Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“It doesn’t fit. Not like the rest. Her age. The location. The pattern . . .” She stares off across the room. I follow her gaze to where the New York Times headline article she wrote is framed on the wall. Beside that is the corkboard she used for research, the articles about the murder staring back at her. She stares a bit longer, her gaze focused on the one about Cynthia, the original article. The title that read, “The Compass Killer or A Copycat?” She lifts her mug and takes another sip before putting it down and facing me. “I guess . . . it was to protect you?” She lifts her eyebrow as she poses that question.
I shrug before speaking Jim’s catch phrase. “Some stones are best left unturned.”
“I just can’t help but wonder why . . .”
“You should let that one go, Layla.” I reach my hand out and trace my fingers over the frame that sits on her desk. The dried dandelion on display. The one that symbolizes her wishes. The wishes that I will do anything to give her. “You’re safe.” I drop my hand and grab hers. “The whys of the case no longer matter.”
I lift and kiss the knuckle right below her new ring.
“For the rest of our lives, now and until forever, know I will do anything to make sure you stay that way. I will always protect you, protect us. I’ve made sure we were safe before. No one will ever try to come between us again. . .”