Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Jasmine?” Benny covered my hand with his and squeezed. “Are you okay? Where did you go?”
“Somewhere I shouldn’t be,” I murmured.
Benny opened another newspaper on his side. A thin, black folder lay inside.
“These are just copies, not the originals.” Benny gave it to me. “Each time the three girls died, Chase was with them. Vicki took sleeping pills in the bathroom after having sex with him, returned to him in bed, and laid down. She never woke up. When we reported the death, we told the police she was alone.”
He patted the folder. “Put this information somewhere safe.”
I grabbed the folder and shoved it in my new bag. Chase had delivered it. A big bag with coconut pieces sewed on the fabric. No one knew it was from him.
I cleared my throat. “What about the second woman?”
“Someone poured chemicals into a pool while Evelyn was swimming. It burnt her skin and lungs,” Benny said. “Again, Chase was sleeping in her apartment at Willow Park.”
I wonder if this is why they stopped him from sleeping in the girls’ bedrooms at night, or if he’d ended it himself.
“And the third girl?”
“Yancy, the last one, was attacked leaving Stone Industries. Chase was in the limo waiting for her to show up. At least, that was what he said.” Benny shrugged.
“I overheard Dawn say she washed Yancy’s blood from his body.”
“I figured he was around, but he’s always denied it.”
I focused on Benny. “Do you think he killed them?”
“I’m familiar with killers. I can see them a mile away. It’s always in their eyes and the way they carry themselves.” His lips straightened into a line. “It takes one to know one.”
I averted my eyes and stirred a little in my seat.
Benny was a lawyer, but he was something else, too. Thugs followed him around. Things disappeared when they caused Troy, Vivian, or me any harm.
In fact, no one had seen Noc since he’d been released from jail. Missing pictures were posted outside of Drunken Lyrics asking people to call the police if they knew of Noc’s whereabouts.
“So?” I said. “Do you think Chase killed them?”
He grunted with disdain. “I doubt it.”
“That’s not a definite answer.”
“It doesn’t matter. Stay away from him. It shouldn’t matter whether he’s a killer or not.”
I leaned against the bench. “I will stay away, but I would like to know.”
“Focus on Gabe or any other good guy. You’re beautiful, smart, and an amazing woman. I knew when Chase spotted you at the Garden Party he wouldn’t let go. How could he? You can offer more to him than those pathetic airheads he has at his estate.”
“Whatever,” I murmured. “They’re beautiful women. They just fell in love with the wrong guy.”
He shook his head. “Karma is a serious thing. My biggest payback in life is that I was blessed with two amazing daughters who would fall for guys like me.”
My phone rang.
I checked the screen. It was Chase calling at his usual time, hoping I would pick up.
One day he won’t call. How will I feel about that?
“I have to go.” I used the opportunity to leave. “I’ll see you again. Soon.”
“Will you talk to Vivian and Troy for me, please?”
“Yes.” I’d tried and failed to the point where I didn’t see why it was a good idea for them to communicate anymore. Troy and Vivian didn’t talk to each other either. I could tell they both loved one another, but it embarrassed them too much.
I rose. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Benny.”
“Good. I’ll be happy to hear from you.” His face seemed pained. When I’d called two weeks ago and told him I knew he was my dad, he’d sighed. And when I told him Troy and Vivian had fallen in love, he cried so loud I held the phone to my chest.
“Goodnight, Benny. Take care of yourself.”
“I will.” He got up and hugged me. His big arms wrapped and tightened around me. “I love you and I’m so sorry, Jasmine. So very sorry.”
I nodded my head and left, knowing all he wanted to hear was me say I loved him back. But I wasn’t ready yet. And feared I never would be.
Chapter 33
Jasmine’s Hell
A clear night sky hung over Oshane City.
Stars glittered.
The moon glowed.
My heels clicked on the sidewalk as I headed toward Gabe. He leaned against the door of Lan. To my surprise, he wore jeans, sneakers, and an Oshane Timberwolves t-shirt.
Savory scents drifted to me.
My stomach swung to overdrive as I anticipated the dishes to come.
I gazed down at my tight dress. “I guess I’m overdressed, huh?”
“Never.” He let his eyes travel from my head down to my toes, drinking me in. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” I crossed my hands behind my back and twisted a little from side to side. “So, are you ready to go inside and eat or have our plans changed?”