Casanova Killer

by Tallulah Grace

  “Thanks Rodney.” Dylan’s tone was harsh. “Let us know if she says anything else.”

  Nate waited for the vein in Dylan’s neck to stop throbbing before he spoke. “Ethan’s not coming back, is he?”

  “Nope.” Dylan shifted his eyes, not sure he could lie to Nate while looking at him dead on. “It gets worse. He’s been playing Jerry, seeing other women while stringing her along. Son of a bitch thinks he’s some kind of modern day Don Juan and Jerry thinks he hung the moon.” Dylan sighed.

  “Jerry’s tough, she’ll be fine. We’ll make sure of it.” Nate felt fiercely protective of Jerry; he always had. “She deserves better than that asshole anyway.”

  “Damn straight. We’ll tell her so, just as soon as we get her back.”

  They’d been riding for hours before the car turned off the road onto a rocky stretch. Jerry felt every rock and pothole that marked what felt like a steep incline. Finally, things were about to get interesting.

  She’d spent the time planning how she’d react when he opened the trunk. He’d be expecting anger or fear, but she would give him neither. She knew enough about delusional disorders to understand that things could change on a dime, given the current perception of the person with the illness. She would simply change his perception of her, make him believe that she enjoyed whatever little game he was playing. It was a longshot, but it was all she had.

  The car rolled to a stop after climbing for about fifteen minutes. Jerry plastered a smile on her face and prepared to play the part of her life.

  “Guys, it sounds like the car stopped.” Rodney told them as soon as the motor died.

  “Where the hell did he take her?” Nate was as frustrated as he’d ever been. He had faith in Jerry, and knowing that she was awake and unrestrained gave him hope that she would be okay.”

  “It’s a sure bet that they’re not still on this highway,” Dylan told him, motioning to the freeway below. “The damn thing’s practically at a standstill from rush hour traffic. How do people live like this?”

  “He’s opening the trunk, I see trees.” Rodney’s voice was hushed, as if by speaking any louder, he would put Jerry in more danger.

  Jonathan opened the trunk carefully, fully prepared to knock Jerry out again if need be. He was totally unprepared for the radiant smile lighting her face with a beautiful glow.

  “Why Elliott, you bad, bad boy.” She laughed and held out her hand to him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He took it out of habit.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you liked to play? I simply adore sexy games, especially kidnap and ransom.” Jerry gushed as she unfolded herself from the trunk. Sitting on the edge of the trunk opening, her legs dangling so the blood could flow freely again, she transformed her face into a pout. “Next time, you can blindfold me, it makes it more interesting.” She placed both hands on his shoulders, noting the confused expression clouding his face. “Be a doll and help me out, would you? My legs are a bit stiff.”

  “You won’t believe how she’s playing it,” Rodney’s admiration was evident. “She’s pretending that it’s a game, a sex game. Looks like he’s buying it, his face is a mask of confusion.” Rodney chuckled.

  Dylan sighed in relief. “She’s working his delusion. Too bad we never got the report that would have helped her know which buttons to push.” He shot his eyes at Nate, who only shrugged.

  “Don’t start with me again about that damn report. I did everything but choke it out of the Doc myself.” He focused on Rodney. “What’s happening, what else can you see?”

  “He’s helping her out of the car, still looks confused. She’s talking a mile a minute about different games they could play and oohing and aahing over the beauty of the forest. That’s about all I can see, a bunch of trees, looks like redwoods. They’re walking, I see a drop off.”

  “She’ll have to make her move soon,” Dylan hunched forward, willing Jerry strength.

  “Oh, Elliott, look at the gorgeous sunset!” Jerry infused her voice with wonder. “How did you ever find such a glorious spot for our first time together?” She tugged on his arm, keeping him by her side as they moved toward the edge. He still hadn’t spoken since opening the trunk.

  “I wanted it to be perfect for you Beth.” He covered her hand with his as she held onto him. “I know how you love sunsets.” Jonathan never felt reality slip completely away; he only knew that his beloved Beth was once again by his side.

  “I do, I do, thank you darling. You’re so very thoughtful.” Jerry rested her head on his shoulder in a loving gesture, all the while searching for anything nearby that she could use as a weapon.

  “Anything for you, my love. Here, let’s sit.” He extricated his arm from hers and removed his jacket, gallantly spreading it on the forest floor. “I seem to have forgotten the blanket and picnic.” The confused look returned to his face.

  “Oh darling, it’s perfect just as it is.” Jerry made herself comfortable and looked up at him adoringly. He settled beside her, half on the coat and half on the ground. Jerry looped one arm through his so they would both face the view. “Where are we? It’s stunning. The water is so blue, but it looks so far away.”

  “We’re in Carmel, California darling. Remember how we planned to come here together? I wanted it to be a surprise.” The memory of that non-existent conversation was as clear as a bell to Jonathan.

  “Carmel? How wonderful. You do spoil me so.” Jerry felt around behind her for a rock.

  “It’s my pleasure darling. Your wish is my command.” Jonathan glanced down at her and saw the strained look in her eyes, just before she lowered her lashes. He was extremely sensitive to all of Beth’s moods. “What’s wrong, love?”

  Cringing involuntarily at his use of Ethan’s pet name for her, Jerry shifted slightly to hide the rock beneath the jacket sleeve. “It’s nothing darling, I’m just a bit out of sorts from the trip.” As in every muscle in my body aches, thanks to you, you bastard. She bit her lip to keep the words inside.

  Jonathan looked confused again. “It was a long car ride. Would you like to stretch your legs?”

  “I’m fine, thank you. Let’s just sit here together and enjoy nature’s show. What part of Carmel did you say we’re in?”

  Jonathan cut his eyes sharply at the innocent inquiry. Beth never questioned him so much before. Something was not right. “We’re on the cliffs, north of town.” He explained with a frown. “We followed the Pacific Coast Highway to get here, just as we discussed. Remember, you said you always wanted to make that drive?”

  “Of course, how silly of me. Perhaps on the way back I can ride up front with you?” Jerry couldn’t help the sarcasm that crept into her voice.

  Jonathan narrowed his eyes. This woman didn’t sound like his Beth. What was happening? With a flash of insight, Jerry came into focus; he realized where he was and what he must do. The loving light shining in her eyes for him was a deception. He saw that clearly now. She had betrayed him just like all the others. Just like his Beth.

  “Certainly darling. Whatever you like.”

  The physical change was nearly nonexistent, but for the cold fury that suddenly came into his eyes. This was the killer Jerry had been waiting for; the one she knew lurked inside of this so-called Casanova. It was now or never, she may only have one chance to save herself.

  Jonathan slid the switchblade from his left pocket, his eyes never leaving Jerry’s. This one would be different, messy, not a clean slice and shove like the others. It couldn’t be helped, he resigned as he pressed the lever that released the blade from the sheath.

  Jerry heard the distinct click as the knife opened. Without a second’s hesitation, she brought the rock up and struck him on the temple as hard as she possibly could.

  Blood sprayed her face and hands but Jonathan did not fall. Stunned, he stabbed the air around her, prompting Jerry to jump to her feet to escape his reach, but she didn’t move fast enough. Jonathan, blood streaming down his face grabbed her a
nkle with his right hand while swinging the knife wildly with his left.

  Jerry brought the rock down on his head again, her force much more compelling as she stood. Her next blow landed on his shoulder in an effort to make him release the fierce grip he had on her ankle.

  Jonathan howled in pain, sending birds and other woodland creatures scattering away from the commotion. Jerry wondered at how part of her brain took in the animals’ movements all the while she fought for her life.

  With both legs free, Jerry kicked the knife from Jonathan’s still flailing hand before crashing the rock down one last time on his head. The final blow sent Jonathan slumping onto the ground, a fountain of blood draining the life from his body.

  Jerry dropped the rock, grabbed the knife and stepped away from the body. He was dead, or soon would be, and she felt nothing but relief. Standing bent over with her hands on her knees, she caught her breath before straightening to her full height and staring over the cliffs.

  The sun was dipping just below the horizon, sending a kaleidoscope of oranges, yellows and reds into the sky above. Without a doubt, it was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

  Chapter Twenty

  “He’s down, she did it.” Rodney relayed the fight between Jerry and Jonathan, blow by blow to Dylan and Nate. All three men breathed a collective sigh of relief at his last words.

  “Now we just have to find her.” Nate scoured the shoreline, looking for anything that would stand out in the quickly changing light. Just then, his phone rang.

  “It’s me, Boss.” Jerry sounded weary, but strong. “It’s over.”

  “Are you okay?” Nate motioned to Dylan that the call was from Jerry.

  “Never better,” Jerry joked. “I found my phone in the car, he’d disabled it, but you should be able to track the GPS now. Come and get me, would you?”

  “We’re on our way.”

  Jerry heard the chopper land only minutes before she saw two figures running up the hill towards her. Two flashlights swung from side to side in the growing dusk as they searched for her location. With keys she’d found in Jonathan’s pocket, she started the car to let the headlights guide them.

  Dylan reached her first, grabbing her in a big bear hug before he pushed her away for a head to toe inspection. Satisfied, he passed her off to Nate without saying a word.

  “I’m fine, really,” she assured both of them after Nate gave her a once over of his own. “Too bad I can’t say the same for Casanova over there.” She nodded in the direction of Jonathan’s body.

  “Gotta love Karma,” Dylan grinned. “She’s a bitch, but she’s fair. Bastard got exactly what he deserved.”

  “Can’t argue with that,” Nate headed in the direction of the body, already punching numbers into his phone for the coroner.

  “Where’s Ethan?” Jerry asked, confused that he was not with Dylan and Nate. In the darkening minutes that passed since she’d killed Jonathan, thoughts of Ethan had both warmed her and kept her sane.

  The shadow crossing Dylan’s face before he turned away gave Jerry her first inkling that something was wrong. Grabbing Dylan’s arms, she made him face her.

  “Is he okay, what happened?” The emotion she’d kept neatly in place during the ride in the trunk and during the ordeal with Jonathan was now beginning to spiral out of control.

  “He’s fine, he’s safe.” Dylan assured her, dreading the moments ahead more than anything he’d ever done. “He had to leave.”

  Jerry searched his face for answers and didn’t like what she saw. “What do you mean, leave? Where did he go?”

  “He went back to Europe.” Dylan gingerly removed the camera pin from her scarf and disabled it. “He said to say goodbye.”

  Jerry noticed Dylan’s movements and heard the words he spoke, but she didn’t understand what he was saying. “He left, back to Europe? Today? But why?” She felt Dylan lead her back to the car and help her into the passenger seat. Her eyes followed him as he slid into the driver’s side and turned to face her.

  “Are you sure you want to have this conversation now? You’ve been through enough.”

  “What do you mean, this conversation? Tell me what the hell is going on.” Her voice began to rise, the shock from the day’s events threatening to become hysterics. Dylan sighed and took her hands in his.

  “I know you love him, but the truth is that he is not worthy of you.” He began, cursing himself silently when tears sprang into her eyes.

  “What exactly are you saying, Dylan?”

  “Your relationship wasn’t real, it was just a game to him. He was seeing at least three other women that I know of this past week, God knows how many he had during the entire time that he was here.” He watched as horror replace confusion on her face. This was killing him. “I’m sorry, Jerry, but he left this morning, said to tell you, and I quote, ‘It was fun.’”

  “No. That’s not possible. He loves me. He would never do that.” Jerry felt her world shift. The always-present part of her that believed she was not worthy of love grew stronger in the aftermath of her denial.

  “I have proof.” Dylan said softly.

  “Show me.” Jerry whispered, calmly accepting that Dylan was not lying and that she would never be good enough.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Show me.” She repeated, defeat nearly breaking her in two. It was best to get it all out now, rip the bandage off completely so the wound would begin to heal. As if that will ever happen; the little girl’s voice inside her spoke the truth.

  Dylan pulled the pack of photos from his pocket and handed them over to her. “You don’t have to do this now,” he said again. She looked so fragile, so completely unlike the Jerry he knew and loved.

  “Yes I do.” Removing the photos, her heart began to pound and sweat broke out over her brow. There was Ethan’s beautiful, lying face, smiling into the eyes of some blond bombshell, the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. The next image was taken at night. He and an attractive brunette lounged on the sand at the water’s edge, the lights of Pier 39 shining in the distance. The third picture showed Ethan and a different blond, he must be partial to bottled color, hanging off the side of a street car, laughing.

  Jerry placed the pictures back in the pouch and sat silently for a long moment.

  “How is it that you have these?” She finally asked.

  “I suspected that he was a scumbag from the moment I laid eyes on him. I knew that you were falling for him, so I had him followed. I never wanted this, Jerry, no matter what I thought of him. You have to believe that.”

  “When were you going to tell me?” She felt dead inside, drained as surely as Jonathan’s corpse.

  “As soon as I could prove it. I just got the pictures today, this morning in fact, after the scumbag left. I didn’t even get a chance to punch him.” Dylan growled, wishing he could do some serious damage to Ethan’s face right now, no matter how good his reasons were for leaving.

  “He’s not worth it.” Her voice was devoid of emotion, the heat and the fury Dylan knew would save her had not yet surfaced.

  “He didn’t deserve you, Jer.” Dylan told her as he reached over to take her in his arms. “You deserve so much better.” He stroked her hair and felt the shudders run through her. She was too drained to cry, too hurt to speak. He knew the tears would come soon, he’d seen them in a vision.

  “Let’s get you home,” he crooned and rocked her like a child.

  Epilogue

  “Tell me she’s okay,” Ethan’s demand sounded more like a plea.

  “Physically, she’s fine.” Dylan said tersely. He’d spent the better part of the night letting Jerry cry it out on his shoulder. Ethan Barnes was not his favorite person at the moment.

  “And otherwise?” Ethan asked, though he already knew the answer. Leaving Jerry had created a hole in his very soul, he could only imagine how much harder it was for her, believing that he’d lied to her and played her for a fool.

  “How do you
think she’s doing, Barnes? Spare me the stupid questions. Was there another reason for your call?” Dylan still had the urge to bash in Slick’s face.

  “No. I just needed to know that she was safe.” Ethan’s voice dropped.

  “Read the report, watch the video. It’s all there.” Dylan growled. “Go do what you left her to do.”

  “I will. And I’ll be back for her, Dawes. Count on it.”

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for making the books of my series, Timeless Trilogy, best sellers at Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K.; I’m humbled by your loyalty and your kind words.