Boston, Massachusetts
Monday, June 18th, 2018
But her peaceful memory ended just as suddenly as it had begun.
A horrible vision flashed in Kate’s mind, that of Bobby’s cold and limp body in her arms, pressed against her teenage chest.
Kate woke up in sweats, her limbs almost slapped Luke as she bolted upright. Beating out of control, her heart syncopated to the soundtrack of her recent nightmare.
“Kate?” Luke said.
But all Kate could do was concentrate on slowing down her heart, on pushing aside the horrific memories that had overtaken her mind like a flash flood.
Luke fumbled, one hand out, until he found and pulled the string hanging from the lamp on his nightstand. A soft light filled the room, and he stared at Kate.
She could feel the heat in her face, the uncontrollable heaving of her chest.
He worked his way to a sitting position then wrapped his arms around her. “Katie, you’re okay. I’m here.”
With one of her hands, she reached out to pull his arm closer, to get more of his body pressed against hers. She needed to feel his warmth, to know that he was real and the horrible things she’d just seen were old memories, far from the present.
“I think you’re right,” Kate said once she got her breathing under control.
“About what?” Luke asked.
“My nightmares. Who am I kidding? They’re never going to go away. Maybe I should talk to that hypnotherapist.”
Luke inhaled deeply then exhaled slowly, as though processing her words.
“I’ll get the number tomorrow.”
Kate rubbed her hands against one of his arms. “Sorry for waking you up.”
“Don’t apologize. Just get back to sleep.”
Kate shook her head, then turned to look at the alarm clock: 3:47 a.m.
“There’s no point. I know I won’t be able to. I’ll hop in the shower and head to work. I’ve got lots to do. Go back to sleep, Luko. I love you.”
He muttered something, then turned off the light as she headed into their en-suite.
While the warm droplets hammered her back—the massage feature on the shower head was magically powerful—she did her best at flushing away the memories.
Focus on something else. Anything else.
And just like that, Lori’s face came back to replace Bobby’s lifeless body.
She squirmed, annoyed at what her subconscious had provided in response to her demand.
I really need to start meditating. Or find a hobby that involves happy, positive things.
But no matter how hard she tried, the vic’s glazed-over eyes came to mind. The tiny little white spots in her faded irises, her dilated pupils…
The lack of struggle in the house. Her immaculate fingernails and braid. And that blue rubber band. No self-respecting woman would ever use one of those. That was just begging for split ends and damaged hair.
Someone likely drugged her, then strangled her, then dressed her up, did her hair, and laid her on the bed…
Or perhaps the struggle had occurred elsewhere, and the murderer had cleaned her up and brought her into the house… She thought of the house’s lack of garage. Bringing a dead body into that home unnoticed was not really plausible.
She just had to be patient and wait for today’s autopsy. Perhaps unexpected lividity or bruising patterns would reveal something different.
Kate, now wide awake, turned off the water.
She had to solve Lori’s murder, not just to bring her justice, but to make the city safer. And Fuller was going to judge her for it. Her first time being the lead. She had to rally the team and solve the case fast or she’d never earn Fuller’s respect.