHYSICALLY dominating Serena Bell has played over and over again in my brain since I first saw that cute rump of hers resting in my territory. Serena’s always looked like the perky cheerleader type, even though Pierz didn’t have cheerleaders. Athletic women played sports. But now, ten years later, she wouldn’t be a match for a man who performed hard physical labor every day.
My heart races as I watch her car pull into the driveway. The anticipation of her resistance, and penetrating that shapely ass of hers, is so damn exhilarating. I take a couple hits out of my flask of Captain Morgan just to calm down. The adrenaline rush has already started.
Tonight, I’m fully prepared. I’ve busted the yard light. I’ve broken the locking mechanism of a window to allow my entry. I’ve got an industrial zip tie for her wrists, and a rolled washcloth to shove down her throat. I doubt anyone’s close enough to hear her screaming, but I don’t like the distraction of it. I just need an opportunity to catch her vulnerable. I’m a patient predator, so I’ll find it. It’ll be a rush, followed by the satisfaction of a dominant victory. This is the first time I’ve started an assault knowing my victim will die when it ends. Either I’m maturing as a predator, or
I’m seeing the larger picture better. I need her gone. It’s necessary to maintain my right to live as I choose—to roam freely and rule my kingdom. Serena’s a loose end, and she needs to be silenced.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
SERENA BELL
8:15 P.M.
MONDAY, APRIL 14
PIERZ
APRIL IS THE BUSIEST TIME of year for clinics in Minnesota. I think the long winters wear people down. When I was finally able to leave work, my brain felt fried from looking at numbers all day. I was exhausted, but I’d promised to be in Pierz tonight, so I made the drive.
It was unusually dark in our driveway. I made a mental note to tell my parents the yard light had burned out. The wind made it difficult to hear, which, combined with the darkness, felt terribly unsettling. Maybe Jon’s warning to be extra careful was making me paranoid. Maybe not. My skin crawled with an eerie feeling of having eyes on me. Before exiting my car, I reached into my purse for the comfort of my cell phone. I took out my car keys and pressed the panic button to sound my car’s emergency horn, not caring if it proved to be embarrassing. With the horn’s shrieks piercing the night, I ran from my vehicle and slipped inside the house. I didn’t care if I looked crazy. It worked, and I was safe.
MY CELL PHONE STARTED RINGING as I raced through door, so I rushed to free my hands. When I was finally able to answer, Jon had already hung up. I decided to settle in before I called him back.
I returned to the back door, to ensure I had bolted it. I pulled hard on it, making certain it was locked. It was all good. There was an odd odor in the air, a little sweet and musty. For some reason, it reminded me of college. I inspected my clothes, thinking maybe I’d spilled something on myself at work, but the smell wasn’t coming from me. Giving up, I decided to snack on something, then take a nap. I was bone tired, but would have a glass of red wine as a consolation for my trying day.
I decided this was a good time to call Jon, so I grabbed my cell phone off my nightstand. After we said our hellos, Jon shared that Victor was paranoid and looking for an opportunity to run, so he wouldn’t be able to leave his parents’ home until Victor fell asleep.
I sighed, “I’m afraid.”
Jon could tell I was shaky and asked, “Did you make sure all the doors are locked?”
“Yeah, it’s just . . .” I thought I heard another step, so I sat perfectly still, straining to focus on the sound. Aside from my quickening pulse thundering in my ears, the house was silent. It had sounded so real.
“What’s on your mind?” Jon prodded.
“I’m tired, and I’m becoming paranoid. I need to take a nap. I miss you. It’s only Monday, so it’s going to be a long week of work for me, if you’re gone. But I know you need to be there to help with Victor.” I nervously plucked at some fuzz on my bedspread.
Jon said, “I want to thank you for sticking it out with me. I get lost in that labyrinth in my brain, and it was nice of you to take my hand and walk me out of it.”
“That’s why you need to keep talking to me. The best times in my life were when we were helping each other.”
He paused for a moment before saying, “I’m sorry for proposing and making it awkward between us. I should have realized this is too soon for you.”
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