Shadows from the Grave (7 page)

Back at work on Wednesday, Chase had been buried all morning in catch-up work. When his stomach growled, he looked at the clock on the wall and realized it was nearing lunchtime. Stretching, he stood and looked out at the street in front of the office. It was a blisteringly hot summer day, sunny and humid, and people weren’t lingering as they moved from their vehicles to whichever building was their destination. Even inside the renovated house that served as Chase’s office, the temperature was climbing, the central air struggling to keep up. With the brief he had been reviewing in hand, Chase left his office and went next door to speak to his paralegal, Gina. She was on the phone, so he knocked on the doorframe to get her attention. She held up a finger and finished up her conversation.

“Hey, boss. Did you look over the brief?” she asked after hanging up. She stood and came around her desk.

“Looks fine,” Chase said. “I made a couple of notes in the margins, but other than that, you’re good to go.” He walked with her to the reception area, where Nellia Wilson, the office assistant, was getting ready to leave for lunch. She handed him a stack of mail.

“Chase, there are several cards here. I didn’t open them, considering. I can if you’d like.”

Chase shook his head. “No, I’ll take care of it. You both go on to lunch.” Seeing Nellia’s scowl, Chase held up his hands. “I haven’t been in the office for a week now, and I’ve got lunch in the fridge.”

Nellia patted him on the arm as she passed. “Well, see that you eat it, then,” she said with a smile.

After Nellia and Gina had left, Chase headed back into his office with the mail. He dropped it on his desk after sorting out the cards, and then went into the small kitchen. Taking the leftovers he’d brought for lunch out of the refrigerator, he dumped the food in a bowl and put it in the microwave. While the food heated, he turned his attention to the cards. The first one was a condolence card from one of his clients. Chase set it aside and moved on to the next one, which was the same. The microwave beeped, and he stirred the food before sticking it back in for another minute. There were three more cards waiting for his attention, and Chase thumbed through them to see who the senders were. Two had return addresses, but one didn’t. It was thicker than the others, and when he saw the postmark, a small chill ran down his spine. The card had been sent from Lexington, Kentucky. The microwave beeped, and Chase jumped, startled. He laughed at himself but couldn’t quiet the voice in his head that shouted, “Danger.”

There was no logical reason for Chase’s unease, but nonetheless, he felt uncomfortable as he opened the envelope. Though he knew people in Lexington, he couldn’t imagine why any of them wouldn’t include a return address. When he saw the greeting on the card, he realized his fears hadn’t been unfounded. It was an ugly card, garish and red, its message of “Happy Anniversary” scrawled across the front in bold letters. Chase laid it down on the counter and picked up the envelope again to study the address on the front. Although it looked like handwriting, he thought it had probably been printed from a computer. Unsure if he wanted to continue, he picked up the card anyway and opened it. The interior was just as garish with the red theme continuing. There were two folded sheets of paper inside, and the card itself wasn’t signed. With dread, Chase unfolded the papers. As he read, he felt the universe around him slow down.

Dearest Chase, (I hope it’s okay that I call you that.)

I’ve thought of you often over the years, but I’ve never tried to make contact before. It just hasn’t been appropriate, and the fear of the unknown has always been enough for me in the past. From what I’ve seen, you’re starting to move on, and I just can’t have that. No, I think it’s time to remind you of a few things.

How many times over the years have you wondered about me? Who I am, where I came from, where I went? I haven’t wondered about you, my friend. You – you are an open book. Anyone with time on their hands, and I have time on my hands, can find out about Leroy’s beloved Chase Hudson. Ah, such a good boy you are. A boy scout, almost. Well, except for that little fight you had with Ethan Moore a while back. You shocked some people with that episode, Chase. Scared more than one. Surely you’ve heard the rumors – that you’ve got a problem with anger? That you’re unstable? Tsk, tsk, don’t frown. We can’t always be perfect.

I know I wasn’t perfect the night I met little Kiely. What a sweet piece she was. It started out innocently - well, no. Not innocently, if you get down to the bare bones. It started out quite sinfully, in fact. I met her in a bar, was picked up by her if you want the honest truth. She was edgy, had an attitude about her that was unmistakable. She was looking for trouble, and when she hit on me, she found it. When we left the bar, we took a drive in the country. As I drove and she drank, she told me all about her little problem – that would be you, Chase. The boyfriend who didn't seem to have time for her, the surprises she had in store for him, and how he'd one day be sorry. Oh, she was bitter. Have you ever learned the truth about what she was? I have. Maybe someday I’ll even tell you about it.

Anyhow, the further we drove that night, the less I liked her. By the time we finally reached the secluded spot she directed me to, I had made my mind up that she would be getting a little dose of reality along with everything else. (Now ask yourself, how did she know about that spot? Did she ever take you there? No? I didn’t think so.) I'd raped before, and had no qualms about doing it again to such a vile creature. The more I considered what I would do to her, the more aroused I became, but she didn't know that. She was certain of her charms, convinced the arousal was something she was responsible for. You know how she was. If only she'd known...

When it was over, there were no tears, no begging, no recriminations or shouts of protest. I had felt a high with her I'd never reached before. I'd never let things go that far before, and I told myself I hadn't planned it, but let's continue with our honesty - I am not convinced the final result wasn't my goal all along.

What happened that hot, muggy night, it changed me forever into something else. There was no going back, nor did I want to. I felt like I had finally achieved a goal I had been yearning for my entire life. The exhilaration, the power, the pure sexual release, it was a mind-blowing, life-changing experience. Nothing could come close. She was my first kill, you see, my first strangulation. It happened almost in a dream, surreal and stunning in its beauty. I felt the life leave her body and knew it was because of my actions. I was the only person in the world that night who controlled whether she lived or died, and the rush it gave me... There are no words to describe it.

Since that time ten years ago, I've traveled a lot of roads. I've seen a lot of people, done a lot of things I'm proud of, but I've never shared those prideful things, those other kills, with another soul who is still living. It was too big a risk in the past, you see. I couldn't take the chance of the information coming back to haunt me, and so I kept my secret close to my heart. Now, however, it's time to share that joy, to share the gift I've been given with those who understand the significance of the loss. It's getting boring, you see, and I want to up the ante. It's become so easy, so routine, and the challenge isn't there anymore. By pulling others into my web, the game becomes riskier, and the investment of my time is threatened in a way it hasn't been for many years.

I threw little Kiely away that night, but I never forgot her. They say you always remember your first... I’d love to go back and feel her body around me again, but alas, she’s gone now. Maybe I can find someone else, though. Someone else who has that spark. Your Annie, she has a spark. The world lights up when she laughs. I wonder what happens when she cries. Or maybe Beth, who’s already been through hell and back. I’d enjoy breaking someone that strong.

I’ll leave you here, Chase. Leave you wondering which of the women you love is going to be next, which of them I’m going to choose to help me celebrate our anniversary. It is ours, you know. I couldn’t have had it without you.

Your friend,

(Did you really think I’d sign my name? Maybe next time.)

A roaring wave sounded in Chase’s ears that blocked out everything around him. He laid the letter down on the counter, and a rush of adrenaline poured across his back, bringing a wave of greasy nausea.

Several months ago, Gordon had made him aware that the FBI was tracking a serial killer whom they suspected of having killed Kiely ten years ago. At the time, there had been no reason to suspect the man would turn his attention toward Chase and his family. If this letter was an authentic communication from the killer, though, it was a game-changer.

Chase stared at the letter, unsure of what to do next. He knew he needed to call Gordon, but a searing panic had grasped his heart. He needed to hear Annie’s voice, make sure she was okay. With shaking hands, he dialed her number. He had to remind himself to breathe as he waited for her to answer. When the phone rang straight through to voicemail, Chase’s anxiety went through the roof. He left a message for her to call him as soon as she could and disconnected. Trying the number again, he had the same result. With a curse, he ended the call and dialed Beth’s number. When she picked up on the second ring, he almost broke down with relief.

“Hey, big brother, what’s up?” she answered.

Chase struggled to keep his voice normal, not wanting to panic her. “Um, I just wanted to talk to you. What are you doing?”

Beth paused. “We’re out with Annie and Joely, doing some shopping. Ethan’s pretending like he isn’t enjoying it, but I think he is.” She hesitated. “Chase, are you okay? You sound funny.”

“I’m fine,” he said, closing his eyes with relief. “It’s just been a little hectic around here today, after having been out for a week. So you and Ethan are out and about, huh? Can I speak to him for a minute?”

“Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” she insisted.

“I can just hang up and call him directly,” Chase hedged. “Can you just trust me on this and enjoy the rest of your day? I’ll tell you later, Beth. I promise.”

He could practically hear Beth’s eyebrows clashing together in a frown. “Fine, but you had better explain yourself soon, Chase.” She passed the phone to Ethan.

“Hey, Chase. What’s going on? Well, Beth, you have to let me ask him.” Ethan asked. There was a sound like he had placed his hand over the phone, and then it cleared up. “I’m back. You okay?”

“Is she listening?” Chase asked.

Ethan paused. “No. Why?”

“Because I just got a letter from Kiely’s killer. He mentioned Beth and Annie by name. Don’t tell them right now. I don’t want to upset them, not after everything else that’s happened this week.”

“Hang on, Chase.” There was a pause, and then Ethan said, “Okay, I walked away a little further. Are you sure it’s from the killer?”

Chase gave a bitter laugh. “Oh, I’m pretty sure.” He told Ethan some of what the letter said. “I’m going to call Gordon as soon as we hang up.”

“Do you need me to come by?”

“No, just stay with Annie and my sisters. Make sure they’re safe, but don’t let them know what’s going on if you can.” Chase exhaled. “Ethan? I didn’t expect this.”

“I can’t imagine that you would have. There’s no reason for you to have. I’ll watch out for the ladies. You know we’re going to have to get together to talk about this, right? We’ve gone through so much, damn it. Now this? It’s too much.”

Chase could hear the anger in Ethan’s voice, and his own rage toward the killer ratcheted up a notch. “I know. I can’t do it tonight, though. Maybe tomorrow?”

“I’ll round up the troops on this end. Want to just meet at our house? We can have food ready,” Ethan suggested.

“Sounds good. I’ll see if I can get Gordon there, too.” Chase glanced at his watch. “What time are you dropping off Annie and Joely?” he asked. “I’m supposed to meet with Annie and my folks tonight at seven with the lease. I don’t want her to be alone at the farm.”

“If they can make up their minds, we’re going to eat out, and then they said something about a movie afterward. It’s probably going to be close to five or so before we get back in Leroy,” Ethan said. “Do you need me to make it later? I can do that.”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind. Annie’s supposed to cook, but tell her I’ll just pick something up.”

“Can do. Anything else?”

Chase rubbed his eyes, suddenly tired to the bone. “Just keep them safe, Ethan. This guy... he’s twisted. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Ethan was quiet for a minute before he answered. “I know. Chase? Call me if you need to, okay?”

“Will do,” Chase promised. He ended the call and slumped against the refrigerator as thoughts of losing Annie and his sisters ran through his mind. After what they’d been through last fall with Beth, how close they’d come to losing her, this hit much too close to home. It took everything in him not to scream with rage, or go tearing out of the office and into the streets. For ten years, he’d battled with the memories of what had happened to Kiely. The thought had always been in the very back of his mind, that the killer was still out there, but it had always been a nebulous threat, not a tangible evil lurking just outside the door.