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Chapter Thirty

Charlie had beensitting on one of the straight-backed chairs staring out at the street. He knew it was only a matter of time before they’d arrest him. That fucking Contreras and his sidekick executed a search warrant. He cursed himself for keeping the photographs he’d taken of Joanna and Rich when he was surveilling them. Many of the sales trips he’d told her he had didn’t exist. He’d stayed in town at the hotel, following them as they frolicked and flaunted their depraved love in his house. And the way Fallon had laughed and hung on to Rich whenever he’d come over made him hate her even more.

I know Fallon’s been yapping her mouth off. Ratting me out. What a bitch. Just like her mother. I should’ve killed her when I had the chance.He’d thought about it the night he’d come home from murdering Joanna and her lover. He’d been trailing them that morning, and when they’d gone to Bison Peak for one of their hikes, it’d been easy. He’d put two bullets in Rich’s head, enjoying how devastated Joanna had been, and then he’d raped and beaten her to death. When he’d gone home, Fallon had been surprised to see him. He’d told her that her mother had called and said she was leaving them. Fallon had been inconsolable.

I should’ve killed her that night.

But he hadn’t. The little bitch had always had the love of Joanna—the love he should’ve had. Fallon had reminded him so much of Joanna that, in a perverse way, it’d been like she was still there. When his darkness overtook him and rage set in, the beatings he gave her, he was giving to Joanna.

And now the little cunt ratted him out. Probably told the cops he pushed her off the roof. That he made her a cripple. He shook his head. He never thought any man would want her.I should’ve thrown out the biker scum the minute he looked at her. And Iamher father. I’ve supported and cared for her better than most biological fathers do. I did Joanna a huge favor.

“This is all your fault, Joanna,” he said.

A door slamming drew his attention to a car across the street.Where’s Shanna?The minute she came home, he was taking her and getting the fuck out of Tula. He knew she didn’t like the small town, so she’d be happy to leave.There’s no fucking way I’m going to prison.After all these years, he’d figured Joanna and Rich would never be found. It was fucking bad luck they were. It messed up his life in a big way, but once they were out of the country, they could have a new life.

He brought the glass of scotch to his lips and took a sip, savoring the flavor as it exploded across his taste buds.

The bedroom door slowly opened.

“What did you tell the cops?” He took another gulp of scotch. “You don’t want to tell me? Did you betray me?” He watched as she slipped something out of her purse. The fading light cast the gun in an eerie glow. “What the fuck?”

He tried to rise from the chair, but the room was spinning and he couldn’t feel his limbs.What the fuck is going on?Charlie saw her glance at the bottle of scotch and smile wryly.She put something in the bottle.

He tried to talk but couldn’t; all that came out of his mouth was spittle. He was paralyzed, watching a horror film in which he had the starring role. She came over to him and picked up his hand, placing the gun in it. She wore green latex gloves.She’s going to make it look like suicide. How clever. Ungrateful bitch! I can’t even move a muscle. I can’t believe she’ll go through with this. After all I’ve done for—

The deafening roar from the gun echoed in his ears a second before life seeped out of him.