CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

 

He waited patiently behind the thick cluster of trees that practically secluded the cul-de-sac from the outside world. It was twilight on a cool day and he pulled the jacket closer to his body. He had moved to the spot gingerly.

He glanced at Marvin and Elisa Bonet’s house. He had it on good authority that the Bonets were out for dinner and planned a movie afterwards in celebration as expectant parents. Now he honed in on the home of the Herreras. He expected Quinn Herrera to come jogging out of the house any moment now, having studied his routine.

That would leave his wife alone.

He’d always had a soft spot for Selene Herrera. The attractive Latina was too hard to resist going after with the same hunger that had propelled him to kill the other sweet looking women.

And Quinn would be blamed for it, now that the reporter had broken the news of his past misfortunes involving his last wife, which he’d gotten straight from the horse’s mouth. It had been one of those days when Quinn needed to unload and he was only too happy to be a listening ear. He’d known the information would be beneficial sooner or later. Acting anonymously, he’d called the ambitious reporter with the story.

Now the cops would assume Quinn had snapped, what with his soiled past, Selene’s past, and her dead ex-husband all mixed together into some kind of homicidal gumbo.

As for himself, Selene Herrera would be the last one to die by his hands before he retired from the business of killing fine bitches and got back to his normal life. Pressing his luck any further would only be asking for the type of trouble he didn’t need or want.

At least that was the plan.

He watched as, like clockwork, Quinn emerged from the house and began running down the street en route to the park.

So long, sucker. He grinned wickedly. Enjoy the run. It may be your last as a free man.

He turned his attention to Quinn’s house. He headed that way, eager to come face to face with Selene Herrera again.

* * *

Selene glanced out the bedroom window as Quinn left for his run. She had almost gone with him, but when he told her he was meeting up with Todd Foxworth, she backed out, figuring it was a man thing and she’d just slow them down.

Besides, she had a few chores that needed done and this was an opportune time to do them. She left the room and went downstairs.

Selene was on her way to the kitchen when the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see the person standing there with a customary bright smile on his face.

* * *

The park was not especially busy this evening, for which Quinn was thankful. It made running easier when he didn’t have to dodge bicycles, dogs, and walkers. He looked for Todd Foxworth at the agreed upon place, but didn’t see him. He guessed that Todd was already rounding the park and would catch him on the back swing.

His cell phone rang. He assumed it was Todd, telling him where to meet up, but it wasn’t him.

“Hey, Quinn, this is Dennis Cramer.”

* * *

Julian McKenzie stood at the door with a brilliant smile on his face.

“Julian!” Selene’s voice raised an octave in surprise.

“Hi, Selene.” He met her eyes. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” she said, forcing a smile.

“Quinn around?”

“Actually you just missed him. He’s on his way to the park to go running with Todd.”

Julian frowned and mumbled something under his breath. “Oh, I must have gotten my days and times mixed up. We were supposed to get together to go over some business.”

That was news to Selene. What business?

“Does he have his phone with him?” Julian asked.

“Never goes anywhere without it,” Selene said.

“I didn’t bring my cell with me,” Julian said. “Can I use your phone? I’ll just give him a buzz and promise to hook up with him later.”

Selene thought that was odd, but had no reason not to invite him in.

“Sure. You can use the phone in the kitchen.”

He grinned. “Okay, I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

Selene let him in and closed the door. She watched as Julian disappeared into the kitchen. Though she had been headed that way before the intrusion, Selene didn’t want to encourage conversation and a prolonged stay. So she stayed put.

Selene listened as Julian cracked a joke or two on the phone and blamed the mix up on his wife. Then he promised to beat Quinn in a game of pool the next time around.

In the kitchen, Julian McKenzie said a few more words into the phone, certain Selene could hear him. He listened to the dial tone to which he had been speaking, before leaving the phone off the hook. It was time to rejoin his lovely and soon to be dead hostess.