Page 11 of Knotted their Beauty

“Yes, sir, Mr. March. I can do that.”

“Please call me Ves. Mr. March is my father. I can’t have someone living in my home who calls me that,” he grumbles. “Here’s your identification back. How do you get around?”

“I take the bus everywhere, or walk.”

“Her school is within walking distance. It’ll do her good to get some of her energy out before sitting for hours, but it’s nothing to worry about right now since she’s out for summer vacation. I’ll have a list of things later, but I really have to go…”

“Bye, Daddy,” Calista says, giving him two seconds of eye contact before returning to her puzzle. “I know the rules, I’ll tell Arlo, and I love you too.”

“God, I deserve every bit of your sass.” Leaning over the table, Ves gives his daughter a kiss on the cheek. “I love you. Try not to give Arlo a hard time.”

“I already said I love you too, and I promise nothing.”

I hide a smile, because she’s absolutely amazing. Too many kids are either assholes or so polite you never know what they’re thinking. At least, that’s what I’ve experienced in Los Angeles. I don’t have a problem with honesty. It’s the lies I can’t handle.

Too many people have fucked me over with their hidden truths and have used me. I won’t be a pawn. Ves can be as grumpy as he wants to be as long as I’m paid on time and I have a place to stay.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Ves says, shaking his keys as he begins walking. “Cali will show you to your room, and she will keep you busy. Good luck!”

Honestly, how difficult can it be to hang out with a six year old? I’ll admit I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to relate to her or know what to say, but she’s a really smart kid.

“Want me to spill the tea about the other nannies?” she asks.

“As long as it’s piping hot and won’t get you into trouble,” I chuckle.

“Daddy won’t care. There’s been a lot of them. But first… what makes you think you won’t walk out after a couple of weeks?”

“I need this job more than others, and I don’t scare easily. Your daddy has a lot of bark, huh?”

“Morgan said he’s an arrogant asshole.”

“Are you allowed to say ‘asshole’?”

“Only at home, because this is my space too,” she says. I have a feeling this has been a conversation between father and daughter in the past. “I also have to use the word properly. I can’t just yell ‘shit’ everywhere.”

“All good rules. Alright, tell me all about Morgan. I need to know what I’m up against so I know I’m doing better than they did.”

Cali rolls her eyes, picking up a puzzle piece. “You haven’t reached for your phone once. You’re doing great.”

Damn. If the bar is that low, this should be a walk in the park.

Chapter

Three

VES

Scrubbing my hands over my face, I lean back in my chair and sigh.

The day I finally do retire from the FBI, I might celebrate by giving Butler his own send off. A twenty-one gun salute I deliver all on my own. While he’s standing in front of me, alive and kicking until every bullet is spent.

I’ve been working on this bullshit case study for a few days, waiting on Butler to send me the updated lecture tour list, and I swear to god he set this up because he knew what it was going to do to me.

There is no fucking way to make any of this vague or generic.

The Orphan has a very distinct style and signature.

His kills are both messy and neat, disorganized but thought out at the same time. He clearly prepares and plans ahead. We can confirm he brings specific things to a scene to execute his kills, but the murders themselves almost seem sporadic? Not who he murders, it feels like he puts a lot of thought into that despite the lack of victimology, but when he gets there, it’s almost as if he can’t decide how he wants to kill them. Except, he apparently brings an array of weapons, so it’s like he knew he couldn’t decide.