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.

treasures Melody like the crown jewels; he’d never use her as bait to draw out

she’s not my wife.” Dexter clung to that term. “And with Phoebe already

laughed to myself, knowing he

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

sitting rigidly

a chill run through

could my lowly life compare to

15:04

Chapter 40

emotionally unstable,” Dexter snapped back at Robin. “You heard her earlier–she tried to kill herself! You’re a cop, for heaven’s sake. How

but his silence seemed to affirm

and her body hasn’t been found. To us, that means there’s a good chance she’s still out

hand to the police and, in

the killer was through Melody, using her to draw out the predator.

But Dexter hesitated.

in Dexter to face it all with a newfound calm.

a place of significance, and his choice was within my

died during its rapid growth into a mighty tree. My love

and the banquet hall was still

parents were there, looking less than pleased.

to their once–wealthy background, only brought low

his head, seemingly

finding

“Dexter, we’ve seen all the good you do for Melody. Whatever the reason, the wedding turned out like this… making Melody lose face

opening his mouth but saying nothing. He