Darkness Falls (Darkness Series Book 3) by J.L. Drake Page A

close,” she cried, and her hands clawed at the sheets. “Harder!”
    I picked up the pace. I had to hold on while she shot forward. I felt the moment she came. Everything tightened, her nipples hardened, and her screams drove me wild. I plowed on. I was so close but held off until she finished.
    “Shit,” I grunted as I let go and flopped over her sweaty body.
     
    ***
     
    After a hot shower, I changed into plain clothes. I sat next to Emily, who was on her side, her bright blue eyes peeking out through her hair. The TV flickered over her face. I could tell she was disappointed, but she wouldn’t say anything. She knew I had to leave. I brushed her hair away and kissed her lips, lingering a little longer than I meant to. I knew I’d never get out of there if I didn’t pull away, so I did.
    “I love you, baby.”
    “I know. I love you too.”
    I pointed to the watch. “I don’t know how you did it, but thank you for getting my grandfather’s watch.”
    She sat up and pulled the sheet along with her. “I had help.” She gave me a quick peck. “Leave so you can come home to me.”
     
    ***
     
    Garrett texted me an address to meet him, and when I got closer, I saw sirens and a ton of officers at the corner. I parked, flashed my badge, and hurried to find the sergeant.
    “Isn’t it your day off?” he asked and rubbed his head the way he did when he had a bad vibe about something.
    “Yeah, what’s going on?”
    “Thanks for coming. We’re going to need everyone on this.” He pointed to a dumpster. “Body, burned, teeth removed, finger prints, hair, everything gone.”
    “DOA?”
    “No,” Detective Michaels answered as he came up behind me, “two shots to the neck, then moved here to be burned. No witnesses, no camera, so whoever did this knew what they were doing.”
    I stared down at the charred body which still smelled fresh. “Who found him?”
    “Homeless man.” Sarge pointed to a man next to a shopping cart, watching it like someone might take it. He was dirty, his clothes torn, and he looked hungry. He kept his eye on Campbell’s bagel. “I need you to keep the newbies in check, make sure no one passes through, and listen for talk among the crowd.”
    “Yes, of course.” I hurried back to the other officers. Campbell handed me an OPD jacket so I had some kind of identification on.
    I scanned the crowd, watching people’s mannerisms to see if they showed any signs of enjoyment, fear, or lust. We had no idea what we were dealing with here.
    “You think he’s here?” Ronnie appeared out of nowhere.
    I shrugged and zipped the jacket up. “A lot of times the killer will come back and watch.” I spotted Garrett, who held up a coffee. “Excuse me.”
    “Hey.” I gladly took the hot brew, needing some kind of jolt. I looked to see where Ronnie was. “Why did I get a call from Ronnie this morning and not from Sarge or you?”
    “Really?” He looked confused. “Sarge called me and told me he’s got someone on the call list, so not to worry, just to meet here.”
    “Strange.” I sipped my coffee while I scanned the crowd.
    “Hey, guys.” Johnnie stared at his cell phone. “Umm, have any of you heard from Davis? I’ve been trying to get hold of him since the Halloween party. He said he had to make a stop at Avery’s, but Avery said he never showed.”
    “No.” I looked at Garrett, who shook his head.
    “Okay, I’m going to go talk to Sarge.” I gave Johnnie a friendly slap on the shoulder as he walked away.
    Garrett checked the time. “Not like Davis not to check in.”
    “No, it’s not.”
     
    ***
     
    Campbell bent his head down and smelled his shirt. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get that smell out of my head for a while.”
    “Fucking sick,” Riggs chimed in right before he bit into his burger. “Gotta say, glad the guy was shot first, because that’s a hell of a way to go.”
    “One of my biggest fears,” Riley added and reached for the mustard from