She suddenly saw movement around Monty. She blinked. There was no way Dan had gotten into the bedroom, but...

It was Mabel! And she wasn’t alone; she was with the ghost of Gray Simmons. Her friend, who had just stayed to hang around and watch as his beloved city unfolded...

It was difficult to see them as they motioned to her.

They’d all been such idiots. Looking for a big man. Monty was a big man, blocking her view now.

“My head,” she muttered, swinging backward and forward.

“You have a headache, pretty girl? It’s going to get worse!” he told her.

She finally heard what Mabel was trying to say to her.

“Kick him, kick him as hard as you can! Knock him over!” Mabel said, kicking out a ghostly foot.

“But...” Katie said aloud.

“But what?” Monty demanded. “Hmm, to shoot him in front of you, or hack you to death in front of him?”

“Kick him over!” Gray cried.

They had a plan, but—

“Monty! Monty!” She suddenly heard Dan; he was calling out. “Monty, was George here? We’re going to get him this time!” Dan called. “Where are you guys? Katie? The bastard went after your dogs! Monty, come on, I need to get you and Katie to safety.”

Monty looked at her, grinning.

She’d never known the man could look so purely evil. He was always so nice, so polite, so caring and courteous to others...

As he planned their demise.

“Kick him over!” Gray said. “Lass, you can do it!”

And then she knew Dan knew damned well Monty had taken her, and Monty had poisoned his own dogs...

Dan knew that Monty was the big man, the mastermind, the Axeman.

“Monty. I’m still confused,” she said, as if she hadn’t heard Dan. “Did this start with the Axeman, or with Allan Pierce’s theory of six and being superhuman and immortal. Or were you just sick as can be from the get-go? Because you messed up a lot. I mean, for one, Sonny Hartfield is going to talk eventually. I’m not sure if he can make a fortune with the tabloids from prison, but he’ll tell your story soon enough.”

“He won’t be able to. I can’t tell you how easy it is to buy an assassin, Katie. So easy. Of course, it’s not the same. I mean, I had to wait to hear about your parents. It’s not the same as feeling the axe in your hands, feeling it make impact with human flesh and blood! Oh, to be bathed in the warmth of blood splatter. But shut up now—”

He raised his voice. “Dan, help, help! Help us, for God’s sake! He has us, Katie and me. The Axeman has us...”