Garden of Sorrow (Book 4 of Psychic Visions, a paranormal romantic suspense) (23 page)

He rapped loudly on the back door. Nothing. The pit in his stomach solidified. He knocked once again before calling out, "Hello? It's me, Kevin."

No answer. After pulling on gloves from his pocket, he tested the kitchen door. It opened easily. He pushed the door open wider. With his first step, the metallic smell filled his nostrils, and expectancy of the pain to come overwhelmed his soul. He knew he shouldn't enter. But he couldn't help himself. What if he'd been wrong? If there were the slightest chance that one of them was still alive, he had to help them. Several carefully placed steps led him into the kitchen and then to the small hallway. Kyle's room was empty.

And destroyed.

It was slow to come, but his police training kicked in, allowing him to peruse the room again. The killer had been pissed.

Kevin searched quickly, but there was no sign of the boy. Relief warred with hope and terror as he glanced down the hallway.

What was the chance Kyle hadn't been home last night? If he'd been the killer's target the man would be pissed to not find him. That would explain why the room was smashed. And why he'd gone after Mandy – why his victim hadn't been a child. The child hadn't been available.

He didn't want to walk in any further, but knew he needed to check on Mandy. All the wind escaped from his lungs as he looked on the battered and bloodied body of his friend.

"Christ!" More prayer than invective, his heart cried for her.

She hadn't died easily or quickly.

Kevin ran back outside for fresh air, his stomach heaving. He did finally regain control, but with it came a blinding red haze of fury. This was an insane act of revenge.

The killer had declared war.

Kevin wouldn't rest until the animal was put down – one way or another.

But first, where was Kyle?

***

Alexis checked her watch several times during the day while working at the main park. Kevin hadn't called with news. She'd expected a call.

But no such report came.

Alexis tried to phone Kevin at work on her lunch break, only to reach his voice mail. She didn't bother to leave a message. Neither did she attempt to contact him as she had in the middle of the night. The door to enter his mind was closed. She'd used her baby skills to check. And maybe she deserved that after blocking him yesterday.

Alexis lost herself in her gardens for the rest of the afternoon. She wallowed in the healing comfort of her plants. There were several people wandering around, enjoying the beautiful sunny day. Mothers sat on benches, watching as children scampered about happily.

Alexis watched one group arrive in a dark sedan. A warmly dressed mother-daughter pair exited. A tall suited male stayed by the car watching. The females had to have been boiling hot. The little pixie of a girl tugged on the collar of her coat trying to loosen it up. But her mother held such a tight grip to her hand, Alexis could see there'd be no loosening in any direction.

"We only have a few minutes to visit, honey, before we have to leave. This is just a quick good-bye stop."

"I know, Mommy. I wanted to see the pretty flowers once more before we leave."

The mother smiled lovingly down on the pretty girl. "Say good-bye then, so we can go." She turned, in a nervous manner, to peruse the open spaces surrounding the park and took a step closer to her daughter.

Alexis watched, trying to understand. Her heart was touched as the little girl bent to smell the flowers and caress the petals of a bright perky daisy. This was why Alexis did what she did – so the people could take the beauty and healing spirit of plants into their own hearts. The little girl looked slightly familiar, but Alexis couldn't place her.

"You do love those daisies, don't you, sweetheart?

The little girl nodded. "They're special."

Alexis's heart hitched.

The young woman smiled lovingly down at the blond cherub. "Absolutely. I'm sorry, it's time to go."

The child beamed up at her mother. "That's okay."

As the child turned to walk away, her profile shone clearly. Alexis gulped. In her heart she knew this was the kidnapped child from the van. The one she'd been hesitant to meet. She slumped to the grass, watching as the two strolled through the winding flagstone paths toward the man and the waiting car. The bond of love shone from them both.

And yet, their auras had a ragged edge and Alexis felt a tight, locked-in connection that could stifle. Hoping to help, Alexis swept over both auras of mother and child, pulling the pain and fear into her own space. Instantly the energy around the two lightened, the edges smoothing out and a slight glow began to weave joy around them. The mother's smile brightened a little and she stood more relaxed.

Alexis did a swift cleanup of her own aura dumping the negative energy before it could affect her.

Warmth slid through her as she watched the child she'd helped rescue last night leave with her mother. Both happier and more at peace with the world. This answered one question. Alexis now knew why she'd continue to do psychic work. She'd do what she could when she could…and maybe help save others…like this child.

Were the gardens the connection between the kids? Did they share the same love of the flowers? She didn't know how these psychos thought – perhaps he'd noticed this tenuous connection all his victims had to the flowers. Deep in thought, she tugged at the fingertips of her gloves, and pulled them off to reach for her cell phone. Damn. Hers was at home on the charger. She had to let Kevin know.

Scott was wielding a shovel on the far side of the park. Alexis wandered in his direction, hoping to use his cell phone.

"Hey there, beauty. How've ya been?" His booming voice reached out for her before she'd made it halfway there. She was helpless to stop the silly grin. Damn, she liked that man.

"I'm good. How's the local lothario?"

A cheeky grin beamed at her. "Oh no, I'm not answering that question."

"What's the matter? Did she break up with you?"

"I'm not talking." Burly arms crossed resolutely over his huge expansion of chest, accentuating his words. But it was his chin jutting defiantly in the air that caused her to break out laughing.

"I'm just teasing you, sweetie. Keep your lovely lady to yourself for a while. I can always go to the hospital and invite her out to tea."

He spun around quickly, his huge chocolate eyes bulging in alarm. "Ya wouldna…would you?"

"Maybe. Of course, if you let me use your cell phone right now, I might reconsider."

The item in question appeared lightning quick in her hand, causing another round of giggles.

She punched in the numbers and waited. "Detective Sutherland, please." Scott waggled his raised eyebrows at her. Alexis rolled her eyes and walked a few steps away.

"Alexis, I can't talk right now."

She rushed into speech. "Kevin, I just saw a mother and little girl here in the gardens. She looked like the little girl from the van. Could it be them?" Alexis listened to Kevin's confirmation of what she already knew. "She really loves the gardens. I think there has to be some connection."

"Thanks, I have to go." He hung up.

"Damn it all. Anyway." She glared at the silent phone in her hand.

"I don't think he's listening to you, darling," Scott teased, motioning to the dead phone clutched uselessly in her hand while she continued her one-sided conversation with empty air. "Or are you so good now that you no longer need any technology?"

If he only knew.

S
tefan seemed strangely preoccupied that evening. He didn't mention a reason, so she didn't ask, either. She kept an eye on him though, as they enjoyed the first few sips of Stefan's traditional tea. An odd look settled on his face. Alexis eyed him curiously.

"What is it? Did you come up with something?" She couldn't stop the dread from sneaking into her voice. "Stefan, what aren't you telling me?"

"Did you listen to the news?" Stefan's voice held a sadness to it.

Alexis looked at him sharply. "What news?" But inside, she already knew. It was just the details that had to be filled in. "Who died?"

Their eyes met and held. Stefan broke away to bow his head. "An ex-girlfriend of Kevin's. Her son wasn't home at the time. He'd had a sleepover at the neighbor's."

Alexis sank slowly down beside him. Oh no. Her stomach clenched and heaved. Dear God, what kind of monster was this?

"A thwarted one."

Alexis gulped several times, before whispering, "I suppose that makes as much sense as anything. Poor Kevin."

Stefan picked up his teacup and took a sip. "He found her."

Shards of agony pierced her heart. How terrible for him. Kevin must have gone through hell. That had to top the list of things she never wanted to experience. Finally, Alexis became aware of Stefan's careful scrutiny. She moved to break the silence. "Have you learned anything about the killer?"

"Some. I know I'm up against something unique. He's stronger, more cunning and has years of experience remaining undetected. I have one advantage, though. He's not used to being hunted on the other side."

"Good. At least that gives us something."

"We'll need much more than that."

At the same moment, they heard a car pull up out front.

"Kevin?" She raised an eyebrow at Stefan. He nodded.

They waited, listening for the approaching footsteps, then for the door to open.

"Good evening, you two." Kevin leaned against the archway to the solarium. Dark shadows sagged below his bloodshot eyes.

Alexis wanted to run over to hug him. Something held her back, but she couldn't explain what.

"I'm sorry." She eyed him carefully. A black mantle of depression had settled on his shoulders. There was a white-lipped, pinched fury lying just below the surface. She eyed him warily.

His head nodded in a sharp jerk. "Thanks. I gather Stefan told you?"

"A little." It was as if they were strangers exchanging polite banter. "What's happening now?"

"Everything!" Kevin's expression chilled. "We're doing everything we can, thank you."

"I know that. I didn't mean to imply that you weren't." She stopped before confessing, "I'm sorry, maybe I did, but only because I'm scared and worried." Alexis shrugged defensively. "People are dying. Always before, I've put my trust in the police to find a speedy solution." She looked between the two men, nervous, uncertain and ashamed of her feelings. "The thing is, this time I feel like I'm supposed to be part of the solution, and I feel like I'm failing everyone."

"No one knows about you or your abilities. There's no expectation that you'll––"

"Except me." She twisted her bracelet nervously. Her insecurities had no boundaries tonight.

Kevin clamped his large hand down hard on her fingers. Startled, she realized that her fingers were twisted and snarled in her bracelet. "Sorry, I'm not myself. I think it's time I went home. Maybe I can get some sleep tonight."

Before she could reach the front door, Kevin joined her. "I'll take you home."

"No, it's okay. You're tired. Besides, I'll be fine."

He turned her by the shoulders until she faced him. "Maybe, but I don't like the idea of you going home alone."

She couldn't resist. "Okay, but I don't want to leave my truck here. If you want, you can follow me home. Make sure I get there safe." Opening the door, Alexis walked to the truck.

"Fine," he said shortly.

As Alexis drove home, she worried about what to do with him when they arrived at her place.

Minutes later, she exited her truck, and waited while he parked beside her. On their way to her apartment door, she pointed out the hallway where the odd psychic incidents happened.

"This hallway looks a lot like the one I saw in the vision in the ditch. But I don't know, maybe there is a whole world of long dingy gray hallways."

He walked into the dark living room behind her, shutting the door with a resounding click. "I checked out past tenants. Nothing popped."

Alexis walked over to the lamp, wondering why there was no light. A dead click answered all her attempts. "The lights aren't working." She tried the wall lamp against the window. "Odd."

This time, she headed for the kitchen and flipped the wall switch. "Oh great. Like I need this."

"What?"

"A power outage." She slung her purse to the kitchen table. Damn, she wanted a hot bath.

"How can that be? The elevators worked and the hallway lights were on." Kevin moved carefully around the darkened apartment. "Was everything okay earlier?"

"Yes. I made dinner and had tea. There were no issues then."

Kevin unclipped his gun, surprising her. He motioned her to get behind him. Only she didn't understand, causing his motions to become more frantic.

"Kevin, what's the matter?" she whispered.

He held up his hand as if to keep her quiet.

"Surely this is a simple utility issue. Isn't it?" she whispered again.

Kevin never said a word, but he grabbed her arm with one hand and her purse with the other. She snatched up her cell phone still in the charger on her counter.

"Shhh," he whispered, tugging her to the front door, then shutting it quietly behind them. He lost no time hustling her straight back out to their vehicles.

"We're taking mine. Get in."

She scrambled into the front of Kevin's truck without protest. She sat quietly while he called the station. By the time he'd finished the conversation, a cruiser pulled up with two uniformed men inside.

Kevin waved to them and pulled out onto the road.

Alexis waited a moment. "What was that all about?"

"I didn't tell you before, but Mandy…" He choked up slightly, then continued, "Mandy, the woman who was murdered yesterday… When I arrived at her house, the house had no power, either. Yet, all the neighbors' houses were fine."

He shifted the truck one gear higher. He glanced over at her. "Alexis, there's a good chance he was coming after you tonight."

Alexis swallowed hard. Wouldn't she know if the killer hunted her? And if she didn't, what good were her psychic abilities? When she'd finally calmed enough to speak, what she said surprised them both. "Why didn't you search more thoroughly then?" she said indignantly. "We could have caught him."

Kevin looked over at her in astonishment. "It's the 'we' part that's a concern. I deemed it more important to get you out safely first. Those officers will check it out."

By the time she'd processed the concept of cops going into her apartment, they'd reached Kevin's house.

"I'll need to make some calls once I get you settled in." He followed her to the front door of his small, cozy house tucked behind an evergreen hedge.

Alexis barely noticed where they were. She was still reeling at the implications.

"Alex?" Kevin reached out and snagged her into a close hug. "Hey, it's going to be all right."

"How can you say that?" Nothing would ever be right again…until this asshole was caught.

"This is just a precaution," he reminded her. "Maybe I overreacted, but I'm not taking any chances. I saw firsthand what this asshole is capable of. You're not going to be his victim – ever." He squeezed her tight before stepping back. His voice grim, he promised, "I won't let that happen."

That made for a sobering shift back to reality. "I'm really sorry about Mandy." She watched sorrow deepen the lines of his face.

"Thanks… So am I. I'm also grateful the bastard didn't get his hands on Kyle. That's why I'm not taking any chances."

"Fine." She followed him into the hallway and stopped in her tracks. "Oh, wow!"

His house startled her. Huge floor pots held an overwhelming array of tropical plants in all sizes, textures and every shade of green. Every windowsill was laden with an assortment of cuttings and flowering houseplants. The pièce de résistance was ivy that crawled halfway across the living room ceiling, wandering down to a huge dining room. Waves of welcoming energy surrounded Alexis as she walked through the main floor.

"They're beautiful," she whispered reverently. Her smile broadened as the warm energy visibly strengthened in response to her appreciation.

"I thought you might like them. I hadn't realized you could communicate with them quite so effectively." He looked at the plants he'd lavished with so much care. "Unbelievable! They already look happier." He walked into his kitchen, checking out his plants in bemusement.

"You've done a wonderful job. I'm sure you know that already." Alexis trailed behind him, a little confused by his reaction. "I didn't mean to barge in on your territory. Plants just react whenever I'm around."

He spun around, surprise lighting his face. "I'm not upset with you. I'm in awe. I've never seen so much raw power in someone so unaware." He walked over to the fridge. "Do you want a beer?"

"No, thank you. I'm so tired that would finish me."

"Will you be able to sleep?"

Alexis could feel the intensity of his gaze, knowing he was gauging her on all levels. "Stop that!"

"Yup, definitely need sleep. Follow me." He led the way to the set of stairs they'd passed on their way into the kitchen. "Up here are the bedrooms." The top of the stairs opened into a cozy nook and several doors. He pushed open the closest one. "This is the one and only guest room."

Alexis walked into a simple but comfortable-looking room. She looked around. It seemed generic, almost had a hotel look to it.

"I don't get many visitors. At least not many who sleep in here."

She shot him a dry look. How was she to take that comment? But he'd already moved toward a second door. "There's even your own bathroom here. Do you need anything else?"

You.

No, she didn't dare. She was not going to be the one who opened that discussion. "I'll be fine, thank you."

"Great. We'll sort everything out in the morning. For now, you're safe." He walked back to the hallway. "Get a good night's sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

Then he was gone.

Alexis gazed at the empty doorway. She really was going to sleep alone tonight. She'd wondered, anticipated and worried over the night to come. Now, she felt inexplicably disappointed.

Without any nightclothes or toiletries, her evening ritual took mere seconds, allowing her to crawl into bed before her energy fled completely. She remembered to follow Stefan's evening preparations and dropped off into a deep sleep.

***

Downstairs, Kevin reached for a beer. It was going to be a long night. But he had to stay focused. If the bastard knew about Mandy, then locating Kevin's home was an easy next step.

Alexis hadn't seemed interested in spending the night in his arms, and he'd been looking for any sign of encouragement. But then he hadn't exactly shown any interest either. She'd have to make that next gesture herself.

But it was too early for her. Damn and double damn. She'd gotten that stupid idea in her head about him using some hidden advantage against her. He snorted. Yeah, right. All he'd had was overwhelming need. Every time he saw the damn woman, he was hungry for what they could have together. His constant state of arousal made it difficult to think clearly around her.

He'd tested the door to her mind once, but it had been firmly closed against him. For her safety, he needed it open. With her guard up against him like this, he couldn't even talk to her about it.

Once this was settled, then…

His watch beeped, reminding him of the time.

He quickly dialed his office. There'd been no word on Alexis's apartment yet. Kevin sat down for the long evening ahead.

It left plenty of time to think about Mandy, and what would never be again. Most of all, it left plenty of time to think about the bastard who'd destroyed her son's world. He took a drink of his beer and raised the bottle briefly in homage to Mandy. That this asshole had chosen an ex-girlfriend of Kevin's likely meant the killer was someone who knew Kevin, and possibly someone Kevin knew. Sure, a stranger could have asked around… Mandy's name could have come up in conversation. But in a town this size, it was just as likely that Kevin knew Mandy's killer. He'd seen her last at John's party. His stomach soured. Had someone seen them together?

Kevin closed his mind to the images that tumbled through his heart. Pain welled up. Kevin brutally slammed the images aside and took a hefty drink. The beer soured on its way down his throat. Kevin wouldn't let anyone else get hurt, especially not Alexis – if he could help it.

A scream ripped through his house.

***

Alexis, did you enjoy my sweet revenge? I thought you'd like to see what I can do. Shall I show you more?

No!
Alexis stood in the middle of a black tornado. She was lost in time and space. She had no idea how she'd arrived in this hellhole or how to leave it. Horrific images swirled around her. Faces appearing, then disappearing as others took their place. Other victims, other deaths. The force of the furor blinded her to all else.

No! Stop! No more victims, please. I beg you.

Her wail of agony ripped through the energy vortex, making her tormentor laugh with joy.
They aren't victims. They are my guests. For all of eternity.

Not all of them
. Surely not. He'd only killed Mandy for revenge – hadn't he? Was she now one of his guests?

Yes, all of them. I've enjoyed this little hobby of mine for decades. Since I was a young man actually. I was never caught. Never even a suspect in all those child murder cases. I took a break in there, but now I'm back…and your turn is coming.