‘Give him enough rope to hang himself,’ Fields said.‘How much evidence we got on this guy?Lay it out for me.’
‘A figurine from a music box he gave to his ex-girlfriend was found on our first victim.The second victim was his ex-girlfriend.They had a custody war that he won, and her sister says made vague physical threats.’
‘So why kill the first girl?What’s Amber Holloway got to do with anything?’
‘We don’t know yet.But the figurine is the link.He either gave Rose that music box knowing he’d use it later, or he tracked it down after she donated it.Either way, a piece of his gift ended up glued to a dead woman.’
‘And why leave it behind at all?Why not just strangle the girl and go home?’
‘We’re working on that, but I’ve got two theories.One, it was a middle finger.Or two, it’s a double-bluff.Like signing his name at the scene to give the impression someone is framing him.’
Fields sighed and said, ‘Worked for Charles Manson.’
‘Well, it didn’t, because cops saw right through it.But what killer is stupid enough to leave his own property on a victim?Nobody.Which is exactly what his lawyer will argue if this ever gets to court.’
‘Did he put up a fight?’
‘No.He came willingly.A coward like this, I didn’t expect him to go down all guns blazing, but I didn’t expect him to waltz right into the back of my car either.He seemed pretty beat up when we told him Rose Michaels was dead.’
‘Could be a performance.Like he’s trying to prove how innocent he is.’
‘Yup.’
Fields nodded and stepped back from the glass.‘Get it done.I’ve got my captain wanting updates every hour, and the last thing I need is two unsolved strangulations on my desk when this Creed transfer kicks off.’
‘On it.’She turned to her partner.‘Mia, keep a close eye from out here.See if you can spot any signs of deceit, and drop the temp in that room to zero.I want it like an ice box in there.’
‘You got it.Good luck.’
Ella took a moment to shake off Ella Dark the woman and slip into Ella Dark the interrogator.Time to find out what was really going on here.
***
Jared’s head snapped up as Ella entered.She dropped into the chair across from him and fixed him with a stare.
‘Jared Novak, we need to talk.’
‘Yes we do.Why am I sitting here freezing my ass off?’
‘There are more important things to worry about than that.’Ella laid her folder on the table.‘Tell me about your relationship with Rose Michaels.’
‘Tell me what happened to her first.’
If he wanted to go full throttle, Ella was happy to oblige.She rifled through the folder and found a close-up of Rose Michaels’ body.She slid it across the table to Jared.
He scooped it up, squinted, then suddenly threw the photograph back at Ella.‘What the f….is this real?’Jared’s mouth dropped open, then he glanced around the interrogation room as though a camera crew might manifest.Unfortunately for him, this was no prank.
‘It’s very real.Rose Michaels was discovered dead this morning.In an alley off Natkin Way.You know it?’
Jared pushed his chair back and then waved his hands in a frenzy.‘No, no, wait.This is….I mean, yes I know Natkin Way, but…’
The words spilled out but they told Ella nothing.Jared’s body language seemed consistent with someone learning tragic news for the first time, and she didn’t like that.
‘I’m sorry to tell you this, Jared.’
He scooted forward on his chair then buried his face in his palms.He scrubbed his forehead violently, then looked up at the ceiling.‘Rose.Dead.I can’t…’
‘Can’t what?’
