Like it or not, she’d dive back into that nightmare because she couldn’t let Wax take another innocent life. “I can handle it.”
She glanced at Shadow. Marcus told her that her being paired with Shadow had saved the dog’s life. But Ava knew better. In Ava’s mind, they had saved each other.
As a former military dog, Shadow had been burned in Syria during an ambush, his handler killed before his eyes. He still flinched at certain scents. Anything connected to smoke is among them. But like Ava, he kept moving forward. Kept walking away from the darkness.
With her hand on the dog’s head, she focused on her breathing until it returned to normal.
“Tell me what happened. What are the similarities?” She and Marcus had discussed the Wax Saint case at length. It had been three years since Ava witnessed the woman’s death. Since then, it was as if Wax had disappeared into the pages of history. Yet deep in the recesses of her mind, Ava had always known he'd return.
“A body was found early this morning near Glacier National Park. It’s a woman. She’s been encased in wax, Ava. Just like...” He cleared his throat. “Her hands were folded to look like she was in prayer. A candle burning close by.”
Just like the murder she’d witnessed. Ava closed her eyes. “It’s him.” She rose unsteadily. The large vat of wax he’s used to kill his victim flashed before her eyes. A sadistic ritual. It was believed the killer created his own formula for the wax and made it in bulk. Wax brought it to the kill site ahead of time.
“There was one difference from before. The victim’s car was found not too far from her body. That’s new. Normally, he’d leave them somewhere else and make us search for them.”
Ava headed back to her parked car with Shadow. “He wanted her found quickly. Wanted us to know he was back. Could you send me the coordinates? I’m on my way.”
“Hang on.”
The sharpness in Marcus’s voice stopped her.
“There’s something else you should know before you head to Montana. The person who found the body wasn’t a hiker. It’s Caleb Ward. I know you two have history, but there’s no one else capable of handling this case like you, Ava. I need you there. And Caleb has agreed to assist the park rangers in accessing the backcountry.” He stopped and waited for a response she couldn’t give.
Ava’s breath caught. Her Caleb. She’d loved him once. Probably still did. Yet all the good memories they’d shared as a couple, Wax had destroyed.
“This is important, Ava. For you. He’s killed at least three women that we know of. Four, once we confirm the latest victim. He forced you to watch the third victim’s murder. He destroyed lives. You, of all people, understand that he must be stopped. I need you to be okay with working with Caleb.”
She would have to be okay with it, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt.
???
The SUV’s windshield wipers struggled against January’s winter onslaught.
Red and blue police lights blurred through the falling snow, acting as a beacon welcoming her back to the worst moments of her life.
Ava struggled to keep the darkness at bay.
“Don’t go there.” The woman in the rearview looked as if she’d seen a ghost, yet her voice held a strength Ava didn’t feel.
From the back seat, Shadow barked low as if to let her know he had her six.
“Thanks, buddy.” She smiled at her partner.
Because of Shadow, Ava was able to sleep through most nights. The nightmares had lessened to only a couple of times a week. She’d let Wax destroy enough of her life. He wouldn’t take any more.
She pulled safely onto the shoulder of the two-lane gravel road. Several law enforcement officers turned upon her arrival. They gathered around a small sedan covered in snow and ice whose driver’s door stood open. The victim’s. Strange that Wax had left it so close to the body, but probably his way of letting them know the game had begun again.
Another soft woof came from the back seat where Shadow waited for her command.
“You ready?” Ava knew the answer before asking. Shadow was always ready. He was the best partner she’d ever had, and that included her human partners.
Ava glanced back at the Malinois. The dog’s eyes were alert to her. “I know, buddy. I feel it too.”
And she did. The uneasiness that had followed her from her home in Denver reminded Ava that she and Shadow were about to face off with the part of her past that almost destroyed her. She had to be strong. Shadow needed her in control. Ava would be in charge of the case for the FBI. She couldn’t afford to show weakness or indecision to those working for her.
Ava killed the engine and clipped the lead to Shadow’s harness. She slipped into her heavy down jacket, which concealed her gun holster.
Opening the door against the brutal winter wind was a reminder of one of the many dangers that lurked up here in the mountains. Ava stepped into a cold that took her breath away.
