Shadow of Perception (42 page)

“And the father?” Hudson asked.

“Michael Morrison, age forty-four. Interesting…he has a couple of Illinois certifications, one as a registered nurse, the other as a nurse anesthetist, which might explain his access to the drugs. Okay, last known address is 2650 Old Mill Road in Oregon, Illinois which is…oh my God, one hundred miles from Chicago. Hang tight, I’m going to pull up an aerial view of his property. Gotta love Big Brother sometimes, and…presto. I’m forwarding the link. But it looks like Morrison owns an old farmhouse and it has a large barn on the back of the property.”

“This
has
to be our guy,” Hudson said. “Rachel, can you call the local sheriff, explain the situation, and have him head out to Morrison’s with a few deputies. Give him my number, and send his to my cell phone. We’ll leave now and be there in ninety.”

“Got it,” she said. “One other thing I just found. Morrison had filed a civil suit against Cosmetic Solutions and Med Spa a few months after his daughter committed suicide.”

“What happened?” Eden asked.

“He lost.”

She looked to Hudson.
 

“If this is our guy, he definitely still got even,” he said. “Rachel, I’ll call you from the road.” After he disconnected the call, he stood, then rushed to foyer.

“I can’t go,” she blurted, even though she wanted to be there when they apprehended Michael Morrison. But she’d made a commitment. If the news story hadn’t involved a church shooting that would impact the city, she’d call Rodger back and tell him to let Tabitha do the story. Rodger was right about Tabitha, though. She’d done all right with the Tully story, but she
was
still green.

“Damn,” he muttered as he shrugged into his coat. “With all this, I…forgot. Sorry. I can wait for you and let the sheriff deal with Morrison.”

“No. You go.” She stood and moved toward the door. “You know what the inside of his barn looks like, and what to look for.”

“Yeah, but—”

“You’ve got to go. Now.”

He looked away. Rubbed his beard-stubbled jaw against his shoulder. “I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“I won’t be alone. David’s going to be here in…” She glanced at the clock. “In about ten minutes. I’ll be fine.”

Within a split second, he crowded her. “We still don’t know about this stalker.”

Heart beating fast from his nearness, from the intense possessiveness brightening his eyes, she drew in a deep breath, then said, “Remember what we discussed? Could be the killer said something about the stalker to try and divert us from him. We’ve had no evidence anyone’s been stalking me.”

“The phone calls and text—”

“Happened last month.”

He looked away again. “Maybe I don’t like the idea of you going on an assignment where there’s a guy with a gun randomly shooting people.”

“Please. I’ll be fine. It’s not like I’m going to go into the church.”

He rubbed his chin. “What if Lloyd goes with you?”

“Again. David’s on his way. I think I can manage to be by myself for the next ten minutes. But if makes you feel better, have him meet me at the church. Tell him to text me, and I’ll give him my location.”

“That’ll work.” He turned, then hesitated at the door. “I can stay until David gets here.”

“It’s a ninety minute drive to Morrison’s house. The sooner you leave…”

Nodding, he reached for the door knob.
 

Brutal brushed past her, tail wagging, and went straight to Hudson. When the dog pawed at Hudson’s leg, he picked him up and scratched his ear. “Watch your mommy for me,” he said, then set him back on the floor.

As Brutal made his way to the dog bed, she hesitated, then took a step. “You’ll call me, right? About Michael Morrison, I mean.”
 

“I knew what you meant,” he said on a deep sigh. “Even if I was hoping for something else.”

Meeting his gaze, she caught the longing, the regret in his eyes. She looked away. Between her upcoming move and his lack of trust, as much as she loved him, ending things between them now would save them both from a lot of future battles and heartache.

Still, a part of her didn’t want to see him go. They’d been joined at the hip for a week. She’d come to rely on him, his strength, the way he could make her smile during the worst situations. The way he made her body hum, and her soul come alive…

“Hud, I…” She took another step. “Be careful.”
 

In two strides, he crowded her again. Cupping her face, he smashed his lips against hers.
 

Although she couldn’t resist kissing him back, torn between wanting to cling to him and wanting to shove him away, she fisted her hands. He’d hurt her. While she couldn’t deny loving him, that hurt remained buried in her heart and mind.

When he pulled away, he swept his thumb along her bottom lip. “We have some serious talking to do.”

“I don’t know if there’s anything else to say.”

With a sigh he moved to the door, grabbed the knob, then looked over his shoulder. “You sure about that?”

She nodded, even though she wasn’t feeling sure about anything at the moment. Her relationship with Hudson was in shambles, they were potentially on the fringe of apprehending the killer, and she was about to report a terrible church shooting.
 

Shrugging, he opened the door. As the cold November wind swept into the foyer he said, “I love you, Eden.”
 

When the door snapped shut, she hugged herself and fought back the tears filling her eyes. She loved him, too. While she liked taking risks, in order to keep her heart intact, and her life under control, she’d still leave him. At this point, she didn’t see any other option.

Chapter 23

Pudge rushed into the WBDJ studios, turned down the hall, then hurried into the busy newsroom. Normally quiet on a Sunday morning, the newsroom exuded an unusual amount of commotion. Smack in the middle of all the chaos stood the station manager, Rodger Jeffries. The one man Pudge couldn’t seem to impress.
 

No matter how hard Pudge had tried, Rodger had been nothing but negative. Even when co-workers, like Kyle, had given Pudge high recommendations, Rodger always had a bullshit reason to give assignments or edgy breaking news stories to someone else.

Not today.

no no todays our day today we show him we show them all

When Kyle had called this morning, Pudge jumped at the chance to be part of the news team Rodger planned to send to Saint Mark’s. While Pudge could care less about the victims or the church’s parishioners, having the opportunity to work a story that would make national headlines only made Pudge hungrier. The carrot had been dangled in front of them too many times, only to be snatched away. This time, they’d chomp on that carrot, and if need be, even the hand dangling it. Pudge would not take no for an answer.

As Pudge moved toward Rodger, Kyle stepped in the way. “I don’t have time, Kyle,” Pudge said, maintaining focus on the station manager.

Kyle took Pudge by the elbow and maneuvered them toward the exit and into a quiet hallway.
 

“What the hell, Kyle. I told you I don’t—”
 

“Stop,” Kyle said. “Listen to me. Rodger’s already given the story away.” He glanced around, then massaged Pudge’s upper arm. “I’m sorry, honey. I tried to talk him into using you, but he wouldn’t budge. You know this story is going to make national news. He needs to have someone with more experience. I have faith in you, and I really tried…I know you’re disappointed. Maybe we can meet later, and I can make it up to you.”

liar liar hes using us using he didnt try he doesnt care he wants sex sex sex

Disappointment didn’t come close to describing Pudge’s emotions. Hate worked. Right now, Pudge hated Rodger for not giving them a chance. But Pudge hated Kyle even more. The man was a user. He’d given them hope too many times. Had tried to convince them that he would take them places. Pudge realized that the only place Kyle would take them to was a cheap hotel. He’d fuck, demand a blow job, all with promises of a bright career. They had no career here at WBDJ. Not until Rodger took notice of their talent. Not until they removed a few people who stood in their way.
 

Pudge eyed Kyle, and decided ruining the man might prove beneficial. He’d never help them. While Pudge didn’t necessarily want his job, after his humiliating, demeaning treatment with nothing given in return, he deserved punishment.

kill kill him kill him

Death would be too easy for a man like Kyle. The bastard wouldn’t be let off that simple. Besides, for now, he was their link to Rodger. Pudge would wait, and when the time was right, Kyle would pay dearly.
 

“Maybe I can go as a backup,” Pudge suggested. Whoever was working the story might have an accident that would render them unconscious or too hurt to report.

yes yes slip on the ice slip break a limb break a neck

Hiding a smile, Pudge asked, “Who’s Rodger sending?”

“Ryan Anders and…Eden,” he said with disgust, and narrowed his eyes. “Apparently a Network contract isn’t enough. Greedy bitch wants all the glory and attention. She isn’t supposed to do any more reporting for the station, but you
know
she saw national headlines the moment she heard about the shooting.”

enough enough of eden risk you promised you promised to get rid of her do it do it now now before she steals your job do it now

In an effort to conceal the hatred and rage from Kyle, Pudge looked away. “Who’s working the cameras?”

“David and that intern…I can’t remember his name. They’re leaving in a few, if they haven’t already, to pick up Eden, then head to the church.”

“Kyle,” one of the assistant producers said as he leaned out the newsroom door. “You’re on in one minute.”

 
When the door closed, and they were alone in the hallway, Kyle gave Pudge’s arm a squeeze. “I’ve got to go. Will you meet me later?”

no no tell him no

“I’m really upset about all of this. Call me, but I can’t make any promises,” Pudge said, and forced a smile.

Kyle looked around, then leaned in and licked Pudge’s earlobe. “I can promise to fuck you until you come, then I promise to fuck you some more after that.” He pinched Pudge’s nipple, then with a smug grin, turned and headed into the newsroom.

As soon as the door shut, Pudge ran down the hallway, out of the building, and into the parking lot. Pudge reached Mama’s 1985, rusted out, piece of shit Buick Skyhawk, opened the trunk, then grabbed the backpack.
 

precious what are you doing

Pudge opened the backpack, checked its contents, then slammed the trunk. “What I should have done a long time ago.”

no precious no not now not now wait wait

With a half-laugh, Pudge ran across the parking lot to the garage where the WBDJ news vans were stored. “What happened to ‘kill kill kill’?” Pudge asked. “You’ve been the one telling me kill every person that screws with us. Did you suddenly grow a conscience?”

love love you worried so worried youll get caught this time we need to plan first

Pudge slowed near the garage entrance. “Hush,” Pudge hissed, peered around the corner and watched as David loaded the van. Ryan Anders and the intern approached with additional equipment, and Pudge knew it was now or never.
 

“Hey,” Pudge shouted, and clutched the backpack. “Glad I caught you guys. Rodger told me to tag along in case you need an extra hand with the equipment.”

David smiled. “Awesome, love to have you on board. Climb on in, we’re ready to go.”

Pudge nodded, entered through the back passenger door, and took a seat next to the intern. Knowing the garage contained security cameras, Pudge waited to make a move. Other than vacant cars, the parking lot, though out in the open, would work to Pudge’s advantage.

David started the van. The horrible twang of some shitty country song blared from the speakers as he pulled out of the garage, and slowly wound the van through the parking lot.
 

Pudge opened the backpack. With one hand, carefully searched, then gripped the handle of the scalpel. With the other hand, Pudge grabbed the Taser gun.
 

Adrenaline pumping, pulse rate quickening, Pudge nudged the intern. “Want a mint?”

“Sure,” he said, turned his head, and opened his hand.

Pudge slammed the scalpel into his throat, then sliced. Blood splashed over the intern’s hands as he wrapped them around his throat. Coughing, sputtering he jerked his body and kicked his legs. His foot made contact with the back of David’s seat.

Pudge caught David’s gaze in the rearview mirror. Saw his eyes widen as he slammed on the breaks. “What the hell?” he shouted over the music.

Ryan turned. Pudge aimed the Taser and fired. His body jerked and jumped, strained against the seatbelt. As volts of electricity wracked Ryan’s body, David shoved the van into PARK and leapt toward Pudge. The seatbelt held him back. As he quickly moved to unlatch the seatbelt, Pudge jumped forward and sliced the bloodied scalpel through the air.