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A few minutes later, t cellphones in hand, he picked up the pizza, ready to drive back to Claire’s He slid the pizza box onto the passenger seat and tossed one of the phones into the glove co beside him

The twenty-minute drive went fast Too fast He spotted Claire’s house as soon as he turned off the highway Painted a virginal white with dark-green shutters, the house stood alone on the vast prairie Jake flinched at the idea of sullying it with his presence

“Da wheel as he pulled into Claire’s driveway “There’s no other choice”

Onion trotted over to the SUV as soon as it stopped Jake sat, frozen behind the wheel Dread careened through his veins It made his limbs heavy and created a dull ache in his chest

He grabbed the pizza box, its war into his palm Onion panted beside hireith each step he took

“Fuck” He couldn’t do it

There had to be another way He’d find it, and Burlington would pay

The last nail pounded ho thud Claire stepped back and surveyed the plywood-covered front door She pushed against its rough surface It gave a little, but not toohad done wonders for her mood She’d pictured the Voice of Doo the hammer had been cheap therapy

Still, as her temper relented, doubts about her decision to stay hoh her mind Really, did she want to be the delusional screaht she could take on a killer?

Big no to that one She wanted to live to see the Voice of Doom rot in jail

A quick set of taps on the door made Claire juh and ready strike

Her body tensed “Who is it?” The words cah-pitched squeal

“Pizza delivery”

Jake Thank God Unbidden, a nervous giggle escaped She lowered the hammer to her side and opened the door

Looked like her body wasn’t the only one drawn to Jake Onion sat by Jake’s boot-clad feet Great Puppy love Her storowled as she inhaled the scent of reasy pepperoni Jake quirked an eyebrow