Page 28 of Blue-Eyed Hero
“Help,” Presley whispered.
Her heart slammed against her chest, every worst-case scenario filling her mind. Did the psycho go to Presley? Did she put her niece in danger? She swallowed the lump making it impossible to catch her breath. “What’s the matter?”
“Mom wants to do my hair for the dance.”
Allison let out a relieved breath, but her heart still battered her chest. She inhaled deeply, trying to let all the negative thoughts go.
Her niece had always had a flare for the dramatics. Allison liked to think she got in from her. “What’s wrong with that?”
“She has flowers.Flowers!”
Allison had to keep herself from laughing. She could imagine Luna trying to make Presley look like a five-year-old flower girl. “Oh, I see your dilemma.”
“Yes, so you need to help me.”
“I just have to stop at the station, then I’ll head over.” She’d have to miss her gym session, but she’d just go for a walk around her neighborhood after dinner.
“Hurry!” Presley said before the screen went black.
With a shake of her head, Allison laughed while jogging to the van. After all, Larry had a movie to get to, and she had to save her niece from her flower wielding sister.
Chapter 10
Reid’s phone rang, and he fished it out of his pocket, surprised to see Allison’s number flashing on the screen.
“Reid,” he said.
“Reid!” He’d never hated the name until she said it with such panic in her voice.
“What’s the matter?” he demanded, with a little too much bite in his words.
“I got a package. It’s… I… It’s better if you just saw for yourself. Can you come to my house? Please.”
“I’m on my way.” He started to jog down the boardwalk, still grasping the phone, listening as a loud sigh of relief rushed through the speaker.
“Thank God,” she said so faintly, he almost missed it over the clatter of his keys.
Less than ten minutes later, Reid pulled into Allison’s driveway and jumped out of his cruiser. He hurried to the door, fist raised to knock, but Allison flung the door open. Fear cut lines around her eyes, and her lip quivered slightly before she bit down on it. The need to comfort her was strong, but she’d called him for a reason. He was here on duty.
“Where is it?” he asked.
“In the kitchen.” She pointed down the hall, and he made his way to the overly bright white kitchen with subway tiled backsplash. The box sat on the white wood island with the dark wood top.
Reid peered inside, then closed the lid. “It’s definitely a tongue, but it’s not human. If I had to guess, cow.” He looked around the kitchen and spotted what he was looking for. He grabbed a pair of tongs off a hook and used them to pick up the letter. He read the message, his blood heating with each word until all he could see was red.
I’ve been watching you for a while.
I especially like the mornings when you sit on your front porch, drinking your coffee.
Yellow looks good on you.
I imagine tying the belt of your robe around your neck, cutting off the oxygen, and finally taking away your voice.
“Do you have a Ziploc?”
“Of course.” She retrieved one from a drawer. She turned to him, opening the plastic sandwich bag, and he dropped it in.
“I’ll bring this to the station and see if we can find any fingerprints on in.” He sealed the bag and placed it on the counter. “If we’re lucky, we’ll get a hit.”