The Lullaby Killer (PI Mason Black Book 1) by Nick Adams

Author:Nick Adams [Adams, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Papyrus Publishing
Published: 2025-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

FORTY-FIVE

Funerals had never been inviting, but the rain didn’t help. Neither did having to watch a mother bury her eight-year-old daughter.

Joanna Daniels was dressed all in black, as was everyone else. She stood over the coffin with a flower in her hand. Mason watched her lower it into the ground and say goodbye.

“Earth to earth,” the priest went on. “Ashes to ashes.”

Mason could feel himself burning up inside. He thought of the man responsible, the ill-named Lullaby Killer, who’d taken these kids for nothing more than a little fun. It was all a game to him, at least until he’d asked for the money.

As the ceremony drew to a close and the downpour worsened, Joanna Daniels spotted Mason at the back of the crowd. She even looked pretty when she cried, but the beauty and energy she’d once had would never return.

The killer has done this to her, Mason reminded himself.

Joanna approached him, close enough that she was under his umbrella. She was shaking, if not from the cold, then in recognition of her loss. But the way she looked at him—without a hint of warmth—suggested deeper levels of emotion. “Have you caught him?”

“Not yet, ma’am. We’re still working on⁠—”

Her shoulder snapped back so fast he didn’t see the slap coming. It struck his cheek hard enough to turn his head, and he clutched his face in surprise.

“It’s your job, Mr. Black.” Joanna began to sob uncontrollably now. “All you had to do was your job, and my little girl would still be alive. This is your fault.”

An old man—could have been her father—emerged from behind and eased her away, shooting Mason a look of contempt. It said: You shouldn’t be here.

Mason had felt the outburst on more than just a physical level.

What if she’s right? What if this really is my fault? If I’d just worked harder…

The crowd dispersed, acting as if they hadn’t noticed the drama unfolding at the back. People went their separate ways, some to their cars, others walking down the path of the cemetery. They all had their heads down, both out of sadness and respect.

Only one person remained in front of Mason—he hadn’t realized she’d come until now, but if anyone could understand how he was feeling, it was Evie.

He just stood there, lost for words.

His sister only looked at him, walked forward, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let that get to you. She’s just a woman in tremendous pain. This is not your fault. You hear me?”

Mason stared at her before nodding. He didn’t really believe this wasn’t a consequence of his own lack of action, but it was a damn sight easier than arguing with the great Evelyn Black. If anything, the slap had served as encouragement to do what needed to be done. “I have somewhere to be. Do you need a ride?”

“Thank you.”

Careful not to slide through the mud, Mason and Evie headed toward his car. Although he’d never admit it, he was glad to have her around.

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