Chapter 1
M
Smiles. They told you a lot about a person’s state of mind. They clued you in on whether that person was happy or sad. They gave insight into whether the individual was carefree in the moment. Most of the time, it was easy to decipher whether they were genuine or fake. The tick of one’s cheek, the squint of their eyes—there were so many factors for recognition. But in my years of studying those around me, I’d come to see plenty cast were false representations of an unsatisfying life.
Despite that, I liked smiles. The emotion symbolized something I never felt. For as long as I could remember, smiles fascinated me just as much as fear. After all, they were opposites, reflecting each other in the worst or best-case scenarios. Long ago, I had mastered how to appear genuine when I smiled. I peeled back my lips to display cheerfulness. I laughed when those around me found things funny. But what was joy? What was the sensation that soared through one’s self and caused them to bellow out in laughter, or exhibit pleasure in what they were experiencing? I didn’t know. The only gratification I got lately was within my work. It wasn’t a field that normally caused a person happiness. But when no one was looking, when I was alone, reliving the gruesome stories I was told, a smile would come.
“Too fast! Boston!”
The high-pitched squeal was followed by the sweetest sound I’d heard in years. The tone was smooth. Captivating even, despite the tinge of anxiety in the young blonde’s voice. Her name was Lucy Adams. At nineteen, she was a college student with dreams of being a nurse. I’d known her for barely a year, but I’d known of her a lot longer than that. And it was all thanks to him—Boston Marks.
“I don’t want to fall. Slow down!”
Her legs hooked tighter around the dark-haired man, her feet digging into the sides of his back while he raced toward their cottage with her on his shoulders. Although he held her hands, she bounced unevenly.
More laughter. Both of theirs, intertwining like the passionate lovers they were.
With a dip of his upper body, and a twist, Lucy landed safely in his arms. Their kiss was immediate. Fingers pushed through Boston’s hair, and she tugged, increasing the heat between them. For a moment, something stirred inside me. Heat. A swift flicker of yearning mixed with anger. Why, I wouldn’t think about. Not yet. These emotions…this game I longed for, was one I knew well. One I taught.
“Fall? Baby, you know better than that. I’d never let anything happen to you.”
Another smile. More giggling. But it didn’t last. His lips crushed into hers, and he was already sweeping them back down the path. To say Boston was in love with Lucy was an understatement. He more than loved her; he was obsessed. He had been since he was almost eleven years old, and she was five. Unbeknownst to her, he got a vasectomy and even killed her mother and brother to have her solely to himself. Of course, it wasn’t without guidance or grooming.
I walked at a slow pace, waiting for them to head through the back door. I took my time, finally moving in position next to their window. Moans and shuffling quickly followed creaking that came from the bed as they climbed on. From my view, Boston’s profile showed his large arms and thick torso. The muscles flexed as he held himself over her nude body. Lucy was pulling at the string to his boardshorts as if she couldn’t wait to have him back inside her.
“We’re going to be late if we don’t hurry. You do realize this is the third time today.”
Boston nipped at her lip, sweeping his tongue back in her mouth before responding.
“We’ll make our flight. Besides, you worked yesterday. I’m making up for lost time. Did you tell them you won’t be coming back?”
Lucy’s head turned, blocking Boston’s kiss. “I did, and I didn’t like it. Boston, we really need to talk. We’re only going to be in Chicago for the weekend. Couldn’t I have just put in a few more weeks and went to part-time?”
“We’ve talked about this.” His tone softened, luring her to turn back to him. I knew that tactic, and he had it mastered. “I’ve miss you. With school starting up again soon, we’ll never see each other. You put in almost all your time off waitressing. I don’t like it. I’ve already told you money isn’t an issue. You don’t have to work.”
“But I like to.”
“More than you like being with me?”
Pursing her lips, Lucy’s silence had him sighing.
“Let’s just see how school goes. You have a lot of classes. That will require a lot of studying. Once you get into a routine, maybe you can start looking around for another job. Let’s just make sure school’s not too much first.”
A smile—a beautiful smile—flashed, and she looped her arms around his neck. “You’re always looking out for me. I forget sometimes how you’re always right.”
“That’s because I love you, and I want what’s best for you.”
“How much do you love me?”
A laugh shook his chest. His hand went between them, and a small whimper filled the air as her legs spread and she arched at his touched. “More than you’ll ever be able to understand. More than I can even put into words. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Show me.”
Boston grasped her wrists with his free hand, holding them tightly above her head as he dove to her neck. Deeper, his arm moved between them. The thrusting motion had her crying out as he began to rock his body with the rhythm. Lucy’s breasts swayed, and it didn’t take Boston long to transition her hands underneath her ass while he worked his way down.
“I said it. Your turn.”
A loud intake of breath came from Lucy as Boston flicked his tongue over her nipple. Just the sight had me trying to follow along with what they must have felt. My cock hardened, but was an afterthought as I studied they’re every expression and sound.
“I love you.”
“You’re sure?” His tone deepened, and a breathy moan left her as he sucked the hard nub into his mouth.
“Always.”
Lucy’s shoulders pulled back at his restraint. He was moving farther down, hovering his head over her lower stomach and sliding even further as he watched her. Ringing had all of us glancing toward the bedside table. I moved out of view, leaning against the cottage as Boston growled.
“Shit. I have to take this.”
Creaking sounded, and Lucy was sitting as I peeked through. “Who is it?”
He picked up the phone, hesitating to answer as he fixed his boardshorts. “I think it’s the hotel. Just a minute.”
The glass backdoor slid open at his pull. Cautiously, I inched along the side as he headed toward the sand dunes separating them from the ocean. “This is Boston Marks. Yeah.” A pause. “What do you mean you mixed up the suites? Unacceptable. I need the one I booked. I have big plans for this weekend and I need the best.” Another pause. “Yeah. I don’t care what you have to do, fix it. We’ll be there tonight. I expect the suite to be ready.”
Boston hung up the phone, cursing under his breath. Smile. Yes, I was smiling. Let him fret over his big plans. I already knew what they involved. Little did he know, they’d never happen.
He went back inside, and I headed toward the beach. When I got far enough away, I pulled out my phone. Bill answered on the second ring. He and his wife happened to be clients and close friends, and he owed me for a recent coverup and alibi I had supplied.
“Dr. Patron, so nice of you to call. Is everything okay?”
I took in the families catering to their kids. The groups of college-age kids laying out in the sun, working on their tans. None of them had a care in the world. They didn’t know who stood so close by.
“Everything is great. Going just as I expected. I actually called because I wanted to remind you of that call tomorrow.”
“You know you can count on me.”
“I know. Timing is key for this one. I just wanted to make sure you were ready.”
“More than ready. Do I get details?”
“And ruin the fun? You know better than that.”
“You can’t hold it against me for asking.”
My fake laugh came out naturally. “I do have a favor to ask while we’re on the topic of fun.”
“Really? What can we do to help?”
My lips pulled up at the one side. “I got an unexpected call from another client in the area. I have my apartment in the city, but I’m hoping to cut down on the commute. Is the farmhouse occupied?”
Bill paused, and I knew he was trying to connect my term of fun with his house of horrors. “Not at the moment. I told Linda we had to take a break until all of this blew over. If you need the farmhouse, it’s all yours.”
“That would be great. I shouldn’t be there more than a week, but I’ll keep you posted.”
“No rush. Take your time. I’ll leave the garage open and the key in the fridge so you can get in.”
“Perfect.”
I hung up, hitting my client’s number. When he didn’t answer, I glared through the annoyance. A good minute passed before ringing cut through the air.
“Dr. Patron.”
“Daniel. How’s it going? Good, I presume.”
Cries echoed, and a growl followed a solid pop over the speaker. Pleas and sobs muffled from fear as a female whimpered through her words.
“Better than good. I can’t talk right now.”
“This won’t take long. I fly in tomorrow. You’re still prepared to meet, correct?”
Hesitation. “Yeah. Yeah,” he rushed out. “Eight-thirty in the morning.”
“That’s right. Blue Iris Cafe, not far from the gardens. It’ll be safe. I’ve already checked out the location.”
“The gardens…I know the place you’re talking about. Is that it?”
At the increasing volume in the background, I reined in my need to ask questions. I had bigger things to focus on. “No. To pull this off without incident, I want you to listen. Park a block down. There’s a flower shop. Bonnie’s. You’ll walk the block and come up on the front side. I’ll be sitting toward the far back corner. From there, I’ll give you the list of safe dump sites. At nine, you have to be out of there.”
“Why, if it’s safe?”
Even distracted, he was smarter than I liked. “The owner only records during high traffic times. The camera kicks back on ten minutes after nine.”
“I see.”
“Daniel, if I’m not there by nine, I need you to leave, quickly, and we’ll meet another time.”
“Why wouldn’t you make it?”
“There are storms rolling through overnight. It might cause delays.”
“Oh. Okay. Out by nine. Got it.”
“Help! Pl—!”
Crack!
“I gotta go. Is that it?” Daniel’s irritation was growing each second.
“For now.”
I hung up, shoving the phone in my pocket. My stroll to the beach resort I was staying in didn’t take long. Not that it mattered. My attention was on my plans. If all went as expected, Daniel would be caught in the area on tape, and me…I’d be free and clear because they’d never actually see him arriving or leaving in his vehicle. Just him heading out of the cafe, in the perfect location—facing the gardens.
I sat on my fifth-floor balcony until the activity died down below. Sometimes, I took calls from those connected to me. Other times, I ignored them completely. Priorities. I had that in the bag. Boston was another story. Time and responsibility was something he never managed well. Even for as smart as he was, his obsession—Lucy—often kept him distracted. According to my source, catching their flight had been no different. I watched the time, letting the hours slip by. Time stretched. Two hours of sleep came.
Coffee.
A shower.
A red eye flight.
Chicago.
Then, a small road trip to the nearby city of Rockford. It didn’t take long to get set up in the farmhouse and arrive at my destination. The awakening town buzzed around me, and I ignored the fact that Daniel was waiting. Instead, I zeroed in on all those around me. Pedestrians crowded through intersections farther down. I watched them pass, feeling…nothing. I took in their preoccupation. Their ignorance. Everyone was so busy, they weren’t looking at anything besides what was in front of them. Even then, I doubted their racing minds processed what they were seeing. Most held phones to their ears. Others, zombies as they stared down at the devices.
Eight-forty-five a.m.
I pulled from the curb, unable to stop the fantasy of accelerating so I could mow them down with my car. How would they react? How many different expressions would they and the bystanders hold? Would anyone even see me coming? No. Not until it was too late. By then, their insides would be sprayed across the sidewalk, mixed with shattered pieces of plastic. Broken limbs would prevent them from going far. I could just reverse and hit them again.
My mouth tightened at my thoughts. I’d never be so sloppy, but the idea had appeal. Not that it would make a difference. People would still be glued to their technology. They would still eventually carry on, letting the news fade into the background of their everyday schedules. What I wanted was to invoke fear. If not through me, then my clients. It was one thing to kill. Quite another to do it with style and leave a lasting impact people would never forget.
Driving a few blocks, I pushed away the carnage to concentrate on my plan. My window was fast approaching. Boston’s schedule had been easy enough to remember as he happily announced his plans. He was a fool in love—an even bigger one for feeling confident enough to trust the killers he so welcomingly boasted to in our little confession circle. He always had been one to brag, but this time, he’d done in front of the wrong people. Perhaps this was a lesson on top of my own selfish needs.
Easing the car forward, I went another three miles before slowing at the large sign. A baby blue ankle length dress billowed out from the wind and blonde hair covered Lucy’s face while she tried pushing it back. They were surprisingly right on schedule, and she was laughing as Boston led her into the large opening to the gardens. I gazed between it and the café farther down the road. The entire area was a tourist trap. Riskier than I usually liked, but perfect with the lack of traffic cameras.
Moving over, I parked as close as I could to the back. Large shrubs bordered the area, and I could see through the spaces between the branches as I got out. My hand pushed into my suit jacket and I put on my fedora, strolling toward the entrance. A large statue sat centered, and vendors lined the sidewalk. Scanning the space, I headed forward as the baby blue once again caught my attention. They were talking as he pointed to a row of red and white roses. I got close enough to listen, keeping my back toward them, pretending to take in the perfectly manicured hedges.
“Out of all these, those are your favorite?” Louder, Boston laughed. “You amaze me. You truly do. I figured you would have picked something different. And here I thought I knew you.”
“You can’t know everything,” she teased.
“You sure about that?”
More laughter had me looking over my shoulder. Boston leaned forward, grabbing the necklace around her neck and leading her closer to him. He bit his bottom lip before kissing her. It was brief, but the passion was obvious. Lucy blushed, and their voices grew softer as they walked away. I kept my sights on the wall of green as I checked my watch. Foot by foot, I worked my way down. Minutes passed, and like clock-work, a voice spoke over the intercom, echoing around the grounds.
“Boston Marks, will you please report to the Volunteer Service Center. Boston Marks, please report to the Volunteer Service Center.”
“What the hell?”
Confusion masked his tone as he craned his neck. I kept glancing over my shoulder, noticing he was looking toward the entrance. It was Lucy who pointed to the white building at the far end of the gardens.
“Did you drop your wallet or something?”
“No. It’s right here.”
Her brow drew in as she shrugged. “Go see what they want.”
“And leave you? No way.”
“Boston, really, I’ll be fine,” she laughed.
“No…let’s go see together.”
Like I expected, he grabbed Lucy’s hand, keeping her close as they headed in the general direction. Just before they approached, their hands disconnected, and he moved around a man to get to the woman holding a phone level with her shoulder.
I exhaled, channeling confidence, as I moved wide to stay out of view. The smallest spike of something close to adrenaline hit while I took the cloth from the zip lock in my pocket. Boston peered back at Lucy with the phone at his ear but returned his attention to the older woman. His head shook while he spoke, and I moved in, placing my arm around Lucy’s shoulder like we were friends, lovers…close. The surprise had her head spinning toward me. Shock began to turn to a smile as I pulled her face toward my chest and covered her nose and mouth with the saturated fabric. Resistance jerked wildly against my arm through her panic, but the effects were immediate. Her legs buckled, and weight settled into me at her sway.
Boston still spoke into the phone, and with his anger rising through his hand gestures, I didn’t wait. I swept Lucy into my arms and pushed us through the large hedge surrounding the gardens. Crowds were thickening along the sidewalks. I dropped her legs, holding her close as I carried her along at a fast pace. Although dazed, she was still conscious. She stumbled, mumbling through her heavily drugged state. In seconds, I had her in my car, and we were driving away.
“D…Dr…”
Lucy’s acknowledgement had me looking over. I reached out and placed a dark green blanket over her lap. The ballcap and glasses were next. I even tucked her hair behind her shoulders. The windows may have been dark, but we weren’t out of the clear yet. And I wasn’t taking chances as I lowered our visors to cover more of our faces.
“I do believe we have some rules to go over. It’s not Doctor anymore, Little Lucy. I’m afraid for the role I’m taking with you, it’s Master. And we’ll go over what exactly that means very soon.”