The Hunting Season by Janice Kay Johnson

Author:Janice Kay Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2020-03-07T16:32:02+00:00

“I’M SORRY,” SADIE SAID, her expression sympathetic. “You know this isn’t punishment, and I don’t believe for a second that you played any part in these murders. I hope you understand that I just can’t let you near a case until this is cleared up.”

Lindsay wouldn’t touch a new investigation with a ten-foot pole. But to be blocked even from working on ongoing cases came as a shock, despite the fact that she’d tried to prepare herself for this outcome. Once details about the latest murder topped local television news broadcasts, Sadie probably hadn’t felt she had any choice. The news of the most recent murder had spread like wildfire on social media even before news sources had picked it up.

While Lindsay understood where Sadie was coming from, she was still furious. Not at Sadie; in her shoes, Lindsay would have made the same decision. No, most of her anger was directed at the killer, who seemed determined to destroy her career if not her life even if he didn’t add her to his murder tally. But she had plenty of anger left over, simmering beneath the surface, choking her.

She nodded and rose to her feet. “I’ll clean out my desk.”

She’d almost escaped her supervisor’s office when Sadie said from behind her, in what was presumably meant to be encouragement, “You’ll be back at work before you know it.”

Sure she would. Lindsay didn’t even pause. Feeling the heat of humiliation and anger in her cheeks, she marched into the large space occupied by her fellow caseworkers, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Of course, silence fell at her appearance.

Sitting down at her desk, she wished she had a box, then thought, Do I really have anything here I really value? The answer was no.

She opened her already hefty handbag and shoved a few things in. A framed photo of her last foster mom. Two paperback books. A handful of energy bars that might go stale before she made it back—if she ever did.

She was already carrying her laptop. After opening and closing the final drawers, staring in and seeing nothing but the detritus of work she’d allowed to become her entire life, she stood abruptly enough to send her desk chair rolling back.

For the first time, she let herself notice the gaping stares of every single caseworker here in the office.

And her anger rolled over her until she literally saw red.

“Yes,” she said loudly, “there’s been another murder. I’ve been suspended, in case you’re wondering.” Without fault, but that wasn’t the point. She looked from face to face. “It would appear that somebody expects me to be pleased because he’s making child abusers suffer the same pain their victims did. He’s punishing them the way he must think they should have been punished in the first place. The way I failed to do, with my silly insistence on following the letter of the law.” Her voice continued rising as her grip on any self-control slipped. She should shut her mouth and leave…but why? she thought recklessly.

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