“Exactly. But she didn’t realize she’d killed the wrong person until we told her. That’s why she was so shocked at first. Then, she went back hours later to finish the job and kill Jax, or Athena, who she blamed for her mistake, of course.”
She felt sick. “You're still searching her house?”
“Yes.”
“What was in that chest that she kept eyeing?”
“Ah, yes. I almost forgot to tell you—four pistols, loaded, and one empty handgun case that matches the gun that was in her hand when she almost shot you. And if I have to guess, the bullets pulled from Maddie’s body during the autopsy will also match that gun.”
“Wow. This is just… what a horrible, horrible thing.” She paused, giving herself a second to allow everything to sink in. “What about Walter?”
“Just rolled him up at a sleazy hotel on the outskirts of town. Hunter started calling the few hotels in the area asking if someone with a white van had checked in recently, and bingo, it was the third place he called.”
“Thank God. How’s Athena?”
“Surprisingly well. Seems to be relieved her dad will be locked away for life. Must’ve been a hell of a childhood for her. She’s a strong one.”
“Is Ms. Thorne there?”
“She just called; she’s on her way. Athena says she’s looking forward to seeing her mom, hoping that Walter being gone forever now will help their relationship. She wanted me to thank you, for everything… You’re an incredible woman, Scar.”
She smiled.
“And this whole thing is about to be over. How close are you to the ravine?”
“Close. A few minutes.”
“Good. I’ll be on standby, ready to get you whatever you need. She’ll be there, Scar. I know it. Everything’s going to be okay. By the way, what’s that random whining I keep hearing in the background?”
She smirked and glanced at Sunny. “Uh…”
“You stole Snots, didn't you?”
“Well…”
“You know that’s theft, right?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “You gonna take me in, Officer West?”
He laughed. “You bet, with handcuffs this time. And maybe my nightstick for good measure.”
“Sounds kinky. I’m in.”
He chuckled. “Hey, I know you’ll have your hands full today, but can I see you? Just for a bit? Maybe I can swing by the office.”
She smiled. Regardless of what the day would bring, she wanted him by her side. He’d become like a security blanket. For a change, he soothed her. Like the little pink blanket her mom had knitted for her decades ago, she didn’t want to let him go.
“Yes, I’d like to see you.”
“Good.” She heard him take a breath. “Scar… I… fuck.” He paused and her heart started beating faster in anticipation for what he was about to say. “I almost said it when we were just at Maddie’s… but I didn’t. I know it’s crazy, Scar, but you’re the reason I’m here. I know it. All roads led me here, to Devil’s Den, to you. To be with you. I... want you to be mine. Not Paul's, not any other guy that's desperate to be with you. I'll give you all the red roses you want, hell, I'll plant miles and miles of rose bushes for you. I'm crazy about you, Scar. And I'm not letting that go.”
She blinked the tears threatening to wet her eyes. “Miles of rose bushes, huh?”
“An entire freaking football field. And all the Gollum's Grill bacon cheeseburgers you can eat.”
She laughed and took a deep breath. “I haven't wanted you to leave my side since you pulled a gun on me in the woods... Luke, I want to be with you, too. I don't want to have whatever's happening between us slip away. I want to see where this thing goes. I'm feeling everything you are, Luke.”
She heard him exhale. “I’m smiling, really big, in case you didn’t know.”
She laughed. “Thanks for the play by play.”
“Okay, now that’s out of the way, go get your girl. Call me as soon as you do.”
“I will. Talk soon, okay?”
“Very soon.”
She tossed the phone in the console and exhaled loudly.
She laughed and shook her head—what a night. It had been the craziest twenty-four hours of her life, starting out with panic thinking Fiona was burning to death in the library, to now, Officer Luke West telling her that he was crazy about her. And the kicker of it all? She was head-over-heels, weak-in-the-knees crazy for him, too.
Now, she just had to get Fiona.
She looked up at the sky. The clouds had thickened during the short drive, promising rain. She’d almost missed the old hunter’s road, barely visible from the main road that led to the Cove. She had to use four-wheel drive just to get onto it.
Her Jeep bounced over the ruts, the grass swishing below the bottom as she flew over it.
Her thumbs pounded the steering wheel repetitively, a feeble attempt to release the adrenaline vibrating through her body.
Her stomach was in knots.
Would Fiona really be there? And if so, is she alive?
She wouldn’t put a thing past Krestel, Thorne, or any witch for that matter.
She took a deep breath. God, if she could just shut her eyes and zap herself there.
Come on, come on.
Sprinkles of rain dotted her windshield.
Great.
She took a sharp corner in the road and finally, the rocky cliff that marked the ravine came into view. She pressed the gas, flying over the thick brush, and slammed the brakes, skidding to a stop less than two feet from the drop-off.
She pressed the emergency brake, unbuckled Sunny and jumped out. Rain wet her face as she jogged to the edge.
“Fiona?”
She looked down. Grey, jagged, pointy rocks speckled the ravine below her. A small stream ran through the middle. There was no grass, no trees, no Fiona.
She grabbed her gun from the Jeep and began jogging along the edge, stopping and yelling for her Black Rose sister every few yards. Sunny ran ahead, sniffing wildly as if he knew they were on a life or death search for his new sister.
The rain picked up, pelting her head and shoulders.
Just then, up ahead, frantic barking.
Her heart skipped a beat. She pushed into a sprint until the dog came into view.
She slowed and looked down.
“Fi?!”
Suddenly, movement below caught her eye.
“Fiona?!”
… “Scar!”
Relief exploded inside her. “Fiona!” She fell to her knees, peering over the side of the cliff. “Are you okay?”
“… what the fuck do you think?!”
She laughed maniacally.
Holy shit. She was okay. Fi was okay. Or at least okay enough to deliver a smartass response. But knowing Fi, she could very possibly be missing an arm and have five broken bones for all Scar knew. Fiona was one tough woman.
“Stay right there! I’m coming down!”
She pushed off the rock, sprinted to her Jeep, grabbed a rope and ran back. After securing it to a tree, she began to descend.
Rain poured down her face.
Inch by inch she lowered. Her foot hit a rock jetting out from the side. She released her weight and glanced down.
Twenty feet below stood Fiona, staring up at her, with scratches all over her face and deep circles under her eyes. Her hair was clumped in muddy knots. She was barefoot, covered head-to-toe in dirt, and what little clothes she had on were ripped to shreds.
Rage flooded Scar’s veins. Fiona was alive, but she’d been through hell.
She frowned as her gaze trailed down Fiona’s arm to her blood-covered hand—where secured in a death-grip was a faded, crumpled piece of paper.
With a pentagram inked in the corner.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda McKinney
Amanda McKinney, author of Sexy Murder Mysteries, wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home
mom. Her books include the BERRY SPRINGS SERIES, and the BLACK ROSE MYSTERY SERIES.
Amanda lives in Arkansas where she is busy crafting her next murder mystery.
Visit her website at www.amandamckinneyauthor.com
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Evil Eye Page 13