Connor studied the room.“So it’s the same killer.”
“We won’t know unless we get a print or DNA from the scenes to match.But...”
“But?”
Selena stared at Connor.“How often do two men in this area turn up dead like this within days of each other?And unless this is a copycat, the blank page would indicate it’s the same person.”
Connor looked from Victor to the muted television, then to the family photograph above the mantel.Marlene.Victor.Three children on a summer day.
“So we could be dealing with a serial killer like the church killings from months ago?Another Nolan Pruitt type?”He was sickened by the prospect.
Selena did not flinch from it.“We can’t rule out the possibility that this is only the beginning.”
Chuck made a low sound.“Wish I’d been on vacation like the last time you were in town, Agent Raven.”
“No, you don’t,” Connor said.
Chuck looked at Victor and said nothing.
Connor turned back to Matt.“Anything else you need from us?”
“Not right now, Sheriff.I’ll finish photos, get the body moved to Dr.Blethan, and start processing the room.I want prints on the door, the bottles, the side table, the remote, and the chair.”
Connor stared blankly.“Chuck… Get Arnold to canvas the street, see… See if anyone has ring cameras or security footage.”
“I will.The body will be moved soon, Chief.”
Connor pictured Victor on Blethan’s cold metal table.
Nausea rose fast.
He looked down and forced it back.
Then he leaned close to Victor one more time.“I’ll catch this bastard, Vic.I’ll catch him.”
A hand settled gently on his shoulder.
Selena.
“Come on,” she said.“There’s no good being here anymore.Let’s get back to the station.”
Connor nodded.
At the front door, he stopped.
A family picture hung beside the hallway mirror.Victor with Marlene and the kids at a lake, arms around one another, all wet hair and smiles.Victor looked proud enough to split open with it.
Connor stared until the edges of the frame blurred.
Rage began to build, steady and hot.
Rage made sloppy work, and sloppy work let killers breathe free.If he found the person who had done this, he didn’t know what he would do.But now all he could think of was catching the bastard.And in his heart he knew he would do almost anything to avenge his friends.He could not stomach any more death.Not another victim.
He would do anything to stop that.
The Sheriff's department.The FBI.All of that would help.But there was someone else who could, too.Someone who did not have to follow the rules.Someone whose ear was always to the ground.Someone who might know the sicko who had done this.
And Connor intended to get their help, too, even if he had to force them.
