Slenderman Page 10

  Rhys slid into the water. The fairy lights gave Jo’s alabaster skin an ethereal glow. Skin that slowly merged with the shadows of the heated water. She called herself plain, but to him, she had never blended into the background. She was beautiful and fit him perfectly. Physically he wasn’t imposing. A swimmer’s build that just missed the six-foot mark. Dark blond hair and brown eyes. How he had captured and held her attention was a mystery. One he hoped was never solved so he’d keep her attention forever. His Jo loved mysteries.

  With the privacy screen drawn tight, they were in their own intimate world, one they had frequented often at the beginning of their engagement to smooth out arguments. Rian never came here. The kid hated the sound the hot tube made, and their guests knew nothing about the secluded hideaway tucked away on the side of the porch.

  Jo passed over a glass of dark red wine and settled across from him.

  Taking a sip, Rhys focused on the love of his life. She could be stubborn and prickly. It was why he’d nicknamed her his porcupine. With him, she toned her abrasive traits down and became softer. Warmer. Less brittle.

  He found her enchanting with thick brown hair that curled in the steam of the bubbling water and pale blue eyes that heated every time they landed on him. Even when she was worried or angry, they always held a warmth reserved for him. The pain in them when they’d argued had gutted him, but there was too much going through his head at the time for him to be comforted by her. Now he would soothe her because he could still see the pain in her gaze. It dimmed the blue and created shadows he never wanted between them.

  “Are you still mad?” She nibbled at her thumbnail.

  “When did you start biting your nails?” He didn’t like the lack of confidence and nervousness radiating from her. It wasn’t anything like his Jo.

  Startled, she looked down and yanked her thumb from her mouth. “I stopped doing that after my first homicide case.” She huffed and straightened her shoulders. “I don’t like being unsure about us. Are you going to answer my question?”

  There was the Jo he loved. The conversation gave him a moment to gather his thoughts. “No, I’m not angry anymore. I just don’t want my brother involved in this case. At all.” He set his glass into the notch built into the tub. “The first thing I thought of when he blurted it out was his nightmares. He’s finally scaled back in his therapy after the Skinned case. Now he only goes every other week instead of three times a week. He doesn’t wake screaming at night. He’s on an even keel emotionally. I do not want him drawing the attention of a serial killer.”

  “I would never allow—” she sputtered.

  Rhys held a hand up. “You can’t stop it, Jo. Just like none of us anticipated Sharon shooting me or Polson tossing you into a ravine.” He took a calming breath. “Okay, tell me about the case. Is it safe for him? Is it safe for you? Do you have any idea who this man or woman is? How does this tie into Rian’s group?”

  He watched her throat work as if she were struggling to form words. “First, we’re narrowing down how this ties into Rian’s group. With the list Evan and Rian pulled together, we know we need to focus on those who left the clan—”

  “Why? Why did you need the list so narrow?” He didn’t understand Rian’s game at all. Just enough to make sure he stayed safe online. “There can’t be that many people playing it. Couldn’t the game makers give you—”

  “Okay, let me get a word in, hon.” Jo moved to his side, her palm settling on his thigh. The callused skin of her palm petting his skin distracted him. “Rhys, are you listening?”

  Jolting under her sharp tone, he nodded. “Yes, sorry.”

  “As I was saying, the game has over a million players, and the company won’t allow us to access all their data for a shot in the dark. We needed a solid link and a list smaller than a million before we approached them.”

  “Rian’s clan has three hundred.” He remembered Rian telling him that last year when they hit the number. His brother had been so excited to see his group grow.

  “Yes, but Evan says only about fifty have left either the game or the clan, and those are who we’re focusing on first.”

  Rhys’s hand clamped around hers. “You said two of them were kids.”

  Her fingers laced with his. “Yeah.”

  “Christ, Jo.”

  She pressed a kiss to shoulder and leaned her head on it. “Trust me. Rian only gave us a list. That’s it.”

  “I asked Carl and Joseph to help me set up a security system.”

  Jo sipped from her wine. “I know, Mom told me.”

  “I need both of you to be safe. I’ve given up on hovering over you because you’d go nuts. And I have to trust you to take care of yourself. But Rian . . . he’s innocent, Jo.”

  “I know, hon. I swear. The list is all we’ve asked from him.”

  Rhys wanted to believe her, but there were always questions where the answers would be easier gained by those, she knew rather than trying to find another source. “What happens if you have questions about the game?”

  “You remember Franklin’s son, Kyle?”

  “You know I do. You’re older than me so I’d be more worried about your memory than mine.” He teased.

  She chuckled. “Just checking. Kyle’s always disappearing whenever I come into a room—”

  “Maybe because you were going to arrest his dad and now you tease him constantly about his all black clothing choices.”

  “Could be. So he stays in the room with you when you go?”

  “He does, though he’s usually chatting with Rian about games.”

  “Figures,” she mumbled in her wine.

  Rhys and Rian had standing invitations to their murder mysteries. It was odd, Rian hated police dramas on television. He had nightmares because of them, but the murder mysteries he was fine with. He said it was because he knew how it all worked. Apparently, Kyle had walked Rian through every aspect of how the skit was set up so the kid wouldn’t be freaked out. Rhys appreciated Kyle for taking the time to do that. “When did you talk to Kyle? And what’s he got to do with Rian’s game?”

  “Ian, Redden, and I met with Franklin the other day about the weapon. Come to find out Kyle plays Legends of Stone and is setting me up with a friend of his that left Rian’s group and joined Kyle’s.”

  He should’ve known she would understand. Sometimes her attention would narrow in on a case, and she would be blind to everything but finding the culprit. He was glad to have that worry put to rest. “Thank you.” The tension released from Rhys’s muscles and he sipped from his wine. The fruity flavor was pleasant now that he could taste it. “How close are these victims to Rian and Evan?”

  Her fingers tightened around his. “Well, based on what Rian and Evan could give us, all twelve of our victims are tied to Rian’s clan.”

  His heart stuttered and he coughed, the wine going down the wrong pipe. “All of them?”

  Her thumb raked back and forth over his. “We still need to sort the list of people who just quit playing and those that are dead to find the link on why they were chosen. It’s taking time because none of us are gamers. To top that off Evan’s list doesn’t have real names, so we’ve had to sort them and get the IP address in order for Redden to find the US citizens affected. He can only check up on the people who live in the States.” She lifted her glass and took another sip. “Ian is calling a contact at Scotland Yard who works in the cyber division that owes him a favor. He’s hoping the company will give us more details with the fifty names. Then he’ll work with his Interpol connections to touch base on the international people on the list. Which all takes time.”

  “Backup. You all think there are more victims out there?” Rhys’s mind spun as he realized they wouldn’t have known any of this if the Alabama victims weren’t tied to Jo.

  “
It makes sense. This is a serial killer who has an agenda. It’s why I’ll be talking to Kyle’s friend. I’ll try to figure out how the victims are being chosen while Redden and Ian are working the IP angle. We know whoever is killing them considers the people ‘Betrayers.’“

  “How?”

  “The weapon is the same one used to kill Julius Caesar in the play, to top that off the killer leaves thirty pieces of silver—”

  “Like Judas.”

  “Exactly. Kyle’s friend will hopefully shed some light for us because that much planning combined with the rage we’ve seen in the stabbings. They have to be expressing it on the game too.”

  “What happens if Kyle’s friend is the serial killer?” Rhys lifted his glass and downed the wine in a gulp, not tasting it at all.

  “No.”

  “No? How no? If you start asking questions the serial killer will know—”

  “Kyle’s guy left the group a few years ago. I think the killer is still in the clan. It’s also why I don’t want to talk to anyone ranked in Rian’s chat.” Jo lifted the bottle and refilled his glass. “Besides, if he warns them in the clan then Sullivan and I will arrest him on pot charges. It might be legal in some states, but Alabama is not one of them yet. And from what we’ve gathered he has enough to be a distributor, which is a felony. He’ll keep his mouth shut.”

  “You’re scary.”

  Jo patted his leg. “Only to the bad guys, hon.”

  “Okay, so the guy associates these people who leave with Judas and Caesar because both betrayed those they should have protected. So the killer feels the victims should die as Judas and Caesar did for their betrayal.”

  Jo nodded. “He leaves notes too, signed S13nderman.”

  “Like a gamer’s handle.”

  “Exactly, but it’s not on any list attached to Rian’s group nor to the twelve victims’ groups. There are several Slendermans listed but none with a thirteen in the name.”

  Rhys tugged at the ends of his hair. “Slenderman was actually invented by the internet.”

  “I know. It’s why I think the killer chose it. Like an internet nightmare come to life as an avenger of betrayal.” She rubbed his thigh before lacing their fingers together again.

  “I’ll feel better when you catch this guy.” Rhys scrubbed a hand over his face.

  “When will the new security system be installed?”

  Rhys hated working the second shift. It always twisted his days around, and it took him a few beats to remember the delivery day. “I think the first set of cameras will be here day after tomorrow.” He rubbed his temple. “I forgot I’m on day shift that day.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be here with Redden and Ian looking at leads. Sullivan said we can take turns going to the precinct, so we both get our training in until this guy is caught.”

  “Okay, I don’t like the thought of Rian involved in this, but it sounds like he was already neck-deep without any of us knowing. So we’ll do what we need to keep all of us safe.”

  Jo’s shoulders slumped. “I’m glad you said that.”

  Rhys found his first smile. “I still can’t believe the infamous Redden is in our guestroom. I bet that chapped your butt asking him if he wanted to stay here.”

  “You have no idea,” Jo groaned. “But we’ve made our peace, and I’ve quit harassing him for the most part.”

  “Okay, I trust you to not get Rian hurt.” Rhys leaned and kissed her. “Now can we get to the good stuff?”

  Jo chuckled and slid her knees on either side of him, her hands smoothed over him. “Speaking of the good stuff. After I ordered my wedding dress, I went to find some lingerie for the honeymoon.”

  Rhys set down his wine so his hands were free to glide over the water slicked skin of her back. He wrapped his arms around Jo’s waist and kissed the bend of her neck. All this time together and her skin against his still made him catch his breath. She tipped her head, arching her neck.

  “Do I get to approve them?” he asked, hopeful.

  She leaned in and nibbled on his earlobe. Heat poured into him. He wanted her. Now.

  “Nope, on the honeymoon. The ratings will go from slid off my body slowly and ripped to shreds. We can practice the ravishing part though.” She tapped the foil packet on the shelf behind them.

  Rhys claimed her lips and lost himself in her. No monsters existed when his porcupine was around.

  Chapter 9

  Rhys heaved a sigh of relief at walking into the dining room to see several table settings. The formal dining room hadn’t been used since his parents’ deaths. He ran his hand over the silky smooth table Marta kept polished to a high sheen. A warm red with dark accents. Tiger maple, or flame maple, was what his mother called the pattern.

  “You thinking about Mom?” Rian walked across the thick light-colored carpet.

  “Yes.” Rhys looked his brother over and smiled. “Don’t you look dapper.”

  Rian laughed. “Now you’re channeling Dad. I never understood what dapper meant.”

  “Handsome. Well put together.”

  Rian had swapped his long-sleeved, solid colored shirt under a t-shirt paired with jeans out with dark brown button-down shirt and charcoal slacks. His brown hair had been carefully combed and his jaw cleanly shaved. All of it would have projected calm if his six-foot frame wasn’t vibrating with nervous energy. Wanting to put his brother at ease, Rhys pointed toward the two chairs that were a shade lighter than the table.

  “Do you remember when those two chairs broke and mom cried for days?”

  Rian ran his hands across the two newer chairs. “She was so upset that she’d broken her grandmother’s dining room chairs. Dad told her they were old and the joints hadn’t been stable for a few months.”

  “It took Dad several weeks to find someone who could and would be willing to make a new pair from the tiger maple since most crafters use the wood for instruments.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Rian’s brown eyes took in the room. “I remember the dinner parties they had in here.”

  “They loved to entertain.”

  Rian hummed as he moved closer to the china cabinet to the right. “Did Mom ever teach you the difference between the two chinas?”

  Rhys laughed. “She did. Why do you think we never eat off the bone china?”

  “I know, right?” Rian shivered. “The first time she told me I pictured great Uncle Harvey. He was the only one in the family who ever demanded to be cremated. I asked Mom if it was like that.”

  He laughed harder. “I bet she covered her mouth in shock and looked around for Dad.”

  Rian’s head bobbed in agreement.

  “You know how to tell the difference between the two?”

  “No, Mom never told me.” Rian leaned closer to peer at the pieces in the cabinet and his breath fogged the glass.

  “Bone china is almost translucent when you hold it up to the light and is warmer in color.”

  “Translucent?”

  “It means you can see your hand through it because it’s thin.”

  “Oh. I didn’t know that. I knew the bone pieces came from Dad’s side of the family and the fine china was their wedding present.”

  Rhys wrapped his arm around Rian’s waist as he realized it would be up to him to fill his brother in on their shared family history.

  “They blended their stuff well, didn’t they, Rhys? Because they loved each other.”

  “They did love each other and were willing to blend their things, so both of their families were present in their lives.”

  Though Rian was several inches taller than Rhys, he still leaned on him when things became overwhelming. “I loved them, Rhys. But I don’t think they would’ve ever let me live in the pool house.”

  He
squeezed his brother in a side hug. “I would’ve helped you convince them when you were ready.”

  “Nah. It took Jo’s family for me to finally see what was possible. For both of us.”

  “Jo’s pretty special.” Rian rolled to the balls of his feet and back again. “I’m glad she didn’t make us move.”

  “I would never make you two do anything.”

  Rhys and Rian turned and smiled.

  “I didn’t know you were done with the conference call with Redden.”

  She waved a hand toward the hall. “I’m done with my piece. He’s got two more calls to make.” Then she turned to Rian. “You should know better than to think I’d ever take away your home. The only way I’d do that if it was in all of our best interests, and it isn’t.” She bumped Rian’s side, being five-foot-four, she couldn’t nudge his shoulder without using her hand. As if she sensed the mood turning heavy, she changed the subject. “So why are we eating in here tonight?”

  The light in her blue eyes teased and Rhys knew she’d already guessed what Rian’s big announcement would be this time.

  His brother shrugged. “No reason. I need to go see if Marta needs help in the kitchen.”

  With that, his brother raced from the room.

  “Way to clear the room, hon.”

  “It’s a gift.” Jo grinned. “You know he’s going to ask if Evan can move into the pool house.”

  “I know. Those two are thick as thieves and get on like a house on fire. But I want him to present it, and I want to make sure Lisa and Marta are good with the addition.”

  “Well I’m with you, whatever you decide.” She hugged him.

  “I am glad you didn’t push for us to move. Even though this place makes you uncomfortable and you get a lot of crap about it at work.”