The Devil's Daughter (Hidden Sins #1)(57)

He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found the one he was looking for.

It barely rang once. “Britton.”

“Sheriff Zach Owens.”

“I was expecting your call.”

He wasn’t sure what it was about the man’s calm voice that irritated the fuck out of him, but he had to rein it in. There were more important things afoot. “I think I have a serial killer on my hands.”

“Three victims.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Technically, there have to be three victims before a killer can be termed serial.”

He didn’t throw his damn phone across the field, but it was a near thing. “I have two dead girls in the space of less than week, and judging from the ritualistic aspects of the killings, whoever did this isn’t done.” He didn’t know there were ritualistic aspects in Neveah’s death, but he didn’t believe in coincidences. If she was found just like Elouise, then she was found naked in a ditch with new tattoos on her body and evidence that she’d run—or been chased—before she was killed.

“I happen to agree with you.”

Then why all the circling? It didn’t matter. What mattered was getting someone in town who could watch Eden’s back—someone she’d have to let watch her back. “I’m officially requesting assistance from the BAU. I know there’s some formality involved, but frankly, I don’t have time for that shit right now. This killer held both Elouise Perkins and Neveah Smith for eight days, which means it’s likely he or she has already chosen their next victim. Eden Collins is here, and her help has been essential, if off the record, but I need someone here officially.” He searched his memory. “Vic. She said his name is Vic.”

“He’s on the next flight out.”

He blinked. “That was quick.”

“I had hoped I’d hear from you.” There was a rustle of papers on the other end of the line. “Vic’s flight lands this evening, so I suggest you have as much evidence in hand as possible before that happens.”

“Thanks.” He hung up and immediately dialed Eden.

“I told you I’d text you when I was leaving.”

The relief at hearing her voice nearly sent him to his knees. He hadn’t considered that there would be a next victim until he’d said the words aloud. The victim might have already been taken. “Come back to Clear Springs. You can snoop around out there once your partner is in town.”

She was silent for a beat. “You called Britton.”

“You should have told me.”

“I’ve been a little distracted.” In the distance, the car engine shut off. “I’m here, so I’ve got to go. I’ll text you when I’m done. Promise.”

“Eden—”

But it was too late—she’d already hung up. He cursed and shoved his phone into his back pocket. Short of driving out to the commune, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to keep Eden safe. Hell, if he went out there and tossed her into his cruiser, he might be painting an even larger target on her back.

More than that, there was the body of a girl who’d been alive a few short hours ago waiting for his attention. Zach let his shoulders drop for one long moment, the sheer knowledge that he was responsible for catching the killer making him sick to his stomach. He let himself have that moment, but no more. Wallowing would do nothing but make sure he wasn’t capable of the job he was required to do.

So he took a deep breath and started for his cruiser. Whether he liked it or not, they were at war. It made no difference that the enemy was a single person rather than an entire army. He’d held it together in the desert. He’d hold it together now.

He had no other choice.





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE


Eden tucked her phone into the pocket of her jacket and triple-checked that she’d locked her car door. At the very least, if someone left her something again, she’d know they were capable of breaking into a car without leaving a trace. That had to narrow down the suspect pool . . .

She turned and surveyed the mostly empty square, the gates that had been left open as if in personal invitation. Then again, maybe not. It’s not like I can run background checks on every cult member, especially when some of them don’t even go by their real names. Even fingerprints wouldn’t help if they weren’t already in the system, and she highly doubted Elysia was filled to the brim with criminals who’d been charged at some point. It was an impossible task.

She marched to the main chapel and pulled on the doors, only to find them locked. Eden frowned and yanked harder. All she managed to do was rattle the wood a little. “What the hell?”

“It’s closed.”

She bit down a sharp reply and turned to face the male voice behind her. Shock dropped her jaw. There’s been a lot of that lately. “Jon!”

He gave a soft smile. “Hey, Eden.”

She hugged him before she could think better of it. She and Jon hadn’t been as close as she and Beth, but he was still one of the only kids who’d been near her age in Elysia. Back then, he’d had a chip on his shoulder to rival hers, not that she could blame him after his mother abandoned him to Martha’s tender care. He’d always had his eye on the horizon, vowing to get the hell out the first chance he had. She still couldn’t believe he’d changed his mind about that.