The Lifeguard

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The Lifeguard

Richie Tankersley Cusick

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

A Biography of Richie Tankersley Cusick

to Dale and Ann…

for your courage and inspiration

Prologue

THE LIFEGUARD PICKED HIS way carefully over the rocks, finally stopping to plunge his hands into the churning water.

There had been blood this time.

All the times before it had been so easy…so effortless…just that instant of surprise when they realized what was happening, and then everything over so quickly, so neat and clean, with hardly a struggle.

But this one was different.

This one had looked him right in the eyes, and begged for her life, and “Please,” she had cried, over and over again, “Please don’t kill me…please…”

And he couldn’t listen anymore, all that crying and pleading, couldn’t look at her face, and he’d had to hit her…again …again…till finally she was quiet…

He’d wanted to be gentle with her, of all people. Because she’d trusted him…cared about him so much…

But she’d come to him and told him that she knew, and she would have told others, and then they’d have put him away…

No, he couldn’t let that happen.

He had his reputation to think of.

After all…he was the lifeguard.

Chapter 1

“DON’T STRUGGLE,” THE VOICE said. “Don’t…it’ll be easier if you don’t struggle…”

But the roaring came again, like it always did, that growing surge of indistinct sound and a scream, muffled, distant…

“Don’t struggle…”

But she was struggling…great gasps of air from lungs bursting, and that split second, that terrifying instant of realization as strength gave out and water poured in, black and sickening and endless…

“Don’t…” the voice was fading, as everything was fading, as her very life was fading…ending…

“Oh, God, help me!”

Kelsey Tanner jolted upright, heart pounding, and her hands flew out, desperately seeking something to hold on to.