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“Bill, I have no idea what you just said.”
He swallowed hard, sat up straight, and said, “If this case is related to a serial killer, I have to admit I’m in over my head. Way over my head. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve read in theDaily Newsabout your cases involving serial killers over the years. I’m willing to transfer the entire case over to you.”
I let out a laugh. “I bet you are. There are a couple of problems with that.”
“Like what? My chief won’t care. As far as he’s concerned, it’s another closed case. One less thing for New Rochelle to worry about.”
I understood what Stanton was trying to do. I couldn’t ever do it myself. The idea of handing a case of mine over to someone else just sounded weird. But I understood that if you had a caseload that included everything from burglaries to homicides, you might have to clear your plate any way you could.
I thought about it for a few moments. Finally, I said, “The first thing we need to worry about is establishing that there is definitely a single killer. We’re working on a theory based on two bodies we’ve recovered that were dressed in a similar manner and had similar backgrounds. I’m trying to piece together the rest. We don’t even know for sure if we have a serial-killer case yet.”
He looked at me hopefully. He raised his eyebrows and pushed the file folder a little closer.
I let out a sigh. “You realize the NYPD would frown on me investigating homicides in other cities, right?”
“We can at least work it together until you decide if the murders are related or not.”
“Aside from Suzanne being a pretty college student, I don’t know if any of the circumstances of her death match up. Like, how was she dressed, what was the cause of death, when did the death occur? We still have a lot of questions like that to answer.”
Stanton’s face lost its scowl. It was like I’d given him a glimmer of hope. He started talking quickly. “She was nude and wrapped in a painter’s drop cloth. Cause of death was blunt trauma to the head. She was hit with something heavy with a round base. The killer was strong enough to leave an imprint of the weapon in the victim’s skull.”
“How long had she been in the cabinet before anyone found her?”
“The medical examiner and forensic people estimate about three weeks. Right around the date she disappeared.”
I made a few notes, then leveled my eyes at the detective. “I’m not saying this will all work out, but let’s keep in touch. It’s better to be prepared than be surprised.”
“I agree. I also agree to let you take this case whenever you want.”
I chuckled. “Okay, Bill, if these do turn out to be related, there’s nothing I want more than to find Suzanne Morton’s killer.”
Then I heard the opening piano chords to my ringtone.
Stanton let out a laugh and said, “‘Layla.’ Love it.”
The three-number exchange code made it clear it was someone from One Police Plaza. That was rarely good news.
Chapter27
BILL STANTON WASannoyed I wouldn’t take his homicide case yet. I left him at the table with just a final nod as I walked quickly out of the Starbucks to answer my phone. Someone speaking very quickly said their name and title, but I didn’t catch any of it.
I said, “I’m sorry. Who is this?”
The woman slowed down like she was talking to a child. “This is Persephone Garland. I work in the office of public outreach. I think we might’ve found a lead on your case.”
“A lead? On my most recent homicide? I’m not following how public relations uncovered a lead.”
“Public outreach.”
“What’s the difference?”
“I’d get paid more if it was a public relations job.”
I laughed. She’d already picked up a cop’s sense of humor, even if she worked in a non-sworn position.
She said, “Can you stop by my office? I have the info from the tip all right here. It came from a post on social media I put up about the body you recovered from the Hudson River.”
“I’ll be there as quick as I can.” I cut off the call before I started asking questions about the privacy of the victim’s family or who had approved using an active homicide as part of community outreach. She better have some good answers or a hell of a lead. Otherwise, I was going to be annoyed. Loudly annoyed.
