Samuel Miller checked on Bridget and found her in a deep slumber. She hovered on the brink of death. He had to be careful not to feed her too much antifreeze. She needed to live long enough for her girls to grow to trust him.
It was important that they witness his goodness and love for their mother. He stared at the photo, the one Bridget kept in her wallet. The girls had faces were that of angels.
In his nondescript rental car, he made the thirty minute drive south toward Laguna Niguel to free them. Excitement ratcheted up his heartbeat and sweat leaked from his pores as he inched his way through the quiet residential neighborhood.
He found the house, but kept going. He’d noticed a police car parked across the street. Their presence did not deter him. They thought they were smart, but he was smarter.
He drove around the corner and turned onto the next street. He counted the houses and parked. When he exited the vehicle, he made certain he had his tools; a bottle of chloroform, a handkerchief, his knife, and the slim-jim.
Dressed in black, including a ski mask pulled over his face, he opened the gate quietly and let himself into the backyard of the house behind Bridget’s. With great stealth, he traversed the yard, ever vigilant of discarded toys.
He came to the fence that divided the properties and hoisted himself up, and dropped down on the other side. A dog barked in the distance. He knew Bridget’s family didn’t own any animals, nor did her nearest neighbors.
In the time he’d been with her, he’d questioned all aspects of her life, including the layout of her house. Samuel came to the back door and silently pushed the screen to the side. He checked the sliding glass door, it wouldn’t budge.
Not a problem. He pulled out the slim-jim and slipped it beneath the lock. Before long, it clicked up. Slowly, he opened the door just enough to enter. His heart raced. He stood just inside the door as he got his bearings. He was in the kitchen. The light above the stove gave off a soft illumination.
On tiptoe, he moved into the living room. The full moon shone through the windows. The hall was to his left, the nightlight from the bathroom made it easy for him to see. He glanced in the first room and found two little mounds covered in blankets.
Their slow, steady breaths convinced him that they were sound asleep. After he took care of the father, he’d be back for them. He unsheathed his knife and headed into the master bedroom.
The husband was fast asleep.
He crept up to the bed and raised the knife high above his head.
Thomas woke to the ringing phone.
“Thomas.” He slipped from the bed and walked down the hall to his office. Although certain Meagan had woken as well, he didn’t want her within earshot.
“GPS has the phone in Anaheim, in the neighborhood of Disneyland. It hasn’t moved in the last thirty minutes,” said the voice on the other end.
“Have you alerted the unit parked outside the house?” Thomas sat in the leather chair behind the desk.
“Yes, all’s quiet.”
“I’m on my way.” He ended the call and noticed Meagan standing in the doorway.
“What is it?” she asked.
“They’re in Anaheim.”
“Thank God. I’ll get dressed.” She turned to leave.
“Babe, you can’t go with me.” He closed the gap between them. “It could be dangerous.”
“I’ll stay out of your way, but I have to be there for Bridget.”
Thomas stared at the determined set of her jaw.
“Dammit.” He ran his hands through his hair. This woman was going to be the death of him. “Fine, but you stay in the car. Got that?”
“Fine.” She started down the hall. He caught her arm.
“I’m not kidding, Meagan. I can’t do my job if I’m worrying about you.”
“I’ve got it.” She pulled her arm free. “Jeez.”
“Then hurry up. We have to jet.”
Within minutes they were speeding toward Laguna Niguel.
Samuel felt the give of flesh as his hand came down again and again into the husband’s body. Satisfaction overwhelmed him. He had no idea how many times the knife had entered when he stopped.
His breath caught as a kind of euphoria spread through him. He cleaned the blade on the bedspread and stuck the knife back in the sheath attached to his belt.
Now the girls.
Certain he grinned like a fool, he removed the small bottle of chloroform from his pocket and soaked the handkerchief. As he entered the room, their soft breaths told him they were still fast asleep. The moon bathed the room with enough light for him to see their outlined bodies. He crept to the head of one of the twin beds, and lifted the covers gently.
Thomas pulled up behind the cruiser and parked. When he got to the window, the officer rolled it down.
“Hey, Cooper, you see anything yet?” Thomas asked.
“Nope. All’s quiet,” the officer responded.
“Good. Shadowhawk’s on her way. The surveillance van should be here any minute. Keep your eyes peeled. I’m going to park my car down the street. I’ll be right back.”