Page 98 of Preying Heart
“But it’s cost the baby her life. Or maybe his life.” I wipe the tears bubbling from my eyes. “This little person is gone forever.”
“You couldn’t have known what Gavin would do. Do you still want to go through with this sting operation or shall we call it off? You warned Claudia already. If she’s smart, she’ll watch her back.”
“Stop.” I place my hand on her arm. “I’ve lost so much already. I can’t lose the only family I have left. Even though my mother let me down, she’s still the one who let me live inside of her for nine months. She gave me life.”
“I understand how you feel. There are some debts you can never repay.”
“I know.” I swipe my swollen eyes. “I’m sorry. I should let you go to sleep. Thanks for listening.”
“You should get some sleep, too.”
I grab the remote and turn on the TV. “I can’t sleep. It’ll be nightmares, and I’ll be more tired than staying up. Morning will be here sooner than later.”
“Okay, then I’ll stay up with you. I don’t want to leave you alone right now.” She raises a fist for a fist bump. “Friends?”
I manage to smile and bump her fist back. “The best.”
Gavin
I put my ear against Remi’s door and hear the television going. I slip the key inside the lock and turn it slowly, whistling under my breath to make the dog bark—if he’s inside.
There’s no barking, no growling, and no scratching at the door.
I open the door a crack and detect no movement on the other side—only the laugh track of an old sitcom.
The light is still on in the living room, and as I slide inside, I’m smiling at my good luck. Remi and the scruffy woman are leaning against each other, asleep on the sectional couch.
My lips curl and my fingers itch to strangle her on the spot. She betrayed me by bringing this woman into the picture. She might have even told the rednecks about the hit and run accident I had planned for Claudia. Now I’ll have to go to Plan B.
It’s more complicated, but I have to stage this exactly right so I’m not implicated, which means no violence. She’s going to do everything willingly.
I come armed with three hypodermic needles filled with Rohypnol, a drug that allows the victim to walk and talk without remembering what they’re doing. I quickly inject both Remi and her female lover. Remi moans and turns her face away, staying asleep, but the brunette’s eyes pop open and she raises her fists.
Pathetic. I twist her arm behind her back and gag her with her own pink bandana while crushing her underneath me to wait for the drug to take effect.
Soon, she and Remi will be like obedient little zombies. The lowlife relaxes, and her eyes close. I hope I didn’t dose them too much to walk.
My eyes narrow and zoom in on a gaudy piece of jewelry around Remi’s neck—no doubt a gift from her two lovers—a black crystal surrounded by cubic zirconia. I thought she had good taste in jewelry. She always demanded the best from me.
I could easily strangle her with their tacky bauble, but I can’t leave evidence where I’ll be implicated. Instead, I lift it from her neck, swing it around and around, and smack it against her marble fireplace. It shatters to my great delight.
“Remi.” I shake her awake. “It’s time to go. We have to go get Slade.”
“It’s six already?” Her speech is slow. “Okay.”
“Your friend’s coming with us. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Yes, her name’s Lucy. Where’s Heath?”
“Waiting for you. As soon as we get Slade set up, you guys can be on your way.”
“Okay.” She prods Lucy. “Time to go. We’re going to do it.”
Lucy struggles to open her eyes. She seems light sensitive, so I grab a pair of sunglasses from Remi’s countertop and put them over her eyes. I also wrap both of them in hooded jackets so they won’t be as recognizable.
Since I’m wearing my trucker disguise—ripped jeans, plaid backwoods shirt, and a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, the security cameras will show three rednecks leaving the building for a late night at a honky-tonk joint.
I put my arms around Remi and Lucy, one on each side of me, and like wobbly baby lambs, they allow me to lead them to their demise. We’re headed for the Farm where the discards of society are provided food and shelter, as well as any “entertainment” needed to keep them docile and cooperative.
