Page 109 of Stalker

“I’m not.” I shoved my fist into my mouth for a few seconds to keep from screaming. The ugly truth was that I was thrilled the man was dead. Did that make me a horrible person? “That was terrible of me.”

“If he tried to strangle you, then I agree with you.”

I closed my eyes, trying to remember if there’d actually been any good times shared with David since the very beginning. “Thanks. I don’t know what to say.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing important right now, Cash. I think I need some time to process this.” I needed time to talk to Wilder. I’d been certain I was being followed almost all day the day before. If Wilder had been watching me… no, if the dangerous man had been stalking me then he would have seen the entire confrontation.

And if history was continuing to repeat itself, that could mean Wilder had done what his mind had been trained to do after years of abuse.

Protect the innocent, in this case me.

“I get it, but you shouldn’t be alone right now. Do you want me to drop by later?”

“No! I mean honestly, I’m tired and I think I’m going to run a long hot bath and drink a bottle of wine.”

“Hmmm… All alone? Is that a good idea?”

“Tonight it’s a great idea. Has Mr. Monahan said anything to you about this mystery man he insists was killing the women?”

“He doesn’t know the guy’s identity. Drew insists he was contacted online. So he says. But so far, there’s no proof of that. I think you have enough on your plate right now, my friend. Go home. Get that glass of wine. But tomorrow you’re going to tell me all about your date with Wilder Blackwell and confess your sins. That’s an interesting twist as to the bachelor you claimed.”

“Ugh. Penny must have told you and I didn’t claim him.”

“Penny didn’t need to say a word. The two of you were photographed together at the auction. You being a big spender and all. You looked stunning, I might add. He wasn’t so bad himself.”

Shit. “It was an interesting night.”

“Interesting bad or interesting good? Or aren’t you going to tell me?”

“The jury is still out.”

“I know you’re working on the case involving the Blackwell brothers, but I still think they’re dangerous.”

“I don’t disagree with you, but everyone has some good in them. Right?”

I could tell Cash was about to burst into laughter. “Tell that to the women who were slaughtered at the hands of a man sworn to heal.”

I pulled into traffic, feeling the heavy beat of my pulse. “I’m almost home, Cash. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Good enough. But we are talking.” He laughed as he ended the call.

“Yeah. Yeah.”

I was able to find a parking spot close to the brownstone. As soon as I stepped onto the pavement, I swept the street with my eyes. I hadn’t seen any signs of being followed, but the uncanny feeling I’d had the day before returned.

I grabbed my briefcase and purse, scanning both sides of the sidewalk before walking up the stairs and slipping my key into the lock. Once inside, I locked the door behind me, leaning against it for a few seconds.

David was dead.

Jesus.

Had Wilder become my protector?

I left my things where they were, more interested in the glass of wine than starting on work. As I headed toward the kitchen, I kicked off my shoes and started ripping off my suit jacket. I barely managed to toss it over the back of a stool because all I had eyes for was the already opened bottle of wine.

The moment I stood in front of it, I tensed. I’d remembered there being a solid half a bottle left after I’d had two glasses. There was barely a glass left. Shit. Had I consumed that much the night before? It was entirely possible.

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