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Chapter 31
Caleb
Chris and I arrived at the station about thirty minutes ago. When I got the call to come and see Tracey, I was in two minds whether to obey. Chris convinced me to come and see what she has to say, and Clay stayed back with Aria since she was in her first therapy session. I wanted to be there when she came out of it, but I know Clay will look after her. At the moment, I’ll do anything to help catch this psycho that’s on the loose. I’ll even come back to the fucking police force to do it.
“Caleb, thanks for coming down here.” Tracey opens her office door and gestures for Chris and me to follow her.
I sit down across from her and she throws down a file on the table.
“Look, I’m going to be honest with you here. I’ve called you in this afternoon because I thought it would be better than having police officers all over the compound. For what it’s worth, I’ll do anything in my power to make sure Aria isn’t disturbed during this investigation.”
I nod. “I guess that’s something. I don’t know how many more knock backs she can withstand.”
“I understand. Can I get you a coffee or anything?”
I shake my head. “Tracey, this is my brother, Chris.”
“The resemblance is uncanny. It’s nice to meet you.” She reaches over and shakes his hand. “I’ve been profiling this case since I arrived in Chicago this morning. I want your input. I know you’ve been out of the force for some years, but we were a good team. You also spend a lot of time with Aria. I’m hoping you might have a better understanding of this situation.”
“Honestly, I have thought about it.” I stand up and pace the office. “I’ve gone over every conversation Aria and I have had. I’ve analyzed everything. I’m certain this man has something against women. I’m certain it’s some kind of cult or religious attack. He left a Bible with Sophia’s body. That must stand for something. Aria said, although he was wired at times, he was very clever and thought about everything. He either reads a lot, or he has received a decent education. He’s confident we won’t find him. I thought after we found Sophia’s body he would have gone into hiding, but is his frustration getting out of hand? Has something changed? Is he angry?”
“Apart from him losing Aria?” Chris sits back and throws his leg over his knee. “Aria has said time and time again that he thought of her as the one. If it was him at the cabin, he’ll know Aria’s pregnant. It’s not like we can hide that fact now. Is he angry that you’re looking after her, taking care of what he believes is his?”
Chris makes a couple of good points. Tracey sits forward and writes several bits of information down.
“What did you find out about the intruder at your family cabin?”
I shake my head. “Zilch. My guys took a footprint from the porch, but apart from that, he left no clues. We wouldn’t have known he was there if Aria didn’t wake up and see him. I’ve since installed cameras to cover the whole area in case he goes back to see if she’s there. We never had need for them before, because it was a secure area. The crime rate is zero, and always has been.”
“Okay. So, your company did leg work in the surrounding villages. Did you find anything of significance?”
I point to Chris to take the lead since this was his job. “Clay, our other brother, had a partial hit. An old lady at a gas station thinks our guy used to call in for supplies, but she has bad eyes and she wasn’t reliable. Clay watched over the garage for two days, but he caught no sight of him. She allowed us to look over the camera footage, but it was no use. The cameras were as old as time. No amount of technology was going to give us accurate footage.”
“I have some footage from the university, but it’s a hooded figure. I doubt we’ll get anything from it. Forensics are working at the scene as we speak. Al told me about the reaction Aria had to Jakob, his partner.”
I nod. “Another dead end. We looked at his family history, his background, and everything in between. I was so sure we would have got something, because Aria was distraught. No one acts like that for nothing, but we got nothing. The resemblance is uncanny.”
“I know. I spotted it myself.”
“Another dead end though.”
“This has been a big help talking with you guys. I’m not against asking for help, as you well know, Caleb. I want to catch this bastard for Aria’s sake, and preferably before he strikes again. I’m going to run with a couple of theories I’ve just thought about, I’ll call you when I get home tonight.”
“Theories? Like what?” I stand straighter.
“I think the best lead we have now is the burns. How many people do you know walking around Chicago with extensive burns to their body? I’ll speak with the chief, because I think it’s time to drop that information to the public. Maybe someone will come forward.”
I take in a deep breath. “If you need any help, I have a full team of guys that will man phones. We’re not afraid of getting our hands dirty.”
“That’s good to know. I’ll keep you up to speed.”
“Good. That’s all I’ve been asking for, but it’s like Aria and her family are invincible.”
“Not anymore.” Tracey squeezes my hand when I pass by her. “Go home. I’ll be in touch.”
Chris and I leave the office. I can see Al at his desk on a call. He nods in my direction and lifts his hand. I can’t acknowledge him like that just yet. I’m still angry at the way things have been handled. It’s just good to know that Tracey is here taking it seriously. I don’t doubt she will work her ass off on this case.
All I want to do now is get home to Aria, close out the world, and sleep.
