Page 22 of Seven Deadly Sins

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Liam wanted to punch something. The next clue simply said to take a lunch break at the food truck near the grocery store. How many senseless clues were left?

“I guess this guy believes we can’t think on an empty stomach.” Harper approached the window and ordered a grilled cheeseburger on Texas toast with fries and a diet soda. “It’s awfully nice of him to give us thirty minutes to eat.”

Liam ordered a mushroom burger meal. “It’ll be interesting to see how he’ll deliver the next clue.”

“I sent my father a text requesting patient records. He said there are quite a lot, but he’ll get them to me as soon as possible.” She sat at a round table with an umbrella.

“I’ll do that now.” He texted his father, although he couldn’t see how this could be the missing piece in why they’d been paired together.

Their food arrived. In the bag was an envelope with a note telling them their next clue was in Harrington and they would have thirty minutes from the time their lunch was over to get there. His shoulders sagged. Each time frame became more and more difficult. Before unwrapping his burger, he texted the agency and requested backup.

He jerked his attention to the road as a Harley roared by driven by a rider in all black. Could that be their guy? If so, they’d never catch him. Why the continuous taunting?

“That can’t be the only rider in black on a Harley in town,” Harper said, her thoughts mirroring his.

“I hope not because he just got away.”

The instant their time was up, they sped toward Harrington and the library. The librarian handed them a book with a bookmark saving a page. Liam flipped the book open.

“You just missed the man who asked me to give you that book,” she said. “Not two minutes ago.”

Liam heaved a sigh. The book was by one of the world’s most popular authors. “Isn’t there a movie playing at the theater based on this book?”

“Yes.” Harper’s eyes widened. “That’s where the next clue will be.”

“Oh, a scavenger hunt. How fun.” The librarian clapped her hands together.

“I don’t think you’d enjoy playing this one, ma’am.” Liam handed her back the book and marched back to the jeep. They only had five minutes this time. At this rate, they’d receive a clue they wouldn’t have time to get to. Maybe that was the point. They wouldn’t make it in time, would waste an entire day, and someone else would pay the price.

At the movie theater, they were given another clue. This one took them back to the Oakdale Police station. “There’s no way we can make it back there in fifteen minutes.” He shook his head.

“We’re meant to fail.” Harper raced for the jeep.

He followed close behind. Seconds later, they were speeding toward the police station. How would a clue get there? “Call ahead and see whether the note has been delivered. If not, then alert them to restrain the deliverer.”

Harper did as he instructed. “No clue yet. They’ll be on the lookout.” She turned to face him. “I can’t see the motorcycle dude leaving a clue at the station. That is way gutsy, even for a sadistic killer.”

“We’re just following the clues.” Doing what they were told like puppets.

They arrived at the station to no sign of an envelope being left at the reception desk. At a loss, they headed to the bull pen and sat at Harper’s desk. “Now what?”

As if they’d been listened to, both their phones buzzed. He glanced at the screen.Don’t expect this one to be easy. You’ll have to look for it.He met Harper’s confused gaze. “Okay.” He pushed to his feet. “We start looking.”

“Do you think it’ll be close by?”

“He did send us here.” He put his hand on the small of his back. It fit perfectly as if the curve of her waist into her bottom were made for that purpose.

They checked with everyone at the station, even those in handcuffs. No one had seen the man in black. Liam bit the inside of his cheek as he thought. If the clue hadn’t been given to anyone inside, it had to be waiting for them outside.

He led Harper outside where they searched the area around the building. “Let’s go around back.” He glanced at each vehicle in the lot searching for an envelope, card, anything.

“Do you think it was just a ploy to make us run in a big circle? To keep us out of the office?” Harper stepped around the corner of the building. “I’m not seeing anything.”

“Look everywhere. Something is here. This man doesn’t do anything for no reason.” Liam approached the dumpster behind the building. The hair on his arms stood on end.

Heart in his throat, he peered around the edge. A middle-aged woman wearing a white clinical coat lay propped against the dumpster, her hands bound in a praying gesture.