One Step Ahead, Audrey Walker [best book club books of all time TXT] 📗

asked me to bring a plus one. Where am I going to find that?”

“I can go with you,” James said.

“Really?” Robin asked, shocked.

“Sure, as a friend,” James said.

“Sounds good,” Robin said, grinning.

James reached out and took her hand into his, and Robin felt her skin tingling.

“I like you, Robin,” he whispered. “I can’t help but think that you are someone very special.”

Robin’s breath hitched, and she swallowed. James leaned forward and lightly brushed her lips with his, and Robin felt a shiver run through her body. She melted against his lips, kissing him harder and harder. Her body was filled with a burning passion that Robin hadn’t felt before. He pulled away and looked into her eyes, and Robin wondered if she had finally found some happiness.

Chapter Six

“Oh, Robin,” Abby said, sighing. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?”

“We have had this discussion so many times,” Robin said. “I can’t leave the case. Abby.”

“You know, I always hated the fact that you became a police officer,” she said softly. “I wished you had chosen something else, but you were so happy and doing so well that I was proud of you. There are times I can’t help but feel guilty. That if you didn’t have to look after me, you would have lived a better life. You always just wanted to protect me and provide for me. You worked odd jobs to give me all the things I wanted, and once we were out of the foster system, you had to pay for our food and shelter. You even paid for my college. And you did what you had to do to do all that, even if it meant joining the police force. But you don’t have to do this anymore –”

“Abby,” Robin whispered. “This is what I have always wanted to do. I am never happier than when I am working on a case. There is nothing that feels better than bringing justice to a person who has been wronged. I am the only voice those dead people have, Abby. If I don’t do this, then all those dead women have died in vain. And if more women die because I gave up, then it’s on me. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Abby said softly. “I understand, but I don’t like it. I am worried about you. The murders are freaking the hell out of me. I am worried about how this is all affecting you. Maybe you should go to a therapist? Just for precaution?”

“Abby, I am fine,” Robin said. “Don’t worry about me. Just think of yourself. You are about to be married!”

“Jim is planning our honeymoon,” Abby said. “He says he will take me to Bali! Can you imagine Jim in Bali? I would have thought he would have chosen some historic place!”

“Well, I have never even seen Jim in a bathing suit,” Robin said. “He is always so proper, isn’t he?”

“I know everyone thinks he is very serious,” Abby said. “And that he and I are very different. But he has to be the nicest man I have ever met. He has such a good heart that I wonder why everyone isn’t in love with him!”

“Oh, my lovely sister,” Robin said, laughing. “Wow, you are in love! Completely enamored, aren’t you?”

“I feel as if I am on clouds!” Abby said, giggling. “I must sound so foolish!”

“Yes, well, if you didn’t,” Robin said, grinning. “I would doubt if you were actually in love!”

“What about you and that handsome James?” Abby asked, winking.

“Nothing about us,” Robin said. “I like him a lot. But I don’t trust him, and I am definitely not sure about him. I can’t help but feel as if he has some goal in mind. At the same time, he is so charming that it’s hard to resist him.”

Abby laughed and said, “Well, that is some sane thinking! Not foolish at all!”

The two sisters burst out laughing, and, at that moment, Robin was happy. She felt far away from the darkness that plagued her. She was at peace, but she knew it wouldn’t last long.

__

“I have found that the murders started around two weeks ago,” Robin said. “I have found two more cases that resemble the string of murders. That’s when they probably started. Now that we have traced back to the first murder, we can assume that the bodies we will find will be new murders.”

“Smart deduction,” James said, smiling.

“It was basic,” Kyle snapped. “Nothing impressive about it.”

Robin frowned, wondering what had gotten into him. He had been acting so rude and distant lately; it made her wonder what the hell was going on. He had always been a bit difficult, but he had never treated her like this before.

“The first body was found in a cemetery of all places,” Robin said. “The one where my parents are buried. There was a message found that simply said, ‘I waited for you.’ The dead woman was a local school teacher, and the investigation revealed no results, and the case went cold. The second body was found in a schoolyard, the same one I went to and belonged to as a university student. The message read, ‘Find me.’ The case once again went cold.”

James drew out the places on the map and noted down the details of each murder.

“The latest murder is Lana Joe; she is a secretary, resembles me, and was found dead in the forest outside the old church building. She was killed at the construction site and was accompanied by a message that stated, ‘How could you forget? How could you forget the promise you made. You said you would always remember,” Robin said.

Even as she said those words, a shiver ran down her spine.

“So, we can assume that the next murder will take place behind the old church, or may already have taken place,” James said. “We should start a search of possible locations.”

“Alright,” Robin said. “Where do you suggest we go?”

“For coffee,” James said with a grin, reaching out to