Page 15 of Her Final Hours
No, he’d seen how that had played out last time and he was in no hurry to land himself back inside. No, this time would be different. He’d give her a chance to see the error of her ways. Of course, she’d have to dump the boyfriend. Apologize for the past, but nothing couldn’t be undone through a bit of groveling, and he intended to ensure she groveled.
He could barely hold in his excitement.
Ten agonizing minutes ticked by, each second amplifying Tommy’s anticipation. Finally, Maddie emerged from her home. She tossed a bag into the Lexus, and he got a good shot of her form.
Oh, you’ve gotten in shape. You are working hard for the new guy.
The thought of the two of them together only increased his hatred for the new boyfriend. He’d contemplated breaking in and waiting until they came home one night before unleashing his vengeance, but that wouldn’t have satisfied him.
No, it would be over before he could fully enjoy it. He’d been locked up inside, thinking about every scenario, and time had given him a chance to release some of that pent-up rage and made him more patient.
Patience. That’s what this needed.
He fired up the truck and veered out, blending seamlessly into the backdrop of traffic. He allowed a few vehicles to get between them, careful to remain undetected. He already knew what direction she would take, he could have gone ahead of her and waited, but there was something very primal about the pursuit, watching her drive through the streets, thinking she was safe, untouchable.
As Maddie arrived at High Peaks Park and Trails, Tommy eased the truck into a space near the entrance. He parked it discreetly. The wilderness whispered secrets of darkness, feeding Tommy’s sinister intentions as his eyes locked on her.Maddie exited her vehicle, glanced at her watch, and stretched her long legs before sticking earbuds into her ears and jogging off into the trails of the heavily forested area.
He would wait. Wait until she returned when she was tired of running, depleted of any energy to fight. It would be easier that way. Not that she put up much of a fight last time. As he sat there, his thoughts returned to that fateful night four years ago. She’d been pushing his buttons, slowly but surely crossing the line in their relationship. Of course, it wasn’t just her fault, it was her family. She’d learned it from Hugh. A man that acted like he owned the town. He’d let him take digs at him for years, and she had never once spoken up on his behalf. Looking back, he wondered if it was Hugh that he saw when he was beating her. He couldn’t recall much of that night. He was too high on methamphetamines. But from the little he remembered, Maddie had thrown him under the bus and told her father about his drug use. That was it. He snapped.
The rest was a blur of blue and red lights.
Commands were shouted at him before he was hustled into a cruiser and kept away from that lunatic brother of hers — Ray.
He’d thought about him too. It would be easy to walk up to his cruiser while he was doing paperwork and put a bullet in his head. No one would know he’d done it. He’d seen him on patrol, driving around all high and mighty, full of himself. What an egotistical prick.
Then there was Luke. Hearing about his death was like music to his ears. Finally, he’d gotten his due. Someone had stepped up to the plate and made his job more manageable. Had he still been alive, he would have taken him out, that’s for sure. He could still remember how Luke smacked his head against the wall and fired multiple jabs into his ribs. He’d broken two. Not that the cops cared to know that. They were used to covering up their transgressions.
Tommy smiled. One Sutherland down. Three more to go.
He eyed the trail’s opening, aware that her runs were always thirty minutes. No more, no less. She was a creature of habit. He glanced down at his phone, reviewing the articles about Luke’s case being solved. There was a snapshot of Noah Sutherland. He’d never really had many encounters with him. He’d met him several times, but his disdain for his father, that or his cowardice, had kept him away. Hearing he was back in the city didn’t exactly scare him. Sutherlands were all the same. Hiding behind badges and egos birthed out of years of kissing ass to the government.
It sickened him.
At least Maddie had been different when he met her. She was going through her rebellious years, her wild child era, trying to show Hugh he didn’t control her. She was easier to manipulate and bend back then. The things he’d taught her. The things she was willing to do. She was putty in his hands until she got it into her head to follow in the family footsteps and pursue a career in law.
Then the good times went out the window.
She became a stuck-up bitch that seemed out to prove herself.
Though to give her credit, she had found her way into becoming a high-priced lawyer, obtaining the dream home, the ruggedly handsome boyfriend, and a luxurious car. Tommy grinned as he pushed out of his truck and made his way over to the Lexus. His heart raced as he stealthily approached, glancing off to his right and left. There were a few vehicles belonging to others who had set off down the same trail to walk their dogs. He pulled out a knife, and the blade appeared with a wrist flick. He slashed her tires with a swift, calculated motion, leaving her stranded and cutting off her lifeline to escape.
They hissed, a steady deflation.
Satisfaction surged through his veins as he retreated, hiding among the trees, waiting for her return.
Time seemed to stretch as Tommy concealed himself among the towering trees. Finally, Maddie emerged from the forest, her breath heavy from the run. The sight of her tires abruptly tainted her exhilaration. Panic seized her, and she reached for her phone, hoping to call for help. Tommy watched her futile attempts with a twisted smile, revealing her desperation.
“They just don’t make phones like they used to,” he said.
Maddie whirled around at the sound of his voice. She took a step back, her eyes wide with terror. Tommy revealed his presence, holding up a cell phone jammer. Fear painted her face, her trembling hands unable to operate the useless device. She attempted to flee, darting one way, but Tommy swiftly closed the distance; he lunged forward, seizing her by the arm. His grip was tight, his touch a painful reminder of their tumultuous past.
“Oh, come now, Maddie. Not even a hello?” He forced her up against the car, his voice dripping with menace. He could see her unraveling. Gone was the strong woman that she wanted everyone to believe she was. He could see the weakness in her eyes. She lunged forward, trying to knee him in the nuts, but he anticipated the move. “No. No, you don’t get to do that. Just stop. I’m not going to hurt you. I could never hurt you, Maddie. Not like how you hurt me.” His tone was laced with bitterness.
“Let me go.”
“Once you stop fighting me.”
“How did you get out?”
