Death isnt enough, p.26
Death Isn't Enough, page 26
“You only murdered three women. Your supposed student, Benjamin Clarke, did better than you. Don’t you think the big guys will find it interesting that you, Eric Foster, a gay man, enjoyed sticking things inside your female victims? To them, you’ll be nothing but a plaything, something to keep them warm at night.”
“I’m not gay. I’ve never been with a man.” Foster pursed his lips.
“Well, Eric Foster is, and you’ll be tried and convicted as Eric Foster.”
Foster snorted a laugh. “No plaything kills four women, one man and let’s not forget the well-matured Judge Gallagher. Mommy tried so hard to please me, but I considered her an appetiser to you, my main course.”
Jamie looked at Noa and nodded. “The fourth women being Officer Sheridan?” Jamie asked.
“Someone who kills a police officer is considered the highest on the food chain inside,” Foster smirked.
Jamie opened the file and scanned through the pages. “I don’t see her name listed as one of your victims. Her case remains unsolved, as we believe the suspect to be a man called Rick, last name unknown. No mention of you.”
Luke felt the same pride towards his sister as he uncrossed his arms.
Foster stared at Jamie. “Did you, or did you not, find a pink dildo next to her body?”
“No mention of it in her case file.”
“Bullshit, Jamie. It was in her mouth when she took a bullet between her eyes.”
Luke turned to Captain Johnson. “His desire for recognition is working in our favour. Typical.”
“You admit to shooting and killing Officer Kori Sheridan?” Jamie asked.
“No.” Foster pressed his lips together.
“Only the killer would know about the pink dildo. We found it intact and compared it to the others. Your dick really is your nemesis.”
“Top of the food chain, bitch. I’ll be out before you go for your next sonogram appointment.”
Foster turned to Noa. “Any parting words for the love of your life? It won’t be forever; I will taste you again.” He flicked his tongue at her.
“Some advice … don’t drop anything. A pretty guy like you is prime meat in prison. Oh, and don’t sleep. One of your victims’ brother is in the same penitentiary.” Noa tapped her right pointer finger against her forehead. “I can’t recall her name. Jamie, can you?”
“No, but it’s definitely one of the three innocent young women he tortured, mutilated and murdered.”
Noa continued with a smile. “Don’t show them the scar I gave you. Doesn’t make you very badass that your victim gutted you like a fish.”
“Your taste, Emily, will get me through all of it.”
Noa placed her palms flat on the table and leaned forward. “Emily’s taste. Me? Noa Morgan? I taste of Luke. Thanks to you, I have such an aversion to condoms I can’t stand the sight of them. And who needs condoms when you’re making love to your fiancé.”
Foster glanced at Noa’s left hand. “You’re mine, Emily. Mine!”
Noa headed towards the door. “Goodbye, Eric, Foster, soon to be bubba’s bitch. Enjoy the few days you have left on this earth. Someone will finish what I started.”
Foster called after her. “Thank the Neanderthal for visiting me in hospital.”
Chapter 58
Wednesday, 28 July, 10:30 a.m.
A few doors down from the interrogation room, Noa sank to the floor. Her body trembled. Luke ran down the passage and joined her on the floor. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”
“Noa. I want to be Noa.”
Luke helped Noa to her feet and they walked out of the prison.
In the bright winter sun, Noa stopped, closed her eyes, and lifted her face towards the sky. “I haven’t felt free in years. I’ve missed this feeling.”
Luke pressed his mouth to her hair, drawing her into his arms.
Noa placed her hands on his leather jacket, staring at the ring. She tried to remove it from her finger. “I swear your grandmother’s ring didn’t fit this snug two days ago when we first got the idea to throw Foster off.”
Luke took her hands in his. “I had it resized.” He smiled and bent down on one knee. “Noa Morgan, I love you. I’ve been infatuated with you since the night we met. Please don’t ever remove this ring. Will you marry me?”
“Guess I need to change my name again.” Noa touched the stubble on his cheeks. “Noa Taylor? I like the sound of that.”
“You need to say yes.” Luke stood and cupped her face in his hands, bending down until their lips almost touched.
“Yes, Luke Taylor. I love you.” Noa pressed her mouth to his, wrapping her arms around his neck. Luke lifted her up and hugged her tight against his body.
“Hey, you two, this is a prison parking lot. Take it home,” Jamie said as she strode past them.
Luke eased Noa down and she held her left hand out to Jamie. “We’re engaged for real. Luke asked me to marry him.”
Jamie stared at her brother and frowned. “Outside a prison? How romantic.” She rolled her eyes. “Thought you were going to ask her tonight before the hush-hush engagement party.”
Luke ran his thumb across Noa’s bottom lip. His smile matched hers. “It doesn’t matter. She’s mine.”
Acknowledgements
My fellow Thriller Babes. Your support and encouragement are unmatched. I’m forever grateful to share the highs and lows that come with being an author with you. Each of you inspire me more than you’ll ever know.
My utmost gratitude to you, the reader. Without your support, I wouldn’t be able to keep doing what I love most – sharing my imaginary friends with you.
To my first-pass readers – Holly, Jen, Maricka, Nicolina, Tania, and Yolanda. As always, your feedback is invaluable. Thank you.
A special shoutout to Nicolina Pieterse for always ensuring the medical information is correct. And to Jen Peterson, for reading it again after the last round of editing.
Every ARC reader. I know your time is valuable and your to-be-read list never-ending. Thank you for making the time to read and review Death Isn’t Enough.
Jessica Huntley, my editor. Your help is greatly appreciated, and even more so, your time and dedication to ensure that my work is the best it can be. The comments you made in certain scenes made me laugh out loud. Thank you.
Jana and Marc Barclay, for the cover design. Your patience is commendable. I’m beyond grateful to share the pre-release journey with both of you. Marc, thank you for giving me permission to use your name. You’re a phenomenal drummer; Noa has nothing on you.
Kori Sheridan, your enthusiasm at the idea of having your name in one of my books was incredible.
Thank you, Doctor JJ Odendaal, for sharing your knowledge of medicine with me. Hopefully I’ll never need to use it for anything other than my writing.
To my family and friends. There are no words to thank you for what you do for me behind the page.
Most of all, to God. May I always use the talent You gave me.
All mistakes are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mariëtte Whitcomb studied Criminology and Psychology at the University of Pretoria. Writing allows her to pursue her childhood dream to hunt criminals, albeit fictional and born in the darkest corners of her imagination. When Mariëtte isn't writing, she loves reading psychological thrillers and true crime books or spends time with her family, friends, and two miniature schnauzers.
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Also by Mariëtte Whitcomb
https://books2read.com/ap/RJlDv0/Mariette-Whitcomb
FINLEY SERIES
Orca / Book 1
Deception / Book 2
Binding Lies / Book 3
Fortius / Book 4
STANDALONE
The Skull Keeper
DEATH TRILOGY
Death Isn’t Enough / Book 1
Silent Death / Book 2 – Available 15.11.23
Preorder now https://books2read.com/silentdeath
Two years ago, five women went missing. Last year, ten disappeared. Both times, it happened in December.
Now it’s December again, and five more have vanished. To social worker, Madison Taylor, the women are not only her clients. They are her friends. Despite the recent discovery of the remains of five females, the police continue to be unhelpful because of the lifestyle the missing women lead.
Even after Madison is attacked and threatened, she stays determined to uncover the truth. How does her attacker know about the monster from her past? Madison’s identity was never made public.
Is this the work of a serial killer or something more horrific?
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Mariëtte Whitcomb, Death Isn't Enough
