Savage (A Blood Feud Novel)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Rachel and James sat hunched inside Rachel's car. They were parked on a small street comprised of family-owned houses. It was a Friday evening.

James wore a gray long-sleeved shirt, blue Levi jeans; brown Lugs, and a thick gray jacket. Rachel had on a red winter coat and long red boots.

The two watched as a young attractive blonde entered the front door of one of the houses. Inside a large duffel bag on James' lap was a semi-automatic pistol, a pair of white latex gloves, and a sharpened butcher knife.

Rachel checked her rearview mirror and smiled. She knew what was about to happen. The thought of it made her feel almost euphoric.

She was wearing a red Puma sweatshirt underneath the winter coat and her Denim jeans. Her brown hair was tied into a ponytail. She barely had any makeup on, aside from a simple lip gloss.

"I can't believe you dragged me in," James muttered, almost to himself.

"Sweetie I need you, that's why," said Rachel. "You'd think I'd like to this work all by myself?"

"You're going to kill that woman," James said with resignation. "I read the papers as you suggested. I have no idea why you killed that man. I thought he was your friend. You're mad, Rachel. You're fucking mad!"

Rachel chuckled. There was something sinister about her chuckle that made James feel a bit uncomfortable. He shifted his right shoulder.

"Why'd you do it?" James asked. "Why do you kill?"

"Why do you sleep with me?" Rachel asked in return.

"That's not the point, Rachel," James said.

Rachel took out a cigarette. James gave her a lighter.

"You love me, right James?" Rachel said.

"Rachel, of course, I love you. I have stuck with you all this time," James replied.

"So," Rachel said in between puffs, "You'll only love as long as you get to fuck me, is that what?"

James sighed as he rubbed his right temple.

"James, am I your hanger-on?" Rachel said.

James said nothing. He wasn't lying when he told Rachel he loved her. It was just that there were some aspects of her that James wasn't fond of.

Rachel was a thrill-seeker. James understood that. He didn't suspect Rachel's thrill-seeking would involve cold-blooded murder. She did it without any remorse and at times without any reason.

James grunted as he stretched his right arm behind his head. He was getting tired and the years which he spent behind bars were wearing him. Rachel rolled down her side window and threw out her cigarette.

"You wasted that," James said.

"I want to know the answer to my previous question," Rachel said. "So tell me."

James sighed.

"Fine, I will tell you why I killed Richard. He was freaking out about trying to find his mother's killer. He was an intelligent guy and in no time would put two and two together and know I am the one," Rachel said.

"You haven't still told me why you killed his mom," James pointed out.

Rachel frowned. "The old bitch ruined my career. She was the one who ran the story about me, claiming I was screwing with a student in the college. Of course, Richard did try to help me out, but the old bitch was determined to ruin me. In the end, she got her reward. Too bad her lousy son had to follow suit."