The Shadowed Mind by Julie Cave

Author:Julie Cave
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/CHRISTIAN/SUSPENSE
ISBN: 978-0-89051-590-7
Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc.
Published: 2011-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The killer arrived at the Forest Glen Palliative Care Home with a backpack. The staff was getting to know him, and they often waved him through without bothering with the usual policy rules — which included checking the bags of any visitors.

Billy waited for him in the library, which was his favorite room. He had trouble picking up a book and reading it himself, but he enjoyed being read to by the killer. He'd confessed that while still able-bodied, he'd never been interested in books, but now he loved them.

"Hi, Billy," the killer greeted the young man, cheerfully. He sat his backpack down on the floor, and it made a chinking noise.

Billy looked at him eagerly. He didn't have to speak to show his excitement.

The killer withdrew a six-pack of beer from the backpack, unequivocally against the rules at Forest Glen. "As promised," he said, with a dramatic flourish.

He popped the top off one of the bottles and handed it carefully to Billy. The young man used what remaining strength and dexterity he still possessed in his hand to take a sip from the bottle. Then he closed his eyes in bliss.

"Thank you," Billy said, after another sip. "I finally feel human again."

"I brought a newspaper today," said the killer, taking it from the backpack. He spread it out so that it covered the coffee table in front of Billy. "What section would you like?"

"Sports," said Billy immediately. The killer found the section and helped him open it up, then chose the front pages for himself. They spent several moments in companionable silence.

"You know, I really miss this," Billy said presently.

"What's that?" the killer asked.

"Just hanging out," said Billy. "Like, with a friend." He looked away, embarrassed. "Nobody hangs out with me anymore."

The killer adopted a look of concern. "You don't have any visitors?"

"No," said Billy. "My friends — well, they used to be my friends — are uncomfortable with me. The staff here are really great, but they don't have time to spend with me. So …what I'm trying to say, I guess, is that …well, thanks."

"You're welcome," said the killer warmly. "I just figure if our roles were reversed, I'd appreciate someone hanging out with me."

They fell into silence again, while the killer absorbed the knowledge that Billy had few visitors.

"What's in the news?" Billy asked. "Apart from the fact that the Nationals have lost their last four games, I mean."

The killer was about to answer when a headline caught his eye: "Martial Arts Killer Strikes Again." He frowned and scanned the article.

The Metropolitan Police Department says that a third murder victim found in the city in as many weeks bears an uncanny similarity and could be the work of one killer. Lakeisha Tennant, 17; Benjamin Steffan, 36; and Ashleigh Colter, 34, were all found with the same injuries that led to their deaths. Police refuse to comment on the exact nature of the injuries, but say that they are following a number of leads. Police will

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