Chapter 72

“I guess even serial killers have a sense of humor.” He glanced in my direction and shot me a toothy grin that made him look scarier than ever.

We were on the outskirts of town when his phone went off. He peeked at the display. “Sorry, gotta take this.” He pressed the button for speakerphone.

“Annie, what’s up?”

“Uncle Ax?” The voice coming from the other end trembled and sounded scared.

“Honey-Bee. Hey. Where’s your mom?” Axel scrunched his eyebrows.

“She went out.”

He stiffened and his Adam’s apple bobbed as if he were swallowing down a big lump of anger. “When did she leave, honey?”

“After you took Gramma home.”

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Lemme call your mom real quick, and then I’ll call you back. Okay?”

The little girl hesitated. “Okay,” she whispered.

“Maybe you can tell Olaf a story while you wait? You can bring the phone to your room.”

“Mom says I can’t.”