Page 67 of Kiss of Deceit

It had been weeks since the murder, and none of the remaining butcher knives had appeared. No one else had been killed that we knew of. Even after all the blood in the forest, no one was missing. They were testing the blood to see if it was human or animal.

“What does she do?” Dani’s question had me looking back at her. “At the clinic.”

“Who, Natalie?”

“You’re the town bartender, Kole. You hear everything. So what does she do?”

I blew out a laugh. “She hasn’t told you?”

“She says she works as a therapist.” She paused. “But this place is small. Are there really enough people for her to talk to for eight hours a day?”

“She’s the only therapist.” I glanced at the man who stepped up beside Dani and reached under the bar to grab a bottle of beer for him.

“How many people work at the factory?”

The glass bottle nearly slipped from my hand, my heart skipping a beat. I grabbed the bottle opener, hoping Dani didn’t see my reaction. She was suspicious enough about the factory, and she really didn’t need to delve any deeper.

“Kole, how many?” she pressed when I handed the beer over the counter.

“A lot,” I grumbled, catching her curious gaze. “Enough to keep Natalie busy if they have issues to talk about.”

She pursed her lips. “You’re lucky I have to go back to work.”

“Why is that?”

“You don’t want me asking about the factory. Next time I ask, I’ll make sure neither of us are busy.”

She jumped off the stool and grabbed her purse before striding away. Her large sweater slid off her shoulder, her puffy jacket nowhere to be found. She must have left it at the station. I rounded the bar, chasing after her. Most moved out of my way when they saw me coming, but I still had to push through the few who were already too drunk to be aware of their surroundings.

She let in a blast of frigid air as she exited. I was outside a few seconds after her, and when the door slammed shut, she glanced over her shoulder, not looking surprised at all to see me.

“Stop stalking me,” she sang out as she kept walking. “I’m literally going half a block. I don’t need protection, Kole. Like you said before—I have my knives.”

While her confidence only made me obsess over her more, I still lingered behind, keeping her in sight. If she didn’t want to talk, that was fine. It was already dark out, the dim streetlights and full moon the only source of light. Even if the last couple weeks had been quiet, I had a feeling it wouldn’t last. Six knives were still missing, and the murderer was acting like it was a game. He would try to kill again.

Snow crunched under my boots, and a chill tore through me. The cold would only grow worse as the months went on. Afterliving here for so long, I’d gotten used to it. But some days I found myself yearning for a sandy beach and the warm sun.

“See you at home.” She gave me a little wave before disappearing into the police station.

I mumbled a curse, running a hand over my hair. I had no idea when she’d be going home. Usually, I had one of Harry’s guys call me when she was leaving for the day, but I was sure it was only her and Natalie left now. And I had no intention of telling the town therapist about my unhealthy infatuation with the intern who lived with me.

I spun around, heading back to the bar, shaking the uneasy feeling creeping through me. I couldn’t watch her every second. She’d have to pass by my bar on her way home. Maybe I’d see her through the windows. If not, I’d come check once I left work for the night.

The wind howled, the air smelling like another snowstorm was going to hit tonight. This winter was going to be brutal. I had a bad feeling it would be brutal in more ways than one.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

dani

I trudgedthrough the front of the police station, fighting a yawn. Natalie had told me we were questioning two more people tonight. On a Sunday. Did she know something I didn’t? It must be important to call the two clinic employees in on their day off. Reaching the door that led to where mine and Natalie’s desks were, I slowly pushed it open.

I froze in the doorway, my eyes darting to the ceiling. The fluorescent lights were off instead of lighting up the entire room like usual. A dim emergency light was on in the very back of the room, along with an office lamp that Natalie had on her desk. Her empty desk.

“Natalie?” I called out.

The cubicle walls that separated the desks blocked my view of being able to see the entire room, and I crept forward, my stomach knotting.

“Natalie, are you here?”