Hunt and Prey (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 8) by Kaylie Hunter (novels to read for beginners txt) 📕

done with the new hire training,” Kelsey said, sounding snarky. “What about the last victim? The homeless woman? She was also choked, not stabbed, right?”

“She died of an overdose,” Tasha said. “Morphine again. I did the autopsy earlier. There were no stab wounds, but I suspect he injected her before she lost consciousness.”

“Which makes sense if you think about it,” I said. “Lydia was homeless. She slept beside a dumpster in an alley. I’m guessing the smell caused him to rush the process.”

“Or, he wasn’t excited by the kill,” Maggie said. “Lydia was a witness who needed to disappear—fast. He didn’t have time to plan her death. It was neither a thrill kill, nor for money. He needed to protect himself. She knew something about him.”

Spence had been studying the floor, listening quietly, but his head suddenly snapped my direction. “How did you know about Lydia?”

I was impressed that he seemed to be absorbing every detail. “Pauly introduced us. They were friends. Lydia would sometimes talk to Pauly outside the building. I invited her upstairs for dinner once, but she refused. I saw her on the block often, though, collecting cans.”

Quille snapped his fingers. “Lydia might’ve seen someone watching Pauly or watching the building.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But let’s not forget, Pauly got a gun from Benny The Barber. Someone had spooked Pauly. Lydia was his friend, so he likely shared with her whatever had him acting so jumpy.”

“In summary,” Maggie said, “we have a serial killer who’s killed at least four people—probably more—who could be already preparing to start a slasher spree?”

“That depends,” I said, walking over to take my drink from Tasha before she passed out.

“On what?” Tyler asked, not bothering to look our way as he scanned the area.

“Whether he’s killing people for money or for the thrill of it. If he’s killing for money, if that’s his ultimate motivation, he’ll wait for the next job. If he’s killing for the thrill, then…”

“If money’s his motivation, we have time,” Chambers said.

“Except for Charlie,” Quille said. “He seems determined to stop her from investigating.”

Tasha cleared her throat. “I had the victims’ clothes rechecked. No sperm was found, but there was a small amount of seminal fluid on Roseline’s jeans. Not enough for a DNA match, nor to prove your theory in court, but enough to make me worry your theory is accurate. The killer could be experiencing a sexual thrill during the killing process.”

My stomach rolled. “Damn. I was hoping I was wrong.” I walked over and opened my bag, taking out the list of erotic asphyxiators Garth had acquired from Baker. Opening the folded sheet for the first time, I saw it wasn’t a list of names, but a note instead: Marilyn Monroe will meet you in The Parlor at seven tonight.

I turned to look at Kelsey. “It appears I’m meeting with an expert in sexual choking at the club tonight.”

“What time?” Kelsey asked.

“Seven.” I checked my watch. “I also need to leave soon to meet Terri’s friend.”

“We need to sort the schedule,” Kelsey said. “I also planned an outing at the club tonight. Trigger lifted a wallet from a guy who is associated with the dentist office, a Mr. Owen Flint. Flint’s a Tuesday night regular at the club and Evie offered to bait him into a private area—” she looked over at the law enforcement side of the room “—for a little chat.”

Several of the guys chuckled.

Kelsey looked back at me. “I can speak with your choking expert, if you can babysit the kids.”

“Doesn’t work,” Ryan told Kelsey. “If someone associated with the Remirez family shows up with Owen, your cover is blown. They’ll know you’re in Miami.”

“Wait!” I said, rubbing my forehead. “How does the Remirez family tie into this?”

“Who’s the Remirez family?” Spence asked, his head swiveling back and forth between Kelsey and me.

“A Mexican cartel,” Wild Card answered. “They came after our family a few weeks back. Miguel and Santiago Remirez run the cartel. Sebrina Tanner, a dirty DEA agent, and an ex-military smuggler who goes by the name of Shipwreck were working for them.”

Kelsey stood, finally caving to the urge to pace. “Miguel knows better than to cross me. And Santiago would be behind bars by now. As for Shipwreck, he’s just a pawn. That leaves Sebrina. She might be off her leash right now, but I’m not sure she’s crazy enough to declare war on our family. I think she’d target me directly instead.”

Half the room glanced at me before looking away. I felt the silent pressure to speak up. “I’m not so sure, cuz.”

Kelsey went to ask me why, but noticed everyone was looking anywhere except in her direction. “Why does everyone look so nervous?”

Wild Card stood and started walking toward the bar. “Anyone want another drink?”

“You too?” Kelsey asked him. “What’s going on?”

Wild Card looked at me with that devilish grin of his.

I flipped him the finger, the naughty one, before facing Kelsey. “Before I left Michigan a few weeks ago, I sort-of shared with the security team my doubts that the Remirez family situation was over.”

Kelsey crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t comfortable with someone challenging her, family or not. “Miguel knows I have the power to destroy him. I proved that. And I gave him the evidence to control his brother.”

“You did all that, yes.” I walked over and guided her to sit on the couch. I sat on the arm of the couch, trying to act more relaxed than I felt. “And whether Santiago was sent to prison or back to Mexico, Miguel likely has him on a tight leash, which made our family safer.” I stalled a moment, not sure how she’d react to the next part. “But I think you underestimated Miguel. I think—” I looked over at