General POV

It was eerie and somber in the Palmer Household since it was the morning of Axel's father's funeral. Katie hadn't seen Axel much when he found out about his fathers death. She wanted to give Axel his space. Sure she checked on him by bringing him food or something to drink but other than that she stayed out of his way.

Of course, Harry Warden was still out there waiting to murder another innocent person. The whole town was on edge once the word got out and had spread like a wildfire. At least with the word out it might be harder for Harry to make his next move whatever that may be.

Katie stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was dressed in a black dress with matching flats and had her hair up in a tight bun.

Katie wanted to feel sorrow for Axel's father but she just couldn't. Not after she had found out he had cheated on her mom when she was dying.

"I'm surprised that you're even going," Axel's voice drawled.

Katie turned around and faced her stepbrother who was dressed for the funeral in a black suit. "I'm going for you, Axel."

He walked up to her. "I shouldn't be saying this now but I'm going to be putting the house on the market. I just can't live here anymore and I know you don't want to either."

She tried her best not to look stunned by his news. "Are you sure?"

"My dad isn't holding us back anymore. We can finally do what we want," he said with a shrug.

Katie just nodded.

What Axel did next really shocked her. He was actually hugging her! That's twice in this lifetime.

He broke apart. "Let's get this funeral over with," he said with a crooked smile.

The ride to the funeral was quiet. When they got their Katie saw Irene dressed in black waiting to comfort her boyfriend. Katie looked around and noticed that Tom and Sarah hadn't arrived yet.

"Katie," Sheriff Burke greeted her dressed in his uniform. "How's Axel doing?"

"I think he's keeping everything in which we all know isn't healthy but I don't want to push him," she told him. "I don't suppose you have any new leads on Harry?"

He shook his head. "Sorry, though I wish I did. Ever since word got out about him he's been laying low."

"Which makes it harder for you to catch him," she said thoughtfully.

Sheriff Burke's face tightened. "What are you thinking, Katie?"

Katie hated this idea but she didn't see any other options. Harry wanted her.

"That I can draw him out," she told him.

"No! Absolutely not!" He said angry. "How could you even think of a stupid idea like that?"

"Al this started because he wants me. I can set a trap and end this horrific nightmare for the town," she explained her eyes pleading. "One shot. That's all I'm asking. No one else has to know.'

Burke rubbed his forehead as if he had a killer migraine. She could tell he was considering giving in to the idea.

"Damn it, Katie." He said dropping his hand. "I'm supposed to be the one protecting you and the town."

"He found me once. He'll do it again. At least this time we can do this on our terms. Not his."

"This stays between us. Nobody else," he warned her.

"I understand."

"Understand what?" Sarah asked walking up to them with Tom at her side.

Katie and Burke looked at each other then back at them.

"That we all need to be there for Axel today," Burke her. "Excuse me but I have to get back to the police station." He said leaving the three of them alone.

"I don't buy it. What's really going on, Katie?" Tom demanded.

"Burke, was just telling me that he hasn't been able to get any leads on Harry," Katie said defensively.

The three of them heard Irene sniffling as she walked up to them looking like the end of the world.

"Irene, what's wrong?" Sarah asked sympathetically.

Irene choked on a sob. "Axel, just broke up with me," she hiccupped.