Diana Read Online Free Page B

stern look, then smiled as he released his hold. Shaking her head, she walked away.
    "That was great. You were so busted.” Jim walked away, laughing.
    "Thanks a lot, Luke. I appreciate the warning,” Brian said.
    "Hey, you were on a roll and I was too busy eyeing that cake. It's huge."
    "I'll remember that next time your dad is headed your way and you can't see him coming."
    Luke chuckled and shook his head. He may not have seen Brian in months, but when they worked in the same firehouse and had the opportunity to hang out, they had become close friends. Brian seemed to fall right back into the roll. Maybe working in the old neighborhood was just what he needed.
    They grabbed a couple of burgers, then joined the others around the picnic tables.
* * * *
    The party continued through the night. It was 2:00 a.m. before Diana had enough, said her goodbyes, and headed home. She didn't tell her brothers or her father, but she was exhausted, drained, and she needed this weekend off.
    She could use a whole damn week, but that wasn't happening. She saved up her vacation days, had plenty of time if she needed it. She knew she wouldn't use any of them. More than three days off from the job and she'd go insane. Besides, it was the beginning of the summer and homicides were popping up left and right.
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Chapter 2
    It was late and Barbara was tired of working. The store was dead. She could have left two hours ago, but her boss was a worthless piece of shit. She hated being a cashier, she hated people, and more importantly, she hated her life. No boyfriend, crappy paycheck, no social life, and things were only getting worse.
    When she left the suburbs with dreams of finding the perfect job in the biggest and brightest city in the world, she'd no idea what cruel obstacles lay ahead. Barbara thought she was determined enough to get through the rough times, but without a college diploma, she was forced to take a menial job that paid a bit above minimum wage. She worked whatever shifts she could get.
    No one was there to encourage her, and if she headed back home to her immigrant, Ecuadorian parents, they would be sure to tell her how stupid she was, how important an education in America was, and that they didn't want her working like a dog in a restaurant, bar, or fast food joint.
    Barbara took a deep breath. Life couldn't get any worse, so she might as well just continue to work as a cashier. Easier said than done.
    People were obnoxious, demanding, and continually looked down at her. At first, she tried to fight it, but it was no use. The managers and more seasoned staff were just as bad. Soon, Barbara was taking shortcuts, punching in early but not actually opening her register until a manager came and ordered her to. Things like that.
    Here it was a Sunday night, and work again tomorrow. Monday morning. Mondays were the worst.
* * * *
    He watched her just as he'd done a week before. Same schedule, same routine. This was going to be easy. The sight of her instantly brought back the rage, the anger.
    Worthless bitch! Incompetent lowlife.
    He recalled the way she slowly rung each item across the scanner. Taking her time, ignoring the huffs and puffs, complaints, and obvious dissatisfaction of the patrons who were waiting in line.
    Not a care in the world, not in the job she was doing, or the way she performed it.
    Line closed, he remembered her saying, and his blood boiled. He sensed the pressure in his face, his eyes burned, and his heart began to pound faster, harder.
    He was walking behind her, slow and carefully, in his old sneakers. She didn't look around her, didn't suspect anything, and walked the same way to and from work every day. Hadn't anyone ever told her about mixing up her routine? Taking a different route, walking with someone, checking behind her as she walked?
    She did none of this, and she would learn too late the consequences of her failure to take precautions.
    Her demise would be his