I couldn't believe it. He returned to the club just to dump Jaxson's body. The blood drained from my face. Memories rushed in of his murder akin to a hurricane's wrath.
"Is everything okay, Miss. Thomas?" His eyes softened to display compassion, but I knew better how disingenuous they were.
"Do you not feel any sympathy for the poor man who died?" He feigned ignorance, causing a surge of angry to pulse through my veins. I coarsely gestured to the page he was reading until eventually caught on.
"It is a tragedy." He paused to briefly analyse the page.
My breath hitched as I observed his irises move at light speed, reading each line and processing the necessary information within seconds. It flaunted how intelligent he was when it came to quick thinking.
"On the other hand, it is also a part of life… People die every day." What he said was practical and logical, yet felt awfully cruel and remorseless.
"Not this heinously, Isaac." He gaped in bemusement, not expecting me to address him by his first name. I scurried out of the room to avoid breaking into a neurotic fit.
The Livingroom was beautifully decorated, but there was no television or other device I could use to channel in the news. I wanted to get information regarding the crime scene. I can't imagine how devastated Jaxson's family must be over his abrupt and gruesome death. This was all my fault. If I hadn't given him my number, then maybe he would have been alive.
My head spun in circles, tormented and in grief. I had spent all of last night planning a way to outsmart Isaac and escape him before he has a chance to kill me or Joel. My body shook with fatigue and distress. I laid on the couch to steady myself but lost consciousness immediately.
Police sirens reverberated near the club as bystanders crowded to watch the spectacle. A few officers blocked their line of sight ensuring that they do not cross the barricade tape. The raging wind had a ghostly shrill to it, solidifying the ominous atmosphere. Officer Roe was first on the scene, trying his level best not to hurl in reflex to the stench of a deteriorating cadaver.
"Urg, what sicko butchered a man and bagged him?" He declaimed rhetorically, while Detective Jenson ambled closer to study the dumpster where the disposed carcass was found.
"Another sadist looking for attention," Detective Jenson concluded.
"Why would they openly dispose of the body in a public dumpster?" Officer Roe took a few steps backwards, gagging when Detective Jenson picked up one of the bags.
"An armature, perhaps?" The ungodly sight had even managed to repel the detective as he gently dropped the plastic to its original position. "Either way, my partner and I will catch this bastard."
"Morning, gentlemen." Detective Miles ducked under the tape and sauntered to the crime scene.
"Speak of the Devil and he shall appear," Detective Jenson teased as he slapped his partner on the back in a friendly manner. "Good you're here, Axel."
"What are the details of the deceased, Levi?" Axel bent down to meticulously inspect the remains. He had been exposed to many gory sights throughout his career, but this was one of the worst cases.
"He is… Well, was… 20-year old, Jaxson Baker, a bartender at this strip club. We can't determine the original cause of death. But the murder weapon appeared to be an axe of some sort."
"Upon examining his remains, it looked like the works of a tomahawk," Axel deduced.
"Who even has one of those?" Officer Roe chipped into the conversation.
"Possibly a hunter or someone with medical experience," Axel proposed confidently.
"How'd you get that?" The officer did not appear convinced that Detective Miles would be able to make such an accurate presumption.
"The methods used, although very ostentatious, are not done by a sloppy criminal. There is a degree of skill implemented and it's intentionally blatant," Axel stated bluntly, growing slightly irked by the officer's reluctance and inexperience.
"You're on to something," Levi effused in agreement to support his partner. "There's not a single trace of fingerprints or DNA."
"Someone wants to be noticed, but not found." A grim expression occupied his face.
He knew the psychological detrimental effect this would have on the family members of Jaxson Baker. It would be ideal to give them a chance to grieve before he questioned them. A lot of detectives would have jumped the gun and shown a lack of empathy to the mourning families, but he was different. Axel prioritised his humanity above all else.
"I will stop at nothing until we capture this bastard and bring him to justice." Axel swivelled on his heel and entered the club to question potential witnesses, while Levi trailed closely behind him.
Darkness… Was all I could see… All I could feel. Yet, it was so peaceful. Blackness encased my entire body which slowly grew numb. I didn't mind succumbing to an eternity of it. That was until a heavenly voice ripped me away from this void and into an even further abyss.
"Hmmm… Joel." My lips were in dire need of water, but I refused to wake up "I want to sleep a little longer." A smooth, husky tone continued to call out to me.
"Miss. Thomas?" My eyes shot open, peering at Isaac's concerned face which was only a few inches apart from my own. His lean figure was slouched over the couch, trapping me between his muscular arms.
"What is it, Isaac?" My directness had caught him off guard. He took a couple of minutes to gather his thoughts.
"I have a photoshoot scheduled this afternoon for the release of my new book."
"And?"
"I need you to accompany me… C-Chloe." My name sounded unnatural when it rolled off his tongue.
"Of course, I'll attend." He seemed somewhat bemused by my prompt obedience, but also fairly content.
I would have said 'no' if I hadn't realised what a great opportunity it was to be surrounded by various people and increase my chances of escape.
"Splendid, get changed and we will leave in an hour." I nodded in compliance, then dashed upstairs. I was radiating with relief and impatience, despite my efforts to maintain some poise.
An hour past, I met Isaac in the car and spotted him in the same clothes as earlier. It was unusual that a big-time author such as himself would not wear something nicer for the photoshoot. Wouldn't he feel embarrassed that his reputation might be at risk?
He swiftly pushed the key into the ignition and turned it all the way until the engine roared. I waited patiently for him to hit the accelerator, though that never happened. Instead, a spine-chilling seeped into the atmosphere. His penetrating gaze was so intense that I instinctively held my breath and became rigid with unknown perturbation. I caught a glimpse of his hooded eyes on my chest before they leisurely travelled up to my pale complexion.
"Seatbelt," he urged, already stretching himself out to me.
My breath constricted and heart exploded the moment he securely clicked in the seatbelt. The heat from his skin brushing against mine sent erogenous pins and needles throughout my being. That exhilarating fragrance of his cologne merely had the effect of an aphrodisiac.
I hated it.
A soft exhale left my trembling lips when his warmth was no longer near. As luck would have it, we rode to the studio in deafening silence.
Upon our arrival, the staff greeted us in a friendly manner. Although, Isaac remained aloof and crisp. We were guided into a white room with blinding lights. One of the staff members had gingerly touched Isaac's shoulder, invoking him to recoil as if he was burned.
The girl apologised for making him uncomfortable, profusely. Isaac dismissed it and stated that he didn't like being touched by anyone. I had to suppress the urged to ask why. His reaction was nothing short of bizarre or arrogance.
"Mr. Hoffmann, what an honour!" A well-fashioned man in bright colours approached us.
"James, a pleasure to meet you." The photographer extended his hand for a shake, but Isaac deliberately ignored him and drew his attention towards me. "This is my assistant, Chloe."
"Enchanté, mademoiselle." He gently raised my hand to meet his lips. Isaac cleared his throat loudly in disdain. "Ah yes, follow me to the changeroom and I'll show your outfit for the shoot."
"Wait for me," Isaac whispered lowly. His tone was authoritative and unbearably sexy. How sickening.
He disappeared with the photographer, leaving me in the presence of very snobby models. My gaze travelled to all their radiant faces and latched onto the prettiest one there. She stared daggers at me, as though I had killed her entire family and buried them in her backyard. I shifted my focus on the ground, ashamed by my crude analogy.
"Enjoying yourself?" A velvety voice entered my ear.
"Jesus!" I yelped with a flinch.
He was dressed in a stereotypical bad boy outfit with his hair in a messy style. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as the flashbacks from that horrible night at the club resurfaced.
"There's my handsome model!" The photographer clapped with enthusiasm. "Make sure to be confident. You are going to be on the front cover of our magazine as the best-selling author, and eligible bachelor, of the year." I snorted, unable to overlook the irony within that statement.
People were so incredibly clueless, worshipping a killer like that.
Isaac spared me a quick glance, while he strolled over to a white background. The sparkling camera light accentuated all of his striking features. He looked like every girl's wet dream, and yet, he seemed way out of his comfort zone. His jaw ticked, body stiffened similarly to a frightened kitten.
"Isaac, honey. You need to relax and pose." The photographer tried to encourage, howbeit, Isaac remained rigid, frequently grimacing in pain. "Morgan, can you aid Mr. Hoffmann with some poses?"
"Of course!" The model who glared at me earlier squealed with delight. She must have a huge crush on Isaac because she giddily bounced towards him.
Before he could anticipate it, Morgan linked her arm around his and pressed her large silicone breasts against him. I immediately detected the panicked expression on his face and felt compelled to pull her off him. There was an indescribable feeling in my gut that something was wrong. In a split second, Isaac's expression contorted into a devilish smirk.
"Sorry, babe." He harshly nudged Morgan away. His piercing gaze locked onto me, making my body jolt in alarm. "I prefer someone else."
Those were the same dangerous and cunning eyes which I feared. I stood paralysed, envisioning the many forms of terror he would inflict on me… On us all.
"I want her to model with me." My heart leapt out of my chest, invoking my throat to dry and clog up. I was paralysed under his hypnotic blue eyes, comparatively to a snake gradually snaring its way around my body.