Page 53 of Aperture

I nod. She’s right, and I know she’s right.

“I agree with you. Normally that would be it. But I know Theo is just freaked out about what’s been going on. It bothers him that he can’t be here to protect me.”

Steve brings our food over and Gwen orders two margaritas. “We need those,” she laughs. I have to agree. Steve smiles and nods in enthusiastic agreement, never taking his eyes off Gwen.

“So, what? You’re giving him another chance?”

“Yes, and I know it’s crazy, but I feel like he deserves it.”

“Well, you know him better, obviously. But please just be careful,” she says. “From what you’ve told me he just seems a little insecure and controlling.” It doesn’t escape my attention that Wyatt has used those same words to describe his behavior.

“I will, Gwennie. I promise.”

◆◆◆

All I can think about for the next two days is how badly I messed up with Millie. I almost blew everything. I won. I got the girl, and yet, I still feel like she could be stolen from me at any moment.

Wyatt is a smart guy and he can be there when I’m not. I am sure he loved every minute of teaching my girlfriend “self- defense.” He probably had his hands all over her.

My blood boils as I think about it. We’ve talked twice since our fight on Wednesday night and I can tell she is still upset, even though she denies it. She is a little colder than normal, a little more distant.

I will feel better when I get home and see her in person. I miss Ellie and Emmet, too. Those kids do more to sustain my sanity than just about anyone else. I told Millie I was coming home on Saturday, but I will be done working here late Thursday evening, and I plan to get home on Friday to chat with Wyatt in person.

Chapter 28

“We’ve got the ID on that body from the lake,” a young woman from the lab tells me. I think her name is Carly? Shit, I can’t remember.

I look up from my desk and close the file I was reviewing.

“Thank you,” I say as she smiles at me. It’s a little too friendly, and I’m not interested. I can

still hear my father’s voice in my head. “You don’t shit where you eat, Wyatt.” That was part of my birds and bees talk from my pops. The man definitely doesn’t mince words. I miss my parents. I have been so busy with work that I haven’t kept in touch as I should. I make a mental note to call him as I look back at the piece of paper she handed me. Something in this report does not seem right.

“Hey, wait,” I call to the girl who brought it to me. She turns around.

“Are you sure this is the victim from the lake?”

“Yes, why?”

“It’s our missing person, but this report says she was raped, stabbed, shot, and strangled.”

She looks down at the report.

“Yes. That’s right.” She looks at me with wide eyes, waiting for a follow-up question, but I just shake my head in dismissal.

“OK, thank you.”

I read it again. And again. This does not make sense. I thought for sure this was another victim of the strangler. The age and appearance of the victim fits the preferred victim for this guy. I was counting on the fact that he was getting impatient, so he grabbed her and dumped her quickly. But this was brutally violent. The strangler doesn't sexually assault his victims. He has also never stabbed or shot a victim. Overkill is not his style. This murder was disorganized and very angry. I know how smart he is. I have been following this case long enough to know that this could just be his way of throwing us off.

I’m trying to sort out some of the details in my head when my phone alerts me to a message.

Theo: I’m outside. I need to talk to you.

Interesting.I cannot believe he still has my number. Then again, I never deleted his, either.

Wyatt: I’ll be out in a minute.

Just because I’m anxious to talk to him doesn’t mean that asshole is gonna tell me what to do. I take my time walking outside and spot him standing near the curb.