Shotgun Justice. Angi Morgan

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       Chapter Four

      There she was... Avery Travis had returned early to process a prisoner. A Texas Ranger prisoner. How fun was that?

      The foot traffic in and out of the county jail was higher than Snake Eyes had anticipated. A point in his favor that his employer hadn’t put a rush on the job. He’d have to get creative with this one...a deputy and the additional bonus of a real Texas Ranger.

      He couldn’t take one without the other. If he did, there would be too many complications. Both were quite competent. He was aware of their history, of them growing up as neighbors. He had expected that Jesse Ryder would come when Avery went missing.

      This was better. Much better.

      Now he could widen his plan to include them both and not be bothered with searches. How convenient.

      Finding out the prisoner was Jesse Ryder took no skill. Walking in the shadows across the street from the jail, he’d overheard Jesse as they’d gone inside. Not all the conversation, just what had bounced between the buildings.

      It was time to go. There was no longer a need to discover vulnerable extraction points. Unfortunately, Jesse’s arrival would delay the extraction while he fortified his plan. If the Rangers were involved, then it meant they knew about his contract. Maybe not the details, or his name—

      Well, no one knew his name, as he was very careful not to be identified. He’d taken precautions. Lots of precautions. Even the criminals who employed him didn’t know. Frustrated officers referred to him as the Snake Eyes Killer.

      Assassin was the more accurate description. After he’d successfully completed his third murder, he let himself be hired. Then proof of a completed assignment had been needed.

      The first pair of replacement eyes had been simple marbles. The next had been fashioned after the venomous creature his victims called him. He rather liked it. Kept it. Made it easy for the police to identify him.

      If they found the body.

      He pulled away, leaving the jail and sheriff’s office behind. He had work today. Lists to make. A new plan would require a new spiral.

      Did their argument indicate they were more than close friends?

      The arguing would work to his advantage. He snapped a couple of pictures of back doors and guards on cigarette breaks, noting the time. But he already knew how he’d take Avery Travis. He knew exactly what he was going to do with her and where it would happen.

      Smaller towns created a challenge to blend in and not be noticed. He’d handled them before. The extra element of this job required him to obtain information. A nice challenge. A new string of contingencies. He must be detailed. Thorough.

      His camper was in Clayton, New Mexico. He’d develop his plan during the ninety-minute return drive.

      The ranger needed further study. Killing Jesse was too common. Too predictable. Patience equaled reward. Yes, life would be interesting for the next several days.

      The Snake Eyes Killer deserved some fun.