Free A Killer's Watch by Tallulah Grace

mother was in the parlor, and he doubted that she could hear, but
he refused to take chances.
    Listening to Allison beg for release, he smiled, knowing
that his viewers would love hearing her voice.
    Just as he did.
    Reducing the image of Allison on the cot, he focused his
attention on another girl, preparing to leave for school, earlier that morning.
She reminded him the most of Aubrey, with her big, blue eyes, and her petit e little body. He watched, and re-watched the footage
of her dressing, felt the excitement rise within him, each time she came near
the webcam.
    He would take her today, as soon as she arrived home from
school. The news of Shelby’s death would be rampant by then, but the good folks
of Fremont, Missouri, would not be afraid. The tragedy happened in Kansas, to a
girl from Iowa. Nothing for them to be concerned with.
    His smile faltered a bit when he remembered the preparations
necessary, before he could bring another girl into the cellar. He needed
another cot, and two additional cameras. He should also send a message to his
subscribers, telling them of the new options, and apologizing for postponing
their date with Allison this morning.
    He would offer twelve hours free surveillance of both girls,
before he increased the price. That should sufficiently appease them.
     Satisfied with the decision, he sent the message, then
locked down his system. It wouldn’t do for his mother to discover his secrets.
     
    ~~~
     
    “A high school kid spotted her on his way to school this
morning. He lives about a mile down this road,” the officer on duty explained.
“The coroner should be finishing up shortly, you can speak to him then.”
    “Thank you, officer.” Ethan shook the man’s hand, before
returning to Jeri’s side.
    “It’s the same M.O.,” Jeri told him. “Her body was barely
off the road. He wanted someone to find her, soon.”
    “Could you identify the body?”
    “No, the locals are keeping everyone but the coroner at bay.
I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.”
    “Understood.” Ethan took a moment to glance around. “This
looks just like the other two dump sites.”
    “Yes, I’d say he definitely knows the area.”
    “Do you think he’s from here?”
    “I doubt it, not a lot of wealth in Clevestone. Not much
water, either. Aside from a public swimming pool, and a private pond or two,
there’s not a property that fits what we know about his lair. He could have
been raised here, I suppose.”
    “Are you two waiting on me?” the coroner asked as he joined them.
    “Yes, Sir. Good to see you again, but not under these
circumstances,” Ethan shook his hand.
    “I didn’t want to see another one, but there she is. Poor
thing, not more than fifteen. It’s horrible what she endured.”
    “Are the wounds consistent with the first two women?” Jeri
asked, as Ethan scrolled to find a picture of Shelby on his phone.
    “Yes, sorry to say. But this girl was also assaulted,
sexually. Bastard!” he spat.
    “Is this the girl?” Ethan held up Shelby’s image.
    “Yes, it is. Who is she?”
    “Her name is Shelby Torrent, she went missing from Iowa, two
days ago. I’ll send you the information.”
    “Well, that makes things a little easier.” The doctor shook
his head, shifting his bag from one hand to the other.
    “Will you send us a copy of the autopsy report? As well as
any preliminary findings?” Ethan asked.
    “Don’t see why not. The more people looking for this
bastard, the better.” Tipping his hat, the doctor shuffled away, shoulders
slumped as if he bore the weight of the world.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    “This place looks like something out of Gone with the Wind,”
Monique commented as she and Chloe pulled up to an antebellum mansion.
    “It sure does, but it seems out of place as we’re not in the
South,” Chloe answered.
    “Do you want to handle this one?” Monique asked, willing to
let Chloe take over.
    “Sure, we’re just asking a stranger if we can take a