She was even prettier when she was frightened.

They all were, really

He got a kick out of their fear and their helplessness and the slow, desperate way they eventually realized he was after them…

Except for Beth…

Beth had ruined everything because she’d come after him…

And he didn’t want to kill her, but he had to, because she knew…

He pressed his hands to his head, squeezing…squeezing…until the mixed-up darkness began to fade from his mind.

And then he read the note one more time.

Kelsey…I think someone is going to kill me.

The lifeguard laughed to himself and set the notepaper on fire, watching it burn to a soft gray ash

He wouldn’t hurry with Kelsey.

He’d just take his time and enjoy it.

Chapter 15

KELSEY DRAGGED HER FEET through the sand. Donna had gone on to work promising to see her tonight at the party, where they could talk some more. Until then Kelsey knew her own mind would be a blur. She could hardly even concentrate now, and swore to herself as she suddenly tripped over someone’s foot and fell forward.

“Excuse me, lady, but we don’t allow accidents on this beach.” A pair of strong arms righted her, and she found herself looking up into Skip’s grin. “I suggest you get your own personal lifeguard. I recommend myself.”

Kelsey disentangled herself and couldn’t help laughing. “What are you doing here?”

“I work here, remember?” He tipped his cap and steered her to a hot dog stand. “What’s your pleasure?”

“For breakfast?”

Skip wiggled his eyebrows. “Trust me—you won’t regret this.” He pushed his way to the counter, and Kelsey leaned back against the wall.

“Hi.”

She jumped, her cheek brushing against Justin’s, and felt his hand slide across her back, leaving warm tingles where he touched.

“Hi, yourself.” Oh, Justin, I wish I could tell you what’s happening but I’m afraid and I don’t have any proof and you’ve been through so much already… “I’m having—uh—breakfast.”

“So I see.” He looked slightly incredulous as Skip returned and handed her a hot dog. It promptly gushed a huge glob of mustard onto Justin’s bare feet, and he tried to rub it off into the sand. “Sorry I was in such a hurry this morning,” Justin said. “How was your picnic?”

Skip looked up around a mouthful of bun. “Disastrous if Donna made it.” He waved his last bite of hot dog and started off. “Gotta get back. See you tonight, huh?”

Justin took Kelsey’s hot dog and tossed it into a litter can. “Poison. Got any plans for today?”

“Just walking.”

“Good. You can walk me back to my station,” They waved as Skip’s jeep made a swerve at them and disappeared back down the beach.

“Donna shouldn’t have said what she did this morning.” She looked up sideways, at his brown hair, the rich deep tan, the long, thick lashes…

“Yes, she should’ve. I was going to ask you. She didn’t trap me.”