“Maybe the fake corpse was used to alert us and the public, and the real body was sent to the hospital for proper treatment.” Timber scratched his chin. “Seems like the person cares about the body.”
“A killer wouldn’t kill someone and then take the extra step to deliver the dead body to a hospital. Too much work. Too many opportunities where he could be caught.”
“Yeah, something’s off there. I’ll touch base with the detective later. We’ll focus on the body parts. We need to send them out for DNA testing. Maybe it’ll match someone in the database. Maybe the criminal left his DNA on the packages,” I said. “Everything needs to be tested.”
“I’ll have my team review all the cameras in the area.” Godfrey’s jaw tightened. “Someone had to drive the body here to dump it.”
“He used a delivery service specializing in this area.” Timber crossed his arms. “I’ll see what I can find out from their office.”
I shared my discovery about Anastasia Masterson and Noah Loomer’s connection to the bodies Hawthorne had extracted organs from. I also briefed them on Senator Falcone’s niece.
“It’s like we’re looking at a massive puzzle, but the elites areholding a critical piece.” Hudson shoved an impatient hand through his dark hair.
“Most people would consider us elites too,” Godfrey said. “We have the resources they have.”
“But they didn’t go through hell like we did,” Hudson scoffed. “We made our money. We can always rebuild if something goes wrong, but nepo babies don’t know how.”
“I’m seeing Senator Falcone soon.” Pressure tightened around my temples. “Maybe he has useful information for us.”
I debated sharing my suspicion about Eva’s grandfather but held off until I could confirm everything. So many things were happening all at once. It was as though the enemy created a tornado of chaos to confuse and distract us from the truth. I needed the boys to stay focused.
“We need to look into the members of Hawthorne’s crew,” I said. “My gut tells me some from the Sturbridge location are still alive.”
“His network was too wide and complex,” Hudson said. “We can only search for those we knew back then.”
“It’s a start.” Godfrey’s brow creased. “Our suspect is likely someone from this state.”
“Put any info you find on the shared drive for everyone to see.” Timber looked around the table, and everyone nodded.
When they left, I popped two painkillers into my mouth and pinned the new images and information to my investigation board.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eva
Kain had a busy schedule at work the following day. He needed to meet with Detective McNally regarding the dead woman discovered at Etched Square. Now I’d seen two dead bodies holding bouquets. Though they weren’t gruesome like the man I’d witnessed at the park when I was younger, they were still gut-wrenching. I shivered, remembering the abhorrent images. Unlike the woman holding the red roses, this recent victim held bleeding hearts. What was the significance of the flowers? Did the killer like flowers?
I’d ask Kain about the murders on Friday when we attended the banquet. A velvety sensation stirred in my heart, making me giddy.
That left me time to catch up on chores. I needed to wash my comforter, as well as my grandfather’s, and took them to The Laundry Lounge, where Hannah worked. Though she got her business degree from Boston University, she continuedworking for her family business, expanding to five locations throughout Massachusetts. Stori was traveling for work and wouldn’t return until tomorrow. I couldn’t wait to tell her about Kain.
My body tingled, remembering the intimacy we’d shared. I couldn’t believe what I’d done at his gym. I’d never had sex during business hours. This was out of character for me. Something came over me yesterday, and I couldn’t control myself. I forgot to ask if he’d done that before. The thought of him pleasuring another woman tainted my mood, so I shook my head, releasing the ugly image. Then I texted Hannah to let her know I was coming to visit.
I drove to the prime location in Brighton and parked in the shared lot, hefting out two bags stuffed with comforters. My washing machine was too small for them, and I wanted my grandfather and me to have clean spring comforters for the next few months. The smell of freshly washed clothes, sheets, and blankets always brought a sense of comfort to me.
“Hey!” Hannah opened the door, her hazel eyes beaming. “So glad you texted me just now. I was about to head home, but now I’m staying for all the deets. Give me a bag.” She grabbed one from my hand, bringing it over to the industrial washing machine.
The gorgeous highlights in her long, curly brown hair glinted in the sunrays streaming through the wide windows of the spacious laundromat. She always looked good, even in casual clothes. Today, she sported dark denim with a long-sleeved ivory knit top. Stori, Hannah, and I met at an evening crochet class several years ago when we wanted to learn a new hobby. With so much going on in my life, I’d stopped crocheting, but I kept the friends.
The Laundry Lounge stood out from other laundromats because of its solar-powered washers and dryers, which wereenvironmentally friendly, and because of its ambiance. There was a lounge area with two couches, comfortable chairs, and a coffee table. Two desks allowed people to work on their computers while they waited. A TV was secured to the wall, and a bookcase filled with books and magazines helped people pass the time. Hannah’s team kept the business clean and welcoming. People could get something to eat or drink from the café next door and come back to continue their laundry.
After starting the wash, Hannah invited me into her office. “Want anything to drink? I’ve got coffee, tea, orange juice, and water.”
“Orange juice, please.” I settled into a cushioned couch by the window.
She poured orange juice into two mugs, brought them over to the coffee table, and sat beside me.
“We’ll need to schedule a girls’ day out soon.” Hannah sipped from her mug, her eyes looking out at the sunny day. “I’m thinking of a spa retreat. Maybe we can try that retreat in the woods that offers hiking, massages, drum painting, and mushroom picking.”
