Page 40 of Run for Her Life

“Bullshit,” he spat. “This is the third time CPS has given me a clean chit. If this doesn’t stop, then I’m suing you for harassment. You hear me?” His jaw moved, his eyes rude and harsh. He glanced around, undeterred by the men and women in uniform surrounding him. Ethan’s face reddened but he didn’t say anything as the man turned and dragged his feet back out. He stopped when he saw Zoe watching him.

“You like what you see, sweetheart?”

Zoe’s nose scrunched in disgust, which amused him as he left the station. She went to Ethan who was still fuming at his desk. “Who was that?”

“No one.” He shrugged.

She offered him a sandwich. “You look hungry.”

He hesitated and then took it. “Thanks, I guess.”

She smiled on the inside. Food always did the trick. She leaned casually at his desk like they were friends. “So he looked like an ass.”

“Yeah.” He sighed. “He’s been on our radar for some time now.”

“I heard him mention CPS.”

“He’s got two boys. Seven and nine years old. The bruises aren’t the kind to raise huge flags. No hard proof. Just a string of concerned neighbors, hushed whispers from teachers. The kids aren’t talking—maybe too afraid, maybe too well-trained.”

“Any chance they are just rumors? A shitty father doesn’t always equate to an abusive one.”

“I agree but there is no smoke without fire. These kids get injured way too often. He always explains it as football injury.And he’s known to have a temper at work. I’ve been here long enough to know when something’s wrong.” Ethan flipped a file close. “But no evidence. No charges. Nothing to hold him on.” He got up and walked away, leaving Zoe to ponder.

Her instincts were wired. She opened the file and absorbed the man’s name and address. A smile curled up her lips. She’d found an avenue to expel the rotten feeling that was growing inside her. She went back to her office, already formulating a plan. She knew his address now—she’d just have to corner him at night with no witnesses around.

No. No. No.

She zapped out of her thoughts. There had to be another way. She didn’t believe in vigilante justice or being defined by her rage. There was one person who deserved her wrath—the Viper.

Once she’d exterminated the Viper, she’d redeem herself.

“Z. Z!” A familiar voice echoed in the distance like someone was trying to wake her up.

“Simon?” she said, bleary-eyed. “What are you doing here? This late?”

He closed the distance between them in long strides, his trench coat dripping with water, his hooked nose tinged red from the chilly night. “The FBI received another letter.” He pulled out an evidence bag from his pocket. “From the killer.”

A sharp static force gripped her as she read the words.

Ticktock goes the clock,

Jackie won’t hear it anymore.

No way forward, no way back,

She’s left behind, behind the door.

Last step taken, last stage set,

No reset, no second bet.

Final round, final scene,

Find her where the game turns clean.

TWENTY-FIVE

Knock.