A Killer's Watch

by Tallulah Grace

  Time for personal interviews had run out. Jeri knew she had no choice but to call the women, ask if they had ever known Graham Grant, or Thomas White.

  ~~~~

  Deep into her book, Aubrey didn’t even hear the phone ring, from her lounge chair in the back yard. She’d decided to take her book, and her coffee, and sit in the sun, rather than on the porch. It was such a nice day, and she could do with a little color.

  She did remember to glance at her watch every so often, just to make sure that she wasn’t late for the bazaar.

  “Ten more minutes, then I’ll leave,” she said aloud to the cat, stretched out in the grass, a few feet away from her.

  This small respite had been wonderful, but she was also eager to get to the church, help get things organized. It was a perfect day for a bazaar, she hoped this one would be a stunning success.

  The money they raised was destined for an after-school program for disadvantaged kids. They’d raised money for the building last year, now they needed funds for the staff. The center was a pet project of hers, one that she shared with Joe. He had come from an underprivileged home, and they both loved making a difference, where they could.

  She’d hit the jackpot with Joe. He’d given her a wonderful life, with two perfect children, and a home that she loved, right down to the cracked cement in the basement. It was all she’d ever wanted, and he had made it possible.

  “Nope, that’s not right,” she told the kitty. “Together, we made it possible.”

  ~~~

  Graham took the long way into Clevestone, but he flew down the country roads, not caring if he tweaked some cop’s radar. He had a gun, and he had no qualms about using it. Luckily, no one tried to stop him.

  As he approached Aubrey’s house, he went over the plan in his mind. He knew that she planned to leave for the church at quarter to eleven. Aubrey was always very punctual, and she was supposed to be at that ridiculous bazaar at eleven. It was ten-thirty now, giving him ample time to surprise her, before she left.

  He also knew that her daughter had a soccer game, and that the insipid husband would be taking her. The son was on a sleep over, so Aubrey would be alone in the house. Not that it mattered. If her family was home, he would simply dispose of them. But it was easier this way. He liked the idea of her husband suffering, knowing that she was no longer his. He would have to get his own beer, now. Wash his own clothes, and make his own dinner. Aubrey would not be here to take care of him any longer.

  Graham drove straight up to the house, stopping in front of the garage door. There was no need for camouflage, even if Aubrey noticed the truck, she would have no reason to panic.

  Graham decided to take the direct approach, so he quickly climbed the front stairs and rang the bell.

  No answer.

  He could not hear movement inside the house, no radio, no television, nothing to indicate that Aubrey was even home.

  Had he missed her?

  Feeling the momentary surprise that his well thought out plan may have gone awry, Graham peered through the window nearest the door, but saw nothing.

  She couldn’t have left already. He’d spent over an hour this morning, watching the family get ready for their day, hearing Aubrey outline the day’s activities to her brain-challenged husband. He knew that Aubrey had no reason to leave home early. She had to be here.

  Moving around to the side of the house, Graham checked both windows, peeking into the den, and the dining room. Still no movement.

  Rounding the corner to the back yard, he saw her. Lying on a chair, eyes closed, her face turned up to the sun. A book lay on the table beside her, along with a coffee cup. She looked like a goddess, waiting for him to rescue her.

  She would have to wait no longer.

  ~~~

  Chloe took the stairs from the second to the third floor. She was out of breath, and worried that Grant had hidden Monique in an office. If so, she would be here all day trying to find her.

  Throwing open the stairwell door, she spotted Monique, lying face down in the middle of the hallway, blood pooled around the side of her head.

  “Holy crap, Monique!” Running to her side, Chloe’s field training kicked into place. Checking for a pulse, she breathed a heavy sigh of relief at the strong and steady beat of Monique’s heart.

  Sitting cross-legged on the floor beside her, Chloe gently turned Monique’s face to the side. She knew better than to move her, but there was no way Monique was getting enough oxygen with her face in the carpet. Ripping off her shirt, Chloe pressed the fabric against the wound, still oozing red from the side of Monique’s head. With her other hand, she called 911.

  Assured that an ambulance was on the way, Chloe called Jeri.

  “I found her. She’s alive, but unconscious. Bastard hit her with something, hard enough to split her scalp.”

  “Call for an ambulance!”

  “It’s on the way. I’m really sorry, Jeri. I can’t believe I let him get away!”

  “Don’t stress over it, it could happen to any of us. He’s covering all of his bases, but we’ve issued a BOLO. He won’t elude us for long.”

  “A BOLO is cop speak for ‘be on the lookout’, right?” Chloe held steady pressure against the wound

  “Yes.” Jeri often forgot that Chloe came to them as an ex-marine, not as an FBI agent.

  “That only works if he keeps the same truck. You said that he’s covering all of his bases, wouldn’t he have a getaway car, ready and waiting?”

  “That’s why you get the big bucks, Chloe. Good thinking. I’ll have Anna check it out. Meanwhile, Ethan and I are staying in Clevestone. I think he’s heading this way. You stay with Monique, keep us informed of her condition, please. I’m having a replacement car sent to you, it should arrive within fifteen.”

  “Will do. You guys be careful.”

  “Will do.”

  Monique began to moan, just as Chloe slipped the phone into her back pocket. It was a good sign.

  “Hey, easy there, Monique,” Chloe spoke to her softly. “You’re okay, but try not to move. You were hit in the head.”

  “Jeez, tell me something I don’t know,” Monique grabbed the side of her head as she tried to sit up.

  “Seriously, stay still! An ambulance is on the way.”

  Opening one eye, Monique stared at Chloe. “I don’t need an ambulance, help me up off of this floor.” She tried to do it on her own, but couldn’t.

  Chloe gave in, helping her to sit.

  “That’s it, you’re not standing up until a medic clears you.”

  “What happened? Why are you in your bra?”

  “Because my shirt is keeping your brains inside of your head. Be thankful that I wore one today.”

  “What, a shirt?” Monique was still groggy.

  “No, a bra,” Chloe rolled her eyes. “As to what happened, Grant got the jump on you. He hit you pretty hard, evidently.”

  “Where is he?”

  “Gone. Bastard changed his appearance, came down as a cowboy, complete with hat, mustache, and glasses. He managed to slice our two back tires, then get away in his truck.”

  “Ethan and Jeri?”

  “They know, they’re waiting for him in Clevestone. Jeri thinks that’s where he’ll turn up next.”

  The elevator doors opened, letting two EMT’s race into the hall. Both men’s eyes swept over Chloe, before focusing on Monique.

  “I’ve got an extra shirt in my bag. Why don’t you go get it? I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay. The replacement car should be here soon, so I’ll wait for it, then meet you at the hospital.” Standing, Chloe turned to the medics. “Where are you taking her?”

  “Memorial. She needs stitches.”

  “See you there.” Chloe left, grinning as she heard Monique try to persuade the EMT to stitch her up right there. After seeing the gash in her head, she knew that was one battle that the feisty Frenchwoman would not win.

  ~~~

  “That’s everyone,
except for Aubrey Watson. She’s not answering her house phone, or her cell phone.” Jeri looked down at the teenage picture of Aubrey and frowned. “Look at her. She’s the spitting image of Diana. My gut is telling me that we have to find this woman.”

  “Is she married?” Ethan asked, looking up Aubrey’s address.

  “Yes,” Jeri read through Anna’s report.

  “See if Anna can get her husband’s number. We can drive out to their home, see what’s going on.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  ~~~

  Graham stood transfixed for a moment and watched Aubrey. To be so close to having her, all to himself, after such a long wait, seemed almost surreal.

  But there she was, his for the taking.

  He saw her glance at her watch, knew that she would be moving inside in a moment. Spurred into action, he kept to the shadows, then sprinted back to the front of the house.

  Once there, he jimmied the front door open, thanks to Anson’s expert tutelage, and slipped inside. The air was cool in her home, and smelled pleasantly of cherries, and pastry.

  Taking a deep breath, he walked quickly to the kitchen. He could see Aubrey coming toward the back door, knew that she would be there soon. Gauging his options, he decided to stand beside the refrigerator, grab her as she walked past.

  He would have to be careful not to bruise her beautiful skin, before it was time. She was so lovely, he wanted her pristine for his table.

  Feeling in his pocket, he removed the syringe. He had planned to spend time with her here, before taking her away. He wanted her to have memories of them together, in the house she apparently loved. But the delay with the women in Topeka had cost him precious time. He would simply have to take her and go.

  ~~~

  Aubrey felt the hairs on the back of her neck tingle as she walked up to the house. Looking around quickly, she saw nothing out of place.

  “I have to stop watching those movies with Joe,” she mumbled to herself, opening the door to the kitchen. “They’re making me paranoid.”

  Inside, she placed the book on the table, and the mug in the sink. The spooky feeling wouldn’t go away, even after she was safe in the house. She noticed the red light blinking on the house phone, signaling a message, but she had no time for it now. Grabbing a water from the fridge, she hung her purse over her shoulder, picked up the containers with the pies, and headed for the garage.

  Turning the corner beside the refrigerator, she froze. She saw the man, standing there with a grin that made her skin crawl, but she couldn’t quite believe it. He was so out of place in her lovely kitchen.

  Preparing to scream, she took a deep breath, but he was on her before she could make a sound.

  Not that it would matter.

  Who would hear her, out here in the country?

  Images of Joe and the children flashed before her, in the last moment of consciousness. Releasing her grip, the plastic containers hit the floor, spilling fresh cherry pies onto the clean ceramic.

  ~~~

  “What a shame, I would have enjoyed sampling some of your baked goods.” Graham scooped her up and stepped over the mess, easily carrying her to the front door. Removing her bag from her shoulder, he tossed it into the living room as they passed.

  He briefly considered placing her in the cab of the truck, so he could watch her as she slept, but decided against it. If anyone happened to see her, his plans could be ruined. No, it was better not to take any chances.

  The bed of his new truck was just like the other one, lined and covered with a metal lid that he could lock. Resting Aubrey’s limp body on the open tailgate, he quickly spread blankets on the truck bed, making a soft place for her to lay.

  “It’s the least I can do,” he told her, stretching her out on the makeshift bed. Removing a canister of oxygen from one of the bags, he fitted the mask over her face, then positioned the canister snugly against her body, before turning it on.

  “There, now. You’re all set.” Closing the metal cover, he locked it before moving to the cab. As he turned the truck around in the driveway, he felt a sense of rightness that he’d been missing for too many years.

  Aubrey was back where she belonged.

  She was his, once again.

  ~~~

  Jeri and Ethan sped toward the Watson’s home, both on the lookout for a red Ford pick-up as they drove. It was very possible that Grant was driving something different, but it was all they had to go on, at the moment.

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Jeri told him. “You need to go faster.”

  “There’s too many blind curves, I’m going as fast as I can,” Ethan responded, feeling her sense of urgency. “We’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Not soon enough,” Jeri looked down at the text from Anna. “She finally found the husband’s cell number,” she told Ethan, as she dialed.

  “Mr. Watson? My name is Jeri Forbes, with EJB Global. It’s very important that I speak with your wife, but she’s not answering her phone. Is she with you?”

  “Jeri who? With what? No, my wife is not with me. Who are you? Why do you want to speak with her?” Joe felt Jeri’s intensity through the phone connection.

  “Jeri Forbes, with EJB Global. We’re working with the FBI on the recent murders and kidnappings in your area. Where is your wife, Sir?”

  “She’s probably on her way to the church,” Joe checked his watch. “Yep, she’s on her way, I’m sure of it. She’s to be there at eleven, and my Aubrey’s always on time. Why?”

  “We’d like to ask her a few questions about someone she may know. It would really help us to speak with her,” Jeri tried to moderate her tone. There was no reason to upset the husband. Not yet, at least.

  “She won’t answer the phone if she’s driving, says it sets a bad example for the kids. But you can call her when she gets to the church.”

  “Is she going to the bazaar?”

  “Yeah, you’ve heard of it?”

  “Yes. Where are you, Mr. Watson?”

  “I’m at my daughter’s soccer game. We’ll be joining Aubrey at the church around noon.”

  “Thanks. I’ll call you again, if I can’t reach your wife.”

  “Do you think something’s wrong with Aubrey?” Joe suddenly became serious.

  “No, I’m sure she’s fine,” Jeri lied. “Thank you, Mr. Watson.”

  “Turn around, we need to go back into town. Aubrey Watson is on her way to the church bazaar.”

  “Do you think he would try and take her from such a public place?” Ethan looked for a place to turn around.

  “I don’t know. He’s definitely arrogant enough, but he’s too smart to risk it, I think. No, my guess is that he’ll try and take her when she’s alone.” Jeri tapped her fingers on the door handle, in lieu of pacing.

  “Like at her home, before leaving for the bazaar?” Rather than slow to turn, Ethan sped up again.

  “Exactly like that,” Jeri nodded her approval. “We’re so close, we may as well check it out.”

  “Couldn’t hurt,” Ethan agreed.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Graham smiled to himself as he put more miles between Aubrey’s old life, and her new one with him. It would be short, but oh, so sweet.

  Nearing the Nebraska state line, he imagined the expression on her face, when she realized that he was the one who had rescued her.

  She would be frightened, of course, they all were. But how long before recognition hit, and she remembered the time they’d shared, so long ago.

  Would she be sorry that she’d left him? Contrite that she’d taken out the ridiculous restraining order?

  Or would she still consider him an annoyance? One that she could easily swat away, like an insect.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Graham spoke aloud. “She will soon realize that I am her world. She will not get rid of me easily, or at all.”

  The home he’d purchased for their time together sat on twenty-five acres of farmland, a few miles
over the border between Nebraska and Kansas. He’d had the house redone to meet his particular specifications, by a crew he’d hired out of Kansas. No one related to the property, or the renovations, had ever seen his face. Nor did they know his name.

  The eccentric doctor who had purchased the property, and hired the crew, needed a laboratory in the basement, for ongoing research. If the construction contractor thought it odd, the exorbitant bonuses he received made up for the curiosity.

  The pictures of the finished project showed Graham that everything was as it should be. He could hardly wait to see it for himself.

  ~~~

  “The front door’s been jimmied,” Jeri observed as they reached the front of the Watson home.

  Both she and Ethan drew their weapons.

  By unspoken agreement, Jeri turned the door handle. It opened silently.

  One after the other, they slipped into the house, guns at the ready, barely making a sound. Jeri pointed to the living room, and the purse lying on the sofa, as they passed.

  The aroma of baked cherries met them as they moved down the hallway, toward the kitchen. Nothing stirred in the home, no movement, no noise, no out-of-place smells, but for the cherries.

  As soon as they stepped inside the kitchen, they saw the remnants of multiple cherry pies spread over the floor. The mess was the only evidence that something untoward had occurred here.

  They cleared the remaining rooms downstairs as quickly as possible, then raced upstairs. Nothing, and no one, seemed suspicious there.

  “The garage,” Ethan said, leading the way downstairs.

  Neither were surprised to find Aubrey’s minivan, parked in the half-empty space.

  “He’s got her,” Jeri commented, anger spewing through every word.

  “I’ll alert the locals, get forensics out here. Do you want to call the husband?” Ethan holstered his gun, reached for his phone.

  “No, but I will.” Jeri did the same. “I’ll also check in with Anna, see if she’s found anything on a possible replacement vehicle. We couldn’t have missed him by much.”