Read Online Body Count by P.D. Martin - Free Book Online Page B

my head hits the pillow I see the redhead from my dream. But this time she’s screaming.

 
    The scream floods my ears. I slit her throat, silencing the bitch.
    I only kept this one for three days. She wasn’t worth any more than that. She seemed smart, strong, genuine and happy. But I was wrong. How could I have been so wrong? In the end she was a pain-inthe-ass, stuck-up bitch who wasn’t even worth getting to know.
    I can’t believe I had sex with her. The thought repulses me. I’m guilty of what I often complain about—rushing into things without getting to know the person.
    But I couldn’t have kept her. This way the timing is perfect. Fate has worked in my favor and I have to make an impact. I want to see fear creep into their lives as they start looking over their shoulders. No one’s untouchable.
    It’s time to get personal.

CHAPTER 05
    T he next morning I sit in the meeting room waiting for the last of the team to file in. Rivers closes the door and I notice Sam is absent. Sick?
    Rivers gets straight down to business, as usual. “Right, folks. Let’s get an update. We’ll make this a snappy one. We’ve all got work to do. Oh, and Wright won’t be joining us. There’s been another murder with the trademarks of the D.C. killer. The boys in blue called it in and she’s checking the murder scene firsthand.” He glances around the room. “Let’s start with James.”
    Half an hour later I’m in my office when the phone rings.
    â€œAgent Anderson speaking.”
    â€œSoph, it’s me. Sam. I think you better get up here.”
    â€œWhy? What’s up?”
    â€œHe was watching me last night.”
    â€œWho?” I ask, but even as I say the words I know.
    â€œThe killer. He left me a note at this crime scene.”
    â€œIt’s definitely the same perp?”
    â€œLooks that way. Unless we’ve got us a copycat. Multiple knife wounds in the slice-and-dice style, and the same body positioning with head turned, eyes open.”
    I look at my watch—nine-thirty. Hopefully the I-95 and 395 won’t be too busy. The trip to D.C. can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours or more, depending on traffic.
    â€œI’m on my way.” I scribble down directions before gathering my stuff together.
    When I pass Marco’s office he’s standing at his desk, putting things into his briefcase. I hesitate.
    â€œAnything wrong?” He comes into the corridor.
    â€œThe D.C. killer left Sam a note at his latest crime scene. It seems he’s been spying on her.”
    â€œDoes Rivers know?”
    â€œNo, we’ll brief him when we get back.”
    â€œHe’ll go ballistic.” He pauses. “I’m going to the D.C. Field Office in about ten minutes. Want a ride?”
    I look at my watch, hesitant. Sam sounded unsettled.
    Marco walks back to his desk. “Give me two minutes.”
    I smile. “Okay, you’re on.”
    Marco rifles through his desk, quickly gathering a few more files and putting them into his briefcase. Next he hovers over his computer and types a hurried e-mail.
    â€œDone,” he says, grabbing his briefcase and coat.
    We jump into his car and forty minutes later we’re pulling off Independence Avenue into East Potomac, a huge parkland area just south of D.C. West and East Potomac Parks, separated by D.C.’s Tidal Basin, andtaking up seven hundred and twenty acres of riverside land. I’ve been told on several occasions about the park’s famous spring cherry blossoms. But will I be able to come back, after what I’m about to see?
    I direct Marco toward the midwest point of the park, like Sam told me. Soon enough we’re greeted by flashing lights and several cars. The coroner’s black SUV is parked partly on the sidewalk and tilts to the side. There are two regular D.C. police squad cars and Flynn and Jones’s unmarked car, a