Page 108 of Stalker

“Where are you?”

Cash’s voice had an echo. Or maybe the tinny sound was coming from thoughts rumbling through my mind. “What did you say?”

“Where are you?” Now his voice had a dark insistence.

“On my way home, Cash. Why? There’s no sense in coming into the office now. It’s almost seven.” Twilight had already settled in. I’d been caught in traffic coming home, which had left me in a foul mood. “Are you calling about the latest victim?”

He moaned. “Her death tosses some kinks into the case, but it could be a copycat. I don’t know at this point. That’s not why I’m calling, Cass.”

“You sound all serious. That’s not like you. Did you break up with that hot new guy of yours?” I laughed.

He didn’t.

“You haven’t heard.”

“Heard what?”

He exhaled. “I know you and David didn’t get along, but…”

“But what? The man threatened me just yesterday, for God’s sake. When I left the diner, he was right there telling me he was going to ruin my fucking career. He even had his hand around my throat. It’s a nightmare. I can’t really talk about it, but I believe he’ll do what he said. I don’t care what happens to that slimy piece of shit.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He thinks I had him fired. I didn’t. I had nothing to do with letting the cat out of the bag he’d been having an affair with his boss.”

“Not just his boss. With half the older women in town according to the papers. But I wouldn’t go around spouting off how much you hate him or wish him ill.”

“That fucking bastard. I could kill him! Forget ill will.” I was horrified. To think I’d… God. When was it that I’d slept with him last?

Or maybe I wasn’t. A rush of images nearly drove me off the road. They were bloody and violent, full of revenge.

“Someone else beat you to it.”

I was forced to do a hard brake to keep from careening into the car in front of me. “What did you say?”

“David Foster was found dead in his condo early this morning. The police aren’t providing any details, but the detective I’m working with on the Monahan case mentioned it was messy.”

Stunned, my mind immediately went into a fog. As horns started honking, I was forced to pull over. I was only a few blocks from my house, but I wasn’t certain I could make it without getting into an accident. “He’s dead?”

“Yeah. Did anyone see what happened between the two of you?”

“I don’t think so. I mean… wait. Do you actually think I killed him?”

Cash huffed. “Of course not, but the police might want to talk to you.”

“Why? I haven’t been with the man in over four months.”

“I’m just warning you. If anyone witnessed the two of you talking then there might be undue conclusions made.”

Warning me. If the police only knew the terrible things that had run through my mind after he’d made the accusation. I rubbed my neck, remembering the helpless feeling. At that moment, I’d thought about a dozen ways I’d wanted to kill him, including driving a knife through his eyeball. What if the fucker had already released the information? I’d be the prime suspect.

“If you hear anything from your detective friend that they want to talk to me, you will let me know. Right?”

“What did that man have on you?”

“Let’s just say something that would alter my future.” I fisted my hand around the steering wheel. This was a real nightmare. All I could think about was that Wilder had come to my rescue all over again.

“Okay, girl, but I don’t like what you’re telling me. I guess I should say I’m sorry,” he said with a half laugh.

---