The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

want.” She pulled a cup out of the cupboard and waited for the machine to do its magic.

“A pet pony?” Parker joked.

Surin smiled. “The perfect jock boyfriend,” she corrected.

Parker understood. Being a jock in high school himself, he’d had a long line of girlfriends, including the elusive head cheerleader.

“Eamon was that guy,” she said and sat down opposite him, cradling her cup in her hands. “He was the epitome of the teen dream,” she said and fanned herself mockingly. “Charming, athletic, popular and oh so gorgeous.” She smiled, a memory popping into her head. “He chased me for years,” she said, without a trace of vanity. “When I finally agreed to date him, well, we became the star couple of the town.”

Parker couldn’t imagine Surin on the arm of a jock, and he was trying not to imagine her in a tiny cheerleading outfit.

“He was great, really. At first, he treated me like royalty.” She ran her hands through her hair. “I had never had a boyfriend before, so I wasn’t used to so much attention.” She blushed. “We were together for almost all of senior year, but then he became somewhat impatient with me.” She avoided Parker’s gaze, and he could guess what she was eluding too. “I wasn’t ready, and he was having a hard time taking no for an answer. He kept reminding me about all the girls that wouldn’t say no.” She sat up straight and looked at Parker. “So, I broke up with him.”

Parker sat back. “He gave you the necklace?” he asked.

Surin nodded and fingered her neck unconsciously. “Yes, the first night we got together, he walked me home and put it around my neck.” She smiled sadly. “It was one of the happiest moments of my life up to that point, how sad is that!” She laughed. “When we broke up, I gave it back and honestly haven’t thought of it again until I found it in Isabelle’s things.” She shook her head. “I thought it was a coincidence,” she continued, “I mean, how many fucking pendant necklaces are there in the world!” She pressed the space between her nose and eyes to release tension. “But then when we found it in Lana’s belongings, well, I freaked out.”

Parker sat back and rubbed his neck. “Dark hair,” he mumbled.

“What?” Surin asked.

“The girls, all of them.” He scoffed and shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice.” He stood up and paced the floor, Surin eyed him confused.

“For the love of God, Parker, can you please put together a single declarative sentence?”

He turned and looked at her, concern clouding his features. “They all look like you.”

Surin froze.

“Don’t be… don’t be ridiculous,” she stuttered.

He nodded, continuing. “Strong, independent, beautiful dark-haired women.”

Surin’s head fell into her hands. “This can’t be actually happening,” she whispered. “So what are you suggesting, Rhodes?” she asked, her head snapping up to look at him, the anger in her voice rising an octave. “That what? My high school boyfriend was just so in love with me that ten years after we broke up, he started killing look-alikes?”

She stood up and walked past him into the lounge room, not sure where to go when all she felt like doing was hiding.

“I’m suggesting, Surin, that this could involve you, that is all,” he said calmly from behind her, his hands raised in the air.

“Well, that is a fucking ridiculous theory, Detective,” she snarled sarcastically, then started looking around the room, the air began to feel thin.

“Surin?” Parker asked as he watched her slowly unravel. “Is there more to your story?” he said hesitantly, and she immediately looked up at him, her eyes fearful.

“I told you everything,” she uttered but looked away. Then realising there was nowhere to run, she sank down onto the couch. Parker stood motionless beside her, letting her collect herself.

After a while, she felt her breathing slow and sighed. “Wow, two breakdowns in one week.” She sadly smiled up at Parker. “Surely you must be rethinking your lucky partnership by now?”

He chuckled. “Not for a second.”

Surin smiled and shook her head. “Agh, you know what this means, right?” She sat back and ran her hands through her hair that was still slightly damp.

Parker perched himself on the edge of the chair carefully. “No, what does it mean?” he asked.

She sighed. “It means I have to go home.”

***

Surin was already packed and on the phone when Parker returned to her place with his suitcase. She motioned for him to wait a second as she finished her conversation. He noticed that she had changed out of her jeans and was now wearing a smart black business suit and blazer. Her hair was pulled back into a French roll and she had put makeup on, something he had noted she didn’t wear very often. She had strapped on her holster and badge and looked like she meant business. It was hard to imagine, looking at her now, how fragile she had been a few hours before. He didn’t want to show it, but he was secretly excited to see her hometown, meet her parents and get a glimpse at what teenage Surin Elliott may have been like. He knew that if she knew this, he would most likely get kneecapped.

“Thanks, Madison, talk soon.” She hung up and turned to him.

“Ready to roll, Rhodes?” she asked, oozing with fake enthusiasm.

“That was Madison?” he asked, pointing to the now disconnected cell phone in disbelief.

“Yes,” she said. “I am a woman of my word,” she added. “I have her working on the necklace, you know, suppliers and such.” She bent over and picked up her carry on. “Basically, a dead-end line of enquiry that will distract her to the fact that we are leaving town.”

Parker smiled. “That sounds more like it,” he