Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Chapter 40

“Take her own life? Ha… If she really had it in her to bite the bullet, Phoebe would still be alive!” Stella’s voice shattered through the air, thick with scorn for

Melody.

It was probably because she thought I died in Melody’s place.

“Easy there, let’s go see what’s going on first.” Robin stepped in, keeping Stella’s tumultuous emotions in check, and handed her off to the forensic expert. “Take care of her.”

The forensic expert nodded and took hold of Stella. “You’re in the medical field, and you should know better than to let emotions cloud your judgment.”

Stella didn’t respond, just stood there with tears staining her cheeks.

“Mr. Fitzgerald, I’ll go back with you to check on things.” Robin glanced at his watch, wrapped up his instructions, and followed Dexter. “Considering the investigation so far, your wife Melody was also one of the girls who left that orphanage back in the day, so the killer will definitely keep an eye on her.”

Dexter’s stride stiffened at the mention, and he reminded in a deep tone. “She’s not my wife.”

Robin found Dexter’s insistence odd but said no more.

I trailed behind them and got into the car, too.

“The girls who left the orphanage back then are scattered all over the city now, with no pattern to the deaths. The killer seems to be acting out of revenge.” Robin looked at Dexter. “If your wife isn’t even afraid to meet her maker, maybe she could help us out, cooperate with the police so we can catch this killer sooner.”

Robin didn’t want to play it this way, but Melody and Dexter had put Phoebe in the line of fire as

bait.

flashed Robin a wry smile. “As if. He treasures Melody like the crown jewels; he’d never

told you… she’s not my wife.” Dexter clung to that term. “And with Phoebe already in harm’s way, I can’t risk Melody’s safety

laughed to myself, knowing he would never agree.

risk as bait, Mr. Fitzgerald? Or is it that in your eyes, Melody’s life is

was clearly taken aback, sitting

chill run through me,

could my lowly life compare to Melody’s golden one?

15:04

Chapter 40

back at Robin. “You heard her earlier–she tried to kill herself!

his silence

body hasn’t been found. To us, that means there’s a good chance she’s still out there breathing. If we don’t find her soon, she’s as

convince Melody to lend a hand to the police

way to the killer was through Melody, using her to

But Dexter hesitated.

enough disappointment in Dexter to face it all

of significance, and his choice was within

mighty tree. My love story had ended

car pulled up at the hotel, and the banquet hall was still bustling with

looking less than pleased.

Melody’s mother, a woman of grace thanks to their once–wealthy background, only brought low in recent years by bankruptcy

his head, seemingly with regret.

finding the scene bitterly ironic.

out like this…

his mouth but saying nothing. He just nodded.