Killing Me Softly: A Thriller Romance Novel [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 2

Theo and Mary Jo's Facebook and Instagram pages exploded when Mary Jo disappeared on July 4th. Shortly after her body was found, their social media accounts were immediately locked down. I wasn't sure if it was at the family's request or by law, but I found myself completely shut out of their lives. Without a direct means of contacting Theo and my job on the line, I knew I had to make the trip. I needed to scope out the scene, and delve into the enigmatic atmosphere of a small town in rural DeWitt County—where nothing ever happens—in the wake of a brutal murder.

Yoakum was nearly a two-hour drive from my home in Austin on a good day. It was a weekend trip where I could drop in and catch up with my old high school bestie, Janice Friedman. Janice knew everybody and everything that went on in that town, so I knew I was in for a real treat.

"They found her body ashore on South Padre Island. You know, where the isolated part of the beach is where people go camping and off-roadin' and stuff? Yeah, that's where they found her," Janice recounted over the phone when I called to inform her of my impending visit. "But they have the suspicion it happened here in Yoakum. It's crazy, girl."

"Yikes, that's terrible. Poor Mary Jo. I can't imagine why anyone would want to do such a thing to her," I responded, navigating 183 South. "There's no way Theo did this. I just know it couldn't be him."

"I don't know. They say Theo and Mary Jo were having problems. Fightin' more than usual. Cops getting called out to their house for domestic disturbances and shit. I don't know, girl. I wouldn't put it above him."

"I know, I know. It's always 'the husband did it' in these kinds of scenarios, but you know how intuitive I am. I can tell within three seconds whether someone has good energy or bad energy about them."

"I know."

"That's why I need to see him."

"What?! Girl, no. Uh uh. That does not sound like a good idea to me," Janice said before nervously laughing. Her boisterous voice crackled in the speakers. I had to turn her down. I knew she was about to get animated.

Nothing but flatlands passed by the windows of my Mini Cooper. Nothing but boring, rural driving from here forward. Lots of mesquites and dry land. Nothing to see. Nothing to do. Just speed traps with small-town cops who hope to catch you speeding so they can get a payday. With a red and white sporty car like mine, it was easily a target.

"I need to look him in the eyes. To feel him out. That, and I need to save my job. My boss threatened to can me if I didn't chase the story," I said briskly, hoping she wouldn't hear it.

"You crazy, girl?! There is no way he is going to let you or anyone near him right now! Heather Jenkins, his neighbor, said he's in hiding right now. In fact, I doubt he's even there at the house. I think the feds have blocked it off for forensic evidence or some shit. There's yellow tape all around it."

"Yellow tape?"

"Yeah! It's been nothing but a shit show over here. Trust me," said Janice before her phone slightly cut in and out. My phone must have been switching towers.

"Shit."

"Besides, what makes you think he'll talk to you anyway? I mean, you didn't have the nerve to talk to him back in the day. What makes you think you can do it now?"

"Well, maybe I don't have to talk to him. I just need to see him. Be around him. Watch him for a while, you know, like I did in high school," I said and laughed, feeling the familiar warmth I felt for Theo back then returning to me.

Janice cackled like she always did when she thought I made a joke. Only I wasn't joking. I was serious. I wanted to see him--no, I needed to see him. I needed to feel his innocence.