Chapter 1

Shane

The moment I walked through the door, I knew what awaited me: a clusterfuck of epic proportions.

There was blood everywhere. Forensics would have a field day with this one.

Just like with the other fifteen, rang in the back of my mind.

I made my way to the bedroom, wearing the protective gear the lead officer had ordered me to change into when I arrived.

There, on the bed lay the mutilated body of one Victoria Sparks. The signature ligatures on her wrists and ankles proving that she’d been restrained and alive through most of her torture; the killer leaving her to die in excruciating pain by blood loss.

The scent of copper on the air thickened as I made my approach, slipping my hands into a pair of plastic gloves. I was looking for something I knew was meant for me.

I found it.

The sickening crack of the victim’s jaw set my stomach to roiling as I pulled her mouth open only to find the three pieces I expected. Fragments of a photograph is what I found. Camera in hand, I shot a few frames. Fishing the objects out one by one, I dropped them in the evidence bag I’d whipped out beforehand, then photographed them yet again.

The sick, sadistic bastard was playing games with me. He was always one step ahead, and that pissed me off. I have no idea what these fucking tiny pieces are for, but he leaves them at every scene. All I know is that it’s part of some demented form of a countdown. One where he’s after me. Proof had been given after I’d been assigned to his second victim.

In my career as a detective, I’ve come across a lot of questionable characters. I’ve done my fair share of arresting the dredges of society and making enemies along the way. You can’t be a cop without that happening.

“I take it that Rosie is in for another disappointing birthday dinner?” Will asked at my side.

For the last seven years, it had been the same fucking story. That’s how I knew the unsub (unknown subject) was gunning for me. That and the fact that he’d started this spree of his with none other than my fucking wife as his first victim.

My only problem is that I had no suspect; the perp was meticulously careful. Treating his kills like artwork, from the placement of limbs, to the blood spatter surrounding the victims…even those fucking pieces.

“I hate going back on my promise,” I growled. “She’s going to be pissed.”

“I know it’s your case, Shane, but I’m your partner,” Will said. “Take a few hours, go to her, then come back if you have to.”

I nodded. “I have what I need right now. You sure you can handle everything without me?”

He pats me on the back as I straightened from the body and backed away. “I’ll call if something comes up,” he said.

Thanking him, I handed him my evidence bag, then made to leave the scene, my camera in tow.

Caught up in my own memories, I drove home on autopilot, scenes from eight years ago playing in my head.

The same black hair. The same look of terror in her open eyes.

Eva had been bound too.

And cut up.

Blood. God! There’d been so much blood everywhere.

I’d been the one to find her. I hated to think what would have been had my Rosie been there that day.

“Daddy!” was squealed, knocking me out of my grizzly thoughts.

Opening the car door and letting myself out, I caught her just in time as she launched herself into my arms.

My princess.

The light of my life.

Buffing my cheek against my now nine-year-old’s hair, then kissing it, I looked toward the house to find my mother standing there, a smile of pride, but the worry and apprehension she’d come to feel over the years—on this day—was evident in her eyes.

“Happy Birthday,” I rasped. “Did you have a good day at school? Are you ready to go to dinner?”

Rosie reared her head and looked at me in shock. “We’re still going?”

Smiling despite my heart breaking at my parental failings, I nodded. “We sure are.”

Passing my mother as I carried my daughter through the threshold, I gave her inquisitive look a slight nod only to hear her curse under her breath.

It’s not like I could hide it from the woman. She was a junky for news, and there was no way that this latest murder was going to stay out of it. My nod also confirmed that I’d be heading back to work after our evening out.

I followed the women out to the car when Rosie headed for the other side of the street toward one of my neighbor’s home.

“Ember! Ember! It’s my birthday and Daddy’s taking Grams and I out!” My girl was one excited little lady, jumping up and down.

Considering I was standing in the driveway, and my daughter had basically yelled her news to the entire neighborhood, I didn’t get to hear what Emberlyn had to say. I simply watched as the woman bent down to my daughter with a smile and kissed her cheek.

Looking at my watch, I hated myself for feeling rushed. “Lana Rose, we need to go, baby girl.”

Her nose scrunched up as she turned to look at me. “I’m not a baby!” Smiling over at the woman standing next to her, the one who’s eyes were now on me, she nearly lost her balance when my daughter tackled her into a hug. “I’ll see you later, Ember,” she yelled, pausing to look both sides of the street before running back to me. My eyes followed my girl’s progress as she jumped in the back seat of my Escalade before I looked back to my neighbor.

“Enjoy dinner,” she said in place of goodbye.

Jutting my chin out in acknowledgment, I turned toward my family and got in the driver’s seat.

“Do you think they’ll have cake?” Rosie asks, making my mother laugh.

The sound had me grinning ear to ear. This day could use a few more lighthearted moments.

“I’m sure they can swing it, princess,” I muttered through my smile.

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