Page 64 of In His Sights

What if there’s more to this? What if itisreal? What ifhe’sreal?

Those questions lingered through Thursday and into Friday, haunting my days, until I could think of little else. My coworkers commented on my distraction, but I didn’t enlighten them. There was only one way to alleviate my suspicions and ease my mind.

I didn’t dare do anything while I was at work. Too many eyes. By the time my shift had ended Friday evening, I knew I wasn’t going back to my apartment. Besides, I hadn’t been to my sanctum for a few days, and right then I needed to sit in his presence, to reaffirm my intent. Being in the house would be enough.

Being in that room would be even better.

Crossing the threshold restored a little of my calm. I made myself coffee and got on my laptop to Google Dan Porter.

I didn’t like what I found.

He didn’t appear to be a fake. He’d successfully helped the police catch a couple of murderers, he’d located a kidnapped girl, and he’d given vital information in a few other investigations.

My heartbeat raced. My thoughts were chaotic.

What if he helps them findme?

I knew they’d get to me eventually, but not yet, not while there was still so much left to do.

Sixteen more degenerates to remove from the world.

What little calm I’d regained fled me. I couldn’t think straight. I couldn’t breathe. And that meant going to the one place where I could collect my thoughts, focus… plan.

I picked up my phone, got up from my chair, walked out of the room and along the hallway to the door. I unlocked it, then stepped inside.

Sanctum.

I stared at the wall, at his sweet, innocent face. “What do I do now?”

There were only two options—stick with the plan or take a step back and wait.

The second option had its merits. I could let my copycat put them off the scent while I sat back and watched the trail go cold. I’d waited six months between victims, for God’s sake. I could wait a little longer.

Only… I didn’twantto wait.

Two men crossed off in less than ten days. Waiting a few months, although a wise option, felt like a backward step.

But what about Porter?There was always the possibility of exposure before I was able to finish my task.

I gazed at the wall, looking into his innocent eyes.For you. I’m doing this for you.

And like a thunderbolt, it hit me.

“I’m safe,” I whispered. “He can’t see me.” Because if he had, the police would have been knocking on my door by now. For some reason I couldn’t fathom, Dan Porter’s gift hadn’t revealed me. If it truly existed in the first place.

There would be no retreat.

No surrender.

No deviation from the plan.

Why should there be, when I was hidden from his sight?

I breathed easier, my gaze falling on the calendar belowhisphoto. I went over to it, turned the page, and traced a pristine surface with my fingertip. A death-free month as yet.

Well, not for much longer.

“It’s time for another slut to bite the dust.” The weekend was coming, and that meant opportunities. All I had to do was decide who was next to shuffle off this mortal coil. Who would be victim number seven.

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