Blessed Mayhem by Sue Coletta

Author:Sue Coletta
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Native American, cat burglar, serial killers, psychological thrillers, cat and mouse, crows, female lead
Publisher: Crow Talons Publishing
Published: 2023-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Mayhem waited for his next target. A man this time. Variety was the spice of life, and who was he to go against the old cliché? Besides, he’d spotted an easy mark, unlike his little lynx. Not to worry. She’d be dealt with in due time. Bear was probably having a ball with her right now. Dumb lug. It wouldn’t surprise him if he’d fallen in love. Hope he owned a protective cup. That feisty feline could fight, and she certainly wasn’t opposed to kicking a fella in the gonads.

The homeless man backed into his cardboard shelter as if that could prevent the hell that’d rain down on him. He only made Mayhem’s job easier. It wasn’t as much fun, though, and boy, did he enjoy “the game.” Nothing else quite got the blood pumping faster than the thrill of the chase.

Under the slivered moon’s meager light, he stalked the alleyway, with a gas can in his right hand, butane lighter in his left. Mid-stride, Poe landed on his shoulder. “You might not want to stick around for this one, buddy. I’d hate for you to get hurt.”

Poe cocked his head.

“Adorable. You win. While I prep you may stay, but then I’ll need you to fly to a safer distance. Deal?” When Poe agreed by dipping his chin to his chest, Mayhem set down the gas can and reached into his jacket pocket for a freshly plucked cherry.

His loyal companion stabbed the cherry with his beak and fluttered down to the asphalt.

“My good boy.”

The cardboard shelter shifted from side to side. A back flap popped open, and the homeless man’s face came into view. “Listen, mister,” he said. “I’m mindin’ my own business here. You don’t gotta do this. I won’t say nothin’.”

Mayhem’s gaze fled over his shoulder, then returned. “Are you speaking to me?”

“Please, mister. Whatever I did, I’m sorry.”

Outside the makeshift window, Mayhem laid a monogrammed handkerchief on the pavement and knelt to one knee. “Tell me, what was it that you did?”

The bum hung his head. “I dunno. I like my whiskey. Sometimes the night blurs.”

“I see. Well, what do you think you did?”

“I dunno. Somethin’ bad, probably.”

Intriguing indeed. “I’ll tell you what. Let me deep into your subconscious, where madness intersects with the unthinkable, the horrendous, the evil men are truly capable of, and I might let you live.”

“Might?”

A boisterous laugh broke from deep inside him. “Depends on how willing you are to share with me.”

“I’m willin’.” He chugged a good portion of his Wild Turkey.

Nasty stuff. The homeless must not be too particular about their cocktails.

“I’ll tell ya anythin’ you wanna know, mister.”

“Let’s begin with your background, as it were. Did dear ol’ Dad neglect you? Was Mommy a bit too affectionate? Or do you suffer from PTSD or some other form of mental deficit or illness? Something brought you to this point in life.” He waved a dismissive hand at the cardboard shelter. “Color me curious, but I’m trying to understand how someone falls to this level.

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