Blood Red Sundown: Evil Begins Read Online Free Page A

off at school so I’ll be there on time. We know that my phone’s going to be
ringing “Dixie” most of the morning.”
    Anne leaned over and pointed. “That’s my car over there
on the corner. You can let me out on this side and keep going up University to Broadway.
See you in the morning.”
    “Right partner, tomorrow it is. Good job out there at
the scene. You were very observant with the ability to perceive using both your
senses and your mind.”
    He smiled at Anne waiting for a smart response from her,
but she merely shook her head in disgust. He then reached over and grabbed her arm;
“Be very careful who you choose if you decide not to go home alone. Remember, he’s
out there on the loose looking.”
    “Don’t worry. It’s one drink and this gal’s homeward
bound sober and alone.”
    Lon noted that her favorite hangout was exactly as she
had described it—a typical neighborhood bar, with a corner entrance door, no windows
along the front, and a red flashing open sign. He watched to be sure she crossed
the street and was safely inside before he pulled away from the curb and started
his trip home with a mind racing with questions he had no answer for.
    “Who is this guy?” he asked himself. He must appear harmless
to his victims. Probably a guy women are attracted to and everybody’s friend. He
is apparently aware of DNA criminology success rate and is careful to prevent any
from remaining at his crime scenes. He’ll make a mistake sooner or later, he thought.
    Pulling into his driveway he turned off the engine and
decided it was time to forget the case and just enjoy the family waiting for him
to be home.

6
    TERRIFIED TO THE point
she was whimpering through the ever tightening tape across her mouth praying that
his compassion would appear and save her from the death she feared was minutes away.
She watched him closely as he opened the small leather case. He pulled out a small
stack of newspaper clippings and removed the paper clip binding them together. Then
pulling the chain on a small table lamp, he sat down and began separating the items
displaying them across the desk top.
    “What is he reading at a time like this?” she wondered.
    She continued to watch him as he stood up and turned
on the main light in the room and after looking at each piece of newspaper he placed
them back into the case.
    He looked over at her and removed a sheet of paper containing
a handwritten list of methods used by the serial killer at each of the five published
murder scenes. His plan was to follow them in exact detail to try to link his wife’s
death to the serial killer. After carefully studying each step, he was satisfied
that he was ready and placed the list back into the case.
    Marie continued watching his every move, using every
instinct to remain calm. She knew she needed to be ready to take advantage of whatever
opportunity was accorded her to save her life. She thought of her husband and wondered
if he had returned home ready to apologize after his angry blowup. She knew he would
note her absence and assume she was still at her meeting and simply sit and wait
for her.
    Turning her attention back to the man, she remembered
how law enforcers always said to observe your attacker and look for anything unusual
about the man, like a mannerism, a tattoo, a piece of jewelry a strong scent or
memorize the tone of his voice to help identify them later. Marie refocused on the
man, but this time with a definite purpose.
    A frightening chill went through her as she realized
she was analyzing the man that was in all reality preparing to murder her. She had
never gambled, but now she wondered; what would the odds be that on the first time
in her life she decided to take a chance on a wild night out she would communicate
and agree to meet with a serial killer. She who had asked her husband on several
occasions since the killings began, how could women be so stupid as to take up with
perfect strangers?
    Her attention drifted