Page 130 of Watch Me Burn
“He’s dead because he threatened you.” I take a step toward her despite her obvious revulsion. “I’d do it again without hesitation.”
She stares at me, her eyes reflecting the porch light like those of a wild animal caught in headlights.
“Jesus Christ, who are you?”
“You know exactly who I am.” I move closer despite her flinch. “I’m the man who hunts and kills the lowest filth. I’m the one who makes you scream night after night. I’m the monster you invited into your bed, Luna.”
“I didn’t invite you, Damien.” Her chin lifts. “You forced your way in.”
I won’t insult her by arguing, won’t add another lie to the mountain I’ve already built.
Cade leaps out of the helicopter before the rotors stop, carrying a large tactical bag. He takes in the scene with a quick, professional assessment.
“I saw the sheriff’s lights as I was on approach. ETA twenty-five minutes at best.” He sets down his bag and pulls out a pair of latex gloves. “What happened exactly?”
I give him a quick rundown. He listens without interruption, his expression growing grimmer with each detail.
Cade glances at Luna, noting her blood-streaked appearance, the bruises on her face, and the way she’s holding herself apart from me.
“Dr. Foster. Are you injured other than those bruises?”
She swallows, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze.
“I’m fine.”
Her voice cracks on the last word.
“I need to check on Shadow.” She turns, but Shadow is right there beside her, still on full alert even though he’s injured.
“Wait.” Cade’s voice stops her retreat. “We need to figure out what happens when the sheriff gets here. This scene tells a very specific story.”
Luna’s gaze darts between us, understanding dawning in her eyes. Her chest rises and falls faster. “You want to cover this up?”
“I want to protect you.” I hold her gaze.
“From what? He attacked me. I defended myself—”
“You didn’t kill him. Damien did. And the forensics don’t support self-defense. Hunter’s injuries are too severe and too focused. Any competent investigator will see this as murder.”
Luna exhales, stepping back and twisting the edge of her bloody shirt between her fingers. She stares at Hunter’s still form, then at me, chest heaving. Finally, she meets Cade’s steady gaze.
“So what are you suggesting?”
He reaches into his bag and pulls out several evidence bags containing hair, clothing fibers, and what looks like dried blood. “We redirect the investigation. Make Hunter the perpetrator instead of the victim.”
“What are those?” Luna’s voice comes out strangled.
“Evidence from the other crime scenes. Daryl Rawlings, the Meyers couple, Raymond Davis, among others.”
“Where the fuck did you get those?”
“You don’t clean up as well as you think you do.”
Cade returns his attention to Luna. “We plant this in Hunter’s residence and make it look like he was the one killing them. Frame him as someone cleaning up loose ends by coming after you.”
Her eyes widen. “You want to frame a dead man for those murders?”
“It’s elegant. He had the motive. Ruined by your accusations, desperate to hurt you. In his twisted mind, killing abusers from your cases, dropping them on your doorstep, and setting it up to look like their deaths were tied to you was the perfect way to hurt you and your reputation before finishing the job personally.”
