The Fifth Victim (29 page)

“What is it?” Jacob’s gaze followed Sally’s. “I’m be damned.”

Dallas looked up. Dozens of owls filled the sky.

The mournful wail of a wolf echoed through the hills, then several reciprocal cries began an animal chorus. A rumble of hooves was added to the whoosh of winged creatures. All around them the forest awakened, bursting into life. As if being herded in one direction—or summoned to one place—deer and elk joined bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes and red wolves.

“It’s Genny,” Dallas said, more certain than he’d ever been in his life.

“Yeah, it’s Genny.” Jacob slapped Dallas on the back. “Follow them. They’ll lead us straight to her.”

Royce had constructed a crude altar of stones and covered it with a folded white sheet. He laid Genny on the altar and pulled her bound hands over her head so that her breasts lifted. After checking the sky, he knelt down and picked up a wooden box from the ground beside the altar.

The frigid air chilled Genny. She was so cold she was almost numb. Raised off the ground, with the winter wind tormenting her naked body, she prayed.

She could feel her prayer leaving the earthly realm and entering the spiritual region. She gave herself over completely to the power of goodness. Love surrounded her. Dallas’s passionate love. Jacob’s brotherly love. Jazzy’s sisterly love. The love of all the kind souls who knew her. And the pure, devoted love of God’s creatures.

A dog’s howl blended with those of the wolves. Genny continued praying, sending out positive energy into the world.

Royce removed the sword from its velvet bed and brandished it over Genny’s head.

He bent down and whispered in her ear, “Soon, my little lamb. Soon.”

“Yes, soon.”

He dipped the sword toward her, letting it almost touch her as he slid the blade along the chosen path. “Why aren’t you screaming, Genny? They always scream in the end. You will, too.”

“You will be the one screaming,” she told him.

Genny glanced to the east. A hint of pale pink crept over the dark horizon.

“The moment the sun touches this sword, everything I’ve ever wanted will be mine,” Royce said triumphantly.

“Look around you,” Genny said. “See the fate that awaits you.”

“What are you talking—” Royce squinted, trying to make out the shadows surrounding them. “What’s going on? What are they—”

The sky grew lighter as dawn arrived. Royce stared at the array of wild animals that formed a circle around the altar, only a few feet away. A pack of wolves formed the inner circle. Genny’s Drudwyn was with them, along with Sally’s Peter and Paul. At least a dozen deer stood off in the distance, watching and waiting. And enormous wolves lumbered toward the altar from east, west, north, and south. Owls and various birds filled the trees and circled overhead.

“What’s happening?” Royce’s voice quivered with fear.

“Don’t you know?”

Royce shook his head.

“Can’t you guess?” Genny taunted him. “I called Drudwyn and he summoned the mountain’s predators and woodland creatures to protect me.”

Royce lifted his sword into the air. The first faint rays of sunlight reflected off the metal.

“You will die. Your power will be mine,” Royce shouted. “Then I will control these beasts!”

He swung the sword backward, then brought it forward, but before it could touch Genny, a rifle shot rang out. The bullet from Dallas’s weapon whizzed past the congregation of animals to hit its mark—Royce Pierpont. He screamed with pain, then fell to the ground.

Dallas and Jacob rushed toward the altar. Tears of thankfulness filled Genny’s eyes. Working fast and furious, they untied Genny’s bound hands and feet, then Dallas lifted her into a sitting position, removed his coat and wrapped it around her.

“I knew you would come to me,” Genny told him, her voice barely audible.

“Don’t try to talk, sweetheart,” Dallas said. “We need to get you to the hospital right away.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” She glanced toward the ground where Royce had fallen, but he wasn’t there. “Where’s—” Her heart stopped beating for an instant when she realized that two wolves—under Drudwyn’s directions—were dragging Royce’s body by his arms.

“I’m not shooting any wolves just to retrieve that monster’s body,” Jacob said.

“Let them have him.” Dallas cocooned Genny in his strong embrace and headed away from the clearing on Oocumma Mount.

While the wolves provided nature’s justice, the woodland animals dispersed, disappearing into the forest, and the owls and other birds flew away, clearing the morning sky.

Epilogue

Springtime in the mountains was just around the corner. The winter-dead world was already showing signs of new life. Crocus flowers poked their small, colorful heads through the hard, cold ground to announce the annual renewal of Mother Earth. And with each passing day, Genevieve Madoc healed. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. But more importantly, she was healing spiritually. Dallas’s love and devotion enveloped her with the strength she needed to not only survive, but to regenerate.

What was left of Royce Pierpont’s body when the
wolves
finished with him, was sent through the proper channels and as far as everyone knew had received a Christian burial. Jazzy, for one, hoped they tossed his remains in the river for fish food.

Cherokee Pointe and the entire county had begun to bounce back and return to normal. In a few weeks the spring tourist season would begin, and the little town’s numbers would triple. Jazzy could hear the cash registers ringing already. She smiled to herself.

“Everything’s ready,” Tiffany said.

Startled, Jazzy gasped.

“Sorry.” Tiffany laughed. “We’re all set. When do you expect them to get here?”

“Any minute now.”

“Do you want to do a quick inspection?”

“Yes, I’d—”

The front doors to Jasmine’s swung open, and Dallas escorted Genny inside. Jazzy rushed to meet them.

“You look absolutely gorgeous.” Jazzy clutched Genny’s hands and surveyed her from head to toe. Genny wore a black satin dress in a simple design, topped with a hand-embroidered black cashmere sweater.

“What about me?” Dallas asked teasingly.

Jazzy gave him a quick glance. He was decked out in a black suit, white shirt, and solid red tie. “You look gorgeous, too.” Jazzy lifted Genny’s left hand. “Let me see it.”

“See what?” Genny smiled.

“Hey, half the town knows that Dallas was giving you a ring tonight.”

“Everybody knew except me,” Genny said.

Jazzy studied the diamond solitaire on the third finger of Genny’s left hand. “Wow, what a rock.” She glanced at Dallas. “That must have set you back a pretty penny.” She winked at him. “Are you sure you can afford it now that you don’t have a job?”

“I’ve got a sizable nest egg, Ms. Mother Hen,” Dallas replied. “Shrewd investments and wise financial planning.”

“That’s good to know.” With a sweep of her hand, she invited the couple into the empty restaurant.

Genny glanced around at the beautiful roses on every table and the white candles shimmering in crystal holders. “Are you having a private party here at Jasmine’s tonight?”

“Yep. Sure am.”

“Oh, Jazzy, did you—?”

“What a perfect intro.” Jazzy let out a long, loud whistle.

Dozens of people streamed out of the kitchen and into the restaurant, Jacob leading the pack. Sally and Ludie, along with Wallace, followed Jacob. Countless other friends and acquaintances filled Jasmine’s, each offering Genny and Dallas their best wishes. Then the crowd parted to allow Dallas’s family to come forward. His eyes widened in surprise as he watched his sisters, Savannah and Alexandria, come rushing to him. He opened his arms to embrace them. His brother-in-law, niece, and nephew hovered in the background; then when the sisters finished hugging and kissing him, his brother-in-law shook his hand and slapped him on the back. His nephew, Mark, shook hands, following his father’s lead. But ten-year-old Amy jumped up into his arms and gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek.

“It’s a surprise engagement party,” Jazzy said. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet.”

Genny turned to Dallas. “Did you know about this?”

When he grinned sheepishly, Genny punched his arm.

“I swear, I didn’t know.” Dallas tapped the tip of her nose with his index finger. “But why didn’t you know, my little sorceress?”

“Because someone has been keeping me so occupied with physical matters that I haven’t had time to think, let alone use my clairvoyance.”

While Dallas introduced Genny to his family, Tiffany came over with a silver tray laden with champagne flutes. Jazzy removed two glasses and handed one each to the happy couple.

A violinist strolled down the hall from Jazzy’s office, already playing a romantic melody.

“Ain’t life grand?” Jazzy hugged Genny. “I don’t know anyone who deserves to be happy more than you do.”

Genny hugged Jazzy fiercely. “Your time will come. I promise.”

Jazzy pulled away. “There are presents, you know. Lots of presents. But don’t think this takes the place of a bridal shower. And I’ve got the bachelorette party all planned.”

Dallas slipped his arm around Genny’s waist. “Come on,
a qua da li i
. Let’s mix and mingle. Now that I’ve been offered Roddy Watson’s old job, I should get better acquainted with my constituents.”

“Calling me your wife is a bit premature since we’re not making it legal until June.” Suddenly comprehending what he’d said about the position as chief of police, Genny gasped. “Oh, Dallas, you didn’t tell me. When did—”

“I got the phone call today, while you were taking a nap. I wanted to wait until our dinner tonight to tell you.”

“Congratulations, Chief Sloan!” Jazzy laid her hand on Dallas’s back.

“What’s this?” Jacob asked as he joined the threesome.

“Dallas has been offered Roddy Watson’s old job,” Jazzy said. “Imagine that.”

“Let’s keep that news to ourselves for now,” Dallas said. “Tonight is all about Genny accepting my proposal and making me the happiest man in the world.”

“How the mighty have fallen.” Jacob chuckled.

“You just wait,” Dallas told him. “Your time is coming. One of these days some sexy little thing is going to come along and you won’t know what hit you. Not until after she has you on your knees begging her to put you out of your misery.”

“Not going to happen,” Jacob assured him.

Jazzy sashayed over to Jacob and slipped her arm through his. “Since you’re going to be the best man and I’m going to be the maid of honor come June, we should make the first toasts tonight. Try to say something romantic, something from the heart.”

“I don’t do romantic,” Jacob grumbled.

“For Genny’s sake, you could try.” Jazzy tugged on Jacob’s arm and he responded, allowing her to lead him toward the bar.

“She gets enough romantic mush from Dallas.”

“You, Jacob Butler, are hopeless. I pity the poor woman who winds up with you.”

“Jazzy Talbot, the guy who gets stuck with you will be the most henpecked, dominated poor soul on earth.”

“Since we know each other so well, warts and all, maybe we should just get married. That way we wouldn’t ever have to concern ourselves with romance.”

Jacob chuckled. “We’ve already tried dating and found out there just aren’t any sparks between us.”

“Maybe we’d be better off without sparks. It would make things less complicated.”

“Less complicated, but not worth the effort.”

Jacob and Jazzy lifted glasses from the bar and raised them in honor of the engaged couple. Jazzy clinked her long nails against the side of her glass, hoping to gain the guests’ attention. But the noise level was so loud that no one heard her.

Jazzy hoisted herself up and onto the bar, then shouted, “Listen up, everybody.”

The room grew quiet. Jazzy smiled.

She hoisted her champagne flute higher. “Here’s to Genny and Dallas.” She looked at the couple and smiled. “May you always be as deeply in love as you are tonight.”

The partygoers cheered. Jazzy nodded to Jacob.

He cleared his throat and saluted the couple with his glass. “Here’s to you, Dallas. And all I can say is—better you than me.”

Everyone laughed.

Dallas pulled Genny into his arms and kissed her, right there in front of their families, friends, acquaintances—and before God. A preliminary for their wedding day.

Jazzy had never envied anyone so much in her entire life.

Dear Reader,

I’m sure when you finished reading THE FIFTH VICTIM, you were left wondering what the future held for several important secondary characters, especially Jazzy Talbot and Jacob Butler. From the conception of Genny’s and Dallas’s story, I visualized a trilogy set in Cherokee County, Tennessee, with Jazzy as the heroine of the second novel and Jacob the hero of the third. I’m pleased to tell you that both books are available. First look for THE LAST TO DIE. Jazzy will be accused of murder and no one suspects that the real killer has plans for Jazzy to be the last to die in a string of brutal murders. Be sure to read the brief excerpt in the back of this book. The final book of the trilogy is AS GOOD AS DEAD.

I love hearing from readers, so please write to me in care of Kensington. Check out my website at www.beverlybarton.com where you can enter my contests, find my e-mail address and a list of all my books. And don’t forget to sign up for my e-mail newsletter.

Warmest regards,
Beverly Barton

Turn the page for a
sneak peek at
The Last to Die
by Beverly Barton.

Prologue

He pounded on her door and shouted her name.
Go away
, she wanted to scream.
Leave me the hell alone
. But she knew he wouldn’t go. Not unless someone came and dragged him away. Maybe she should call Jacob and tell him that Jamie was harassing her again. As the county sheriff, he could hold Jamie in jail overnight. Or she could phone Caleb and ask for his help in getting rid of an unwanted midnight visitor. Caleb had gotten plenty of practice lately as the bouncer at Jazzy’s Joint. He’d thrown Jamie out of the place several times recently. But for some reason, she just couldn’t bring herself to pick up the telephone. It wasn’t that she wanted to see Jamie. Not tonight of all nights. But she’d been expecting him, had known somewhere deep down inside her that he would pay her a visit after his engagement party ended.

“Jazzy…lover, please, let me in.”

His voice was slightly slurred, no doubt the result of numerous glasses of champagne, and not the twenty-dollars-a-bottle stuff either. Probably Moet’s Dom Perignon or Taittinger Comtes des Champagnes. Or possibly Roederer Cristal or Pommery Cuvee Louise. Something that cost no less than eighty bucks a bottle. In hosting the big bash celebrating their only grandchild’s upcoming nuptials, Big Jim and Reba Upton had spared no expense. Everybody in Cherokee Pointe had been talking of nothing else. The Uptons had hired a catering service out of Knoxville for the engagement party and the rehearsal dinner, the same service the bride’s parents had chosen to cater the wedding reception next month.

While Jamie continued banging on the door and pleading with her to talk to him, Jazzy curled up tightly on the sofa and placed her hands over her ears. Jamie had been engaged twice before and hadn’t followed through with wedding plans either time. But it looked as if his engagement to Laura Willis might actually end in marriage. If for one minute she believed Jamie’s marrying another woman would put an end to his obsession with her, she’d be the first in line to offer them congratulations.

Sure, there had been a time when she’d dreamed of becoming Jamie’s wife, but that had been years ago, when she’d been young and foolish. That stupid dream had died a slow, painful death as maturity had given her a firm grip on reality. No way would Jamie’s rich and socially prominent family ever accept her; they still saw her as nothing but a white trash tramp who’d gotten pregnant at sixteen. Did she still care about Jamie? Yeah, somewhere in her heart remnants of that passionate first love still existed. Only a few years ago, she had still been as obsessed with Jamie as he was with her. For the past ten years he had floated in and out of her life, just as he had floated in and out of town. But this time, when he’d returned a few months ago with a new fiancée in tow, Jazzy had turned him away when he’d come to her. And one night, when he hadn’t taken no for an answer, she had threatened his life. Or, to be more precise, she’d threatened his manhood. And what truly frightened her was the realization that she would have shot him—shot his balls off—if he’d come after her again.

“Jazzy…don’t be mean. Please, doll baby, let me come in. Just one last time. Don’t you know how much I love you?”

No, damn you, no! You don’t love me! You never did. You’re not capable of loving anyone except yourself
.

While she sat on the sofa, hugging herself, wishing she could block out the sound of Jamie’s pleading, memories washed over her, flooding her senses. The first time Jamie had kissed her. The junior/senior prom, when she’d given him her virginity and had known she would love Jamie forever. The day he’d cried when he told her he couldn’t marry her even though she was carrying his child. The night he had returned to Cherokee Pointe after his first year of college. They’d made love repeatedly for forty-eight hours, leaving bed only when necessary. The first return visit, years ago, when he’d brought home his first fiancée—and Jazzy had welcomed him into her arms, into her bed, not caring about his bride to be.

How many times had she forgiven Jamie? How many times had she given him just one more chance? Time had run out for them. She knew it, even if he didn’t. She’d turn thirty soon; she had wasted enough of her life waiting for Jamie Upton to give her what she wanted, what she’d always wanted from him. Marriage.

“Jazzy…Jazzy…baby, please, talk to me. Even if I marry Laura, it doesn’t mean we can’t still be together.”

A cold, deadly calm settled over her heart. She stood, squared her shoulders and walked to the door. Her hand hovered over the knob.
You’re the only one who can end this thing once and for all
, she told herself.
Do what you have to do to free yourself from Jamie
.

Simultaneously Jazzy unlocked the deadbolt and turned the knob. When she eased open the door, Jamie took full advantage and shoved his way into her apartment. Before she could say a word, he grabbed her and kissed her. Impatiently. Brutally. His tongue thrust inside her mouth. For a split second, she savored his savage possession. Then common sense took charge. She broke away from him, her breathing ragged. He reached out for her, but she sidestepped his grasp.

“I need you, Jazzy. I’m aching, I want you so bad.”

“What we once had is over,” she told him. “It’s been over for a long time. I’ve accepted that fact. It’s time you did.”

“I don’t love her. I’m marrying her because Big Mama is giving me no other choice. She expects me to marry Laura.”

Jazzy laughed, mirthless chuckles. “And God forbid you ever go against what Big Mama wants.”

“I’m sorry.” His shoulders slumped. “I know I’m a spineless bastard. But if I don’t keep Big Mama happy, I could lose everything. Big Daddy’s done told me this is my last chance. If I screw things up with Laura, he’ll write me out of his will.”

Jazzy almost felt sorry for him. Almost. “You know I’ll never be your mistress. I draw the line at fooling around with a married man.”

Lifting his sedate gaze from where he’d been staring at the floor, he looked directly at her. “Would you let me stay tonight? Just for a little while. A couple of hours.” He held up his arms in an “I surrender” gesture. “Just let me hold you. I swear, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. I need you, Jazzy. One last time. Please, lover. Please.”

Against her better judgment, she nodded. “You can stay an hour. That’s all.” When he opened his arms to her, she shook her head. “Sit down on the sofa. I’ll fix us some coffee. I think you could use some. You should sober up before you head home and try to explain to your fiancée where you’ve been.”

“Hey, honey, if you’re planning on getting your gun while the coffee is brewing, there’s no need. Believe it or not, I want us to be friends. I’d prefer lovers, but I’ll settle for friends. I just can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Oh, hell. Why had he said that?
Don’t go soft. Not now. You’ve heard Jamie’s line of bull before. You know the guy can sweet talk his way out of any jam—or into any woman’s bed
. But not her bed. Not ever again.

“You aren’t going to get to me,” she told him. “Remember, I’ve heard it all before. I’m the girl you honed your persuasion skills on.”

“You may not believe me, Jazzy, but…” He came up behind her, but didn’t touch her, just stood very close, his breath warm on her neck. “In my own selfish way, I do love you. I always have. And I always will.”

Odd how a part of her wanted to believe him, maybe even needed to believe him. When she turned to him, he reached out and caressed her cheek. She sucked in her breath.

“Please, Jazzy.” He looked at her with those sexy hazel eyes, his expression one of intense longing. “Baby…please.”

She didn’t protest when he pulled her close. Gently. And kissed her. Tenderly. All the old feelings resurfaced and for a moment—just a moment—she wanted him in the same old way. He allowed her to end the kiss. Then he stood there staring at her, waiting for her judgment call.

“I can offer you coffee and conversation for an hour,” she told him. “That’s it. Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it.” A sly, seductive grin curved the corners of his lips as he turned and walked over to the sofa, then sat and crossed one leg over the other knee.

You’re a fool
, Jazzy told herself as she rushed into the kitchen and prepared the coffeemaker. Being nice to Jamie wasn’t the answer. But God in heaven, old habits died hard.

Tonight she would say good-bye to Jamie. This time would be the last time. And if he ever came to her again, she knew what she’d have to do. She’d have no choice, not if she wanted to save herself.

The man had to die! It wasn’t that she wanted to kill him or anyone else, but he had left her no other choice. Not only would he have to die, but she feared others would have to forfeit their lives, also, if they interfered. Of course, it wasn’t entirely his fault; after all, he was only human, a mere man, with all the weaknesses inherent to his sex. But he was the worst of his kind, spineless and weak. He gave in to his baser instincts without regard to how his actions might harm others. He reveled in the depravity that plagued most men and many women.

Her hand settled over her belly. In order to protect herself—and her baby—she needed to plan a strategy that would put suspicion on someone else. But not just anyone. She wanted that woman to pay with her life, and what better justice than to have her executed for murdering her lover? After all, the whole town knew she’d threatened to kill him.

She stood in the shadows, waiting and watching, knowing where he was and what he was doing. He was with that woman, making love to her. How could he do this? He had sworn his love was true. Lies. All lies! They were fornicators. Sinners. Evil to the core. Both of them deserved to die. To be punished.

She shouldn’t act hastily, in the heat of the moment. That was the way mistakes were made. She had made mistakes in the past, but not this time. She had trusted when she shouldn’t have, but never again. She needed to be calm and in control when she ended the son of a bitch’s life. There was no need for her to kill him tonight. As long as she eliminated him before his wedding day, everything would be all right.

She would not kill him quickly. A quick death was too good for him. He needed to die slowly, painfully, tortured and tormented. The thought of listening to his agonizing screams excited her. Her mind filled with vividly gruesome impressions of his last hours on earth.

“Everything I do, I do for you, my sweet baby. I won’t let anyone hurt you. They think we aren’t good enough for them. They think they can sweep us out the door and pretend we don’t exist. But I won’t let that happen. You don’t have anything to worry about. Not now. Not ever. Mother’s here…Mother’s here.”