Page 131 of Seven Deadly Sins

“Wow.” She reread the last statement out loud. “What does someone say to someone so delusional? He’s a killer. No amount of justification changes that.”

What would his next move be? Would he target someone he perceived as lazy or someone who had an uncompleted task? Oakdale was sure to have plenty of both. Most people had the tendency to be lazy at one time or another. When this was all over, she planned on being very lazy for a few days.

She wanted to ask Liam to bring up the conversation he wanted to have with her. She wanted to invite him to spend a few days at the beach with her. Instead, she slipped her phone into her pocket and stifled a sigh.

Liam cast her a questioning look but didn’t say anything until they arrived at the station. “Without someone to do his dirty work for him, Robert will make a mistake. That’s when we’ll get him. He’s not a killer. He’s only the mind behind the crimes.”

“A very dangerous mind.” She shoved open her door. After getting out, she glanced at him over the hood of the jeep. “I don’t think we’re going to win this one.” Her heart sank.

“Yes, we will.” He rushed to her side and gathered her into a hug, resting his chin on the top of her head. “I’ve never failed before. I won’t now. Together, we got this.”

If only she could believe him. She’d worked so hard to become a detective. The first ever female detective in Oakdale. Her first big case involved a mad man who had no value for human life. A man with a grudge who wanted her to pay for something she didn’t do.

She stepped back and headed for the building. She couldn’t find comfort in Liam’s arms. Maybe that’s why they hadn’t caught Thompson. The distraction of each other could be interfering. She needed to move back and focus. If they survived this, then she’d examine her feelings for Liam.

She stopped on the top step and faced him. “We cannot be anything more than partners until this is over. Something,” she wagged her finger between them, “is distracting us. No more cozy nights on the sofa, no more hugs, no more…kisses. Got it?”

Hurt crossed his features. “The way we feel about each other isn’t what has kept us from getting Thompson. Not knowing where he’s hiding is what prevents us from locking him up.”

“I worked hard to reach this level of my career. I can’t let anything jeopardize that.”

“So, I’m an anything.” He gave a definitive nod. “Okay. We’re simply partners. I won’t move back to the motel, though. It’s too dangerous for you to be alone. Especially the closer we get to the last sin.” His gaze locked onto hers.

“I agree.” Not only for her safety, but for his. She opened the door and stepped into the building.

“The chief wants to see you,” the receptionist said. “He isn’t happy.”

What now? Harper’s shoulders slumped as she marched for his office.

“I want this psycho found.” The chief crossed his arms, his chair squeaking under him. “I want the two of you in the air looking for where he might be hiding. I seriously doubt Thompson dumped that woman’s body, which means he isn’t alone. He’s got help. There’s a lot of acreage around there dotted with cabins and farms. He’s on one of them, I guarantee it. Find him. A copter is waiting.”

“Now?” Harper tilted her head. They’d only have a few hours of daylight.

“Yes, now. Every day until he’s found. Now, go.” He waved a hand in dismissal.

With a quick glance at Liam, she marched from the chief’s office. Being a small precinct, they didn’t have a private helicopter. This was going to be expensive. “We’ll have to go to the airport. That’s almost an hour away.”

“Orders are orders.” Liam didn’t open her door for her as he usually did, instead heading straight for the driver’s seat. “It’s going to make for long days traveling back and forth.” He looked like he wanted to say something else, but sighed and turned the key in the ignition. “Should we head to your place and pack a bag? We could stay in a motel near the airport for a night or two.”

She nodded. “That would save time.” Despite it being her idea, she hated the detachment between them. Still, it would be for the best. Rather than try and figure out whether the two of them had a future, she could focus one hundred percent on stopping Robert Thompson.

DEADLY SLOTH

Cynthia Hickey

Chapter One

One minute Robertcould care less about where his quest was going, the next nervous energy filled him, propelling him outside to patrol the grounds and get in the way of his workers. Without Lucy, he had no one willing to leave the safety of the compound to mesh out punishment on whomever he chose.

He cursed and threw his glass at the wall. Donald had dumped Lucy; he’d have to do something else for the cause. Just as soon as Robert found his next victim. Sloth didn’t just mean laziness. It also stood for someone not finishing a task. That could not be him! He would bring this entire thing to a satisfying end.

Decision made, he marched outside to find Donald, shoving on the branch-covered netting that helped camouflage the buildings. Not only would he want him to bring the next person for law enforcement to try and save, but they had a desperate need for more people. Someone needed to be out there converting. If he sent Donald, then took the risk of going out himself in a disguise, they could manage. They’d have to.

He located Donald in the barn. “I have something else for you to do.”

The man shook his head. “What I did before was horrible.”

“I’m not asking you to kill anyone. Besides, you know the consequences of disobeying an order.” Robert narrowed his eyes. “We need converts. You know where to find them.” Every town had downtrodden people eager to find a place to belong. “Bring as many as you can. I’ll take care of finding the next person to use as an example.”

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