Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Raine frowned in concentration as she contemplated the question of whether the person targeting agents would be considered a serial killer. “Technically, I suppose he would be if he plans several murders and carries them out. A serial killer typically plans and carries out more than two murders. Each victim is separate from the others, with a cooling-off period between. Most serial killers are driven by the psychological thrill or derive pleasure from the kills. Someone setting up agents to die, but not doing the actual killing, might not come under that same heading.”
“He’d likely be motivated by money,” Harlow murmured mostly under her breath. People did horrible things for money.
Zahra shoved food around her plate with her fork. “Would Zale or Rainier be described as a serial killer? They’ve had to kill many times.”
Harlow’s gut tightened in instant rejection. What would that make Wilder? She shook her head. “Absolutely not. Do you have any idea how much good they’ve done?” She was a little embarrassed by her outburst and once more turned her attention to the food on her plate.
“What is it, Harlow?” Raine asked, her voice gentle. “Tell us.”
Harlow was used to remaining silent. She’d talked about her life with the senator and her mother but was always careful to keep any details to herself. She pushed back against the seat, her eyes meeting Stella’s. “Is it possible you feel a serial killer through me?”
“You?” Stella’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you thinking of Wilder?”
“Of course not.” She was a little shocked at the suggestion. “Wilder’s like Zale and Rainier. He works for the government and believes he’s saving lives. In any case, I’m not really around him that much. It isn’t like he hangs out with me.” She might wish he did, but she had no idea what she’d do with him if he did. She wasn’t a woman to have relationships. She knew she would sabotage it. She just didn’t trust, and she had every reason not to.
The women exchanged long looks. “Seriously, Harlow? When he does work for Rainier, he always manages to be wherever you are,” Zahra pointed out.
“Harlow,” Raine interrupted, keeping them on track. “Who do you think Stella could be feeling through you?”
Harlow dropped her hands below the table to twist her fingers together. What she was about to voice would be considered the worst of betrayals in her family. “It’s entirely possible my father is a serial killer.”
There was an astonished silence. Vienna shook her head. “Why would you think that, Harlow?”
Raine sent Vienna a quelling look. “I understand why you might be considering that Stella is having nightmares because she’s close to you. Has she met your father?”
“Thankfully, no.”
“You wouldn’t accuse your father of such a thing if you didn’t have good reason,” Raine continued.
She fell silent, pressing her hand tightly against the hard knots forming in her stomach. She couldn’t even look at Zahra. Zahra had never said one word to the other women about what Harlow’s father had done to her. She had always been friendly and acted grateful to Harlow for rescuing her, but Harlow had felt so much shame. Sometimes it was difficult to even look at her. Remembering. To Harlow, he was a monster and always would be.
She needed to tell them, and she did, not looking at her friend. “The senator has always believed he had the right to any girl of his choosing. He prefers teenagers. He uses force, and if there are any repercussions, they disappear. I found out he shoved them over the border in the middle of the night, but with this woman missing, the one he’s under investigation for, it’s possible he made them disappear permanently.”
“My father was a proven serial killer,” Stella said very gently. “You know that. If your father is, it has nothing to do with you.”
Harlow sighed. “Stella, you changed your name. Your entire life. You came here to start over, where no one knew who you were. You know as well as I do that the taint would follow you forever if you hadn’t done that. My father is a senator. He wants to make a bid for the presidency. Until all this came out, he had a very good chance of succeeding. Everyone knows his name. He loves the spotlight and spends every moment basking in it as often as possible. Worse, for me, he used his family to get where he is, touting American family values. You’ve never met him, but you know me. Maybe you’re feeling his crimes through me.”
“It’s possible,” Stella said reluctantly. “I just know the nightmares aren’t letting up. But even if that’s what I’m feeling, your father can’t possibly be responsible for deaths here. If it isn’t a serial killer, what’s happening?”
Raine was silent, studying the information she’d pulled up on her laptop while the others sipped at tea and ate scones.