Page 28 of Killer Summer
Dani ended the call and tossed her phone on the counter. The atmosphere pressed in on her, constricting her lungs. She breathed in deep, tore off her shirt, and coaxed her sweaty sports bra from her body.
Breathe. Just breathe.
The musk of her fear-laden perspiration stung at her nose. Dani was used to the way that she smelled after a run or working out in the yard, but terror sweats had a different, off-putting aroma. She remembered this smell all too well. Her laundry reeked of this particular brand of sweat after the first time Vickers had chased after her all those years ago. The smell repulsed her and propelled her into action all at once. She needed to make another phone call, and she could damn sure use a drink to steady her nerves. But first, she needed a shower.
“He knows where I live.”
Dani swirled her glass of red wine and stared out into the night as she held her cell phone to her ear. Detective Owens patiently listened on the other line as she reported the most recent disturbing event to one of the only people that she still trusted. Her hair was damp from the shower, and she smelled of coconut and clean laundry instead of adrenaline and fear. Flood lights illuminated every inch of her fenced-in backyard, leaving no shadowy spots for monsters to lurk in. A half bottle of cabernet sauvignon sloshed in her belly, but her efforts at unwinding were futile. No matter what, she couldn’t shake the images she had seen on that VHS tape.
“Now, don’t jump to any conclusions. A whole lot of Vickers’ personal items got pinched from our evidence room and sold to collectors on eBay. Someone could just be messing with you.” Detective Owens came across soft, but business-like on the other line. Even though Dani was anxious that it had taken so long for her to answer her text, it was nice to hear her voice. DetectiveOwens could take care of herself, but the thought that Vickers could go after her too often crossed her mind.
“Janet, the tape had footage of me as a teenager intercut by footage of me from only a few days ago. He’s already here. He’s just waiting to make his move.”
“Well, that’s definitely disturbing,” Detective Owens said. “Ahh, fuck it. I’m about ready to retire anyway. Let’s call it in.”
Maybe this was a mistake. Vickers was so close she could practically taste his cologne on the tip of her tongue. She couldn’t let him get away and slink into the shadows again this time. Who was she kidding? The police couldn’t help her, they couldn’t even keep Vickers locked up. The only way she would know for sure that he was dead is if she did the job herself. Dani needed to think of something fast before Janet sent the whole S.W.A.T. team to her back yard.
“I’m probably just overreacting.” Dani swallowed and cleared her throat. “You know, it’s probably just another copycat. I’ll be fine, really.”
“I know the system is shitty, Dani. I know you want justice but—,” Detective Owens’ usually stoic voice broke. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”
“Something alreadydidhappen to me.Twice.” Dani paused, trying to picture the strong, proud officer that had been so kind to her all those years ago. Detective Owens must have been close to sixty by now. Dani had been grateful for her kindness on the night of her first attack, and she was even more grateful now. Time to change the subject. “So, retirement soon, huh?”
“Yeah,” Janet chuckled. “I’m about ready to hang it up.”
“Maybe you’ll finally come out here and visit me,” Dani said. “Beaches out here are just as nice as the other coast.”
“You know I hate the beach.”
Dani smiled and could imagine her friend smiling on the other line clear across the country. “Yeah, I know.”
“You’re sure you’ll be okay?”
“Positive,” Dani said. “I’ll be fine.”
“I know you’ll be fine. I also know you’re strong and stubborn as hell and if you have it in mind to get your revenge, you will. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t. Call me if you hear anything else.”
“Will do, and Danielle?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” Dani’s smile fell. She hated lying to her friend. But after all this time, if Vicker’s was going to be delivered to her front door, she had to take the opportunity to strike back. Janet meant well, but in the past, the police only got in her way.
“Oh,” Detective Owens said. “One last thing.”
“Yeah?”
“If you do see that creep, I hope you stick that little knife of yours into his heart this time. All the way to the hilt.”
Dani smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a much bigger knife this time.”
“Take care,” Janet said.
“You too.”
