The kissed for a long time, not able to get enough of each other, not able to stop. And when they finally came up for air, Bryce looked down at her, his expression so serious that for a moment, Sylvie was afraid again.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I’m so sorry I was such an ass.”
Sylvie let out a shaky breath. “You were kind of an ass.”
She hadn’t meant it as a joke, but when it came out, it was so direct and even a little cruel, that she couldn’t help but follow it with a short laugh.
“It’s not funny.”
“It’s kind of funny.”
“I left you in the lurch.”
“I told you that you would. I’m always right. You should listen to me.”
“There’s no excuse. I was shocked and angry and I totally screwed up, but none of that should have been aimed at you. That was stupid. It was all so stupid.”
“Yeah, it was pretty stupid.” Sylvie could barely contain the laughter now. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“You seem to be enjoying this.”
“I am.”
“I just want you to know I mean it, Sylvie. I’m so sorry I let Dryden or anything else come between us, even for a moment.”
“You came back. You saved my life. You’re here now.” Just when she’d needed him most. He hadn’t let her down after all.
“And I’m never going to leave.” He kissed her again, wrapping her in warmth, holding her close. “I never stopped loving you, Sylvie. Not for a second. I want you to know that.”
“I know.” And she did.
“Do you really?”
“Yeah.”
“I realize we’ve only known each other a few days, but…” He pulled back from her and looked into her eyes, a smile on his face this time, one so bright it stole her breath. “I propose a new deal.”
“Will I like the terms?”
“If you don’t, you can change them at any time.”
“Okay, what’s your offer, counselor?”
“I propose we take our time, get to know one another.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“We don’t want to rush into anything.”
“No, we wouldn’t want that.”
“And then, after a good amount of time has passed, if we are still as happy—or happier—than we are right now, we talk about making things permanent.”
Sylvie couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Like white-dress-and-matching-wedding-bands permanent?”
“The whole package. White dress, matching wedding bands, and children of our own. I can see it right now. Can you? A family.”
Sylvie closed her eyes. Marriage. A family. The sheerest cliff there was. The most dangerous fall. The sharpest rocks waiting below.
Opening her eyes, she looked into the face of the man she loved, the man she’d never dared to dream of finding. The risk might be daunting, but the payoff was extraordinary.
And she was up to the challenge.
Val
Eight days later.
Val rewound footage from the meeting between Sylvie and Ed Dryden for what had to be the fiftieth time.
Sitting beside her in the sheriff’s department office, Bobby Vaughan nodded his head. “Again, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Are you committing it to memory?”
“If it will help find the damn copycat.”
He had a point. Although some of the forensics had started to trickle in, they were woefully behind on knowledge when it came to Dryden. There was a lot of catching up to do. Still… “Some sleep might help. You look awful.”
“Thanks.”
“Seriously, Bobby. You got out of the hospital less than a week ago. When was the last time you spent more than six hours at home?”
“I can do more good here.”
Val studied him for a moment. Bobby tended to be obsessive about his work, but this was different. And Val was pretty sure she knew the cause. “So Diana hasn’t changed her mind.”
Bobby shook his head. “It’s over.”
“I’m sorry. Want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Sure?”
He focused on the computer screen, his face an emotionless mask. “Play it again. There must be something we’re missing.”
Val clicked play, and the hypnotic voice of Ed Dryden filled the office one more time.
“I’m sorry I have to let you down, Sylvie. But I don’t know where your sister is.”
“Please. You’re a powerful man. I know you’re in touch with someone outside of prison.”
“Why would you think that?”
“I… I just do.”
“And you think I asked someone to take Diana?”
“Did you?”
“I expected more from you.”
“Please answer my question.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with your sister’s disappearance. I have no reason to want to hurt her.”
“Two women have been murdered recently. They were killed in the same way you killed your victims. The same exact way.”
“And what way is that?”
“I don’t think you need me to tell you what you already know.”
“No. But I do need you to tell me why you think Diana is among these women. That’s why you’re here, right? You think Diana is the third? Or you’re afraid she will be?”
Diana
Eight months later.
Diana Gale clutched the loosely wrapped bouquet of spring daisies in her hands and took her measured walk down the garden path. The June sun warmed her back. The scent of iris and peony hung sweet in the air, their blooms framing simple rows of chairs filled with smiling people. A guitar’s simple strum blended with snatches of birdsong.
Diana reached her spot next to the minister and gave Bryce a generous smile. Dashing yet relaxed in his gray stroller, he looked happy. There was no hint of his ongoing hunt for his brother’s murderer, the man the media now called The Copycat Killer. No sign of the stresses that had played out in that forest many months ago. His hazel eyes were so focused on his future with Sylvie, his handsome face so at ease and sparkling with hope, it made Diana’s chest ache.
On the other hand, since the night Sylvie and she had walked away from that cabin in the north woods, Diana had struggled to put her life back together. Never again would she let herself depend on others for safety and strength. Never again would she let herself be so weak, so vulnerable. She’d been a victim since she was a child, but now—no matter how difficult life became—it was time to stand on her own feet, make her own decisions.
Facing her own weakness and dependence had been hard. Facing Bobby had been harder. It seemed as if he’d always been there for her. Protecting her. Taking care of her. And she’d always let him. He hadn’t understood why she couldn’t let him anymore.
Diana swallowed into an aching throat. She couldn’t think about Bobby. She couldn’t think about her own struggles. At least not today. Today she would push the worries aside. She’d made it through the winter, and now it was time to appreciate the new life of spring.
And what better way to do that than by enjoying her sister’s wedding?