Page 25 of Dark Shadows

But he needed her to know everything. Her life and his might just depend on it.

“There’s something you should know.”

That got her attention. She stepped forward. “What is it?”

“They found more than those two bodies at the barn,” he said.

“What else did they find?”

“Animal bones. Some old, marked up. Some fresh. Still had tissue on them.”

Her brows drew together. “What does that mean?”

“They’re looking at tool marks and cut patterns.”

“Dead animals, great.” She sighed. “Are they any closer on figuring out who either of the dead guys were?”

“They’re still running the two victims through VICAP. If this ties into any other disappearances, it might flag something.”

“You think the killer is the same person?”

“Could be.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “But most killers start small. Animals first. The tool marks on the animal bones suggest a human made the kills. There was no hesitation. This wasn’t rage. This was a process. Someone took their time.”

“Like they were learning.” She looked up at him, eyes searching his face. “You think the killer started with those animals and escalated?”

“I know he did.”

11

Mason paced the cramped motel room, phone pressed to his ear.

The clock blinked 5:17 AM. Its red glow was the only light in the room.

“Cree, you can’t just drop something like that on me,” he said, dragging a hand through his hair. “Soulmates? Really?”

Cree’s laugh crackled through the speaker. “Since when do you doubt my visions, Mason? I’ve been right about everything else.”

“That’s different,” he said, though his voice had already lost its edge. “Case outcomes are one thing. This is personal.”

“And that scares you.”

He dropped onto the edge of the bed. The springs groaned under his weight.

“I’m here to solve a case. We’ve got lab work pending on the blood, the prints, even the plastic bag buried with the first body. I should be focused on that, not...whatever this is.”

“Who says it has to be a distraction?” Cree asked. “Maybe it’s exactly what you need to break this wide open.”

Mason didn’t answer. He’d felt the pull toward Savanah. Like they understood each other without trying.

“Even if you’re right,” he said, slower now, “we barely know each other. And she’s been through enough.”

“All the more reason to be there for her,” Cree said. “This connection isn’t in your head. It’s karmic. She’s not just tied to this case. She’s tied to you.”

“No pressure,” he muttered.

“The baby stopped kicking. I’m going to bed. You should try to sleep too.”

“Night.”