Page 25 of Resurrect Me

“Yes,” I type back. “They’ll be here awhile. I have to go to the hospital, apparently.”

“I’ll follow you there.”

“You don’t have to do that. You’ve done enough.”

“Tacy, the guy that kidnapped you yesterday was just a go-guy. A grunt, if you will. He works for someone else. Someone in a big position who wants to bring you in. Maybe even wants you dead.”

“It fucking figures. But why? And would you know that?”

“You’re poking around in places where monsters hide.”

The medication. Who found out I’ve been researching Duselizab? I didn’t tell anyone…except for Declan. That sleezy son of a bitch. He didn’t file a report, he snitched on me. To whoever is the higher up who wants to keep this fucking toxin on the market.

“How do you know all of this?”

He types then erases. Then starts typing again, as if he’s not sure what to tell me. Or how much to tell me.

Then finally…

“Because I’m in the middle of this shit storm and can’t get out of it. It’s not too late for you. But I’m in way over my head.”

I’m beyond confused. What is he talking about? Is this truly all connected…my stalker, my kidnapping, the medication at the hospital that’s killing my patients? Declan Harvey…the governor and my supposed friend? I’m beginning to feel like I need a couple cork boards, thumb tacks, and some red string to keep track of all of this.

“So…do you prefer the devil mask or the slasher mask?”

I smirk and answer with, “I’d prefer to see your face. Your real face.”

“Knowing me will only put you in more danger. I can’t have that. I would die before I’d put you in harm’s way.”

“You could’ve died rescuing me.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’ll reveal myself to you when the time is right.”

Chapter 15

Tacy

“I’m trying to understand how you made it home from Starkey’s house all the way out in Greensboro?” The detective asks as he hands me a cold coke in a can.

I’m sitting in the Sheriff’s office later that day, exhausted and in need of a hot shower. Since calling nine-one-one, I’ve had my house searched and taped off as a crime scene. I’ve been sent to the hospital for a medical examination and to report the injuries I incurred. While there, I managed to gain the attention of my floor manager and nursing supervisor, who not only questioned me about the kidnapping but also about my recent episodes of syncope. They extended my vacation by two weeks. And now I’m being grilled by the detective because, well, there’s a dead body in Greensboro and a woman who claims she was kidnapped then rescued by a masked assailant. The woman being me.

I take a sip of coke and clear my throat. “Well, Detective, the guy who saved me also hitched me a ride back to my house.”

“Yet you didn’t get a name or a description of this Avenger of yours?”

“That’s correct,” I reply. I’m tired of the third degree. I’ve already explained this at least ten times. Do they think I’m a suspect in Starkey’s murder now? I need to watch what I say…and get a lawyer.

“Did you happen to notice how tall the guy was? His build, maybe? Was he tall or short? Stocky or thin?”

“I’d say about six foot two. Stocky but muscular.” In fact, the guy didn’t have an ounce of fat on him, I don’t recall. A lot like Sol. Just my type.

“Okay. And what about his vehicle?”

“I mean, it was dark, but I think it was a gray Ford F150. Had a stripe down the side and a skull decal on the back window,” I lie. I mean, I didn’t lie about the make, model, and color, but I did lie about the decal. They don’t need to know everything. I don’t want him to get arrested. I want to see his face before that happens.

“Right, right,” the Detective sighs and leans forward in his roller seat. “I also found it interesting that you have a history with Orion Starkey…do you not?”

“Should we be in a mirrored room with cameras for all this questioning, Sir? Because I feel like I’m being interrogated. Need I remind you; I was kidnapped. Assaulted. And nearly killed. I’m the victim…not your suspect,” I say and cross my arms over my chest. “Maybe you should be looking into Mr. Starkey’s activity before he kidnapped me. And why he kidnapped me.”

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