Fatal Attraction (Love Kills Duet #2)

11. Eleven

Eleven

Charlotte

I kept my hands pressed tightly against my ears as Carter fired shot after shot, hitting each and every soda can he’d set up on some old water buckets I found out back in my shed. Since Phoenix and Spike were at work and I knew it’d be hours before I’d hear from them again, I’d broken down after Blaire’s funeral and filled Carter in on everything when we were on our way back to my place . As expected, Carter was furious, barely able to hold it together the further I’d explained how Blaire’s murder was possibly connected to Delilah Fields and Amber Strickland, and for a moment there I was terrified he’d blame me for Blaire’s death or worse, attack me. By the grace of a miracle, he didn’t. Carter was very understanding and had even volunteered to help us in whichever way he could, so, I asked him to teach me how to shoot.

I knew Phoenix—Spike, especially, would be gravely pissed once they find out. I honestly couldn’t help it though. My best friend was just murdered, and I had this horrible feeling in my gut that her death was only the beginning. I couldn’t put off learning how to do this any longer. And despite Carter’s issues with PTSD, with his experience in combat, I knew he’d be a great teacher.

“You’re really good,” I kind of shouted, my ears still ringing as Carter popped out the clip and began refilling it with fresh bullets. He was still in the clothes he’d worn at the funeral—a dark blue-button down, black slacks, and matching shoes. The matching jacket was in my house, draped over one of the chairs at the kitchen table .

“I have the Army to thank for that. I never shot a gun until I joined. I became good rather fast.” He finished loading the clip and slipped it in, cocking the weapon. Nerves sloshed through my stomach in unmerciful waves when he approached me and pressed the gun against my palm. “Just do me a favor and don’t start shooting until all the cans are replaced and I’m beside you. I’ll tell you when to start.”

It took him a moment to prop the cans back up on the buckets. When he was done, Carter eagerly raced back to my side and then helped adjust my arms when I raised the gun, my hands shaking.

“Relax,” he whispered as his rough, calloused hands enclosed around mine. “Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”

I did as he instructed and blew out the air, repeating the process. It helped. Some.

“Remember,” he said, his voice strong and full of a confidence I only wished I could tap into. His hands left mine, and he took a stealthy step back to give me some room. “Don’t panic. When you’re in the sight of danger, knowing you’re seconds away from death, you don’t think, you shoot. It’s your life, or theirs. You do not hesitate.”

The darkness in his words made me shiver.

“I know it sounds unfair, and maybe it is, but that’s how it is when it comes to survival.”

“You sound like Spike,” I whispered.

“And he’s a smart man,” Carter said somewhat fondly, the smile heard in his tone. “Both he and Phoenix are very smart men. You’re lucky to have them.”

“Yeah.” I smiled, holding and aiming the gun right where I wanted. “I guess I am.” I fired, shocking myself when I hit the first can, and it tumbled off the bucket.

Holy fuck…

I actually did it!

“Again,” Carter demanded. “Don’t lose focus. ”

Casting the excitement aside, I started again, missing the second and third can but striking the fourth.

“Not bad,” he approved, nodding from the corner of my eye, a smile touching his lips. “Not bad at all. But you can do better.”

I knew I could have, but for my first time, I’d taken it as a huge win. As I locked my aim back in place, ready to pick back up where I left off, my phone began ringing.

I sighed, carefully clicking on the safety before handing the gun over to Carter. I retrieved my phone from my dress pocket and answered it without reading the display.

“Hello?”

My body bristled when I heard the automated voice from the Seaview Pines jailhouse informing me that I had a collect call from Karl. Blowing out a shaky breath, I accepted the charges, straining not to cry when, “I’m so sorry, Charlotte,” met my ears.

“It’s all over the news,” he said softly. “Did… Did they find the guy yet?”

“No.” I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “Not yet. Hopefully some of the results should be in today.”

“Do you know about the masks?”

I swallowed, my heart sinking at the reminder. “Yes. The detectives filled me in a few days ago, when we were picking Blaire’s husband up from the airport.”

“And what about Kate’s parents?” he asked. “Have you spoken with them yet?”

“I haven’t had time,” I lied, regretting the words once they were out.

“Then what the fuck have you been doing? Ben told me Harley will be meeting with us soon to discuss a plea deal.”

“I know,” I growled, cursing softly as I pulled the phone away from my ear long enough to get my emotions back in order. “I know, Karl. I’m sorry I’m not moving my ass as fast as you would like, but my best friend was just murdered, okay? Give me a fucking break. ”

“And what the hell do you think will happen to me if I get convicted?” he snarled through the phone. “I’m not taking the plea deal, Charlotte. So, unless you want my death resting on your conscious as well, I suggest you do like I asked and fucking help me. ”

I scoffed and then hung up, calling him every foul name I could think of under my breath. He was right, though. I was running out of time. I’d been so busy grieving and trying to help Carter figure out Blaire’s funeral arrangements that I’d completely cast Karl aside. It wasn’t on purpose, but this was just a lot to have thrown on top of my shoulders, and the weight was unbearably hard to carry alone.

“Are you okay?”

I raised a finger to Carter and then angled my attention back to my phone, scrolling through my contacts.

“Hey,” Ben, Karl’s lawyer, answered after the third ring. “How are you, Charlotte?”

“Are you free?” I asked, getting straight to the point. “We need to meet. This is important and it can’t wait.”

“Uh,” he started, and I could hear what sounded like him fumbling through some paperwork before he spoke again. “I’m currently going over Karl’s case and not really where I can leave the office at the moment. Can you come here?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there soon.” I hung up just to swear again when I met Carter’s gaze.

“You can take me back to the hotel if you have things to do. I don’t mind.”

“Actually…”

I paused, torn with what I should do. Spike and Phoenix didn’t want me alone and to be frank, I could really use the company. But the likelihood Ben would agree to discuss Karl’s case with me if Carter tagged along was slim to none, plus, there was my home I had to consider. This bastard—whoever the fuck he was—knew where I lived and had somehow found a way to sabotage my cameras undetected. They were operable now, but that didn’t mean this guy wouldn’t try to strike again or worse, break in.

“Would you mind staying here until I get back? It’s okay if you refuse, but—”

“You’re worried this guy may try something again.”

I nodded, not bothering to deny it.

“That’s fine, Charlotte.” Carter raised the gun up with a wicked grin on his face. “Whatever I can do to help.”

I heaved in a deep breath and knocked on Ben’s office door, blowing it out and leveling my spine when it opened. Looking his best in his brown leather suit and white button-down, his dark hair slicked back, Ben offered me a sad smile and then outstretched his arms, hugging me tight as he offered his condolences.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stay for the whole service,” Ben said when we parted. “My boss has been riding my ass hard over Karl’s case, so I had to get back.”

He opened the door wider and let me in, shutting it as I took a seat. On Ben’s desk, resting right there in the center, was Karl’s case file.

“So,” Ben said, rushing over to close the file when he caught me gawking a little too hard at it. “What can I do for you, Charlotte?” He sat down, pushing the file aside and waiting patiently with his hands clasped and placed neatly on the center of the desk.

“Has Karl mentioned anything to you about receiving death threats?”

His brows crumpled. “What do you mean? ”

“Oh, come on,” I incredulously scoffed. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Ben sighed, then leaned back in his leather chair. “Yes. I know about them.”

“And?” I fished harder, not in the mood to beat around the bush. “Did you look into it?”

“I tried, but Kate’s parents told me to fuck off and that they’d see me in court. I’ve reached out several times since then, but they refuse to talk to me. I’ve done everything I can at this point.”

“Have you?” I challenged with a furious cock of my head. “And what exactly have you tried to do for him, Ben?”

He returned my glare, his jaw ticking. “He told me about what happened the night he and Kate were in that horrific car accident. I went to the restaurant and asked to see the footage from the parking lot. The managers claimed the cameras were inoperable. If you don’t believe me, then you’re more than welcome to go there and speak with them yourself.”

“And was this before or after Karl was arrested for these other crimes?”

“Before,” he answered calmly, gently, the tightness in his eyes softening. “Right after Karl received word that Kate’s parents hired a private investigator. I’m not sure what it is you’re implying here, Charlotte, but I know how to do my job. I’ve done absolutely everything I can think of to help Karl, but I’m at a loss. I assume you’re aware the DNA results came back on the masks they found in his apartment?”

I nodded.

“We need a miracle,” Ben said desperately, fiercely. “I know in my heart he’s innocent, and I’m sorry to be so blunt, but without more proof to exonerate him, he’s fucked, Charlotte.”

“What if I were to try and talk to Kate’s parents?” I offered. “Do you think they’d talk to me?”

Ben raised his brows, pondering. “Honestly, I doubt it. But Kate does have a younger sister. Her name is Angel. Angel Seigler. I’ve reached out to her, but she won’t return my calls. I suspect her parents may be responsible for her silence.”

Huh. Karl never said anything about Kate having a younger sister.

I wonder why the hell he neglected to mention that to me .

“Let’s say I try . If I’m able to get at least one of them to speak with me and can convince them to provide proof of the threats, would that be enough to exonerate Karl?”

Ben hesitated. “It should … But—”

“But what?” I asked.

“It’s the masks, Charlotte.” Ben sat forward, opened the file, flipped through a few pages, then pulled one out, passing it over to me. “Look for yourself. Karl’s DNA is all over them.”

I took the page and read over everything, my heart sinking lower and lower. Hearing it was one thing but seeing the proof with your own eyes always made it so much harder to digest.

“Karl having a solid alibi for Amber’s attack does help him despite his hair being on her body. I’ve been talking with Harley, and she’s trying to convince her boss to drop the charges in Amber’s case. We already know Karl didn’t rape Delilah Fields. However, with the masks at play, Karl can and will be charged as an accomplice. The only true way out of this is to find the real perp and get him to admit he framed Karl.”

But even then , my inner voice whispered. There’s no guarantee the guy would admit it. He could just as easily claim Karl was his accomplice.

I expressed those thoughts aloud to Ben.

“Yes,” he sadly agreed, his lips pressed to a thin line. “That is my biggest fear. And if that happens, Charlotte…” He sighed, his eyes matching the frown on his face. “I’m sorry. I doubt I’ll be able to save Karl from going to prison. Like I said, we need a miracle.”

I gave the page back to Ben and sat back in my seat, fighting back tears.

This was a fucking nightmare .

With very few options left, I got the information I needed from Ben, thanked him, and then I was off. I had the address to Angel Seigler’s house pulled up on my phone before I ever made it to the parking lot.

What the…

I froze in my tracks, reading over the sticky note Ben gave me, having realized I’d overlooked the door number written in parenthesis under the address. My eyes grew fretfully wide once the revelation slapped me dead across my face.

Angel Seigler lives in the same apartment complex as Karl.