Still, he had done his best to ensure Dave was in the same boat. For three days, neither had been out of the other’s sight except for bathroom and sleeping necessities. And even then he was keeping an eye, just as he was certain Dave had done the same.
Today, for better or for worse, this game would be over.
***
Dave smiled at the email from Amara. Everything was in place. Lloyd’s trail would lead Jay to the house Dave had been using as a hunting base for this game.
All his planning was coming to meet at the exact point he had wanted. He wondered how long it would take Jayden Roe to accept his defeat. How long would it take him to realize that all his attempts at counter measures had all been thwarted by Dave?
If he loses his mind when he loses the game, then he’s unworthy anyway. If it only breaks, Dave was certain he could fix it and turn it to better use, just as he had Amara Young’s.
He sent back his reply, the expected time of their arrival, so that her medication dosage would be enough. Today, Stella Haraby would die. He let out another chuckle as his own program thwarted the spyware on the laptop. He had noticed it on the first night Jay had given him the device. He supposed it was too much for the man to trust a stranger entirely, but still, he might have tried to create a stronger program.
He heard movement from Jay’s room and silently took his laptop back down to the lounge. He shot back to the kitchen and got the coffee machine going just in time to be there when Jay entered the kitchen.
“You’re up early.”
“You’re one to talk,” Dave muttered amicably.
Jay chuckled and pulled out a mug. “You ready for today?”
Dave met his eyes. “I didn’t get much sleep, but I am ready. Your report is airtight.”
Jay smiled. “We’ll go over everything once more before meeting the men from Boston.”
“I still can’t believe you managed to track Lloyd’s dealings all the way back there.”
“Or that he was the end of the trail,” Jay said thoughtfully. Dave felt his heart stop then Jay shrugged. “But hey, I’d rather have been wrong about someone and end this with Stella safe than the other way around.”
Dave nodded, holding in a wave of laughter. I almost feel sorry for you, Jay, but you had to lose to someone one day.
***
They reached the police station, and two big men approached. Dave took them in carefully but was certain that they are the ones needed to arrest Lloyd and the sheriff.
Dave glanced at Jay and prepared himself for the final act. He had to be flawless until he had Jay in the room beside a dark tank full of water and Stella Haraby’s corpse. He would then finally announce his victory and force Jay to face his complete failure.
“Thank you for coming.” Jay’s voice came out a little perturbed.
“Shouldn’t we be the ones thanking you?” said one of the men with sharp eyes and an aura of power.
“Yeah. I’ll be glad to finally have this over with.”
Jay chuckled. “Well, we’re ready when you are.”
Dave watched the men nod as they started towards the station. He felt anticipation unfurl in his belly, writhing like a living creature eager to be loose.
They had only just stepped into the building when gunfire erupted from within and screams began.
“Get back out into the lot. Get somewhere safe. Go!”
Dave seized Jay’s elbow and pulled. “You heard them. Move!”
Jay followed obediently enough, looking bewildered and angry. Dave hid his smile.
They entered the lot and were halfway to Jay’s car when another left the lot at speed.
“Wasn’t that Lloyd’s car?” Dave spluttered, his voice and face perfect. “What should we do?”
Jay glowered after the car. “We follow. You put the tracker on his car, right?”
Dave nodded and swallowed a triumphant laugh. He had never imagined winning would be so pleasurable and easy.
***
Jay skidded to a halt outside the house, the tail end of Lloyd’s car just visible around the corner.
“You’re just going to rush in?”
Jay shook himself free. “I’ve had enough, Dave. This ends now. He can’t have missed us following. No need to give him time to plan further.”
Dave bit his lip hard to hide a smile and followed Jay into the house. The sound of ticking drew him unerringly into the central room, from which Dave had planned all of this. The room was completely dark, having no windows of its own. As per his instructions, the skylight had been blocked and the doors leading out shut.
He allowed Jay to walk up to the table where a lone lamp made a small circle of light. An alarm clock ticked down right beside the lamp. He shut the door with a snap as the alarm rang and finally let out the laughter and smile.
“Ah, I will grant that this has been fun, Jay, but I am afraid that I win.”
Jay turned slowly to face him. Dave walked forward until he was at the edge of the pool of light. “You what?”
Dave’s grin looked like a demon half cloaked in shadow. “I kidnapped Stella. Of course, Miranda and Bridgette too. And dozens of others before them. I have been a hunter since my early teens, the apex hunter that feared none,
