Smoke and Mirrors

109

A minute after Cynthia broke off the call to her mother, Alexa drove within sight of the Gardner house, stopping at the end of the driveway near the waiting cruiser. The deputy got out, and pulling up his hood against the rain and wind, stood by the truck as she lowered her window. The deputy recognized her and gave a friendly nod to the killer. He looked in the backseat at Cynthia.

“Welcome back, Miss Gardner,” he said cheerily. “Y’all go on up to the house. Deputy Chief Bishop and Clarke are up there. I’ll call them so they don’t shoot at you. I guess I can call and cancel the BOLO.”

Alexa looked at Styer, who nodded and patted the seat using the cell phone. “You best get back in your car and stay dry,” Styer said.

“I will, sir. Y’all be safe.”

Alexa pulled away slowly, closing the window.

“I think that went well,” Styer said. “When we get to the house, I’m going to cuff you.”

Alexa’s heart fell.

They pulled onto the circular front driveway as Alexa saw a single bright flash. She waited for the thunder to follow, but the storm was still too far off.

“I’ve given your request some thought,” Styer said. “About allowing Massey to live.”

“And?” Alexa asked.

“I can’t do it,” he said. “You already knew that, didn’t you?”

Alexa nodded. “And you lied when you said you never lie, didn’t you?”

“I only lie when it suits my purpose. I have to tie up the deputies in the house. Don’t make me kill them, because I will. Winter will come after he is done at the casino, and he and I will conclude our business.”

“He’ll kill you,” Alexa said.

“I promise I’ll be really careful.”

Styer laughed, but she didn’t. Alexa figured that he had to have made the mask he was wearing over his own features by casting it on the owner’s face, which meant he had most likely killed the subject before replicating his features. She gritted her teeth hard.

Alexa parked behind a cruiser as freezing rain pelted the hood of the truck. She believed Styer planned to kill her, the deputies, and everybody else, but she didn’t think he would as long as he needed them. Leigh might call, and if nobody answered, Winter would know it was because Styer was there.

Styer got out and came around. As promised, he cuffed Alexa’s hands behind her back before helping Cynthia from the extended cab. With rain pouring down on them, the three started toward the porch.

“Easy, girls,” Styer hissed.