Thirst for sin touch of.., p.27
Thirst for Sin (Touch of Evil Book 1), page 27
Brook didn’t even bother taking her keys out, knowing that Jacob would have left the door unlocked for her. Sure enough, the knob turned without any resistance. She slowly walked inside and set her bags down off to the side. She heard the ding of the elevator right as she had turned around, satisfied that the officer had been too preoccupied with whoever had arrived on the scene.
Closing the door, she took a moment to lean up against the hard surface. The numbness inside of her was starting to fade, but thankfully it wasn’t being replaced with panic, anxiety, or even dread. In their place were contempt, fury, and determination.
Nothing was out of place.
Then again, she hadn’t expected anything to be touched or shifted from its location. Jacob was too good for that. He would have simply casually walked through her condo, looking upon her life with amusement.
Fortunately, it did not seem that he’d tampered with the white boards or the information taped to the wall of her dining room. Such a discovery would have given him pause. She also hadn’t written anything down regarding his visit to their father, and she had the USB with the footage tucked into her briefcase.
She’d left her dress coat in the car, but the blazer that she had on was soaked through to her skin. After stripping it off, she tossed it to the floor as she collected her phone from the side pocket of her briefcase. She didn’t look forward to placing the call, but she had to have everything set in motion before Harden got word of what had happened today.
As she began to walk toward her bedroom, she managed to multi-task and scroll through her recent call log. After finding the number that she was searching for, she pressed it right as she had entered her bedroom.
Graham Elliott answered on the first ring.
She only had to say one word.
“Yes.”
The long pause on the other end of the line should have given her some satisfaction. Graham was obviously taken aback by her abrupt change of heart. Unfortunately, every ounce of her energy was now focused on the hardback book that had been so strategically placed on her bedside table.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
“I’ll be in touch,” Graham responded quietly, as if he’d sensed that it wasn’t the time to hash out the details.
The line went dead.
Brook slowly lowered the phone from her ear. Her life was once again about to be turned upside down, only she would be ready this time around. She’d spent years honing her craft at profiling, and she’d left no stone unturned when it came to her brother. While she hadn’t expected him to take the life of a neighbor who Brook had tried so very hard to keep at arm’s length, Jacob hadn’t been able to stay away from her.
Whereas he’d brought malevolence into her world, the tables had just been turned.
Jacob Matthew Walsh’s life was about to be touched by evil…and it would be done so by her own hand.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Jacob Walsh
November 2021
Sunday—9:39 pm
Rain.
How he detested this type of sloppy weather.
The slight breeze off the gulf coast with the heat of the sun warming his skin was much more preferrable than this bitter, revolting climate. How his younger sister spent her every waking moment in such a miserable place like this was unknown to him. Was it her way of trying to prove that they were different?
Brook wanted so badly to believe that they were nothing alike.
Oh, how he’d missed her.
He hadn’t realized how much until he’d walked through her condominium. Giving her these years to establish a sense of self had been important, and his patience had paid off in spades. The place had screamed of loneliness and detachment. There hadn’t even been a single framed photograph on the walls.
Instead, she’d attempted to profile him as if he were nothing more than one of her many other homicide cases.
He was so much more than that.
He was a part of her, and she had no idea that she’d proven it by becoming as obsessed with him as he was with her.
“Here is your caramel macchiato, sir.”
Jacob had been waiting patiently by the counter of Brook’s favorite café. She came here every morning on her way into the office for a large caramel macchiato. He’d been monitoring her for the last several weeks. He’d been quite surprised when she had disappeared on Thursday, not returning to her apartment after a full day of work. Her routine rarely varied, and he’d become curious about where she’d gone off to in such a rush.
“Thank you,” Jacob murmured in appreciation.
He took his purchase and made his way over to an empty table that looked out onto the deserted sidewalk. The vile weather had even created somewhat of a cold draft near the seat he’d chosen, but it allowed him to have a somewhat clear view of the turmoil occurring down the street. There were still police vehicles, vans, and media converged outside of Brook’s building.
Was she inside with the homicide detective examining the scene?
Jacob could only imagine what she thought of his handiwork. Quite the masterpiece, if he did say so himself. He preferred younger women who believed their family lives were perfect, but Lorraine Upton had surprised him with stories about the life she’d had with her husband.
The older woman had been extremely talkative as he’d escorted her into the building. He hadn’t even bothered with the pretense of being someone else. He’d explained that he was Brook’s brother, and that she’d given him a key to her condo while she was out of town on assignment.
Lorraine Upton hadn’t even thought twice as they had walked through the foyer. He’d made sure that the doorman was busy helping one of the tenants collect coupons for his weekly trip to the grocery store. Once they’d reached the elevator, the rest had been a breeze.
Of course, he hadn’t planned on killing the older woman. It was only after he’d canvassed his sister’s condo that the idea had come to him. He found it quite amusing to leave her such a present that she would remember so vividly. Of course, Mrs. Upton hadn’t thought it amusing when he knocked on her with one of Brook’s kitchen knives in his hand.
Even altering the security footage had been effortless. The technological equipment that one could buy nowadays made things so much easier. He wasn’t worried about the street cameras picking up his movements, because he’d studied their placement. He’d made himself known when he had deemed it appropriate, and he’d avoided any others that would give away his location to the authorities.
Little did they know just how close in proximity he was to his sister.
Jacob leaned back in his seat and sighed in contentment as he savored Brook’s favorite beverage. He grimaced when the sweet taste washed into the back of his throat. It was a bit too potent for his liking, but he enjoyed trying the things that gave her pleasure.
Would she appreciate sampling his pastimes?
Only time would tell.
~ The End ~
USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne continues the psychological thriller series that will have you redefining evil…
Click HERE
Brooklyn Sloane has left her job as a consultant for the FBI to take on her first cold case in the private sector. Doing so allows her the freedom to work the one case she’s never professionally been allowed to touch – a ruthless serial killer, who just so happens to be her own brother.
Privately, she’s hunting her only sibling, but alongside her team, she’s seeking justice for those without a voice. But there is always the anomaly…
Seven arrests. Seven trials. Seven closed cases.
Brook has discovered one thread that ties them all together. Soon, as the investigation begins to unravel, the evidence all points to one disturbing truth – the real serial killer has never stopped hunting innocent victims, planting evidence, and causing others to pay for his violent crimes. Unfortunately, he isn’t Brook’s only concern. As she divulges deeper into her brother’s reign of torment, she finds herself falling down a dark rabbit hole where she lands on a web of deceit. Who wins is unknown, for their chilling lies can make for very convincing truths.
Books by Kennedy Layne
Touch of Evil Series
Thirst for Sin
Longing for Sin
The Widow Taker Trilogy
The Forgotten Widow
The Isolated Widow
The Reclusive Widow
Hex on Me Mysteries
If the Curse Fits
Cursing up the Wrong Tree
The Squeaky Ghost Gets the Curse
The Curse that Bites
Curse Me Under the Mistletoe
Gone Cursing
Paramour Bay Mysteries
Magical Blend
Bewitching Blend
Enchanting Blend
Haunting Blend
Charming Blend
Spellbinding Blend
Cryptic Blend
Broomstick Blend
Spirited Blend
Yuletide Blend
Baffling Blend
Phantom Blend
Batty Blend
Pumpkin Blend
Frosty Blend
Stony Blend
Cocoa Blend
Shamrock Blend
Campfire Blend
Stormy Blend
Sparkling Blend
Hallow Blend
Office Roulette Series
Means (Office Roulette, Book One)
Motive (Office Roulette, Book Two)
Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)
Keys to Love Series
Unlocking Fear (Keys to Love, Book One)
Unlocking Secrets (Keys to Love, Book Two)
Unlocking Lies (Keys to Love, Book Three)
Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four)
Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love, Book Five)
Surviving Ashes Series
Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)
Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)
Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)
Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)
Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)
CSA Case Files Series
Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)
Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)
Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)
Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)
Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)
Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)
Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)
A Mission of Love (CSA Case Files 8)
Red Starr Series
Starr’s Awakening(Red Starr, Book One)
Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book Two)
Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Three)
Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Four)
Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Five)
Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Six)
Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Seven)
Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Eight)
The Safeguard Series
Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)
Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)
Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)
Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)
Honest Intentions (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)
Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)
About the Author
First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.
I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.
Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…
Email:
kennedylayneauthor@gmail.com
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twitter.com/KennedyL_Author
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www.kennedylayne.com
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Kennedy Layne, Thirst for Sin (Touch of Evil Book 1)
