My hand shook as I double-clicked one of the Grim Reaper subject bars.
The message window was blank. The attachment was a numbered graphics file, 1.jpg. Download time was estimated at less than a minute.
I hit “download.”
AOL asked if I knew the sender.
Good point.
I went to the member directory. No profile on Grim Reaper.
Back to the e-mail.
A moment of hesitation.
I had to know.
I clicked “yes,” told the download manager to save.
Slowly, an image unfolded down the screen. My face, a hash-marked circle superimposed.
My subconscious knew instantly as my conscious mind moved toward comprehension.
My left hand flew to my mouth.
I was viewing myself through the scope of a high-powered rifle.
For a moment I could only stare.
Seriously frightened now, I closed that e-mail and opened another.
2.jpg.
Myself, leaving a Starbucks. This time the scope was trained on my back.
3.jpg.
Myself, leaving the MCME facility, bull’s-eye on my forehead.
Morbidly fascinated, I had to see more.
8.jpg.
A picture of Ryan and me leaving the McEniry Building at UNCC.
12.jpg.
Boyd, exiting my kitchen door.
18.jpg.
Myself, entering Pike’s Soda Shop.
Breathing hard and starting to sweat, I opened another.
22.jpg.
The sweat went cold on my skin and I shivered.
Katy sat reading on what I guessed to be Lija’s front porch swing. She was wearing shorts and a tank top I’d purchased at the Gap. One bare foot was lazily pushing against the railing.
A rifle was aimed at her head.
20
AT THE SOUND OF THE DOOR, I FLEW TO THE KITCHEN.
Boyd was guzzling from his bowl.
Ryan was digging water from the refrigerator. I watched him straighten, uncap the bottle, throw back his head, and drink. His skin glistened. Strong, ropy muscles rippled in his arm, neck, and back.
Seeing him calmed me.
Needing a male presence to calm me annoyed me.
I shoved both feelings aside.
“Good run?” I asked, attempting a conversational tone.
Ryan turned.
One look told him all was not well.
“What’s up?”
“When you’ve showered I’d like you to look at something.” Though I tried for steady, my voice shook.
“What’s happened, babe?”
“I’d rather show you.”
Ryan set down the water, crossed to me, and took both my hands in his.
