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‘His ex-girlfriend,’ Ellaspecified, her gaze locked onto the screen, where the black and white of textcould never fully capture the grey of human complexity. The idea that this man,with violence already staining his hands, could be their suspect... it lodgeditself in her thoughts, insistent and harrowing.
‘Looks like Mr. Puder has a thingfor aggression,’ Ripley said, the undercurrent of her voice hardening.
Ella nodded, absorbing theinformation as if it were a toxin, necessary yet harmful. This new revelationabout Daniel Puder painted a picture far more sinister than a mere name on alist. It hinted at capability, at potential, at danger. And while evidence wasstill thin, Ella knew all too well how the smallest ember could ignite a blaze.
‘Got to tread carefully,’ Ellawhispered, more to herself than to Ripley. The past had taught her that hunchescould be powerful allies, but she also knew the peril of letting them rununbridled.
‘Agreed,’ Ripley replied. ‘But if he'sour guy, we can't let him slip through the cracks.’
‘Absolutely not.’ The determinationin Ella's voice left no room for doubt.She flitted between the digital threadsof Daniel Puder's past and present. The assault charge was a glaring beacon inthe sea of data, a sinister suggestion that perhaps they were on the righttrack. 'We need to check Daniel out.’
Ripley leaned in, her eyes scanningthe information on the screen.
‘His address is here,’ she pointedout.
Ella noted it and then checked iton her map. It was in a nondescript suburb that could be hiding any number ofsecrets behind its curtains. Ella glanced at the clock. Ten AM.
‘Too early for a home visit,’ shesaid. ‘Let's get the name of his workplace.’
‘Here,’ Ripley leaned in andpointed to Daniel Puder's employment history. ‘He's worked at SilvermillIndustries for seven years.’
Ella searched the company online.It was a factory that made door frames.
'A guy like this. Young, driven byrage, prone to outbursts. He wouldn't survive in an office environment.'
'Then he works in their factory orwarehouse,' Ripley said.
Ella stood abruptly, decisivenesspropelling her movements as she gathered the necessary tools of her trade:badge, gun, handcuffs, jacket to protect against the shockingly low Wisconsintemperature.
The thought ofconfronting Daniel Puder, of standing face to face with a man who might holdthe answers to the tormented ends of Rebekah Holden and Donna Shepherd, sent ajolt of adrenaline from head to toe.
Ella spun on her heelsand made for the door.
‘Let’s see what thisguy has to say for himself.’
CHAPTER TEN
The morning sun beat down on themonolithic Silvermill Industries, its green panels reflecting a harsh lightthat seemed out of place amidst the severity of their visit. Ella Dark cut theengine, her eyes locking onto the factory's yawning open shutter doors. Herhands remained firm on the steering wheel as she turned to Mia Ripley, whosekeen gaze had also fixed on the building that housed their person of interest.
‘We do this quietly,’ Ellainstructed, her voice even but commanding. ‘Puder's likely to bolt if hecatches wind we're here.’
‘Agreed,’ Ripley nodded, slipping ahand along the grip of her sidearm, reassurance in the weight and presence ofher weapon.
Together, they moved with purpose,rounding the corner to where the yard sprawled open, a ballet of trucks andmachinery playing out before them. The clamor of industry filled the air, astark reminder of the world moving on regardless of the darkness lurking withinit. Ella took point, her steps measured as she navigated through the maze ofmetal beasts, each one capable of concealing a fleeing suspect.
At the door stood the foreman, aclipboard fortress in his grasp, his attention riveted to the paper barricadeuntil Ella and Ripley shattered his focus. His helmeted head snapped up,surprise etching deep lines across his brow, framed by the protective glassesand earbuds that suggested a man insulated from the chaos around him.
‘Can I help you?’ His words wereedged with an incredulity that met the unannounced intrusion.
‘Detective Dark,’ Ella saidcrisply, flashing her badge with practiced ease. ‘We need to find Daniel Puder.Is he working today?’
The foreman's initial shock morphedinto wary assessment, the interruption clearly violating the orderly realm hepresided over. Yet, beneath the veneer of authority, there was a flicker ofrecognition at the mention of Puder's name—a hint of disquiet that told Ellathey were on the right track.
‘He is,’ the foreman replied aftera pregnant pause, his thumb sliding off the edge of his clipboard. ‘But, what'sthis about?’
‘Police business,’ Ella clippedout, her gaze unwavering. ‘It's critical we speak with him immediately.’
‘Alright,’ he conceded, though the reluctancewas clear in the tightness of his lips. ‘Follow me.’
