But nothing.
“Saige,” his tears choked him as he spoke. “You’re safe now. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.” He caressed her face with frozen fingers, hardly noticing his own condition. “Saige, it’s me.” He softly kissed her lips and noticed that they’d started to turn blue with cold, and as that registered, he became aware of her pulse starting to slow.
Panic coursed through him and chased away his rage. Not knowing what else to do, he lay down beside her, and pulled her into his arms. “Please open your eyes. Don’t give up,” he begged. “I won’t let you...dammit, Saige. I love you, baby.” He wrapped himself around her, willing his warmth and his life into her.
She would make it. She had to. He tried to give her what strength he had left as he slipped off to sleep, thankful he found her in time before she met the same fate as the other five victims.
Day 1
12:30pm
* * *
“Saige, this is yours. Table three.”
Saige tried not to scowl at the cook as she grabbed the two plates of food he nearly tossed at her. The diner was crowded with the lunchtime rush as she hurried over to the table, placing down the food and then topped off their water.
“Enjoy your meal.” Doing an about turn, she nearly fell over her roommate, Tamsyn.
They bumped hips and rolled eyes before getting back to work.
Saige hated the job and only stayed there because she knew her stepmother’s feelings on the matter. Her dear old stepmom was embarrassed that her stepdaughter worked in a city diner.
Her father worried about her constantly, but accepted Saige’s independence, albeit reluctantly. He even knew why she stayed at the job, but knew how determined she could be when pushed.
He’d be in town the following day and she looked forward to seeing him for dinner. He said it was business that was bringing him to Tampa, but she knew that his business was her. She was missed at home as much as she missed him, but once she’d reached twenty-six, she’d decided enough was enough. She wanted her life back.
Three years later she had some of it back. Even though she didn’t need to, she worked a job that gave her an income. It wasn’t the best place to work, but she was constantly surrounded by people and very rarely, if ever, found herself alone—safety in numbers.
“You planning on buying the place?” Lou, the owner asked.
“No, why?” Saige smiled down at the petite woman who had asked the question. Lou was tiny but she wasn’t afraid of anything it seemed. Saige had seen her put men twice her size into place—no one dared get on her bad side.
Lou’s lips twitched. “You’re standing there eyeing the place.”
Saige shrugged. “Sorry, lost in thought.”
“I don’t pay you for standing around,” Lou grumbled. “Get back to work.”
Saige laughed and went behind the counter to clear the dirty dishes.
“Hey, honey. Turn that up.”
She turned to face the man who made the request and raised a brow at his rudeness.
“Please,” he added, and grinned.
She shook her head in frustration. Turning, she reached up and twisted the volume knob on the television…and froze. Her head spun at the images flashing on the screen.
A younger version of herself stared back at her—a picture taken from her prom. Her blonde hair was clipped at the nape of her neck, the ruby red dress showing off her youthfulness. Her heart sped up, slamming into her chest as her throat tightened around her breath. She wanted to run…to hide from the prying eyes that would be staring at her now, but then she remembered she wasn’t that Saige any longer. She’d changed. Her hair was no longer blonde, but auburn. Her body wasn’t adorned with a perfectly cut prom dress, but was hidden under the frumpy, grease stained waitress uniform.
She glanced around at the customers who were watching the screen and not her and sighed in relief. Then her gaze returned to the television.
Why was she up there?
The blood that had rushed through her ears finally calmed enough so that she could hear what the reporter was saying…
“Earlier today, Governor Stafford signed an execution warrant for thirty-five year old Quinten James Peterson, who, at the age of twenty-seven, was found guilty of the premeditated murders of five college girls, and the abduction and torture of Saige Lockwood, who became known as victim number six.
“In twenty-eight days, Quinten Peterson will have the lethal injection administered at the death row facility in Harlington, where he’s been incarcerated for close to eight years.
“Harlington’s warden, Jonathan Roscoe, has confirmed that later today Quinten Peterson will be transferred to a death watch cell, pending the execution of the warrant.
“At this time, we’ve been unable to contact Quinten Peterson’s ex-wife, Jocelyn, or Alexander Peterson, his brother, for a statement.