Page 124 of Ash and Poison

Layne called the cops and informed them about the murder.

“He’s slipping,” I said when she hung up. “He was never caught because no one else knew except the men he blackmailed into silence. But now that we know, he’s fumbling. When the noose got too tight, he became desperate.”

“He wanted to scare us into backing off. That makes him less smart,” Layne said, licking her lips.

“And when I finally catch him, I’ll show him every side of hell.”

28

THE GAMES WE PLAY

DIYA

Layne and I waited in the corridor.

Behind the door was… the monster in the woods’ first mistake, his only mistake.

“You thinking what I am thinking?” Layne asked, chewing on her bottom lip. I nodded. “I want to get you the hell out of this place.”

“I know, but we can’t run, not while we are this close.”

“He’s like a cornered animal, and you know how they react.” Layne rubbed her forehead.

“Yes. I want him to react.”

“God, I want booze.”

I laughed, and my sister glared at me.

“I told you not to come.”

“You really think I’d let you do this alone? Hell no.” Layne’s voice was firm.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Dee,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s always been us against the whole fucking world, and it always will be. We’re family. I’d die for you and Trina. No hesitation, no second thoughts.”

“I know, Layne,” I said, staring above her head as memories collapsed over me, memories of darkness and pain and suffering. But this was where it took us. Right here. “The only good thing that came out of that hell was us. It’s absurd, but if I had to live through that nightmare all over again, I’d do it. Just for this.”

“Bitch, don’t make me cry.” She bumped against my shoulder. “This is horrible, but we’ve survived worse than this.”

“Yes. Now, we have to—”

I stopped when Vincent walked toward us with Deputy Clark and Dunn.

“Doctor Sharma,” Deputy Clark said. “Did you call this in?”

“Yes.”

“Diya.” He paused, narrowing his eyes. “Why are you here?”

“Long story.”

With a nod to me, he walked into the room. After a few seconds, I heard a curse. “Oh my God. Three murders in the span of a few weeks. Clark, call the Coroner. Dunn, the team.”

The next few hours stretched into an endless eternity. Muffled voices, more curses. People coming out and then going back in. Layne and I stood right outside the door, waiting for someone to tell us something, but no one even cared that we were there.

Vincent came out of the room, dark circles under his eyes, fists curled around a piece of paper, after an hour or so.