Page 33 of Dead Man's Wish
“That was the office,” Bishop interrupted. Standing in front of the group, his face had fallen even more and the vein at his temple throbbed. His hand worked over the scruff on his jaw. “Someone called in a body. The medical examiner’s aware of the wound pattern and he determined the injuries are consistent with our case. Estimated time of death was two days ago.”
“Two days?” I exclaimed, realizing then pieces were starting to fall into place. “The birds are a message then. Did they say who called it in?”
“I was told it was an anonymous tip, but the voice was feminine and didn’t match our profile.” Bishop looked at his team, silently communicating what I’d said earlier.
“Then it’s settled. Another body and a message—let’s draw him out.”
Fourteen
August 11, 2025
Bexley Wells
“I don’t like this.”Jaiden reached over the center console and moved my hair over the plastic earpiece.
“Noah gave you unofficial permission to beat the shit out of anyone who tries to hurt me if you beat his team to them.” He laughed at that, scanning the area. It was the reason Bishop made him stay in the car, too.
“What a small consolation for the possible endangerment of the love of my life.” That playful smile turned to a silent plea for my safety. Glassy eyes looked me over, his hand moving to cup my face. “This is a risky game you’re playing, love.”
I scanned the area, too, noting Bishop in position with Andy and Katherine playing their roles.
“Everyone’s in place. We’ll be okay.” I covered his hand with mine. The warmth seeped into my cheek. Giving in to the fear that it’d take a turn for the worst, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the spark his touch caused.
“You don’t find the cemetery to be a bad omen?”
Haven Cemetery, where Brent was buried, had been the final decision for the operation. Gloomy on a normal day, it felt particularly rotten and decrepit now. My focus shifted to the flowers in my lap.Stupid carnations.
“We know he’s been watching us.” The plastic crinkled in my hand. “He knows that I’m here and it should anger him—provoke him. He needs to be cut off.”
I reached for him, pulling his mouth close to mine. My thumb traced his bottom lip. Mouth parting on a sigh, he closed his eyes and I toyed with his piercing.
“Mine,” he whispered, tracing my nose with his.
I closed the distance between us, gripping his jaw as I slipped my tongue over his. He tasted sweet and tangy, like a piece of hard candy. Fisting my hair, he pulled my head back and pushed over the center. His left hand planted against the dash, and his ring clanked against the glass screen. He moved over me more as a groan built in his chest.
“Jaiden,” I whispered, bringing us back to the point of today.
“We’re finishing this when you get back.” He pecked another kiss before releasing me and settling back in his seat. Adjusting himself, he looked across the parking lot and into the field of gravestones. “You know where to go?”
“I could find it in my sleep.” I opened the door, stepping out onto the damp sand. My heels sank a fraction, but I kept moving. Looking back would give me a reason to call it off.
He’d never sacrifice me, but I couldn’t stand by any longer as women died senselessly.
“Alright, kid, if he’s watching then push him over the edge.” Bishop’s voice came through as I walked the pathway.
“You got it,” I whispered. Conveniently, Brent’s grave was in the middle of the row and gave the team an opportunity to cover me from all angles.
The cloud coverage made his grave, buried under a tree, even more obscured in shadows. It was nicer than what I would’ve chosen for him, but I wasn’t his mother. I couldn’t even fathom how she managed to give him a full service.
“I hate you, you know.” Said to no one, I hoped his fragile ghost lurked around in unrest to hear it. “I didn’t always, but it’s the only feeling I can muster for your sad, pathetic ass.” I threw the flowers down unceremoniously, petals tearing from the center and fluttering to the dirt. “I can’t say I ever liked you either. Your journals? I read them—I’vebeenreading them. There was always something about you that kept me at a respectable distance, and I can’t even enjoy being right because you were such a fucking disgusting pig!”
My voice echoed against the graves. I hadn’t intended to yell, but years of agony spilled from my heart. Surveying around me, I saw the stones continued to be unbothered by this random woman shouting.
“You’re fine.” Bishop’s voice was a bit of comfort.
“You know what school taught me? All these fancy degrees and time spent exploring the psychology of the human population? Sympathy. The smallest fucking shred, mind you.” Stupidity started to creep in, and I welcomed this bastard to hurry up and end this charade for me. “Determined to solely hate you, I learned that you never had a fucking chance. Nature versus nurture exists, but when they both happen to shit on you, there’s no hope. Molecularly, you were fucked. Emotionally, you were fucked. It’s not your mom’s fault either. A psychopath can’t return love.”
I steadied my breathing and blinked back tears. I’d never cry for Brent. I’d never cry in front of the killer either.
