The Killers Amongst Us: Chimera Dawn Chronicles Read Online Free PDF Page A

The families would be sure to demand coverage. But this wasn’t just
nineteen cases. It was goodness knows how many missing eighteen-year-old girls
throughout America. Homeland Security had not said it, but he imagined they
would set up a national agency committee. Second-guessing who was behind it
burned his gray matter. He pulled off the Hollywood Freeway and headed toward
his home.

    The dash clock displayed 4:45 p.m. as he turned into his
cul-de-sac, forty-five minutes late. A shiver passed through his body. He
slammed hard on the brake pedal. Paramedics were walking down his pathway
toward their vehicle. The distinct coroner’s white van with a blue stripe was
parked in his drive. His neighbors were outside with children, some crying,
milling around his front yard. Shaw yanked at the door handle, and hurried out
of the car. He charged through the neighbors and on through his front door.
Mary sat on the sofa, consoling a grief stricken Amy. His gaze met Amy’s
tearful eyes. She pulled away from Mary’s grasp, and jumping at her dad, she
wrapped her arms and legs around his body. He held her tight.
    “There now,” he said, as she sobbed. He stroked her hair. Shaw
looked over at Mary, his mind searching for answers, but not daring to ask the
questions.
    Mary rushed over and put her arms around them both.
    “I’m so sorry, Brett.”

Chapter 4
    6 years later to the day. Breakers Pass sheriff’s office.
North of Los Angeles.
     
    SHERIFF Shaw chewed on his Biro top, staring blankly at
the framed photograph of his late wife and his daughter. It sat proudly, center
stage on his desk. A memory of happier times. He sighed, then with a flourish,
he signed off ‘With love, Dad xxxx’ on his daughter’s birthday card. Shaw
placed the card in its envelope. Opening his desk draw, he pulled out an old
tin box, removed the lid, and placed the card with five other unopened cards
from years past. The bittersweet taste of the plastic lingered, just as his thoughts
did on events of that day back in 2008. That day, he had handed in his badge,
albeit over the telephone. That day, he was late for his daughter’s birthday,
and his wife’s last breath. Forty-five minutes earlier that day and he might
have managed to say his goodbyes, before the aneurism took her life.
    The temptation was there to pull out his bottle of JD,
hidden in his filing cabinet, but he knew he had to fight his addiction. His
fingers trembled. The cure would have to wait until bedtime, when he could
drink himself to oblivion to erase the pain and ease the shakes. For now, he
would have to share his loss with the families of the young women who
disappeared on that day. His telephone rang and he answered to a familiar
screeching voice and he frowned.
    “Sheriff Shaw, Mrs. Fisher here. I’m at the vets and she’s
closed.”
    His shoulders sagged. He heard a car pull up outside.
Swiveling his chair, he watched Amy climb out of Ted Carter’s SUV. His Golden
Retriever, Gyp, woke instantly from his slumber and jumped up, landing with his
paws on the windowsill, his tail wagging.
    “Sheriff Shaw, Mrs. Fisher here, are you listening?”
    Shaw sighed. From what she had said, at least he wouldn’t
have to drag the ladder out of the garage to rescue Mrs. Fisher’s cat, a weekly
occurrence.
    “Sorry, yes, I’m listening. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.
Maybe she’s been called out on an emergency.”
    “Well, it’s most inconsiderate. I have an appointment at
nine a.m.”
    “Doesn’t she have an assistant yet?”
    “No, I keep telling her she needs one, but she says money is
tight.”
    Shaw could empathize with the vet’s sentiment. No matter how
much he argued with the town council, the budget wasn’t there for an office
secretary and it kept him shackled to his desk most days. The door to his
office opened. Gyp bounded across the office and greeted Amy. She fussed over
the dog, then walked over to the desk.
    “Sorry, there’s nothing I can do, try