Free Deadly Chase by Wendy Davy

Outweighing you by over eighty pounds, he carried no weapons aside from his own strength, confident in his ability to overcome you. He found you in bed. Attacked with no warning.” Chase’s tone lowered and he took a step closer. “How am I doing so far?”
    Stunned, Sierra’s voice cracked. “How did you know he did those horrible things? I never told anyone details. Not my friends. Not even my family.”
    “I know what he did to you Sierra, because he’s done it before.”
    Fear cloaked her anger, and she began to feel faint. “T-to whom?”
    Chase stilled and said nothing. He didn’t even appear to be breathing.
    A wind gust cascaded the crisp scents of pine and hickory across the area. Under normal circumstances, Sierra would relish nature’s calming effects and enjoy the scenery; the quiet valley, the mountain ranges creating waves of magnificence. But, her circumstances were far from ordinary, chilling Sierra and keeping her grounded. She hugged her arms around her middle, shivering.
    Moments later, Chase broke his stance. “He did it to my sister.”
     
     
     
     

10
     
    “Kevin stalked your sister? Just like me?” The anger lining Sierra’s features dissolved into concern and empathy.
    “There are striking similarities between the cases.”
    “Can I talk to her? Maybe she can help me sort through all this.”
    Pain, sharp as a twin blade sword sliced into Chase’s core. He’d like to talk to Amber too, but that wasn’t possible. “Amber can’t speak with anyone. She’s dead.”
    Sierra’s skin paled, and her lower lip trembled. Chase didn’t wait for her legs to give out before scooping her up and carrying her inside. To his surprise, she leaned into his embrace.
    “H-how did…she die? When?”
    “She was beaten and strangled last year.” Chase set Sierra on the bed as a deep, volatile pain erupted in his chest, threatening to burst forth. No matter how much time passed, acute pain lived just beneath the surface. As his thin ledge of control threatened to give way, he steeled his nerves. “Eason did it. I just can’t prove it.” He turned and paced the room, stopping long enough to close and lock the sliding glass door.
    “I’m so sorry.”
    Chase wanted to accept her quiet condolence, but he couldn’t. His conscience wouldn’t let him. “Your leg’s going to need treatment. I have a first aid kit in my rental truck.” His words came out gruff and methodical.
    “It’s strange hearing you talk about a truck when up until about ten minutes ago I thought you were destitute.” Sierra commented, as if she sensed his need to change the subject.
    “I never wanted to mislead you.”
    “But you did. You could’ve just told me you’re a cop.”
    “Yes, I could have. But, I was afraid you would run if you knew I was here because of Eason, and then I wouldn’t get the chance to protect you.”
    “Or catch Eason.” She nipped her lower lip. “I would’ve never guessed you had such personal ties in all this.”
    “As personal as it gets. My family hasn’t been the same since Eason took Amber’s life. My brother’s coping well enough, but my father has retreated into his own world, and my mother’s a shell of the charismatic woman she used to be. I’m just hoping catching Eason will allow Mom and Dad to begin to heal.”
    “And what about you? Will catching him help you?”
    The question struck a nerve and Chase flinched. For now, he wanted Eason off the street. He’d deal with the rest later. “I don’t know. I’m going to go get my first aid pack before gangrene sets in and we have to amputate your leg.”
    Sierra scrunched her nose. “You’re exaggerating. It barely hurts.”
    “Maybe, but I still want to take a look.” He strode outside and grabbed the first aid kit, taking a moment to breathe in fresh air and think. Following Sierra had opened up a world of pain, but he had no regrets. He was determined not to allow Eason the opportunity to kill again.
    When