Page 12 of The Road Less Traveled By

“Do you think it’s still Ralph, or could it be someone new? He didn't sign the note he left like he used to.”

“The timing of it all is too coincidental. It’s him,” I tell her.

“And if you remember our boy here, rule number nine is that coincidences don't exist.” Nico pokes fun at my rules for the umpteenth time. “So, tell me about this guy. I’ll put some feelers out for him, but I need to know more.”

“Bree, you don't have to be here for this,” I tell her as we move into my makeshift office, my files spread out all over the room.

“No secrets, remember?”

I nod at her, but I still feel this urge to protect her from seeing all this despite her having tolivethrough it every single day.

“Ralph Nash is a thirty-five-year-old male, approximately five foot eight, with no living family members. Physically, he’s fit enough to be able to lift a person, but he grew a bit of a stomach while he was in prison.”

Bree shudders next to me, but I continue. “He’s socially awkward since he doesn't contact face to face, and he manipulates his victims through the notes he sends. He likes to be in control and isn’t a compulsiveperson.” This fucker plays the waiting game a bit too well. The only reason he got to Bree before was because his patience was wearing thin and the police were almost onto him, which made him act more quickly than he would’ve liked.

“I believe he latched onto Bree because of her looks and personality.”

“How so?” Bree asks, a note of false confidence in her voice.

“I dug up some files that were previously sealed,” Nico says as he pulls out his tablet.

“How did you get access to them if they were sealed?” Bree asks.

“Princess, don't ask questions you already know the answer to. I hope Vinny here has told youjusthow good I am at my job. I get results, and sometimes the ways I do it aren't so…”

“Legal?” Bree questions, a slight smile on her face.

“I knew I liked you.” Nico smirks before continuing. “As I was saying, his ex-girlfriend has the same hair type, color, and build as Bree. They could almost pass for twins. According to a police report I found, she went missing a year before the notes started. Police had Ralph as the main suspect, but no charges were ever filed. She’s technically still a missing person.”

“That plus his obsessive personality would make sense. He lost one obsession only to latch onto another,” I say, all the pieces starting to fall into place. “He prefers knives over—”

Bree shakes her head. “No, he doesn't. He has a gun. It’s a silver revolver. I think it holds six or seven rounds.”

What?“And you’re sure of this?”

“Well, when it’s pointed at your face on the worst night of your life, you tend to remember little things like that. I’m sure, Vince.”

Christ. I feel like an asshole for some reason. She never told me about that. Our eyes meet, and I can tell she’s trying not to slip back to that night.

“That’s all I’ve got.” Nico pauses as Bree and I continue to look at one another. “I’m going to go check on the guys.”

As he slips out of the room, I speak a few seconds after I’m sure we’re alone. “I didn't want to make you go back there. I’m sorry.”

“Vince, it’s fine. If it helps you catch him faster, then I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“You say you're comfortable with that, but I’m not. I don't want to cause you any more pain or stress while I’m here.” It pisses me off that I might’ve already. I’m supposed to be protecting her, not adding to her trauma.

“Vince, I can handle it.”

“I know you can, but it doesn't mean youhaveto.”

She only looks at me, her gaze flitting to my mouth and then back up to my eyes. For once, I can’t tell what she’s thinking. Her words say one thing, but her tense shoulders, tight jaw, and clenched fists say another.

She’s been working out since this morning, yet she’s still tense as fuck. “That’s all we’ve got for now. If any other notes get delivered, you’ll know about it.”

“I’m gonna go shower. I have a brand meeting this afternoon that I have to get ready for.”

“Sounds good.” After she walks out the door, I take all the anger I’m feeling out on the desk as I swipe everything onto the floor.

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