Chapter 5

Hunter showed the note to Autumn and said, "You left this for me. And I find myself wondering why."

"I'm Autumn Herrera." Her words whizzing past her mouth in a burst of wind. She was taken aback by her own panic and actively worked to return her heart rate to normal. Just what was wrong with her? Her lack of caution was becoming increasingly obvious. As a result, she did not notice him sneaking up on her. And now, she was so nervous that she could hardly stand in her own two feet. Why? Her thoughts yelled, and the answers echoed loudly in response. Since his hands were on what was to come. She wanted to know his reaction before making the offer. She couldn't control her elation at his stunning good looks.

"Autumn." He pronounced the name out loud to see how it felt on his tongue. "I must break the news to you, Autumn. That's never happened before."

"Please forgive me."

"Murderers rarely come looking for me."

"Murderers?" The silence was broken by the word that hung between them. She saw through his bait and knew he was playing with her. She noticed the skepticism in his eyes and the tension in his blank expression. She mustered the words, "I'm not a murderer." Her internal voice scolded her, calling her a liar.

"Really?" A single eyebrow raised in fake surprise. I'm not easy to fool, but you almost had me. Insights, fall. "The killer is the only one who can decipher half of the details you listed in your note."

There was a definite shake in her head. "You're totally wrong. I'm not the murderer you're looking for, Mr. Morrison."

He renamed himself, "Hunter. And if you're not the killer, explain how you figured out when the woman passed away and where her fatal wound was." As he emphasized, "She was in pieces. You couldn't tell the throat had been cut before the mutilation was performed. Similarly, there's no way to tell for sure that the male victim didn't bleed to death after being slashed in the wrists. Yes, the wrists were slashed, as were the rest of the victim's body." Dismissively, he shook his head. "You just don't know. There is zero possibility except..."

"Except, I did it." Autumn finished his sentence for him because she was finally feeling brave again. She had struggled all her life to deny her true nature. She didn't appreciate Hunter Morrison's accusation that she'd given in to temptations she'd otherwise have been able to withstand. With a harsh tone, Autumn added, "Or unless, I know who did."

"Then identify them for me."

"Soon enough, I promise."

His lips gradually parted in a grin. Time, he said again, was due. "I think I finally understand the point of this little meeting."

"Oh, really?" Now Autumn cocked her brow at him.

"I've spent the entire day trying to place you. A poor witness, I assumed at first. Why didn't you just call the police if you were a witness? His skinny fingers ran through his hair, and Autumn took a deep breath. For any information that helps police make an arrest, they are offering a reward. To be in the wrong place at the wrong time could net you a nice sum of money. Rather, you should get in touch with me. As a result, I think you're more than just a witness."

A soft "Yes," she said.

"After much deliberation, I've decided that you may have been a participant in the crime, rather than a mere bystander. It's possible you didn't report the crime because you feared being labeled an accessory after the fact. Perhaps the thought that you would be the next target prevented you from blowing the whistle on the real killers of those people. Possibly both."

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Autumn said, watching Hunter with the same intensity that he was showing her.

"You can get out of trouble with the police and whoever you plan to indict if you tell me what you know. I will track down the murderer and claim the reward, letting you off the hook. But naturally, you'd like a small reward in exchange for sharing the info. To what extent do I stand correct?"

"You weren't seriously suspecting me, were you?" Her question was more of a proclamation. Dismissively, he shook his head. "But just now you were accusing me. A deceitful mental game, to be sure."

"That's why I play," he said.

"And did you?"

"I suppose so. And that's exactly the kind of response I was hoping for."

When asked, "Which response?"

"Snarky and slightly irritated."

"So, now you have even more reason to doubt me," she said.

"The murderer is not you. You probably didn't accomplish this on your own, but you probably helped the murderer. All of the victims were mutilated beyond recognition. Considering your size, it's highly unlikely that you could have pulled off such a feat without any help. This points us back to the idea of affiliation."

She insisted, "I didn't help with any murder, but I do have info. I know..." She froze up inside and couldn't continue speaking, so she paused. Without dread, but in his presence. They were very near each other. That she felt him was a sure sign of his existence. The finish line is almost in sight. Inhaling deeply near her trachea. She looked away from the intense gaze Hunter had on her.

"Autumn?" She turned back to Hunter as his deep voice caught her ear. "What was it that you were talking about?"

"I'm familiar with the man you're trying to find."

"It's what I figured." As his grin grew, he became even more delighted. "It's time to settle down to business. In other words, you understand my needs. Let me know exactly what it is you want now. Dosh? Secrecy? What?"

For a long while, she just stared into his soulless eyes, unable to find the right words. At long last, she mumbled, "You." And Autumn noticed a glimmer in his nocturnal eyes for the first time.

She had her fingers around her throat, but he wrapped his big hand around hers and gently pulled them away. He traced his thumb up her neck and touched her warm pulse, sending a sweet shiver through her. "Me?" He acted amused. Then a menacing tone entered his voice. "You could have benefited from asking for financial aid instead."

"But I didn't." Finally came out of her mouth. His focus appeared to be on her lips as he observed her forming each word. She licked her lips and then ran her tongue over them.

A low "No," came from his lips. "I think it's you playing the mental game, and you're about to lose," he continued. Then he leaned forward and put his mouth over hers.