Snuff (32 page)
Authors: Melissa Simonson
ONE HUNDRED SEVEN
John was helping Lisette with a nasty ream of paperwork while she waited for uniforms to bring Paul Rison into the precinct, when
Barbie Girl
chimed.
She flung a stapled packet onto the one free corner of her desk. “You really need to change that.”
He agreed he could do with a ringtone switch and answered. “What are you still doing up?”
“My boss is a slave driver.”
“So I’ve heard.” He switched the phone to his other ear. “What’s up?”
“
I did as much as I could with your IP research, and I emailed my findings. I’m heading out right now.” The
ding
John recognized as the elevator outside his office lent credibility to her words. “I passed by your office. Your line’s been ringing over and over, so I answered.”
“And?”
“Shit.”
Shit
was an uncharacteristic word choice for someone of Stacy’s tender sensibilities. “What happened?”
“
Fuck
. Oh, nothing. I just broke a heel. An expensive heel, I might add. Is this a sign? Should I lose weight?”
“It’s a sign of shoddy workmanship.” He waved his hand to get Lisette’s attention
, and mimed a request to borrow the pen in her hand. “Who was on the line?”
“Some kid. Colin Banks.
Said he’s from Alabama, and that you’d remember him.”
Of course John remembered. It would take a lot longer than five months to wipe Colin and Cameron, abducted co-eds
, from his mind. The memory of Cameron’s decapitated twin Amy being eaten by pigs, he reckoned, wouldn’t ever go away.
A familiar, distant giggle niggled his brain.
He registered something poking his hand more than once, but ignored it. “Did he leave a message?”
“To call him back.” Another faint
ding
came from her end, followed by an odd clacking he could only assume was her walking with one heel.
“
It had to have been important for him to call nonstop without leaving a voicemail.” His fingers closed around the pen Lisette forced into his hand. “How did he sound? Upset? Happy? Crying?”
“A little nervy. What do you want from me?
We only talked for a second.”
“I want you to give me the number,” he heard himself snap. “
Now.” He took down the digits she rattled off, but he didn’t need Colin’s confirmation to know what had happened.
It never ends, does it?
that voice asked, though its exhilarated, breathy tone was a far cry from its wearisome words.
I suppose we’re off to Alabama to save a homecoming queen yet again?
___________________________________________________________________________
Other BHB books we recommend:
Crime Thriller
Hazard Pay, by Melissa Simonson
Chick-Lit
The Wishing Place, by Mindy Haig
Hearts of Avon, by Scott J. Toney
The Young and the Reckless, by Melissa Simonson
Horror
Doubles, by Melissa Simonson
Fantasy
The Ark of Humanity, by Scott J. Toney
Eden Legacy, by Scott J. Toney
Horker’s Law, by Mike Lee
The Beholder, by Ivan Amberlake
Sci-Fi
Fey, by Mike Lee
StarFire, by Mike Lee
Dark Paranormal
Limerence, by Claire C Riley
Visit Breakwater Harbor Books for these and other great titles!