Page 34 of The Last To Know (Hallowed Halls Series #2)

H e stormed from the house because he needed fresh air to clear his head. She’d made him angry. He’d imagined their conversation going quite differently. They’d share stories of their lives. He’d laugh when she told a joke. They’d bond, and he’d welcome her into his family. Instead, she’d insulted him. Looked at him as if he were crazy.

He'd taken several steps before he stopped and drew in a handful of breaths. Turning toward the house, he sniffed the air like an animal. Had he made a mistake? Mentor had always been there to guide him to the right victim. What if he couldn’t do it alone?

“You don’t need him,” he growled and raked his hand through his hair. He’d give her another chance. Perhaps they’d just gotten off to a bad start. That happened sometimes when two strong personalities adjusted to each other.

A slow smile spread across his face. “Yes, that has to be it.” He didn’t need Mentor. He’d never needed Mentor.

◆◆◆

He’d been furious with her. In his eyes, the list of her transgressions was endless.

Last night’s sin was forgetting to bake the bread the way his mother prepared it. No, that wasn’t the truth. Snuggled in her quiet corner, she’d let her mind drift to happier days while her body healed. Soon, she’d lost track of time and rushed to prepare the evening meal, but there wasn’t enough time for the bread.

She could still see the monster as it emerged within him. More and more lately, the monster was in control. Soon, the man that she married would disappear forever, leaving only that evil presence in his place.

And then what?

Each time, after he beat her, he’d beg for her forgiveness, and she’d give it to him.

And the cycle continued on and on.

She carefully slipped from the bed and looked at him. He’d fallen asleep, clutching her tight against his chest as if fearing she might escape.

Did she dare follow through with her plan? She prayed for guidance. What she considered went against everything her parents taught her. Would they forgive her? Would God?

The only answer was his steady breathing and the reassurance that time was slipping away . . . and her mind was made up.

There was no stopping now. No turning back. The deed was done. The note sent. Soon, the world would know their dirty secrets. A light had illuminated the darkness. The monster that lived within its recesses couldn’t survive the warmth of the light. Once it was over, the world would see the terror she’d survived. They’d understand. They had to.

But would her family? Would God? She’d prayed. Her knees were as bloody as her body was bruised. She’d done everything possible to gain God’s forgiveness. It was now up to Him.

She’d been strong. She’d outsmarted him. He’d thought her simple, but she’d gotten the better of him.

The knife shook in her hand as she raised it to her neck. She’d waited until he slept to play out the final scene. For a moment, as she considered the consequences, her courage stumbled, but only for the length of time it took to say a tiny prayer and slice the knife across her throat in one swift movement.

A final smile touched her lips. She’d won. God had answered her prayers after all. The monster had met his match.

◆◆◆

A scream erupting from the woman at his side sent shivers down his spine and tore Cooper from troubled thoughts.

He reached for her. Her terrified eyes shifted his way as she fought him.

“Hannah, it’s okay. It’s me—Cooper.”

Zeke jerked the SUV over onto the shoulder. He turned in his seat with the same fear in his eyes. “Hannah, what is it? What’s wrong?”

Hannah struggled to speak while her eyes shimmered with tears. Her breathing frantic.

“I’m okay,” Hannah finally managed to get words out. “I’m okay.”

Cooper stared into the face of terror and didn’t believe her. He couldn’t get what she and Doctor Hoffman had told him out of his head. The documentation he’d read recounted various case studies indicating that heart recipients sometimes retained certain memories from their donors. Was it possible Brenda Noland, Luis’s murdered wife, was reaching out to Hannah in the only way possible to convict her husband? The very thought settled uncomfortably around him.

Hannah covered her face with her hands, struggling for calm. “It was awful. It didn’t feel like a dream. Her terror and her desperation were palpable. It was almost as if she were trying to tell me something important.”

“It’s going to be alright,” Zeke said, clearly concerned for his sister. “I’m not going to let that guy close to you.”

She slowly smiled and leaned forward to squeeze his shoulder. “You’ve always had my back.” She looked around at the gathering shadows of late afternoon. “Where are we?”

“Almost to the house in Sugar Grove. Just a few more miles. ”

Hannah glanced behind them at the police cruiser traveling with them. The driver had pulled over, waiting for them.

Detective Jordan got out to update his people.

“Any news from Jack?” The house near Rochester would be closer. They should know something by now.

Cooper shook his head. “Nothing so far, but they’re still searching.”

“I sure hope we find her in time.”

He squeezed her arm. “Me too.”

Detective Jordan returned, and they continued on their way. Cooper watched the woods on either side of the road with a sense of unease.

“Looks like our backup is here.” The local PD met them near the house. Zeke brought the SUV to a halt behind one of the two police vehicles.

Everyone got out and went over.

“Any sign of movement?” Cooper asked the police officer in charge.

“Nothing as far as we’ve noticed. We’ve been here for a while.”

The gathering darkness would help them keep their approach secret unless the killer had cameras set up around the property like he had at Cooper’s old homeplace.

“Let’s go.” Cooper resisted the urge to warn Hannah to stay close. He didn’t want to lose her to his father’s brother—the new Embalmer. Or to Luis Noland, the man who killed his wife, Brenda. The woman whose heart Hannah possessed.

Approaching through the woods would provide the most coverage.

According to Zeke’s map, the house lay another quarter mile into the woods. The property owner, Stanford Ewing, had very little known about him. His online record claimed he was a banker out of Pittsburgh. He’d bought the property a few years back.

Cooper stopped to gather his bearings. “It’ s certainly isolated enough.”

They covered the rest of the space to the house that appeared to be in the same shape as in the photos from years earlier—dilapidated and neglected.

Zeke told them the property had been vacant for decades.

As they neared the house not a single light appeared inside. Trees and overgrown weeds had taken over the yard.

Tension tightened Cooper’s shoulder blades. He didn’t like it.

“Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here in a while,” Jordan said.

“No, it doesn’t, but we can’t afford to overlook anything at this point. Siegler’s life is on the line,” Cooper said.

“We split up. Alex and I will take the back.” Zeke assigned officers to go with each team.

“Ready?” he asked Hannah once Zeke’s team got into position.

Maybe it was the remnants of the dream still, but he’d never seen Hannah appear so uncertain before.

She did her best to assure him.

Cooper led the way to the front of the dilapidated porch with rotted spots everywhere. He searched around for any sign of cameras. Nothing. Were they wrong?

He placed his hand on the door when he noticed it and froze. A trip wire was almost undetectable near the spot where he’d been about to place his foot. He pointed to it.

Everyone fell back. Cooper alerted Zeke.

“Same, here. I‘ve got some knowledge of explosives. Let me take a look.” Cooper stayed on the line with him. After a long, tense moment, Zeke told him he believed it wasn’t wired to explosives. “Looks like a trip wire to an alarm.”

“Which means he could be in there. He may know we’re here. Let’s breach now.”

“Copy you.”

Cooper opened the door carefully so as not to hit the wire. Darkness and a musky scent seemed to indicate the place hadn’t been lived in in years.

Zeke confirmed his team entered from the rear.

Cooper didn’t want to use any lights, but seeing more than a few inches in front of them was impossible. He clicked on his flashlight. The house looked worse in the light. Peeling wallpaper. Furniture covered in years of dust. Spots on the floor had rotted where the roof leaked.

Zeke had indicated there was a basement entrance though the kitchen. Cooper searched around for cameras. None. He didn’t understand.

Cooper led the way through to the kitchen. Scurrying sounds had him imagining all sorts of rodents.

A single door led to the basement. Cooper spotted the same type of trip wire and pointed it out.

The second he opened the door, the atmosphere changed drastically. The space appeared well lit. The familiar hum of a generator confirmed a source of power.

Cooper’s weapon was at the ready. Behind him, Hannah and the rest of the team followed his lead. He did his best to descend the stairs quietly. When they reached the bottom, the space was eerily familiar to the one where Ellison’s family had been preserved.

A living room had been decorated similarly—the only difference was it contained a kitchen.

A coffeepot held coffee. He touched the pot. Still warm. Someone had been here recently.

Cooper indicated the coffee as a warning.

As they advanced down the hall, doors on either side showed another difference. One stood open. A bedroom. The Embalmer lived here.

At the final door another trip wire. Cooper pulled in a breath before opening the door.

The door barely opened when someone charged toward them wielding a knife. Cooper didn’t have time to dodge before the man slashed his shoulder. The force of the attack dropped Cooper to his knees.

Someone fired. Cooper’s attacker fell beside him.

Hannah rushed over and knelt beside Cooper and examined the wound. “It’s not so bad.” A trickle of blood spread across his shirt sleeve.

Cooper struggled to his feet. He and Hannah went over to where the man lay. He’d been shot through the upper torso.

Zeke examined the wound. “He’s in bad shape.” One of the local police called for medical assistance.

While Zeke did his best to keep the man alive, Cooper looked around at their surroundings and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Several “rooms” had been set up. Inside each was a different woman. He recognized Tiffany and Veronica. Above the embalmed women were other names. The names of Pete’s sisters.

“She’s not displayed. Siegler’s here somewhere.” He ran down the hallway and noticed there were two vacant spots. One for Siegler and one for the final sister.

Cooper reached a door and opened it. Jordan and Hannah along with a bunch of officers went with him.

Another hallway. A window was on the left side. It reflected a room. Kate Siegler was slumped over in a chair where she’d been restrained.

“Kate!” Jordan quickly opened the door and rushed to Siegler’s side. He felt for a pulse. “She’s still alive.” Jordan removed her restraints. “Kate. Wake up.”

“Needle marks on her neck. He’s drugged her. Where’s our ambo?” Hannah called out.

“Two minutes out.” One of the officers confirmed. Soon, several EMTs entered the room. Pete was stabilized for transport to the hospital. Siegler regained consciousness and tried to refuse medical treatment, but her partner insisted she was going to the hospital, and Jordan went with her.

Cooper and the rest of the team stepped out to let ERT work.

“You should let the EMTs take a look at your shoulder,” Hannah urged as she followed him outside .

“It’s superficial. There’s a first-aid kit in the car.”

As they headed through the woods, Cooper couldn’t believe what they’d discovered. Pete Albertson was a sick person. His troubled childhood had led him to want to replace his family with a new one of his choosing.

He had a feeling the more they dug into this brother, the more terrifying his personality would become.

Someone stepped from the shadows. Cooper thought it was one of their people until Hannah was struck by the branch the man wielded. Her weapon went flying from her hand. Before he could get his weapon out of the holster, the man lunged for him with a knife, plunging it into his chest. The force sent him flying backwards. He barely registered Hannah screaming his name. As he fell forward more blows came. His last thought was for Hannah. He’d promised to protect her. He’d failed.