Killer Within by S.E. Green Read Free Book Online Page B

expected me to dime out my own eavesdropping self.
    “Yes, Mr. Coffey’s on the local task force,” Victor answers. “We were discussing some scenarios.”
    What scenarios? I want to ask, since Catalina annoyingly interrupted me listening in.
    Mr. Coffey looks between us. “You girls have heard of this Masked Savior thing, I’m sure.”
    We both nod.
    “You two be alert and safe when you’re out and about, okay?”
    We nod again.
    Catalina gives me an amused grin as they leave. What’s so effing funny? The Masked Savior task force is in my house talking to my stepdad about me. This is so far from funny I don’t even know where to start.
    I turn to Victor. “Are you going to be on the task force too?” God, I hope not.
    He shakes his head. “No, this isn’t FBI jurisdiction. I was just giving advice. Friend to friend.” He nods to the office. “Sorry, conference call in five. See you later for dinner.”
    I nod, grab a Coke from the refrigerator, and head straight up to my room. The first thing I do is go to “my” site, delete the unanswered message I sent j_d_l, and take my registration down. I know they can still pull up a ghost image of my IP address, but at least now I can honestly say I was a member, curious like so many others, and then took my registration down after I realized the ridiculousness of the whole thing.
    What a mess.
    I do some more queries on the task force and basically get what the news has already given. What I heard Mr. Coffey say. Upped surveillance. Combing the streets.
    I need to lure j_d_l out and see what his connection is to all this. Plus there’s Bucky. If I’m lucky, they are one and the same and I can officially put this whole copycat thing to rest. Though that still doesn’t explain the woman in the dark car.

Chapter Eleven
    “THERE’S LIKE THIS TINGLING, THIS nudging inside me, and I can’t seem to satisfy it. It’s like I belong somewhere else, but I don’t know where.” This is what Tommy admits to our grief group.
    I am rendered absolutely mute. That’s exactly how I feel.
    He gives the group a perplexed look. “I’m starting to do things I’ve never done before, just trying to figure it all out.”
    I get that. I totally get that.
    “As long as they are healthy things you are trying,” the counselor advises.
    Healthy things. Right.
    “And that’s all I want to say tonight,” Tommy finishes up.
    The rest of the group shares, and I choose not to. I onlyhalfway listen to them as I play and replay Tommy’s words. There’s like this tingling, this nudging inside me, and I can’t seem to satisfy it. It’s like he’s in my head.
    I need to find somebody who completely deserves my justice. Like the Decapitator. Someone who deserves to die.
    That will fully salve my core.
    “Same time next week,” the counselor says, and we all get up.
    I follow Tommy out. I’m not the type who strikes up conversations, but with our similar thoughts, I’m want to know about him.
    I almost say his name but stop. His blond head is down, like he doesn’t want to be bothered. I know that avoidance routine. I respect it.
    I dig my keys from my pocket and head to my Jeep, glancing around for the BMW and not seeing it.
    “Lane?”
    I turn to see Tommy jog across the street to me. Guess I misread his avoidance.
    “Hi.” His lips twitch and my stomach flutters.
    Hmm .
    His blue eyes focus in on me. “We went to middle school together. Do you remember me?”
    “Yes. You were a year ahead of me.”
    He nods. “Thought so. Guess I just wanted to say hi and welcome you to the group. I know half the time it’s a pain inthe ass and the people sometimes drone on, but it’ll grow on you.”
    I nod.
    Tommy shoves his hands down inside the front pockets of his jeans and a few awkward seconds pass. I never know what to do in these situations. The other person is obviously waiting for me to say something, but I just don’t know what to say.
    “You a senior at McLean?” he