Ziggy, Sarah from reception, and I stood gathered around the reception desk. Another bland brown box sat there with a label bearing my name. She’d called up no more than five minutes before, asking if we were available to come down. And it wasn’t so she could deliver good news.

“We got him on the security cameras, but he was wearing all black clothing and a motorcycle helmet,” continued Sarah. “No distinguishing features that I could see.”

I peeled back the packing tape. “We need to make sure.”

“Detective Ortega will be over in an hour or so,” said Ziggy, sliding his cell back into his pocket. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait?”

“Just in case. She’s a busy woman, I don’t want to waste her time.”

“At least let me open it.”

“I can do it. I’ll be fine. It’s my mess, after all.”

He didn’t look happy, but he didn’t stop me. He just hovered next to me, close by, and I could almost feel his muscles quivering like a sprinter at the starting gate, ready to react. Nobody said anything as I carefully pried open the cardboard box. It felt like there were ants crawling over my skin. Someone walking over my grave, maybe. Because sure enough, stinky rust brown-stained material lay folded inside. My stomach twisted and turned. A shriveled piece of raw meat sat amongst it all. Another heart, perhaps? Whatever it was, it was disgusting. Deranged.

“That’s enough, Miss Cooper,” said Ziggy. “Please step away. We’ve established it’s either from him or a copycat.”

“I can see some of the label on the material. It’s a piece from my lingerie line.” As asked, I took a step back, arms wrapped around myself. “So much for hoping he’d lost interest.”

Ziggy looked up. “The detective will want to talk to the delivery guy.”

“He couldn’t wait, but I’ve got his number and the five-dollar bill,” said Sarah.

“Good.” He turned to me. “Are you all right? Miss Cooper? Mae?”

“Hmm? Yeah.” I shrugged. “The tissue paper he wrapped it in, it’s kind of an orange color, isn’t it? Same as the last one, I think.”

“Hard to tell with all the blood. You positive you’re okay, not feeling nauseous or faint?”

“No, I’m fine. Basically.” I sighed. “I’m not some swooning maiden and there’s not much I can do about this that we’re not doing already, is there? They sure must hate me, whoever they are. He even bought it in my size.”

“Did he?” Ziggy’s fingers twitched at his side. As if he might have liked to punch something, or I don’t know what. But I could have used a hand to hold on to right about then.

“What’s up?” asked a deep voice.