Pure evil.
Sarah shuddered as she saw the lethal carving knife that had at least a seven-inch blade with jagged edges. The sight struck terror in her heart, but she tried not to show it, even when he waved the knife close to her throat.
Think, Sarah, think. You can’t give in to fear right now.
Somehow, she had to find a way to free Emily and Randi. If she had to use herself as bait and a victim, so be it. But she wasn’t watching her two friends die because of a situation she had created by moving here to Amesport. She’d brought trouble to them, and now she had to get them away from it. She hadn’t known just how deranged John Thompson really was, but she knew it now. He was a cold-blooded killer and always had been. She was a medical doctor, a woman used to seeing blood and gore. Still, the stories about how he’d carved some of his victims had made her stomach roll, imagining the terror those women had gone through before they died.
“John, let Emily and Randi go,” she said calmly. “If you’re planning on raping me, you’ll have a difficult time of it with them here. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“I could just shoot them now,” John mused manically.
“The police would break down the door if you shoot them, and if you try to attack one of us with a knife, the other two will fight you. Do you really want to risk losing the opportunity to kill me the way you’ve wanted to do for over a year? Think about it. You’ve waited a long time for this.” Sarah held her breath, praying he wouldn’t shoot her friends, but she didn’t think he would risk having the police rush in after the gunshots. He’d lose everything he had planned. Her heart palpitated wildly while she waited for his decision. Bile rose in her throat from discussing her own rape and death, but she swallowed hard, knowing she had to do this for her friends. She’d deal with John and her own fate once Emily and Randi were safe.
“If they go, they’ll open the door,” John said, starting to appear confused and hesitant.
“Hold the gun to my head. The door will get closed and locked again.” Sarah couldn’t believe she’d just said that, but she was desperate to get her friends out of harm’s way. She’d offer her life up for her two innocent friends without hesitation if necessary.
“Is this a trick? You’re a smart bitch,” John asked defensively.
“No tricks. Just let them leave and we’ll be all alone.” The thought made Sarah’s skin crawl, but she kept her expression blank.
John took the tip of the knife and ran it along her upper arm. “I can still see my work here.”
“I have plenty of scars,” Sarah admitted.
“They’re faded,” he commented unhappily. “Shitty knife.”
“Let them go and you can do the job the way you want to this time,” Sarah urged calmly.
Emily squeezed her hand again, this time in alarm. Sarah shot a sideways glance at Emily and Randi, and she saw a look of horror that neither one of them could hide.
No fear. Don’t show him fear. Just get Randi and Emily out.
Emily’s cell phone started to ring, startling all of them. The musical tone echoed through the room, and Emily turned frightened eyes to the killer. Sarah looked at John and observed, “It’s probably the police.”
“Gimme the phone,” John told Emily nervously.
Sarah watched as Emily dug into her front pocket, her hands shaking as she looked at the caller ID. “It’s Joe Landon, the chief of police.”
John ripped the phone from Emily’s hand and pushed the “On” button. “Make one move and these women are all dead,” John yelled into the phone, agitated.
Sarah didn’t know what Chief Landon was saying, but John wasn’t buying it. “Tell him you’re sending the other two women out,” Sarah suggested quietly.
John hesitated, appearing to consider her suggestion before saying into the phone, “Two women are coming out. Try anything and I kill the fucking genius doctor. Got it, asshole?”
Emily leaned against Sarah’s shoulder and whispered furiously, “We can’t leave you here, Sarah. He’ll kill you. We have to do something.”
“No,” Sarah hissed, watching John as he engaged in a pointless rant with Joe over the phone. “Do this for Grady. Do it for Randi. It will be easier for them to attempt a rescue if it’s just me,” Sarah whispered quietly but fiercely. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if anyone would be able to rescue her, but it would be easier if the police only had to deal with one victim instead of three.
Turning her head, Sarah noticed that Emily and Randi were both crying, silent tears streaming down both of their faces.
“I can’t,” Emily said, keeping her voice soft. “It’s like leaving you for slaughter.”
“No. You have to do this to help me,” Sarah replied in a hushed voice. “Please go and let the police handle the rest. It’s my best chance.” Really, Sarah didn’t think she was going to make it out of this room alive, but at least she’d know Emily and Randi were safe. “Let Dante know that I’ll keep him talking as long as possible. Tell him that John Thompson is the Windy City Carver, and that he’s killed in other cities after he attacked me and left Chicago. He’ll know the case.” The Windy City Carver case was probably one of the most famous murder cases in recent history, especially since there had never even been a suspect.
Emily nodded reluctantly. “I’ll tell him.”
“Move, bitches,” John screamed, frenzied. He hung up the phone and waved the gun toward Emily and Randi. “Move slowly toward the door and get your asses out. Make sure the door stays locked after you leave.”