Page 34 of Girl Betrayed

Resigned, Jake followed Jenkins out of the morgue. The midday sun stung his eyes. He’d gotten used to the shadowy depths that entombed D.C.’s deceased. It made him think of Dana and her library. He’d always thought it was creepy, but he’d recently seen the appeal.

Things that were already dead, couldn’t hurt you. And right now, that was all he wanted. To stop everyone he loved from hurting.

Claire, Dana, his mother, Wade, Jenkins.

Not finding a way onto this case made him feel like he was failing them.

Maybe Jenkins was right. If he had to let Hayes go, he could still do right by his mother and Wade. He just needed to find a way to protect Claire and Dana at the same time.

Jenkins turned to face Jake when they reached the parking lot, but he was the one who spoke first. “We’ve been through it haven’t we, Jenks?”

“Sure have.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much it’s meant to me that you’ve always had my back.”

“Any time, soldier.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

In a rare show of affection, she put a hand on his arm. “Jake, if I’ve helped shape your life in any way, the privilege has been all mine. But promise me one thing. If you’ve learned anything from me, I hope you don’t repeat my mistakes. Life is short. Don’t wait too long to start it.”

23

At first,I was worried they were on to me. There’s only so much I can control.

The political fallout wasn’t part of the plan, but I can see now that it should be. It’s working perfectly. Even better than I could’ve planned.

The connection to Agent Shepard is a brilliant twist. One that should keep him off my back.

It’s why I chose to kill him first.

It was harder than I thought to do it. He struggled. I hadn’t expected that. He knew what was at stake. He should’ve been prepared.

But now that I’ve started, I can’t stop.

A few more days.

A few more kills.

Then I’ll be free.

24

Dana managedto occupy herself for exactly forty-five minutes after Dr. Dvita left. Her kitchen was spotless, and she’d successfully returned her bathroom to order after Jake’s hasty shower, but more importantly, she’d given Claire her space.

It was killing Dana not to go in and check on the girl, but she’d made herself wait what she deemed the appropriate amount of time. Not too long as to appear she didn’t care, but not too soon to show her worry. Though a glance in the mirror told Dana her face would instantly betray her concern.

Her glasses made her already doe-like eyes seem bigger than they were. And right now, they were two fathomless pits of worry. Deciding to switch to contacts, she pulled her hair back into a messy bun and washed her face. Hoping she now exuded an air of effortless ease, she took a deep breath and padded down the hall to knock on her guest bedroom door.

It turned out Dana’s primping was unnecessary. Because when Claire didn’t answer, Dana burst into the room like a tornado of panic.

Claire was in the room, but Dana’s relief at finding her there was short-lived. The girl sat on the edge of the tidy bed, her slight frame facing the window.

With Claire’s back to Dana, she had no idea if the girl was in another catatonic trance.

Dana whispered her name, hoping not to startle her. “Claire?”

Claire turned around. “Oh, sorry. Were you calling me? I must’ve been lost in thought.”