As they were making their way through the dark, dank basement, Nicky noticed the old furnace. She frowned and went up to it. Beneath the putrid smell, it also smelled like soot.

Had somebody used this thing recently?

"Lyons," Ken suddenly said with urgency in his voice.

Nicky looked across the room, where he was pointing to a door. "Smell's really strong over here."

Nicky swallowed, hard, before she stormed over. "Looks like we're in the right place then."

She tried the handle, but it was locked. She kicked it, but nothing. "We need to open this."

"Take the flashlight," Ken said, then he put it in her hands and began pacing around.

Nicky stood there, holding the flashlight with shaking hands. She hated this. She hated the fact that she could hear her heart beating in her chest.

Just breathe. This is what you're here for.

She took a deep breath as Ken approached the door. He stopped and kicked it, this time with more force.

The door burst open.

And the smell came in full force.

Nicky shone the flashlight in, squinting. The smell was so strong it even stung her eyes.

She peered into the light.

And inside the room was a pile of dead women, each at varying stages of decay.

But Nicky immediately recognized one of the women in the pile, who was less decayed than the others beneath her. This was one of the girls from the files.

Nicky's stomach rolled. She fell back, but Ken caught her. Her head spun so violently she thought she might drop dead right then and there.

This wasn't just a kidnapper.

This was a serial killer.

And right now, he had another victim.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

His knuckles were turning white against the steering wheel as he gripped it hard, wishing it was her neck.

She'd ruined everything. Messed it all up. All that planning, all the work he'd put into their big wedding day--it was all for nothing. How could he waste so much time on such an unworthy hag?

As he erratically drove, he could hear her screaming in the trunk. "Help! Help me!"

At the next red light, he intentionally slammed hard on his brakes to shut her up. When he heard her thud against the car, he smiled. A moment of happiness in his rage.

Stupid "bride." She didn't even deserve to wear that wedding dress. He hated that it was still on her body, but it wouldn't be for long--he was going to rid her of it.

Her vows had been awful. No creativity, not even a mention of how wonderful he was. All she'd done was try to manipulate him.

"Please, if I marry you, will you let me go? I'll still come see you, but I need to have space..." That was what she'd said, and it was despicable.

He mocked her out loud and made a face. Please let me go, please let me go.