Let Her Live by Blake Pierce

Author:Blake Pierce [Pierce, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blake Pierce
Published: 2023-06-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

As they approached the clearing where the campsite was set up, Fiona noticed a figure standing outside the tent—Hank's wife, the woman they had talked to earlier. She felt sympathy for the woman as she approached and didn't know if she was prepared to deliver this terrible news. But they had to do it.

As Fiona and Jake drew nearer, Fiona could see the woman's face. Her eyes were red and puffy, her blonde hair frazzled. The tent was zipped shut, telling Fiona that the daughter was maybe sleeping inside. That was good. It was best for them to deliver the news without the children there to witness it.

"Mrs. Grayson?" Jake called out as they drew closer.

Her eyes snapped up. She glanced back at the tent, then jogged over to them. "Please, it's Brenda," she said. "Did you find him? Did you find my husband?"

Jake took a deep breath, exchanging a look with Fiona. Fiona's eyes stung, overwhelmed with grief for this poor woman.

"I'm afraid we did, ma'am," Jake said. "I'm sorry, but Hank passed away."

All at once, Brenda's expression fell into a state of total shock. She fell to her knees, her eyes wide and blank.

Fiona knelt down, offering her a gentle hand. "I'm so sorry, Brenda."

"H-how?" Brenda managed. She snapped out of her daze and accepted Fiona's hand. Fiona pulled the woman to her feet. It was clear now that Brenda's survival instincts had kicked in, and she was trying to be strong.

Jake glanced at the tent, but they were far enough away that if the daughter was inside, she wouldn't hear.

"I'm afraid he was murdered," Jake said.

Brenda's hand flew to her mouth. She bit on her diamond ring as she struggled to keep herself together. Brenda tried to process this for a moment, taking a few deep breaths. "Where did you find him?" she asked.

"We believe he was the victim of a serial killer," Jake said. "We found him out in the swamp, tied to a tree. He isn't the first victim, although he is the first one in this area."

"Oh, god." Brenda covered her mouth. "We had no idea something so evil was around here."

"The last crimes were committed an hour south," Jake said. "We had no reason to believe the killer would move this way. I'm so sorry."

Brenda nodded, wiping her eyes. "What is this serial killer doing?" she asked, her voice wavering. "What does he want with my husband?"

"We're not sure, ma'am. But we'll do everything we can to find out," Jake said.

Brenda turned back to the tent, tears falling down her flushed cheeks. "Oh, this is just... it's unthinkable. Junie loved her dad. I don't know how she's going to take this."

Fiona's heart fell. She couldn't even imagine the plight Brenda was facing now.

"This whole trip was an awful idea," Brenda said. "Hank didn't even want to go, but Junie loves the outdoors. We wanted to work with it, for her. I should have known it would all go sour when Hank ran over that squirrel on the way in.

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