He Didn’t Look for Me Until I Was Dead (by Durrin) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

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I ran into a serial killer on my way to my twin sister’s birthday party.

As the police captain’s wife, I protected my husband Calvin McMullen’s whereabouts until my very last breath.

He ignored my call for help.

Told everyone I was “being dramatic.”

While I was tortured to death, however, Calvin was celebrating my sister’s birthday.

That night, the darkness had settled in, and someone mentioned I was afraid of the dark.

Calvin just scoffed, “I’m the police captain, and she’s my wife. She should face her fears and get here on her own.”

But Calvin, I died. I couldn’t make it.

***

At 7 p.m., in the Platinum Hotel, San Francisco.

The banquet hall buzzed with clinking glasses and lively chatter. Calvin checked his watch, his expression hardening.

“Ten more minutes. If Whitney still hasn’t shown up, we’ll start without her.

A close friend spoke up, “Calvin, I remember Whitney’s afraid of the dark, right? Shouldn’t you pick her up?”

He frowned. “Why would I? I’m the police captain, and she’s my wife. She should face her fears and get here on her own.”

The indifference on his face cut through me like a blade.

He had no idea I was already there–standing beside him, my body covered in gashes and blood, exactly as I looked when I died.

I gazed at him and whispered, my voice light as a breeze, “Calvin, I can’t make it.”

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13:12

Chapter 1

An hour earlier, I had been stabbed dozens of times, my heart carved out.

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My last thought before everything went dark was–would Calvin feel relieved when he knew that I was dead?

He married me only because I’d lost hearing in my left ear while saving him. It was never about

love.

My twin sister, Georgia Lawrence, was the one he wanted.

And this party was for her.

Soon, the clock struck eight.

Calvin set down his glass and looked at Georgia.

Without hesitation, he said, “Gia, time to cut the cake.”

Watching him walk side by side with Georgia toward the cake, I felt a lump in my throat.

But my soul instinctively drifted after him.

Just as they sliced into the cake, Calvin’s phone rang.

An urgent voice came through.

“Captain McMullen, we found body parts in a trash can next to Shop No. 96 on Maple Road!”

My heart lurched.

That spot was only a block away.

Calvin’s face turned cold and stern. “On my way.”

Watching him leave in a hurry, I followed him out.

Minutes later, he ducked under the police tape.

A black garbage bag sat on the ground, still oozing blood.

Calvin put on a mask and gloves, stepped over, and opened it.

After just a glance, he turned his head away.

An intern nearby stumbled back and retched uncontrollably.

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13:13

Chapter 1

Floating above them, I felt ice spread through my veins.

I knew without a doubt–it was me in that bag.

The forensic investigator lowered his eyes, as if pained by what he saw.

“Time of death was within the last two hours, but there are no identifiable features.

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“Captain, the M.O. matches the recent serial dismemberment cases. We may need to request a joint investigation.”

Calvin put the bag away and walked out.

“Get the remains back to the station. This case is too appalling. We have to solve it before there’s another victim.”

He got into the car with his team, their faces grim.

Someone broke the silence. “Captain, how was Mrs. McMullen’s birthday party today?”

Resting his head on his hand, Calvin replied casually, “She didn’t show up. Gia was there.”

Another voice chimed in, “Mrs. McMullen is kind of delicate. You might want to smooth things

over.

“1

Calvin’s expression darkened.

“As the family of a police officer, she doesn’t have the luxury of being delicate.”

The indifference in his eyes stabbed what was left of my heart.

The car fell quiet.

Someone else changed the subject. “Captain, the killer seems to target women in their twenties. You should warn your family.”

The words snapped me back. I watched as Calvin pulled out his phone after a moment’s thought.

Then he clicked a contact and dialed without hesitation.

“Gia, don’t go anywhere after the party. I’ll take you home.”

I looked at him, disappointment swelling like a tide.

“So, Calvin,” I whispered, “in your heart, only Georgia is your family, right?”

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Chapter 1

Soon, the car pulled up at the station. Calvin strode into his office, others following.

Within ten minutes, someone hurried in.

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“Captain McMullen, we found something belonging to the victim while processing the remains.”

When I saw what was in the transparent evidence bag, my heart raced.

It was the starlight bracelet I wore every day!

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