She strokes and rubs the fur on top of my head and down my neck. I can’t say I’ve ever had someone pet me like this before.
It is calm and soothing and before long she has fallen into a deep sleep.
I’ve never seen anything like her eyes. Like a drug I’m drawn into, wanting to let them consume me. It felt slightly odd having these feelings while in animal form. I lie here to provide comfort and protect.
136
Lizzie
I knew today was going to be a rough one. Another night of restless sleep. Dreams of Linda haunting me. It was so dark, wherever she was, I couldn’t even see her. I could hear her pleas, her cries for help, but no matter where I went, they’d start coming from another direction. I don’t have to describe to Brayden the personal hell I’m living. It’s written across the glazed eyes circled by bloodshot veins, and the way I jump at every noise because normal sounds hit my brain like an explosion. He feels it too. Not just feels it, but takes it on to share the burden with me. Staying with me last night meant a lot. For the first time, in a very long time, it felt like I was taking in a free breath.
He comes back over to the table to bring me a cup of herbal tea. “Thanks.” I take a sip from it and it feels good going down. Then I set it aside to handle the task at hand.
“What have you got going on over here?” he asks, reaching for one of the pictures I have spread across the dining room table.
“Trying to piece together the newspaper clippings I’ve gathered about the other women who have gone missing. There’s got to be something here I’m missing. Why is it so hard? It’s my job to piece things together, to find the truth that often is hidden in plain sight.” I take another sip, then set the cup well away from the papers I’m studying. “You know what it is? Too many similarities. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. Look.” I slide two photos of young women toward the man on the other side of the mug. “What do you see?”
He peers, then shakes his head. “I’m coming up blank.”
“They all have the same face. I’m not talking about eye or hair color. If you look, they all have the same symmetrical shape to their faces. The guy who took them has a type. We just didn’t see it because we were looking at basics. I mean, I’m that type.” I cock my head, glancing over the girls again. “You know, we could.”
His hand clamps over mine, already knowing my intention. “Lizzie, you’re talking crazy. No! You’re not going to set yourself up as bait for this guy to take you.” He snatches my mug and strides to dump it into the sink. “You’re not thinking clearly. Why don’t you get some rest? Take a break and shut your eyes. Then come back later to look at this with a fresh perspective.”
My phone rings. I sigh, pushing myself from the table and stepping past him to pull it from the charger. I check the caller ID. “It’s San Antonio PD.” As soon as I say it, I immediately feel an eerie sensation slide all the way down each of our spines. Brayden physically shivers. I press the button, locking my gaze on his eyes.
“Hello.”
“I’m looking for Lizzie Matthews.”
“This is she,” I say hesitantly.
“This is Officer Hale from the San Antonio PD. Detective Montgomery wanted me to call you with an update.” He pauses. “I need you to come by the station as soon as possible.”
My chest squeezes so tight, I can’t form words. I glance toward Brayden, sputtering, “Um…. I… I can be there in.”
Brayden holds up both of his hands.
“Ten. Ten minutes. We can be there in ten!” I hang up. Brayden watches me with a grim clench of his chin and compassionate eyes. I hold up my hand. “Don’t. Don’t say anything.”
We just rush out of the house and jump on the back of his bike. I don’t even hesitate, knowing that on it we can maneuver around traffic if need be. I know he’ll get us there safely. With my head pressed into his back, all I can do is prepare myself for what’s about to happen next.
When we arrive, I’m nervous, having no idea what I’ll find inside. He takes my hand and we walk together up the few short steps leading to the entrance. Once inside it’s a buzzing hive of activity. I speak to the lady behind the desk. “Lizzie Matthews here to see Officer Hale.” I swear her mouth dropped when saw us come in. I realize it must be an odd thing to see a member of the MC come into the station willingly.
She ushers us down the hall to a small conference room. “He’ll be right in. Can I get you anything?” I know she’s doing her job and wanting to be accommodating, but who could think about anything else at a time like this? I feel uneasy at the suspicious way she keeps her eyes on Brayden as she leaves the room.
When she’s gone, I turn to look at Brayden. “Thank you for being here with me. Please don’t leave me.”
“Never,” he responds, and something tells me he means for more than just this moment.
We turn our attention to the door as it opens, eyes fixed intently on the man walking inside. He gives us a nervous smile. “Lizzie, I thank you for coming in so quickly. I’m Officer Hale.” I look him over, noting his large belly that slips over the top of his belted pants. Obviously, he’s been stuck behind a desk for too long.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you that your sister is dead.” My heart drops all the way from my throat down into
