CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

 

“You did the right thing,” Quinn told Selene as they ate lunch at a downtown deli.

“I keep telling myself that,” Selene said, “but it doesn’t always help.”

Quinn frowned. “Just because Leighton was released on bail doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have been arrested. You know how the system works.”

She knew all too well. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. But what else could she do? Ashley Leighton was in danger and needed to get out of that house, at least until a restraining order was issued.

The temporary protective order set that in motion, making it clear to Robert Leighton that the authorities were on to him and that if he tried anything, he would only be making more trouble for himself than he knew what to do with.

Selene hoped the attorney part of him would override his arrogance and proprietary mentality concerning his wife and he’d leave her alone.

The rest was up to Ashley. Selene could only advise, but it ultimately came down to the victim using common sense and survival instincts.

“I suppose I’m always worried about the women who come to S.A.W. House,” Selene said. “The first few days after a woman decides to leave her abuser are always the most critical.”

Quinn finished his turkey sandwich and said, “I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s a cop, for heaven’s sake. She’s got plenty of people to help her deal with this—”

Selene wanted to believe that with all her heart. But there was something about Robert Leighton that scared her. He seemed to think that he was the answer to everything a woman wanted—or at least his wife. She sensed that he wouldn’t give up without a fight, even though he faced serious jail time and a tarnished career. She wondered how far he would go to prevent Ashley from walking out of his life for good.

The thought was very unsettling.

* * *

That evening the Herreras were on their nightly patrol of The Woods, accompanied by the Bonets and Julian McKenzie. The walk up and down the long, tree-lined blocks was tiring, but Selene didn’t complain. They each had to do their part to try to thwart the killer.

“Wonder if he’s hiding behind one of those doors,” Julian said. He was walking between Selene and Elisa, while Quinn and Marvin took up the rear.

“Why not?” Elisa said. “Didn’t Detective Cramer say that it could be anyone and he’s probably not a stranger to The Woods?”

“None of us want to believe he’d kill the women in his own community,” Julian said. “But he’s obviously able to disappear into the woodwork quickly...”

“That doesn’t mean he has to be a local,” Selene said. As far as she was concerned, Michel could still be behind the murders.

“Will you wake up, girlfriend,” argued Elisa. “The killer clearly knows his way around our part of Bluffs Bay. He’s probably picking women he knows instead of randomly.”

“The last I heard, The Woods was not an island,” Selene said. “A clever and determined killer can come and go just as easily as someone who lives here. Let’s face it. Most people are too trusting. You can’t always tell if they’re friend or foe till it’s too late...”

“I’m with your there, Selene,” Marvin said. “If you guys aren’t my friends, then you sure as hell are putting on a good act.”

The group chuckled uneasily.

“Of course, we’re the real deal,” Quinn said. “The point Selene’s making is that this killer could be an outsider with an insider’s way of thinking. He preys on the vulnerabilities of women who let their guard down even just a little.”

“My wife keeps telling me that if someone even looks at her twice, she’s ready to use her whistle and pepper mace,” Julian said.

“If the son of a bitch is out there, I wish to hell he’d show his face and let me at him,” Marvin said. “Then we’ll see what he’s got.”

“I think we’d all like that,” Quinn muttered. “But I have a feeling he’ll never make it that easy.”

“He certainly hasn’t so far,” Selene said.

She was worried about what might happen next in The Woods in spite of their best efforts to prevent it.