“That’s where his cheating comes in. He could’ve easily left to see another woman. You’re none the wiser of his cheating ways, and completely believed him when he said he had to leave for work. If you know he’s cheating, that’s motive. If you fought and he stormed out on you, that makes you look guilty. As far as you’re concerned, you two were a happy little couple with no problems.”
“Okay,” she agrees. I shake my head, already feeling a weight slamming down on top of the other fifty pounds on my shoulders.
“He was leaving to meet with his mistress. The Ghost Killer got to him first.”
River stills, her entire body becoming stone. It reminds me of her reaction when I first told her about the Ghost Killer, the day I came over to hash out the case with Ryan and ended up eating meatloaf.
My mother used to make me meatloaf. She cooked it horribly, but it was the only thing she knew how to make really. That’s all I ate for twelve years. I haven’t been able to eat it since. Of course, my asshole of a brother knew that and decided to shove it right back into my face.
“How did you get that idea?” she asks softly, bringing my attention back to her. I’m not sure what it is exactly about the Ghost Killer that makes her uneasy, but I can’t exactly blame her. His reputation has gained enough attention now that it’s national news. Being in the same town with a serial killer would make anyone uncomfortable.
“Friday morning, Ryan called me and said he knew who the Ghost Killer is and already built his case against him. He claimed he found evidence and would have the killer in jail by Monday. He didn’t share what the information was, but he was confident he caught him. He spent ten minutes rubbing in my face that he figured out who the Ghost Killer was before I did.”
River’s face pales, her frown deepening as I share something I can’t help but be ashamed about. That my brother caught the Ghost Killer before I did. He knew, and the only way I can think of is because he was doing something seedy. The Ghost Killer has law enforcement and lawyers in his pocket. I just don’t think anyone ever knew his face until Ryan.
The memory of that phone call pisses me off all over again. The second Ryan hung up the phone, I nearly broke my knuckles on the metal table in the interrogation room. I wanted the Ghost Killer found, no matter what the cost was, but fuck if it didn’t sting that Ryan was the one to solve the case. His confidence was so unwavering that I believed him.
“We’re going to spin it to where the Ghost Killer knew Ryan had evidence against him and got rid of him,” I continue.
River shifts, curling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them tightly. She rests her chin on her knees and stares at me with sadness.
“We
’ll get him to talk,” she assures softly.
I shake my head, sliding my hand through my hair. I’m not holding out hope that Ryan will talk. If I know anything about my brother, it’s that he’s a hateful, evil person. Not telling me who the man is that I’ve been chasing for a year now will be his only victory.
I go over the rest of the plan with her, making sure she understands the part she’s going to have to play really soon. As much as it kills me, River can never be seen as the abused girlfriend, at least not until there’s a sufficient amount of evidence to show the Ghost Killer got to Ryan. Anything to keep the motive off of River is top priority right now, even if it means Ryan’s golden boy reputation won’t burn in flames with him.
“He needs to disappear, River,” I say hesitantly. She knows exactly what I mean.
She nods her head, not looking the least bit perturbed by murdering him. Something doesn’t sit right with allowing her to.
“I don’t think I can let you do it.”
Her head snaps towards me.
“The fuck you can’t. This is for me. Don’t you dare come storming in acting like my knight. When are you going to realize I don’t need you to save me?” she grits through her teeth, her eyes sharp with anger.
“You’re right. You don’t need me to save you. But if I can help save you from going down that hole, then I will.”
She shakes her head, staring off into the distance. She’s supposed to expect him home tonight, according to our made-up story. When he doesn’t come home, she’s going to call my parents, asking if they’ve heard from him.
They’ll assure her he’s fine, just probably running late. She’ll go to bed worried. Come morning when he’s still not home, she’ll report him missing. That’s when shit is going to get real. Really fucking real.
Anxiety filter through my nerves. My arms twitch as my adrenaline pulsates. I’ll do everything in my power to keep the scrutiny away from River. I’ll become fucking mud for this girl. And fuck, I won’t regret a goddamn second of it. Not when this girl has me trapped in her dark little spell.
After this is all said and done, I’m still determined to show her what a real relationship looks like. I’m not even worried if she wants me back. I know she does.
“This is my kill, Mako,” she says softly, tuning me back into the conversation. “I got myself—you—into this. And I will be the one to take him out.”
“Tonight?”
“Tonight.”
Twenty
River