Faces of Evil [2] Impulse by Debra Webb

have to make her sorry. Maybe if I show her the beauty of your death, she’ll see that she can end this game so easily.”
    He kissed Lori’s forehead.
    Inside she screamed.
    “All she has to do is come to me.”

7
    Lakefront Trail, Bessemer, 6:59 p.m.
    Jess took a deep breath and struggled to remain calm.
    She and her sister had taken their debate to her bedroom. Lily’s husband was entertaining the kids and Burnett in the family room. The BPD officer assigned to this shift was outside having a smoke. The agent, Nora Miller, had offered to put on a pot of coffee.
    No one wanted any part of this showdown.
    “Jess, honestly,” Lily insisted, “no one is leaving the house without an escort. Either that nice police officer or the FBI lady goes with us wherever we go. We are never alone, not even in our own home. What else do you want?”
    Jess strived for patience. Since they were kids, Lily had always, always thought she knew best. Just because she was two years older didn’t mean she was smarter about issues like this. But she wouldn’t admit it if her life depended on it.
    And it just might this time.
    How the hell was Jess going to get that through her thick skull?
    “I have spent the last seventeen years as an FBI lady ,” Jess snapped. At Lily’s horrified expression, Jess bit her lips together in frustration before trying again. “I’m sorry.” Another deep breath. “I don’t think you understand how serious the situation is, Lil.”
    Lily plopped down on her bed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course, you would think I don’t understand. I’m only a wife and mom. A nurse. What could I know about life and death?”
    Oh God. “Lil, I –”
    “Belinda is a friend. We’ve attended the same church for ten years. I know how serious the situation is!” Tears brimmed on Lil’s lashes. “I can’t believe this has happened. I’m trying to be strong but. . . Jess, this madman is after you .”
    All the frustration drained out of Jess, leaving her more tired than she’d felt in her entire life. She sat down and hugged her sister close. “Lil,” she offered softly, “I can take care of myself. But if I’m worrying about you and your family, then I’m distracted and I can’t stop this monster or protect myself or anyone else if I’m distracted.”
    Lil nodded as if she understood but she wasn’t making eye contact anymore and that was a bad sign.
    And everyone thought Jess was stubborn.
    “I like your new haircut,” Jess said when her sister remained silent. She swept her fingers through the thick chin length bob.
    In grade school the teachers were always mixing them up. They had the same brown eyes, the same blond hair. Jess was the one who always got into trouble and Lily was the bookworm.
    Blake, Lily’s husband, would gladly set anyone straight who mistakenly assumed Lily’s mild mannered temperament meant she was a push-over.
    “Blake hates it.”
    Surprised, Jess suggested, “You know men, they think long hair is sexy.” At least that was what Dan always said.
    The thought stunned Jess. Where the hell had that come from? Mortification burned her cheeks. Thank God she hadn’t said that out loud. She really, really had to get her head on straight. As of a couple of hours ago, Burnett was her superior.
    Lil shook her head, her lips trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks. “He’s considering taking a new position in Nashville. He’s furious I won’t agree to go with him. He thinks because the kids are leaving home, I shouldn’t have a problem with moving.”
    No wonder Lily was fighting so to hold her ground. “When did this happen?” Except for having only two kids, Lily and Blake could be the Cleavers, their life together was so ideal. Or, at least, Jess had thought so.
    Lily glared at her. “It’s been happening for months but you wouldn’t know that because you’re never here!”
    There was that.
    “I’m sorry.” Jess hugged her again. Then drew back and