-Reed-

"What the hell do you mean that the friend that I've known since I was a kid is a serial killer." I can't believe what I just heard from the Detective.

Detective Riggs says, "I believe that he is."

"What makes you say that?" I plead.

The Detective calmly explains, and I can hardly believe what I hear. "The injuries that Miss Conrad had are the same injuries as ten other murdered blonde-haired, blue-eyed women here in Baltimore and five in Philadelphia."

I'm shocked, "Well, shit."

He continues, "Miss Conrad is number 16, as far as I know. The killer went dormant for about three years."

I realized, "That's about the same time I met Cheryl."

"Do you mind if I show you some photographs? I must warn you that they are disturbing," he says.

"Is this going to help my wife?" I ask.

"It could help us find her if we knew more about Mr. Matthews," he replies.

I look down at my wedding band. "Me looking at disturbing photos will give you information on Todd?"

"I'm hoping so," he admits.

I make my decision, "Okay, I'll do it."

The Detective gets up from the table and leaves me alone with my thoughts in the conference room. I think about everything that I've heard today about Todd. It's so unbelievable! I seriously can't wrap my head around this. The Detective returns with a folder in his hand and lays it on the table, opens it, and begins pulling photos of dead women out, placing them in front of me. I can't believe what I'm seeing and am shocked and speechless.

"Mr. Westerly, do you recognize any of these women?"

I can't speak; all that I can do is nod my head.

"Mr. Westerly, how do you know these women?"

My mouth moves, but no sound comes out.

"You don't look so good, Mr. Westerly. Can I get you something?"

I shake my head no. I need a minute, so I close my eyes and take several deep breaths.

Just then, the Detective's phone begins to ring.

"Detective Riggs... Well, damn... Yes... I'll be there as soon as I can. Bye."

My eyes are still closed because I can't bear to look at these photos.

"Mr. Westerly? That was the officer that went to the address your wife's partner gave you."

All of a sudden, I'm alert. "What did the officer say?"

"He found your wife's car," the Detective reveals.

I take a breath of relief.

"Your wife, however, was missing."

My heart stopped. "What?"

"The driver's door was left wide open. They found her wallet in her vehicle, missing her credit cards and cash. Her phone is missing, so she has it on her, or it's stolen." He informs me.

I once again can't breathe; first, these photos now Cheryl.

The Detective announces, "I have to go to the scene."

He stands, and I find my voice. "I know every one of these women, Detective. Every single one of them."

He stops dead in his tracks and looks at me with his eyebrows raised. "How do you know all of them?"

I quietly reply to him, "Remember what I told you about Todd and me having, um, conquests?"

"Yes, were these women Todd's conquests?" he asks.

I shake my head. "No, they were mine."

***

-Cheryl-

I'm holding my breath when I hear footsteps approaching where I'm hiding and then hear someone open up the dumpster.

Then I hear his voice. "Where the fuck did you get to, you little bitch."

I hear him moving the trash around the dumpster, looking for me.

"Shit!" He slams the door back down.

I hear his footsteps move farther and farther away. I don't move; I freeze. Tears run down my face as I place my hands on my abdomen. I must keep our child safe, but I'm too scared to move because I feel safe behind this old dumpster. I'm not ready to go. What if he comes back this way and he sees me?

***

The sun is starting to go down. I have no idea how long I've been hiding, but I'm hungry, I have to pee, and I'm cramping up. I slowly move from my position to the edge of the dumpster. I see no one, so I slowly move from my hiding place, gradually stand up, and stretch my aching muscles. I look around, remembering the direction I came from hours ago.

If there's one thing that I know for sure, I absolutely can't go back the way I came. I begin walking in the other direction and come across the front of the building. It's empty with a for sale sign in front of it; luckily, across the street is a gas station. I cross the road and enter the building. An older man is there behind the counter. His name, Gus, is sewn onto his work shirt. I'm so relieved. He looks up from his paper at me.

"Can I help you, young lady?" He looks down at my bound hands.

I start sobbing out of control. Gus comes from around the corner of his counter and takes me into his arms. "Shhhh. What's wrong? Did somebody hurt you?"

I try to get control of my emotions. "I... Todd took me... I don't know where I am."

"You're in Hunting Park, Honey," he informs me.

"Hunting Park? I'm not familiar with this neighborhood. Am I still in Baltimore?" I inquire.

Gus replies sweetly, "Oh no, Honey, you're in Philadelphia."

I nod, "Of course he would take me here."

Gus asks me, "You know who took you?"

I pull back from this man, a stranger, and look at his weathered face. "I do. Can I use your phone?"

"Absolutely. Come with me. Let's get you untied first." He looks at me with kind eyes.

I follow him into the back "employees only" room. When we enter, I see a bathroom and remember my need to use it. "Gus, could I use your bathroom first?"

He unties my wrists. "Of course."

After I finish, I stand to wash my hands and look in the mirror. I can hardly recognize the dirty-faced woman with out-of-control, matted hair. I splash some water over my bruised face and try to comb through my mess of hair with my fingers. I do the best that I can before leaving the bathroom.

Gus looks me over. "Feel better?"

I smile slightly. "Much better, thank you."

He hands me the phone. I dial Reed's number, and he answers almost immediately. "Hello?"

I begin to cry again. Reed calls out to me, "Cheryl? Cheryl, is that you, Baby? Where are you?"

I can't speak. I shake my head, not realizing that he can't see me. I feel a tender touch on my shoulder as Gus takes the phone from me. "Hello?"

"Who is this? Do you have my wife?" Reed demands.

I crumble to the floor in exhaustion.

"My name is Gus Stone. This lovely lady came into my station a few moments ago. She claims that a man named Todd took from Baltimore."

Reed cries out, "Cheryl?"

Gus looks down at me. "Are you Cheryl?"

I nod to him.

"Yes, sir. Cheryl is here with me." Gus replies.

"Where are you?" I hear the relief in Reed's voice.

Gus responds, "Hunting Park."

Reed exclaims, "She's in Philadelphia?"

Gus answered, "Yes, sir. She's here with me at Stone's Garage on Main Street."

Reed pleads with Gus, "Please, Sir. Don't let my wife out of your sight. If someone besides me or the police come in to look for her, do not, under any circumstance, let anyone else know that she's there."

"You have my word," Gus promises.

"May I please speak with my wife again?" Reed begs.

Gus hands me the phone. I'm now calm. "Reed?"

Reed asks what I am assuming he already knows, "Babe! Did Todd do this?"

"Yes," I confirm his fears,

"Did he hurt you?" His voice cracks with emotion.

"Um... yeah, but nothing that would have hurt the baby. He pulled me out of the car by my hair and slammed my head into his car. I blacked out," I explained.

I can hear Reed cursing out Todd under his breath. "Stay put, Babe. I'm coming for you."

"I will. I promise." I assured him.

"I love you. I'm so sorry that Todd did this to you." Reed is on the verge of tears.

"It is not your fault. Reed, he killed Patty, and I'm pretty sure that there were more." I try to console him.

Reed sighs, "I know; I'm with the Detective right now. He's on the phone with Detective Lynch there in Philadelphia. Honey, Detective Riggs said that Detective Lynch is on his way to you. He knows right where the garage is. You'll be safe soon, Babe, and I'm not leaving your side until they catch Todd. I'll see you soon. I love you so much," he cries.

"I love you, too." I can't help the tears flowing down my cheeks. "Hurry, Reed."

"I'll be there before you know it, Babe," he promises me.

We disconnect the call, and I hand Gus the phone. "Thank you. You saved our lives."

Gus' eyebrows raise. "Our?"

I rub my belly. "Us."

He smiles at me and helps me to my feet. "Are you hungry?"

I smile. "Starving."

*****