Arriving home, she kicked off her shoes and turned on the TV news before running upstairs to change. Pathetic as it was, Nikki found that background noise from the television or radio made her feel less lonely, especially in the evenings. Up in the master bedroom it was off with the professional psychologist’s clothes – skirt, pumps, silk jacket – and on with the shorts and sneakers. This evening, Nikki decided, she would run on the beach. She hadn’t done that in forever, not since long before Doug’s accident. Back then, in another life, running beside the ocean used to make her feel happy. Free. Blessed. She didn’t expect any of those feelings today. That would be too much to ask. But getting out and moving had to be better than moping around the house. After all, if Lobotomized-Lisa Flannagan could take a step forward in her pampered, self-centered life, so could she.
The newscaster’s voice droned on in the background as Nikki came back downstairs. She half tuned in.
‘A young woman’s body was found this afternoon, partially hidden in undergrowth close to the 10 freeway,’ the anchor was saying. ‘Initial reports suggest that the victim, a white woman in her late twenties, was stabbed multiple times, possibly even tortured.’
Was it Nikki’s imagination, or did the newscaster seem to be lingering over the gruesome details?
‘According to police, the injuries to the victim’s face are so severe that no formal identification has yet been made.’
Nikki winced and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. Christ. There are some psychos out there.
‘Sports news now, and in a major setback for the LA Rams …’
Nikki tuned out. Opening the door, she ran out into the still bright evening light.
She’d almost reached Sunset Boulevard when her phone rang. She stopped and answered, panting.
‘Hello?’
It was Trey. He was crying, sobbing so violently it was hard to make out his words. Nikki slipped into doctor mode.
‘Try to breathe, honey. Slow it down.’
Two long, rasping breaths shuddered down the line.
‘Good,’ said Nikki. ‘Now can you tell me what’s happened?’
‘Lisa!’ Trey blurted. ‘Lisa Flannagan.’
Trey had always had a soft spot for Lisa. Nikki could tell. The way he stared at her when she walked down the hall to the restroom, the shy smile he gave every time she came to his desk to pay for a session.
‘What about Lisa?’ Nikki asked kindly. ‘Whatever it is, I’m sure it can’t be that bad, Trey.’
‘She’s dead!’ Trey sobbed.
A low ringing had started in Nikki’s ears. She watched the traffic crawl past her as if in a dream.
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean she’s dead. Murdered!’ Trey started to weep uncontrollably. ‘I heard it on the news.’
Nikki’s knees buckled beneath her. She’d seen Lisa yesterday, alive and well and full of plans for her future. This couldn’t be right. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m positive. Oh God, Doc, it’s awful. Some sicko cut her to pieces! Dumped her by the side of the freeway.’
Nikki gasped. The news report she’d heard earlier! About the young woman dumped off the 10. That was Lisa?
‘Dr Roberts? Dr Roberts, are you still there?’
Trey’s voice whined out of her earpiece but Nikki didn’t answer.
Guilt crept over her like a spider. While she’d been envying Lisa’s hope and youth, while she’d been judging her, Lisa had been … Oh God.
She tried not to think about it, but the horrifying images crowding into Nikki’s brain wouldn’t stop.
‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Trey,’ she rasped, and hung up.
A new nightmare had begun.