Re-Runners First Life: A Time Travel Suspense Series Read Online Free Page A

murdered, but there was no connection between any of the fatalities. So Pat knew le Segador planned with precision and that he formed a relationship with his victims before killing them; yet none of the women’s friends or family were aware of a new man in the life of their deceased loved one.
    Brodie would sit in thought for hours, putting himself in the head of his quarry. Rogers recognized the glazed stare and knew when to leave his partner alone. He did his best work like this, but for the last four years and with one kill per year with le Segador’s MO they were no closer to apprehending him. The left hand ring finger of each victim was always removed from the severed hands and placed within the heart carved into the soft stomach tissue. On the severed finger was a colorful plastic ring – a referral to marriage? Brodie couldn’t work it out. They’d had no luck locating a source for the rings. They were cheap, popular and sold everywhere.
    LAPD knew this was the work of the same murderer or murderers. Brodie’s gut was telling him this was one man; one very clever, very sick man. And this one was starting to invade his sleeping and waking thoughts like no other had before.
    This one was becoming personal.

Chapter 5

Christian-Age 28
    1986
    San Francisco
    The weather was mild and sunny as Christian held onto the rail of the cable car and let the breeze blow through his hair, a wide smile beneath his closed eyes. Ah, life is good. I feel... I feel . He laughed out loud.
    He couldn’t put into words the feeling of elation that had coursed through his body since last night. It just kept on going, like an orgasm that wouldn’t end. Christian ran through the events of the previous evening, just as he had done continuously since murdering and arranging the bodies of Suzy and Juanita on the twin beds in Suzy’s apartment.
    How he had laughed quietly to himself at the look of jealously that crossed Juanita’s face when he invited Suzy into the bedroom, leaving her alone and wondering why he wasn’t interested in her. After all, she was prettier and more vivacious. Then her confusion when he returned within a few minutes; Juanita not knowing Suzy was already tied to a bed with tape over her mouth.
    When both girls had been trussed and taped to his satisfaction, he gained enormous pleasure from their terror as he calmly explained what he would do to them. He held up two gaudy plastic rings, one pink and one blue. ‘I give you each a ring, with my gratitude. You have no idea how happy you are about to make me.’
    Juanita had screamed beneath the tape, fought at her restraints and thrashed her body from side to side. Suzy just stared wide-eyed at Christian, terror freezing her into immobility.
    The memory caused a euphoric wave to wash over Christian again as he jumped from the slowly moving cable car. It was interesting that the police had kept the rings a secret; which reminded him, he needed to purchase another supply. The girls had used his last two and he needed a stock for his move to Italy in the New Year. He’d grown quite attached to this bit of symbolism and wanted to continue the trend in his new home. The tacky pieces of plastic may be unavailable in Europe, so he needed to be prepared.
    Christian entered the large toy store and wandered to the girl’s dress-up section. As far as trends go, this one had lasted several years, but it couldn’t go on forever. Perhaps he should buy in bulk.
    He collected around thirty rings in various colors and dropped them into the small plastic bag provided, before moving to the checkout, paying the pretty young cashier and leaving the store. His thoughts had returned again to the previous night, his elation coming to a sickening halt when he heard his name being called, ‘Christian? Christian.’ Sally’s happy voice followed him.
    She held out her arms to give him a quick hug. ‘I thought it was you, but a toy store? It’s so out of character. I thought I’d made a