Read Online When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason - Free Book Online Page B

victims.”
    â€œAnd you think it came from some of his other victims?”
    A shrug. “Who else would it come from?” He rubbed a hand down his face and shuddered. “All I can tell you is that if you have a copycat, you’d better find him fast. He’ll keep killing until you put him away.”
    â€œThat’s the goal. Is there anything else you can tell us to help us figure this out?”

    Howard Bell stood to the side of the door, his expression thoughtful, troubled, as Dominic led the way back to the car. Something about the man’s expression made him want to turn and force him to say what he was thinking. Instead, Dominic opened the door for Serena and she slid into the passenger seat.
    Without looking toward the house, he said, “He’s thinking hard about something.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œHe talked a lot and told us very little. He left something out. Something that could be important but he was reluctant to share for some reason,” Dominic said as he shut her door.
    When he’d climbed in and buckled his seatbelt, she looked at him. “Why didn’t you confront him?”
    â€œHe’s the kind of guy that has to chew on something before he spits it out.”
    She nodded. “You think he’ll come around and call you with whatever it is?”
    Dominic quirked a smile at her. “Exactly.”
    Serena tapped her lip. “I think we need to talk to Drake Lindell.”
    Dominic started the engine, then looked at her. “I can talk to him. I don’t want you anywhere near that psycho.”
    Her right brow lifted and she simply stared at him.
    Dominic cleared his throat. “Not that I have any right to tell you who you can talk to, but . . .”
    She laid a hand on his arm. “Don’t apologize. I know why you said that, but it’s really my decision. I can’t say I’m crazy about the idea of talking to him face-to-face, but maybe he could give you a name or an idea of who might be behind Leslie’s murder.”
    â€œI’ve already asked for copies of every letter he’s ever received and a list of all visitors since he’s been incarcerated.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œI’m on this, I promise.”
    She flushed. “Now I need to apologize. Of course you are. Sorry, I didn’t mean to try and tell you how to do your job.”
    He shook his head and offered a smile. “Hey, brainstorming is a great thing. I don’t always think of everything, so it’s nice to have input.”
    Dominic started to pull away from the curb, then stopped as Howard came rushing toward them, hand held high, motioning for them to stop.
    Dominic put the car back in park and rolled down Serena’s window.
    â€œWait a minute,” Howard said. His eyes darted left, then right. He stopped his forward momentum now that he had their attention and backpedaled toward the open front door. “Come back inside. It’s time I told someone—”
    Howard Bell jerked and fell to the ground, his chest pumping bright red blood.

9
    TUESDAY, 10:45 A.M.
    Serena let out a scream as time fell into slow motion. She felt Dominic push her down into the seat, then slam his body over hers.
    No more shots followed in the next few seconds. Serena pushed out from under Dominic and her hand groped for the door handle.
    She had to help Howard.
    Shoving the car door open, she noticed Dominic’s weapon in his right hand and his gaze scanning the street through the windshield.
    She tumbled from the vehicle, Dominic right behind her screaming, “Shots fired! Man down. I need an assist!”
    The car was parked at the bottom of the front walk so that the walk and the car formed a T. Scrambling, heart thudding, fear shaking her, she started toward Howard.
    And felt a hard hand yank her back even while his voice barked their location and that of the gunman.
    Then Dominic’s voice