Mary Burton - Dead Ringer

Booksby Mary Burton

I'm Watching You

Dead Ringer

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

DEAD
RINGER

MARY
BURTON

ZEBRA BOOKS
Kensington Publishing Corporation

www.kensingtonbooks.com

Contents

Sunday, January 6, sunset

"It'stime, Ruth."

Acheerless finality hardened the man's softly spoken words. His heart truly feltheavy as he stared out the frost-streaked window. Outside, pine trees bowedunder the ice's extra weight as arctic gusts rushed over the fields, swirlingaround, creating minitwisters in the snow.

"Idon't want you to go," he said, turning toward Ruth.

Thewoman sat in a wooden chair, her head bent forward. Dark hair cascaded over hertear-streaked face. "Please," she said.

Theroom was decorated with rose wallpaper, white iolite curtains, and a largebraided rug with interwoven strands of yellow, pink, and blue. A whitefour-poster canopy bed covered with a cherry comforter and dozens of stuffedanimals dominated the space. He'd built this room for her and the others.

"Shh.I have to let you go. We both knew this time would come." Sadness tightened histhroat.

Ruthraised her head a fraction. She glanced down at her wrists, lashed tightly to chairarms. "No. No. I don't want to go. I want to stay with you."

Thehoarse whisper was a lie. Instinctively, she understood what leaving trulymeant. Dying.

Hecrossed the room, hoping to reassure her. "You don't need to be afraid." Heknelt beside her and laid his hand on the ropes lashed to her pale wrists, nowraw and bleeding after days of struggling. " It's okay,Ruth. It's all for the best. You'll see," he said tenderly.

Tearsrolled down her face. "No. Let me stay." Desperation sparked in her eyes. "Wecan still be a family."

"Youhave to trust me, Ruth. I know what's best." He touched her cheek.

Sheflinched and then offered a faltering smile as she raised her pale green eyesto meet his. "Allen, please."

Heliked it when she said his name. "I can't. You know that."

Lovinglyhe touched her chin and tipped her face back so he could look into her eyes.Fresh tears fell and dampened his calloused hand. For a moment, his resolvewavered. He really didn't want to send her away. He wanted to keep her hereforever.

Buthe couldn't.

Wouldn't.

Herose and moved behind her. Gently he stroked her hair, which no longer smelledof coconuts and summer, but of fear and sweat. "I've really enjoyed our time aswell. I've been alone for so long. But you must join the Family now."

Sheshook her head but was unable to lift it. She whimpered, "Please. Don't."

Allenpushed her hair away from her slender neck. "You will be grateful in the end."

He'dbeen searching for her for years, knowing that one day he'd find her and they'dbe together again. And then he'd found her and he'd nearly cried out in joy.For weeks, he watched her attend church, drive to her secretarial job at theengineering firm, and go to the grocery store. He stood in the shadows as she'dwept at her parents' graveside. He'd scrutinized. Admired. Waited for the perfect opportunity to bring her to thisspecial place that he'd created.

Heslipped his hands under Ruth's thick mane of hair and brushed the soft skin ofher neck. It felt cold. Her faint heartbeat drummed under his fingers. Thedrugs that had made her sleepy, almost nonresponsive, were wearing off. Soonshe'd be struggling again, screaming until her voice grew hoarse.

He'dnot wanted to use the drugs, but she'd been so defiant and unwilling to talk tohim. She'd fought, called him names, and rejected him. The drugs had calmedher, made her see the good in him.

"Iwish we had more time," he said.

Shecraned her head to the side and looked up at him. Desperation made her eyesspark. "We can still be a family."

Asmile twitched at the edge of his lips. "Not in the way that it matters. Thereis too much that can come between us."

"Itcould be different this time. You'll see. I promise I will love you."

Love . For a moment he closed his eyes and let the wordroll through his mind. No one had loved him in so long. "You can't really loveme until you join the Family."

"Ican."

Hedidn't blame her for the lie. He knew she was afraid of the transition.Crossing over always triggered fear in his girls. She'd say anything at thispoint. He understood and wasn't mad.

"Shh.It's going to be okay, Ruth."

Asob rose in her throat. "I'm not Ruth. I'm not Ruth."

Hedrew circles on her neck with his thumbs and then slid long fingers around herneck. Her pulse throbbed faster now. "Don't fight it. It's so much easier whenyou don't fight what is best for you."

"No."She jerked against her bindings and started to thrash her head. "I don't wantto go!"

Hetightened his hold and began to squeeze.

Initially,she thrashed harder. A muffled cry escaped her lips. But the pressure on herneck quickly robbed her of air, sound, and energy. Soon, she choked and gaspedfor air. She pulled against the bindings and balled her slender fingers intofists.

"Ruth,you were always the strong, brave one."

Hetightened his hold, savoring the rush of power and excitement rushing throughhis body. His body warmed, despite the chill in the room. In this moment hefelt connected, alive.

Forso long he'd been alone, lost and wondering. Now, Ruth was about to join hisFamily. She would be with him forever.

"Family. It is everything. Without family life isn'tworth much. People today don't get that. They are so busy rushing around theydon't take the time to spend with each other."

Shestrained her neck and twisted her head, gagging, trying to break free.

Hisarms and hands ached but his grip remained tight. Her pulse drummedfrantically, proof her lungs struggled for air. And then the thump, thump,thump skipped several beats. His heart raced faster. A few more erraticpulses followed and then stillness.

Lifeebbed from Ruth's body, like water down a drain. She slumped forward. A tranquility only death could create washed over her.

Lovingly,he rested his palm on the top of her head. "It's better now, isn't it? You arefinally at peace. You are free of all your worries and pain."

Shedidn't move. There were no more uneven protests. No pleas for freedom.

"Praise be ," he whispered.

Fromhis pocket he pulled a gold chain with an oval charm. Inscribed on the charmwas the name