There is no evil without good. –Russian Proverb
A WEEK WENT BY, A WEEK where Jac refused to answer my texts, and the newspapers confirmed my worst fears.
The Pier Killer has been at it again, the crimes have been more abhorrent. Two female college students were found in the U district, their mouths taped shut, their eyes completely missing from their faces right along with every single female organ. Police are offering a monetary reward for any information. The total known victims of this serial killer now numbered twelve women.
I scowled and pushed the newspaper away. Most of the Italians had left, but Phoenix had stayed. I couldn’t wait for him to leave. It was nauseating, hearing him talk to his wife on the phone all hours of the day. I told him we had things handled. Ever since Sergio helped take down Petrov’s empires, I hadn’t heard from him or from any of his Byki’s.
I’d gone to the clinic four times in search of any information on Jac, but it was just as a I left it, the only change was that women were no longer getting brought to my door—which saddened me, not because it was part of my research but because I worried about them, worried about the women who at times, only made it through the night because they knew that when they came to my clinic I would make them forget.
It was my gift to them.
Because it was all I had to offer.
Heal them both physically and mentally, and if I can do neither… offer them another option.
I tapped my fingertips against the newspaper as anxiety built inside my chest. Maya was showering. She’d been inside the apartment all week, and I thought it would be nice for her to at least get outside and grab a coffee or something.
Phoenix walked back in the room and glanced down at the newspaper. “When are you going to tell her?”
Loaded question for seven in the morning. “I was going to tell her last week, then the following day, and the day after that, I don’t even know how to start.”
Phoenix pulled out a chair and sat. “Well you can always start with… you know those horror stories from the seventeen hundreds….”
“You aren’t funny.”
Phoenix shrugged. “Wasn’t trying to be. It is the truth, isn’t it? Sergio found some interesting shit on you, I’d have given my right arm to read that history… but some things are better left burned.”
“Yes.” Voice hoarse I shoved the newspaper off the table and covered my face with my hands. “I have to kill her.”
“You have no other choice.” Phoenix agreed. “It is what’s best.”
“But I love her.”
“I never said you didn’t… but she cannot go on like this, there’s been too much psychological damage, she’s… going to go insane, and—”
“I know.” I was disgusted with the whole situation. “Just… give me some time.”
He shook his head. “Not something you have in spades, man. Do it tonight, or I do it for you.”
I jumped to my feet. “The hell you will!”
“Then get your head out of your ass and get it done.” He seethed, stomping off into the living room.
I smacked my hand against the counter top just as Maya walked around the corner stumbling into the chair Phoenix had accidently kicked over. She looked pale.
“Are you feeling well?” I asked.
“Yes.” She nodded her head vigorously. “You know, I really am… feeling…” She tugged at her shirt. “Hot and cooped up. You think I can just head down to the lobby and grab a coffee on my own? Maybe sit outside?” She swallowed like she was nervous as I stood. “By myself.”
I narrowed my eyes. It’s not that I didn’t want her to have her freedom, I just didn’t like the idea of her going downstairs without a bodyguard, and the original plan had been to get some fresh air together. Then again, there were security guards everywhere; I also had access to all lobby cameras. “Sure.” Even as I said it, doubt crept in, making me anxious. I shrugged it off. “Just be safe, and bring your phone?”
“Great!” She smiled brightly and went to the door, opened it, then slammed it behind her while I was left wondering why something felt wrong.
Two minutes later I was still staring at the door when Phoenix waltzed back into the kitchen. “What crawled up your ass and died?”
“She didn’t kiss me goodbye,” I whispered.
“Is that not normal?”
“Maya’s always been… emotional…” I sat and folded my arms then shook my head. “I’m reading into things.”
Phoenix placed a glass of orange juice on the table and then set his Glock right next to it. “So, what will it be? You want her blood on your hands or do you need me to do your dirty work?”
“I’ll owe you.”
“You owe me about a bazillion favors, just add to the list, remember? I thrive off secrets.”
“No.” I pushed his gun away. “I’ll do it, make it painless, she’ll simply go to sleep and not wake up.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Fun?” I had trouble controlling my voice as rage filled me. “There is absolutely nothing fun about killing your own flesh and blood—killing the person who basically raised you.”
I stood to my full height, which matched his. I was just itching for a fight, I could feel my blood pressure rising as he smirked and inclined his head. “Good. Keep that rage in place, it’s the only way you’ll be able to do this without living with guilt for the rest of your life… sometimes it’s best to fuel the rage with anger so that when you look back on this moment, it’s not with regret.”
“When the hell did you get so smart?”
“I read lots of books, doc.” Phoenix slapped me on the back. “Now, it looks like we have a woman to hunt.”
“I know where she typically waits for victims.” I sighed. “I just…”
“We’ll split them up and find her in no time.” Phoenix grabbed his phone out of his pocket, but first we need to figure out a babysitter for Maya.
“Shit!” I shoved him away and limped toward the back room where I had left the iPad, I quickly logged in to the cameras and located the ones in the lobby.
Maya was sitting in a chair sipping coffee, I instantly relaxed. Until I saw a familiar face in cowboy boots approach her table and sit.
“Phoenix!” I yelled. “Jac’s here!”