Page 115 of Animal's Reformation
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ashiver tiptoedup Olivia’s spine as she stared at the computer screen reading Hunter’s message. CouldthisHunter be the same one who’d attacked Animal’s mother the night before? Olivia had been in shock since the night before when Animal had come home and told her about the incident, but surely there was more than one man named Hunter on the site.
She tipped her head back and looked up at the ceiling fan then back down to the screen. The answer was clear: she had to stop talking to Hunter. A part of her wanted to call the police, but Olivia really didn’t know that this man with whom she’d been communicating was, in fact, the serial killer who had every woman in Pinewood Springs on edge. She drew in a breath and shook her head. What if he was the guy? Any tip would be worth pursuing, right?
Olivia picked up her phone and dialed her professor’s number. She’d ask Dr. Davison for advice on this because the last thing she wanted was to ruin a lonely man’s life by having the cops breathing down his back for no reason. The phone went to voicemail and she left a quick message telling him to call her as soon as he could, then she looked back at the screen.
Rose:Hey, Hunter. Sorry for the delay.
Hunter:I thought you were ignoring me, my sweet.
Rose:Just super busy. I gotta get going to work soon.
Hunter:We need to meet, my sweet. I’m tired of talking by phone and message. Does this weekend work for you?
Olivia rubbed the back of her neck then took a sip of coffee. She had to end this, but what if the cops wanted her to keep talking with him to draw him out? Maybe they’d want her to go undercover. “Stop it,” she chided herself. “Your imagination is running wild.”
Rose:This weekend doesn’t work. I have to go now. We can talk later.
Hunter:Don’t you want to meet me? I thought we had something special. I love you, my sweet.
“What a fucking nut,” Olivia whispered under her breath.
Rose:I just can’t do it this weekend. I’m going to be late for work.
Hunter:I hope you’re not playing with my feelings and stringing me along. I hope you are who you say you are.
Olivia took another sip of coffee. “Okay, buddy, this is just getting too damn creepy and ominous.”
Rose:Gotta go. Later.
Olivia signed out of the site then closed the lid of her laptop. She was done; she had enough data to finish her paper. Olivia glanced at the time and gulped the rest of her coffee. If she didn’t get a move on, she’d be late and Dr. Canty would be yelling up a storm if she wasn’t there when his seven thirty patient came in.
Twenty minutes later, Olivia pushed open the door and hurried to the employee’s room to throw her purse and sweater into her locker before taking her position behind the reception desk. At exactly 7:29 a.m., Dr. Canty strolled into the area, and Olivia threw him a sweet smile when she saw the look of disappointment crossing his face upon seeing her.
“When did you get in?” A twinge of annoyance laced his voice.
“A few minutes ago. How about you?” She pulled out the daily sign-up sheet and placed it on the counter.
“What difference does that make? I’m the professional, not you.” He leaned against the desk and stared at her.
“I was just making conversation,” she replied.
Dr. Canty didn’t respond, he just continued to stare, and Olivia ignored him, refusing to play into his juvenile intimidation tactics. When the door chimed, she glanced up from the computer screen, glad that the first patient had arrived only a few minutes late.
“Good morning, Mrs. Jurist. How are you?” Olivia pushed the sign-up sheet toward the older woman.
“Very good, thank you. You’re always such a ray of sunshine with that warm smile of yours,” she responded as she picked up a pen.
Olivia heard Dr. Canty sigh then walk out of the room.Good.She looked up at Mrs. Jurist. Ivy will come get you in a minute. Would you like a glass of water?”
The woman shook her head, a small smile brushing across her lips. “If I have any water before my teeth cleaning, I’ll have to go to the bathroom.”
Olivia smiled then looked up as both Dr. Linney and Dr. Mitchell walked in, each holding a cup of store-bought coffee in their hands.
“Hi, Thelma,” Dr. Linney said to the older woman. “I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”
“Hello, Doctor. Take your time.” Mrs. Jurist focused her attention back to the magazine she held.
