Page 70 of Line of Sight (Second Sight #4)

DAN’S EYELIDS felt as though lead weights were attached to them, and there was pain across his eyes and temples. He reckoned he’d had maybe an hour or two of sleep. He’d dozed fitfully on the couch, Riley in the armchair.

The pinging of his phone was like a splash of icy water on his face.

Dan grabbed it, to find a WhatsApp message.

The game’s afoot, Watson. I’m assuming Detective Watson is also on this case? Well, I’m afraid you’re going to have to leave him behind for this trip, Mr. Porter. Come alone. I repeat, alone. And you’d better hurry. The clock is ticking. You can hear it, can’t you?

Dan shook Riley’s shoulder. “King’s gotten in touch.” He handed him the phone.

Riley rubbed his eyes and squinted at the screen. “Hurry where, though?”

“Let’s see if he’ll give us a clue.” Dan took back the phone and typed.

How is Gary?

The response wasn’t immediate, which only served to ramp up Dan’s already growing anxiety.

Then it came through. He read it aloud: “Gary is a little weighed down this morning. You know, now that I see him up close, I’m not so sure he’s a redhead.

His hair seems more Auburn to me. But enough of these pleasantries.

It’s time to hurry. No tracks to follow this time.

No traffic to stop either. And no ring on his finger.

You should have done that while you had the chance, Mr. Porter.

You obviously didn’t have the sand for it. ”

Dan gaped at the screen. What the fuck?

Riley snorted. “Is this supposed to help us find him?”

“There has to be something in this message,” Dan retorted. “This guy likes to play games, remember? So he’s not going to make it easy. Think. Does any of it connect in any way to a thriller?”

Riley held his hand out. “Give it here. Let me see it.” Dan handed it over, and he stared at the message, his brows furrowed, eyebrows scrunched together. Then he stilled, and Dan’s heartbeat quickened. “Wait a minute. Wait a fucking minute .”

Dan said nothing, not wanting to disturb Riley’s thought processes.

At last Riley met his gaze. “Some of this rings a bell. That part about tracks, stopping traffic, a ring….” He let out a gasp and face-palmed.

“I’ve got it. This is the first murder from The Bone Collector .

This dude is buried alive in this canyon where the trains run.

The only part of him that’s visible is his hand sticking up out of the ground—with his wife’s ring on his finger.

In the book, the cop stops a train so they don’t mess up the crime scene. ”

Ice inched its way closer to Dan’s heart. “Buried alive? Oh my God.”

Riley pointed to the first line. “ Weighed down .” He scowled. “That fucking bastard.”

“But where?”

“Gimme a minute, okay?” Riley studied the message again. “This bit about Gary’s hair… I don’t get it. His isn’t auburn.”

Dan peered over his shoulder. “Wait. Look. He’s written it with a capital A . Is it a place name?” He froze. “Mount Auburn cemetery. Gary and I went there for Corey’s funeral. Sean’s too.”

“A cemetery?” Riley shook his head. “That’s way too obvious a clue for this guy.”

Dan thought fast. “Is there an Auburn in Massachusetts?”

Riley got on his phone. “Google Maps, don’t fail me now.” He jerked his head up. “Yes! Just south of Worcester.”

“How far is that?”

Riley clicked on the screen. “Maybe less than an hour, without traffic. But where in Auburn?”

Dan returned to the cryptic message. “What about that last comment? About me not having the sand.”

He frowned. “What does that even mean?”

“I think it’s the same as not having the guts, but it just seems too random.” Dan widened his eyes. “Sand…. Could Gary be buried in sand? On a beach somewhere?”

Riley shook his head. “Not in Auburn. It’s inland.” He went back to his phone, typing and scrolling.

Dan pushed down hard on his rising panic, but a moment later it was in full flood when Riley swallowed. “What? What have you found?”

“Oh fuck.” Riley looked at him, his eyes huge. “There’s a sand and gravel company a little ways outside of Auburn.” He lurched up out of the armchair and grabbed his keys from the coffee table.

Dan gaped at him. “What are you doing? You’re not going. Remember what he said?”

Riley’s wild gaze met his. “This is not some movie, okay? You are not going anywhere near this guy without backup.”

“But—”

“We’re wasting precious time here. Get in your car. I’m gonna call Travers.” He glanced at Dan’s Apple watch. “That might come in handy.”

Dan blinked. “What do you mean?”

Riley gave him a grim smile. “I’ve got a plan.”

Dan was only half listening.

How long can someone stay alive like that?