“You will be. Just give it time.” I felt a cold chill and glanced toward the door. I gasped when I saw the dark-eyed man entering the lobby. A wave of terror swept down my spine. My eyes opened wider. How could he have followed me?
Lindsey touched my arm. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard. “The guy…the guy by the door is Rex’s neighbor.”
She turned. “Oh, is he good looking. Can you introduce me?”
“Are you serious?” I asked in disbelief.
“Yeah. He doesn’t look like a villain. He doesn’t have bulging eyes or a sinister face.”
“I don’t want you going out with him, and besides I don’t know his name.”
“Oh, come on. I’m sure he’s harmless. Maybe Brett can introduce us.”
“I don’t want to meet him.”
Brett came in carrying the tickets.
“Do you know Rex’s neighbor?” Lindsey asked.
“I’ve met him. Why?”
“I want you to introduce us.” Lindsey’s eyes widened in excitement. “He’s standing by the door.”
Brett looked over his shoulder. “Yes, that’s him. Okay, let’s go over.”
“I’ll stay here,” I flinched.
Brett took my hand. “He isn’t dangerous. He’s just protective about his property. You’ll be safe.”
Reluctantly, I went with them.
“Lance,” Brett began, “I’d like you to meet Rex’s house guests. This is Lindsey Farrington and Sara Jones. I believe you’ve already met Sara.”
“Yes,” he said, stretching out his hand. “I’m sorry our first meeting wasn’t more pleasant.”
I gave Lance a thin-lipped smile as we shook hands.
“Lindsey and Sara, this is Lance Alston,” Brett said.
“I’m happy to make your acquaintance, Lindsey,” Lance said, shaking her hand.
“Oh, I’m so glad to meet you.” Lindsey’s cheeks glowed.
She continued talking to him, and I looked away. Standing this close to him, all I could think about were my visions of the bleeding man on the altar, the woods choked with spider webs, and the knife dripping with blood used to slice open the torso.
“You’re being awfully quiet,” Brett whispered. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Just smelling the popcorn. Let’s get some for the movie.”
“Nice seeing you again, Lance,” Brett said. “Sara and I are going to get some popcorn.”
Lance nodded as Brett led me away. Lindsey stayed to chat.
Five minutes later, she joined us. I felt relieved since I didn’t think she was safe around that guy.
About an hour and a half into the movie, my skin began tingling. My breathing became erratic as sexual desires started emerging. I wanted Brett again. Not here. Not now. What’s wrong with me? I pressed my lips together and briefly closed my eyes. I couldn’t stop the need running through my body. I rubbed Brett’s leg.
He kissed me and placed his hand on top of mine, preventing it from moving. With my other hand, I grasped onto his arm.
“You okay?” he whispered.
“I want you,” I purred into his ear.
“Can we see the rest of the show first?”
“Maybe.” My fingers dug deeper into his arm. He didn’t seem to notice. I no longer knew what was happening on the screen. I closed my eyes again and bit my lower lip as I anxiously waited for the movie to end.
Finally, the roll-up end credits appeared and we went to the lobby. Lindsey saw Lance and left to talk to him.
“I want to go home,” I said, clinging onto Brett’s arm. “Tell Lindsey we have to leave.”
“I’ll take care of it.” He walked over to them. Within a minute he returned. “Lance is going to drive Lindsey home.”
I could only think about one thing, and it wasn’t Lindsey’s safety. Without saying a word, I took Brett’s hand, and we exited the theater.
The glow of car headlights leaving the parking lot flashed into my eyes and almost blinded me as we made our way down the sidewalk.
A guy on a bicycle snatched my purse as he rode past us. I screamed. Brett bolted after him. I had never seen anyone run that fast before.
A car screeched to a stop next to me. “Sara,” the driver said. “Get in the car. Conner sent us.”
“No,” I objected, feeling restless to be alone with Brett. “Tell Conner I’ll call him tomorrow.”
“Sara,” he paused, his eyes fixed on something behind me.
Brett had returned with my purse. “Is this guy bothering you?”
“No. He just wanted directions to the Stanton Hotel.”
Brett moved between me and the guy in the car. “The hotel is on this street. Pull out of the parking lot and turn right. It’s only a couple of blocks away.”
After I watched the car drive away, I climbed into Brett’s car. “Thank you for getting my purse. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt in the process. You never know if thieves are carrying weapons.”
“I was able to grab your purse without incident, but couldn’t stop the jerk from fleeing.” He slid into the driver’s seat.
Wondering if I was a targeted victim, I wanted to ask questions about the purse snatcher. With my body’s overwhelming need, I found it impossible to think about it now. As soon as Brett shut the door, I put my arms around his neck, kissed him, and started taking off his shirt.
“Can I move the car so we’re in a more private location?”
“Hurry,” I replied, clutching my hands as I wished for control over the burning desire.
He drove to the back of the parking lot. I undressed both of us. He tried to help, but he was too slow. My fingernails scratched across his flesh as we made unrestrained love in his vehicle. The urgent need subsided, and we put back on our clothes.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I said, upset about forcing him to satisfy my sexual outbursts. “I’ve never been this out of control before. At breakfast and again at the theater. How am I going to go to work tomorrow? I might attack Mr. Johnson.”
“Who’s Mr. Johnson?”
“The office manager. He’s short, bald, fat, and completely harmless.”
“Good.”
“He is a man. If I started attacking him, he probably wouldn’t stop me because he wouldn’t know how to say no. He’s too nice of a guy.”
He kissed me. “I’ll make sure I have my cell phone on all the time. If you get that urge, give me a call. I’ll be there in five minutes.” He cocked his brow and his eyes shimmered. “After all, I have to protect Mr. Johnson.”
The house was dark when we got there. I checked Lindsey’s room, thinking she might have gone to bed. “She’s not home. She should’ve been here by now.”
“Lance probably took her out to get a drink or something. Don’t look so worried. I’m sure she’s safe.”
We went upstairs. When I finished showering, Brett wasn’t in the bedroom. I wanted to know if Lindsey was back, so I headed downstairs. On the way, I heard Brett talking in the den and assumed he was talking to Lindsey. I abruptly stopped when he said, “She has got to be the best assignment I’ve ever had.”
Assignment? Was he talking about me? Am I his assignment? I eased closer, wanting to know whom he was chatting with. Through the openings next to the door hinges, I saw he was on his cell phone. I backed away to continue listening.
“You can’t give her any more unless she needs it before the transformation.”
I felt a lump in my throat. Transformation?
“That’s normally what happens…She didn’t go that way…Relax… She’s special. I’ll take good care of her…Her appetite is insatiable. I love it.…I’ve never been with anyone before who acquired such an overwhelming sexual drive. I didn’t think she’d make it through the movie.” He chuckled. “I guess she takes after her dad.”
He didn’t know my dad…Did he?
“Her birthday is nine days away…If you need to prolong it…Only one more phase. I
know she can’t be ready too early…Yeah, I won’t forget… He might be… Do you think that’s possible?... I’ll let you know …. Enjoy your evening…Tomorrow…”
He began moving around in the den, and I tiptoed upstairs. I still didn’t know if Lindsey was home, but I didn’t want Brett to see me. Climbing in bed, I thought about what he had said. Transformation. My hands shook. A clutching sinking sensation grew in my chest as fear gripped my mind. I couldn’t remember ever telling him my birthday. Tears welled in my eyes as I realized his passion and the special way he treated me was his job. I wondered how much he got paid for being a masterful trickster.
Before I suspected he was up to something, I actually believed he could fill the hole in my heart left by Conner. Biting my lips to control the sobs, I grabbed several tissues and wiped my face. If I didn’t compose myself, I might not survive to escape. I rolled on my side, breathed slowly, and envisioned a life without him. Hearing heavy footsteps on the stairs, I sat up in bed and adjusted the pillows. He had deceived me and played with my emotions. He lied to me. I decided to show him I was just as capable of deception as he was.
He walked in carrying a bottle of water. “I thought you might be thirsty.” He twisted the top off and handed it to me.
I forced a smile. “Thanks.”
He looked at me for a minute. “Are you okay?”
“I was just having a hard time waiting for you.”
He grinned, took off his clothes, and eased under the sheets. “You don’t need to wait any longer.”
10
Discoveries
The next morning, I heard birds singing. I felt relaxed and hoped that I could make it through the day without any erotic desires. Brett wasn’t in the room. I didn’t want to find myself in his arms again. The man who had trifled with my affections for money. I showered and dressed for work. My purse was lying under his jeans so I moved them. Something fell out of his pocket and rolled under the bed. I bent down to retrieve it. Picking it up, I saw it was a ring with a black stone. I held it next to mine. It was a perfect match; every detail was the same. I pondered about the ring as I slipped it back in his pocket and picked up my purse.
Brett held my hand as we drove away from Rex’s place while I hid the confusion, fear, and loathing that consumed my thoughts. On top of everything, he was still responsible for my moments of happiness in Billings. He was also part of the horror that surrounded me. Gently squeezing my fingers, he gave me a warm smile. I stroked his arm and pretended nothing was wrong.
He glanced at Lindsey in the back seat. “I’ll drop you off at the employment agency. Give me a call if you need a ride for job interviews.”
“Thanks, I’ll let you know.” Lindsey pulled a few strands of hair behind her ear. “Sara, we still on for lunch?”
“Yeah.” Although, I hoped to be gone by then.
Brett stopped in front of the police station, walked around the car, and opened my door. “Remember, I’ll have my cell phone with me all the time in case you need me.”
“I won’t forget,” I said, trying to hide the disgust I felt toward him.
He slightly narrowed his eyes. “Are you okay?”
I nodded and headed toward the entrance.
Barnes and Harmon were waiting in a conference room when I arrived. I was escorted in by the desk sergeant.
“Good morning,” I said.
Dispensing with social niceties, Barnes got right to the point. “We had another spider incident last night.”
“What happened?”
“A man displaying the same symptoms as the other victims was found lying next to a bike. An emergency room doctor confirmed he had been bitten by something. He’s in a coma. The hospital lab is in the process of running tests on the man’s blood to determine the type of venom.
“The way the bike was positioned beside his body, we are confident he was riding it when it occurred. A woman called 9-1-1 after she spotted him on the ground. She used a pay phone and didn’t identify herself. We were able to identify the victim because he had a police record.”
My purse snatcher on the bike. I suspected Brett or someone in his cannibal club was probably responsible.
“The hospital doctors aren’t familiar with treating this type of reaction. They’ve called in a doctor from North Dakota who specializes in spider and insect bites. He should be here sometime today.” He flipped through a folder, pulled out a picture, and laid it on the table. “Do you recognize this man?”
As I stared at it, fear tingled up my spine. I held my lips tightly together, attempting not to show any emotion. A cult member. The blond, muscular man whose face had been captured on the picture had been in the woods. I took a shallow breath and calmly said, “I don’t think he was one of the paramedics. Have you been able to locate any of the missing spider victims?”
“No. Every lead we get ends up being a dead end.” He pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. “Thank you, Miss Jones, for coming in.”
“I wish I could help more.” I picked up my purse.
As Harmon escorted me toward the entrance, he stopped. “Wait here, I have to get some paperwork for you.”
I stayed next to the information desk, glanced around, and noticed the name Ellis under a picture on their bulletin board. I strolled over to it. Ellis was a good-looking guy with dark, brown hair, brown eyes, and a warm smile.
“Do you know him?” Harmon asked, walking toward me with a folder.
“He looks familiar,” I lied. “Is Ellis his first or last name?”
“Last name.” He glimpsed at the back of the picture. “His first name is Simon. He lives in Portland.”
“Why is his picture on this bulletin board?” My eyes fixed on it. Lindsey went to see someone by that name. Could he be the same guy?
“He’s missing. People go missing all the time. We can’t post all of them on the bulletin board. One of his friends heard him mention Billings. We want his face to be familiar in case one of us sees him.”
“Has he been missing for long?”
“A little over a week.”
Lindsey was in Portland when he went missing.
“From what we’ve been told, he doesn’t have any known enemies. He has a girlfriend. She’s also missing. We don’t have a picture of her yet. He just turned twenty-five. He probably went off with her someplace to celebrate.” He paused. “Are you sure you don’t know him?”
“I’ve never been to Portland.”
“Do you think you might have seen him at the Towne Hotel?”
“Maybe.” I shook my head, mesmerized by the picture. Then I turned away. “I need to get back to work.”
Harmon pulled out a printed sheet from his folder. “Here,” he said, handing it to me. “It’s a generic list of common questions that witnesses have had during an investigation and answers. If you have any specific questions, contact Lieutenant Barnes or myself. Our phone numbers are on the bottom.” He led me to the exit. “Thank you for coming in so quickly, Miss Jones.”
“You’re welcome.” As I headed toward my office, my mind stayed focused on Simon Ellis. That wasn’t a common name. He was the same age as the guy Lindsey had talked about on the bus. It had to be the same Simon. A spasm of panic struck, and my lips quivered as I recalled Brett discussing my birthday on the phone. Simon had just turned twenty-five. I was going to be twenty-five soon. Was there a connection? Lindsey didn’t hesitate leaving last night with Lance Alston, even after I had told her about my encounter with him in the woods. My thoughts drifted from wondering if Lindsey was also a target or perhaps another cult member. Confused, scared, and bewildered, a tear trickled down my cheek. I wiped it away with my fingertips. I needed to leave Billings—fast!
11
Escape
I sat at my desk and removed the ring. Just like the last time when I took it off, my hand ached and my fingers curved in. This time the gnawing pain traveled up to my shoulder. I slipped it back on. The pain vanished. After staring
at the ring for a moment, I called Conner.
“Sara, are you okay?” he asked, and I heard the concern in his voice.
“Yes,” I said, softly, as I still thought about the pain I experienced every time I removed the ring; I felt confused about it.
“Why didn’t you get in the car last night?”
“How did you know I was going to be at that theater?”
“First, I want to know something,” he said without answering my question.
“What?”
“What is your relationship with Brett Daborel?”
I never told him Brett’s name, but I knew the Crussetts had ways of finding out what they wanted to know. “I met him when I lived at the hotel. He also lived there, and we became friends. After the spider incidents, he was going to his friend’s place that had five bedrooms. He asked if I wanted to stay there. I thought it was a good idea to get away from the hotel. Now I suspect he’s somehow involved with the spider problem. I need to leave.”
“One of my men saw you kissing him.”
“That’s true. Brett wants us to be more than friends, but I can’t stop thinking about you.” I waited for him to say something. The phone was silent as I worried about how much he knew. I just hoped he hadn’t been told how far my relationship with Brett had really gone. “Conner, are you still there?”
“Yes. When can I come and get you?”
“First, I need to know how you knew I’d be at that theater last night,” I asked again.
“I have ten men in Billings. They’ve been there since Friday. One was bitten by a spider and taken to a hospital in a coma. We know what type of car Brett drives and his license plate number. My men tried to follow him on Friday after he picked you up. It appears he knows how to lose tails. They’ve been driving around searching for his car. Over the weekend I instructed them to concentrate on the theaters because I know how much you enjoy movies. We got lucky. I was disappointed to hear you didn’t get in the car.”
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