Cascading Sands (The Hourglass Killer Trilogy, Book 3)

By LR Potter

Detective Tess Champion has survived attempted rape and abduction by a psycho-maniac. As she struggles to rebuild her life, a person from her past threatens to destroy it. Anthony Delgado, her old partner has been abducted; will Tess be able to find him in time? Will she finally find happiness with Dane or will her tormentor end her life? In the stunning conclusion of the Hourglass Killer Trilogy, the twist nobody saw coming will keep you guessing until the very last page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LR Potter
• Release date: Sep 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301692552

LR Potter

LR Potter, a central Florida native, currently resides close to the sandy beaches of Perdido Key in the northern part of Florida. Potter loves losing herself in the magic of a good book while listening to the sounds of the surf and hopes whoever reads her books finds the same escape. Being a lover of all literature, she writes over several genres. Check out my newest releases, Flawed Beauty and The Rush Series: Rush of Innocence (Book 1); Rush of Redemption (Book 2); Master of the Game (Rush series #3); Mastering the Devil Rush series #4) contemporary romances. Upcoming Works: Blood Havoc Sideswiped Cash on Fire Feel free to email me @ [e-mail] ~ I love to hear from my fans!

Book preview

CASCADING SANDS

The Hourglass Killer Trilogy

Book Three

By LR Potter

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 LR Potter

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyedited by Carolyn M. Pinard 2012

Cover Art By:

Cyndi Henry 2012

[e-mail]

Photos used with permission by Microsoft© and Fotosearch©

This book is dedicated to all those adversely affected during this year’s shooting in Aurora and the forest fires in Colorado Springs. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

So weeping, how a mystic shape did move

Behind me and drew me backward by the hair

And a voice said in mastery, while I strove,

Guess now who holds thee? – Death, I said,

But there the silver answer rang,

- Not Death, but Love.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Prologue

A lone figure stood amidst the carnage spread about him. The enormity of the savage disregard for human life was astounding. Body parts were scattered far and wide; once-vibrant people were now nothing but fodder for lower-level scavengers. Heads were hideously torn from their corresponding bodies. Skulls that weren’t completely bashed into unrecognizable pieces lay facing the sky with sightless eyes and missing scalps.

There had been no regard for young or old, woman or child; all had been mindlessly slaughtered. The blood of those who had once been proud now ran in un-patterned rivulets away from their bodies. Some had chosen to fight and defend, but the might against them had been too great. Those who had come to destroy had not only slaughtered the innocent, but mutilated their bodies to retrieve whatever trinkets they possessed. Pieces of ears, fingers, and testicles could be found throughout the killing field.

Dominic Wyndom blinked rapidly as he became aware of his true surroundings. He’d been coming to this historical site since the time of his youth. His father had brought him here to show him first-hand what happens to those who allow themselves to be viewed as weak. In the beginning, Dominic had felt pity and sorrow for the devastation endured by the Indians slaughtered during the Sand Creek Massacre. But his father had taught him it was their weak natures and slackness which had gotten them killed. So in effect, they deserved what they had gotten.

His father was also the first to show him what weak natures women possessed. He had dominated Dominic’s mother through whatever means necessary; be it physical, verbal, or mental. He had taught him to control everything through whatever means necessary.

Dominic reached down and let the sand from the massacre grounds run through his fingers. He thought about his brother, Thom, and felt a momentary pang of guilt for killing him. But Thom had been weak and had dared to slither in and try to take what was rightfully his.

Truth be told, he had Thom to thank for making him the man he was. It was during the episode involving the grain silo on their grandparents’ farm. He had been so scared once the grain started to suck him down into its suffocating depths. He had cried out for Thom to help him, but Thom had held steadfastly to the sides of the silo. Thom had been so terrified, he had been unable to move, much less help him. When the farmhands had come along and rescued him, he had cried like a baby. Upon learning that Dominic had shamed him by showing his weakness, their father had beaten him severely. When his mother had tried to step in and save him, she had received a beating for her trouble. It was at that point Dominic had become a man. He never again allowed his emotions to rule his life.

Now Thom…he had been weak. His father had pointed this out repeatedly to him. His father always said that he got it from their mother. But it had never really seemed to bother Thom. He’d taken their father’s abuse in stride. His only saving grace as far as their father was concerned was his ability to manipulate women. Grinning, Dominic had to give him credit; Thom certainly knew how to work them. But almost immediately, Dominic’s grin faded as he recalled Thom’s greatest victory. He’d stolen the woman meant for Dominic. Tess had been his. He had managed to get her within arm’s reach when Thom swooped in and stole her from him. Ironically, it’d been Dominic himself who had pushed her into Thom’s waiting and willing hands.

Dominic had followed Tess for a long time. He had gone through the usual methods of running into her accidently at bars and restaurants, but to no avail. Finally, in desperation and fury, he’d broken into her house and attempted to take what rightfully belonged to him. But something happened when he had her tied to her bed naked. No…not then, it was when he’d seen the tears streaming down her face. He had felt… pity? Sorrow? Remorse? He wasn’t sure what he would label the emotion, but for him it was a weakness. He cringed as he remembered with shame his inability to overcome those emotions. His father had been right; emotions do make one weak. He promised himself on that night, when the time was right, he would make her pay for his shame. Looking around him once more and seeing the massacred ones of the past, he thought, oh yes, she certainly would pay.

Chapter 1

Detective Tess Champion stood staring out at the star-filled night from Dane’s hospital room. Lately, it seemed she spent most of her time at a hospital for one reason or the other. She was thankful for the quietness of the hospital at night. During the day there was so much noise involved in the beehive of activity which made up the hospital world. Numerous unknown people roamed the halls during the day, pushing one clanking cart or another. There was always the murmur of voices floating throughout the halls which filtered into the rooms. Continuously, an influx of hospital staff wandered in and out of the room: doctors; nurses; aides; those who delivered the meals; those who changed the linens…the line of people went on and on. But now, late in the silence of the night, the only sound was Dane’s heart monitor beeping out its reassuring message…he’s alive, he’s alive.

She rubbed a hand over her eyes. She was tired and felt grungy. When she’d first arrived at the hospital with Dane, her only clothing had been the bedspread Kevin Alexander had wrapped her in when he’d stolen her out of her house. The hospital attendants had graciously provided her with a set of hospital scrubs. She hadn’t left the hospital since Dane had been brought here following their ordeal with Kevin. A shiver ran through her body at the image of Kevin plunging that knife into Dane’s chest. She wrapped her arms protectively around herself.

Her mind flashed back to her bedroom and being tied up to Kevin’s torture contraption. She shuddered again; but this time for more selfish reasons. She was trying so hard to be strong, but she was weary. She wanted to be home in her own bed…no, not there. She swallowed hard. She didn’t know if she could return there. A torrent of sheer panic flooded her body at the thought. Almost immediately, she felt a flash of fury flush her body. She’d gotten past this already. Why did this happen now? She hadn’t been afraid for a long time. Her shoulders slumped at the hard climb she knew she’d have to face again…the climb to being normal.

From his hospital bed, Dane Carver watched Tess as she stood silently at the window. She didn’t know he was awake. While he was the one in the hospital with a tube in his chest, she was the one he was worried about. She’d been putting up a good front. But he could see straight through her well-played act. Looking at her now, when her defenses were down, he saw the slump in her shoulders. She looked so lost with her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She’d suffered mightily at the hands of Kevin Alexander.

He swallowed at how close he’d come to losing her again. He’d been so afraid he wouldn’t reach her in time. He’d died a thousand deaths when he saw that truck slam into the tree. He hopes she would be able to forget, or at least disregard, Kevin Alexander having trussed her up like a slaughtered deer. He didn’t want her to relive the pain…the shame…the degradation. But sometimes, when she didn’t know he was watching her, he would see her eyes cloud over.

During their few days in the hospital, he’d encouraged her to check in with a doctor, but after the initial examination upon entrance into the hospital, she’d refused. He’d begged her to contact her brother, Anthony, her mom… just anyone, but she’d shrugged her shoulders and told him she would later. He’d order her food and watch as she pushed it around her plate, making a show of eating it. She was battered, bruised, and oh-so-fragile-looking. She stood in the background of the constant activity in the hospital, always keeping a fearful eye on him to ensure he wasn’t slipping away to death’s door. He knew she blamed herself for what Kevin had done. Not that she said as much, in fact, she tried so hard to appear as if everything was great…or fine…was the word she always used.

Quietly he said, Hey.

His mouth tightened as he saw her straighten her shoulders in preparation to face him. When she turned, she had plastered a smile on her face. She walked to him and sat down on the edge of his bed.

Brushing her hand over the side of his dark head, she said, Hi, how are you feeling? Are you in pain? Do you need something?

Dane caught her hand and brought it to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss on her palm. He reached his hand up to tenderly touch her battered and bruised face. She turned her lips to his hand in turn.

No, I’m good. I’m more worried about you.

Looking at him perplexed, she replied, Why are you worried about me? I’m fine. I’m not the one lying in a hospital bed with a knife wound in my chest.

Knowing he would never get her to admit her vulnerability, he changed his tactic. Giving her his most pitiful look, he lifted his ice-blue eyes to her green ones and said, I’m cold. I need someone to keep me warm.

Shaking her head at him she smiled and asked, Did you have anyone in particular in mind?

Nodding his head, he grinned and said, Oh, absolutely…you…only you.

Smiling at him, she crawled up on the bed, careful to be on the side away from his tubes. She snuggled as close to his body as humanly possible. Is this better?

Curving his arm around her frail body, he drew her even closer. Tons better, he whispered into her hair. She curled into him and within minutes, she was fast asleep.

Dane softly stroked her arm as she slept soundly next to him. He was worried about her. His mind flashed back to the woman he’d seen in the hospital two years ago; that broken, empty woman. He didn’t know how to help her…or even if he could.

***

Tess jerked awake from the tormenting dreams which plagued her. They always ran the same way. Kevin would look into her eyes with his crazy, dead ones and then lean in close with his stale breath, placing his foul lips against her body and she’d be afraid. Then she’d see Dane charge into the room and she’d be relieved because she was going to be saved and avenged. And then horrified, she’d watch as Kevin plunge the knife into Dane’s chest over and over again. In reality, Kevin had only stabbed Dane once, but in her dream it was over and over again. Blood would be spurting out of his body. In her dreams, the carpet and bedspread in her bedroom were white and Dane’s blood would run crimson over them. The vividness of the blood against the starkness of the white made the scene all the more terrifying.

She eased her stiff body away from Dane and got up from the bed. She stretched and every bone in her body ached. She was still sore from being thrown against the back of Kevin Alexander’s truck. She walked out into the hall and grabbed a cup of the hospital’s complimentary coffee. Shelley, the young nurse who worked the night duty, bade good morning. Tess smiled back at her before re-entering Dane’s room. She didn’t like leaving him for any length of time. Dane was sitting up when she returned.

His head spun towards the door at her entrance. He smiled when he saw her. I thought you’d gone.

Giving him an odd look, she replied, Where would I go?

Dane shrugged his good shoulder and gave her a sheepish grin. He patted a place next to him on the bed. She sat where he indicated and he attempted to lean over and kiss her. As he did he gasped and fell back. She was immediately on her feet.

What? What is it? Are you okay?

Dane was holding his side as he grimaced. Sorry, I just can’t lean that way. I’m fine. I’m fine.

Tess let out a slow breath. She pulled the chair up to his good side and sat down. He reached for one of her hands and intertwined their fingers. He watched her closely.

How are you holding up?

Tess again gave him the same perplexed look as the night before. She smiled and said, a little perturbed, I’m fine.

Dane slowly nodded his head. He’d rather her just call him Chief. Were you able to reach either Carter or Anthony?

Tess looked away from his gaze to look at something intently in the hallway. Softly, she replied, No, I…I actually didn’t call them.

More sharply than he intended he said, Why the hell not?

She slowly pulled her hand out of his grasp and went to stand back at the window. I…I’m not ready to talk about what happened yet. I need some time, okay? She ended on a pleading note.

This was exactly what he’d been afraid of. He rubbed his hand over the stubble on his face. Changing the subject, he asked, Have they said when I can go home?

Turning back to face him, she replied, Not until the chest tube comes out; at least a couple of days. As she finished speaking, there was a whoosh of air as Dane’s son, Mason, came flying into the room. He was followed by his mother, Rebecca, the now ex-Mrs. Dane Carver. Mason stopped when he reached Dane’s bed.

Dane directed his son to his good side and pulled him in for a long hug. Hey, buddy! I’ve missed you.

Tess couldn’t take her eyes off of Dane’s son. He was the spitting image of Dane. While he had his mother’s slender features, his dark