Silent Neighbor (Sheila Stone #9)

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Jessica Tatum stood at the base of Razor's Edge, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The towering cliff face loomed before her, its rugged surface a challenging canvas of cracks, crevices, and sharp edges.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of sun-baked stone and desert sage. This was it. The moment she would take matters into her own hands and bring justice for her friends.

Jessica's eyes scanned the area around her, searching for any sign that she wasn't alone. The parking lot was empty save for her own beat-up Jeep, and the surrounding scrubland seemed devoid of life.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched.

Seeing no signs of anyone else, she reached into her chalk bag, pretending to prepare for her climb. Instead, her fingers brushed against the cool metal of the gun hidden there. The weight of it was reassuring, a tangible reminder of her purpose.

As she began her final preparations, Jessica's mind wandered to the events that had led her to this moment. Brad and Jake had been more than just fellow climbers; they had been her closest friends, her chosen family in the tight-knit community of extreme sports enthusiasts. Their deaths had left a gaping hole in her life, a void that had only grown larger with the recent news of Ellen's murder.

Just a few hours ago she had been scrolling through the Extreme Limits forum, reading post after post of fear and speculation. The community she loved was being torn apart by terror, and the police seemed no closer to catching the killer.

That's when the idea had struck her. She suspected the killer was watching the forum, choosing their victims based on their posts. So why not use that to her advantage? She would make herself the perfect target, irresistible bait to lure the killer out of hiding.

The post she had written still echoed in her mind: In honor of Jake and Brad, I'm tackling the east face of Razor's Edge today. No ropes, no safety gear. Just me and the mountain. I'll conquer this mountain or die trying.

It was reckless, provocative, exactly the kind of thing that would catch the killer's attention. And now here she was, ready to spring the trap.

Jessica checked her gear one last time, making sure everything was secure. Her harness was snug around her waist and thighs, her climbing shoes grippy and well-worn. To anyone watching, she would look like any other solo climber preparing for a challenging ascent.

But Jessica wasn't here for the climb; she was here for justice.

As she approached the base of the cliff, however, Jessica couldn't help but second-guess her plan. Had she given the killer too much time to prepare?

She shook her head, pushing the doubts aside. No, she reasoned, the killer couldn't possibly be here already. She had checked the area thoroughly when she arrived, and there were no other vehicles in sight. Besides, she had chosen this spot carefully. The only approach was by the main road, which she had a clear view of from her position.

Still, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered caution. What if the killer was more resourceful than she had anticipated? What if they had found another way in, one she hadn't considered?

Jessica pushed the thoughts aside. Even if the killer was already here, she was prepared. The gun in her chalk bag was loaded and ready. If the killer thought they were going to surprise her, they had another thing coming.

With a deep breath, Jessica placed her hands on the rock and began to climb. The familiar motions of finding holds and testing her weight were comforting, a dance she had performed countless times before. As she ascended, her muscles warmed to the task, her body moving with the fluid grace of an experienced climber.

The first few meters went by quickly, the initial section of the climb relatively easy. Jessica found herself falling into a rhythm, her mind quieting as she focused on the task at hand. For a moment, she could almost forget why she was really here, losing herself in the pure physicality of the climb.

But as she reached a more challenging section, reality came crashing back. This wasn't just another climb. This was a mission, a quest for justice. She needed to stay alert, to be ready for anything.

Jessica paused on a small ledge, catching her breath and surveying her surroundings. From this vantage point, she had a clear view of the approach to the cliff. If the killer was coming, she would see them long before they reached her.

As she rested, Jessica's mind wandered to her friends. She thought of Brad's infectious laugh, of Jake's unwavering determination. She remembered Ellen's quiet strength, the way she had always been there to support the rest of them. The weight of their loss settled over her like a heavy blanket.

"I'm doing this for you," she whispered to the empty air. "I'll make sure your deaths weren't in vain."

With renewed determination, Jessica resumed her climb. The rock face became more challenging as she ascended, the holds smaller and farther apart. She relished the difficulty, pushing herself to move faster, to climb higher. The physical exertion helped to clear her mind, allowing her to focus.

As she neared a large overhang, Jessica spotted something that made her pause. Off to her left, partially hidden by a jutting piece of rock, was what appeared to be the entrance to a small cave.

The cave could provide a perfect vantage point, a hidden spot from which to observe the area below. And if the heat continued to rise as the day wore on, it would offer welcome shelter from the sun's relentless rays.

Carefully, she traversed the face of the cliff toward the cave entrance. She had to be careful: One mistake here could send her plummeting to the ground far below.

But Jessica was in her element. She moved with confidence, her body flowing across the rock with practiced ease. In moments like these, she felt truly alive, every nerve singing with the thrill of the climb.

Finally, she reached the cave entrance. It was larger than it had appeared from a distance, easily big enough for her to stand upright once she was inside.

As she caught her breath, Jessica peered into the darkness of the cave. The interior was cool and shadowy, a stark contrast to the sun-baked rock outside, but shafts of sunlight speared through from above, giving her just enough light to see the outlines of the walls.

Still, she had to make sure she was completely alone—no sense taking risks. She fumbled in her pack for her headlamp, clicking it on to illuminate the space before her.

The beam of light revealed a surprisingly spacious interior. The cave extended back several meters, its walls smooth and dry. There were no signs of recent habitation—no litter, no scuff marks on the floor. As far as she could tell, she was the first person to discover this hidden spot in quite some time.

Jessica stepped inside, relishing the immediate drop in temperature. The cool air was a balm on her sun-warmed skin, and she found herself breathing more easily in the sheltered space.

As Jessica set down her pack, a flicker of movement caught her eye. She whirled around, her hand instinctively going to the gun in her chalk bag. But there was nothing there—just the play of shadows from her headlamp on the uneven cave walls.

She let out a shaky breath, chuckling nervously at her own jumpiness. "Get it together, Jess," she muttered to herself. "You're seeing things now."

Still, the moment of fear had shaken her more than she cared to admit. It was an unpleasant reminder of the danger she had willingly placed herself in. The killer was out there somewhere, and sooner or later, they would come for her.

Jessica moved back to the cave entrance, positioning herself so she could see out without being easily spotted from below. She settled in to wait, her eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of movement.

As the minutes ticked by, Jessica found her thoughts drifting once again to her friends. She wondered what they would think of her plan. Would they approve of her taking such a risk? Or would they tell her she was being foolish, that she should leave this to the authorities?

She shook her head, banishing the doubts. It didn't matter what they might have said. They were gone, taken by a killer who struck with impunity. If the police couldn't stop the killer, then it was up to her to do whatever it took to bring them to justice.

Then, the sound of an approaching vehicle pulled her from her reverie.