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“No, it was a good one,” Jake said. “But we’re back to square one now. We need to find this killer before he takes another victim.”
Fiona’s stomach twisted with nerves. She couldn’t agree more, and yet she didn’t know where to look now.
“Let’s just head back to the hotel,” Jake said. “We need to grab some lunch and recoup.”
Fiona nodded. It seemed like the best plan for now. She just hoped that their next lead would be more fruitful.
***
Fiona sighed as she sat on the couch in the penthouse suite of the hotel, overlooking Portland’s skyline. The sun was swollen as it became later in the afternoon, and while Jake grabbed some food, Fiona was left with her thoughts.
This case was stumping her. There were still so many names of exotic animal keepers and entomologists alike on the list, but going through every single one of them and trying to find the killer was like looking for a needle in a haystack. She tried to think like the killer and make connections between them—what were their methods, what did they look like, how did they act?
It puzzled her that there was such a stark difference between each victim. Senator Barlow, a retired and wealthy senator, then Trish Walker, the waitress with the surprisingly large bank account. There was nothing alike about them.
Fiona shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She glanced up as the door opened and Jake entered with two large brown paper bags and a smile on his face.
“I got us some sandwiches from the deli downstairs,” Jake said, setting down the bags on the table. “Hope you’re hungry.”
Fiona’s stomach growled in response and she smiled. “Starving,” she said, eagerly getting up to help him unpack their meal.
Jake had gotten them both turkey clubs with all of the fixings—lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayonnaise—as well as some chips for good measure. Fiona sat down at the table with him and they began to eat in silence. The food was delicious and it gave Fiona energy that she hadn’t had before.
She glanced over at Jake, who seemed lost in thought as he ate his sandwich slowly. He must be thinking about this case too, she thought to herself.Or Lauren.
Fiona wasn’t one hundred percent sure about what had happened on the phone call Jake got earlier, but she had seen Lauren’s name on his screen. Based on his reaction after, it didn’t sound good.
It seemed like Lauren really was leaving the team.
In a weird way, Fiona would miss her too. It was obvious Lauren didn’t like her, but it had also been fascinating to see how a strong female FBI agent worked. Fiona had learned a lot from Lauren, and could have learned even more. But leaving was Lauren’s choice, and Fiona respected it.
It was true that Jake and Lauren’s relationship was a clear distraction from their work. Fiona had seen it on the short two cases she’d worked with them.
That didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt Jake, though. She could only imagine what he was going through.
“Hey,” Fiona said, and his brown eyes snapped to hers. Fiona felt her cheeks warm. “I hope you’re holding up okay, Jake. I know it must be strange to work this case with me instead of Lauren.”
Jake swallowed the bite of sandwich he had in his mouth and smiled warmly. “It’s not strange, Fiona,” he said.
Fiona felt a rush of relief. She hadn’t realized how much she’d needed reassurance until he said that.
“You’re doing great,” he said. “This case is tough, and I’m sure we’ll figure it out together.”
Fiona smiled. There was something about the way he said it that made her feel better.
“And to answer your question,” Jake said, “I’m doing okay. It’s rough to know I messed things up so bad with Lauren, but part of me knows it could be for the best. I mean, I kept getting cold feet, and she deserves better than that.”
Fiona nodded, thinking on it. “I don’t have much romantic experience, but I think the person who is right for you will always be your first choice. Maybe this is a sign that you were just not meant to be with Lauren.”
Jake looked up, his face thoughtful. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again, seeming to change his mind.
“Thanks,” he said, simply. “You’re right. I’m sure I’ll find someone else eventually.”
Fiona smiled. “I’m sure you will,” she said.
She looked out the window, watching as the sun began to set over the skyline of Portland. It was strange, but she’d sort of miss this suite. She felt like she and Jake were truly forming a friendship here.
But as nice as this little break was, as Fiona finished her food, she knew that break time was over. A killer was out there, picking people off, and Fiona intended to find out why.
