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“It’s Kristin.”
The look on his face stole her breath. She instinctively took one step backward, as if to ward off what Ryker was about to tell her. It wasn’t good. Bile churned in her stomach. She’d had her problems with Kristin, but would never wish any ill will on her ambitious colleague. Hannah’s back bumped into the far wall of the elevator. “What about her?”
Ryker reached for her, his palms cupping her biceps as if he was afraid her knees would give out with the next bit of information. Warmth and sympathy tangled in his hazel eyes. “I’m sorry, Han. She’s been murdered.”
SEVENTEEN
The crime scene was organized chaos. Deputies were stationed at the perimeter to keep neighbors and the media back. Red and blue lights strobed, cutting through the night. A coroner’s van was tucked between a marked patrol car and a crime scene unit vehicle. Several deputies were walking down the street. One strolled up a neighbor’s driveway to knock on the front door.
They were canvassing. Deputies would talk to the neighbors, ask to look in the backyard, and request video footage from any surveillance on the home in the hopes it would help identify the killer. Ryker prayed something would come of it, but he wasn’t holding out much hope. Cash… no, Dusty Stillman, had planned every attack carefully.
His rap sheet wasn’t long, but the crimes were serious. Armed robbery, drug dealing, and murder. He was a professional criminal who’d evaded significant prison time by intimidating witnesses or plea bargaining down to a less serious charge.
Ryker pulled his SUV next to the curb but didn’t kill the engine. “You don’t need to do this, Hannah. Claire and Gavin are on scene. They can call us later.”
“No.” She reached for her door handle. “Kristin was my mentee. She worked for me and that makes her my responsibility. I’m doing this.”
Her tone brooked no argument. Stubborn woman. She was ghost pale and had barely uttered a word the entire car ride back to Fulton County, but nothing would stop her from standing up for Kristin. For doing what she could to catch the younger lawyer’s killer. It was admirable, but not surprising. Still, Ryker feared she wasn’t emotionally prepared to handle what lay inside the small two-bedroom house.
He placed a hand on Hannah’s back as they climbed the driveway. Her muscles were rigid, her expression a professional mask of indifference, but she leaned into his touch slightly. Just enough to let Ryker know she appreciated the support.
Gavin met them in the entryway. His expression was grim. Dark circles shadowed the skin under his eyes and his clothes were wrinkled. He’d put in long hours since the initial attack on Hannah and the bomb threat at the courthouse had only made things worse. The entire ranger team—along with Claire and her deputies—were working overtime to sort through evidence, interview witnesses, and track down leads. Everyone wanted Dusty caught as soon as possible.
Ryker greeted his colleague with a nod. “What can you tell us?”
“Victim has been identified as Kristin Michaels. The body was discovered about two hours ago by her cousin.” Gavin removed a notepad from his rear pocket and began reading from it. “Kristin and her cousin were supposed to have dinner tonight, and when she didn’t show or answer her cell, the cousin became concerned. She has a key to the house, used it to enter, and discovered Kristin in the bedroom.”
A rattling came from the hallway, and a moment later, two coroner’s assistants appeared. They navigated a wheeled stretcher with a body bag on top. Kristin. Ryker had been to hundreds of crime scenes, but they never got easier. He didn’t want them to. His insides churned as the men wheeled the stretcher out the front door.
Beside him, Hannah’s complexion paled even more. Once again, Ryker placed a hand on the small of her back. He wanted to gather her in his arms and carry her out of the house, but that wasn’t an option. For starters, it would be unprofessional. And second, Hannah wouldn’t want him to. For better or worse, she was determined to see this through. He couldn’t stop her, but he could support her.
Hannah swallowed hard and gestured toward the security system. “Was that armed when the cousin entered?”
“No. We conducted a search and discovered a window in the living room had been broken. It seems the killer entered that way. It doesn’t appear she ever knew he was in the house. Not until it was too late.”
“A broken window and a disarmed security system.” Hannah’s jaw tightened. “That’s just like when I was attacked. I want to see where the attack happened.”
Gavin gestured for them to follow him down the short hallway. The primary bedroom was decorated with dark grays and deep purples. A pile of laundry rested in a chair in the corner. Shoes were tossed haphazardly near the dresser. A photograph of Kristin and an older couple rested on the vanity, along with piles of makeup. Her parents? It certainly looked that way. Ryker’s heart sank to think of them receiving the news that their daughter had been murdered. He said a prayer for them. That, along with capturing Kristin’s killer, was all he could do.
Claire rose from the crouched position she’d been in next to the four-poster bed. Like her husband, her uniform was wrinkled and dark circles shadowed the skin under her eyes. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, but the blonde strands looked greasy, as if she hadn’t had time to wash her hair. His mouth hardened. “The killer screwed up. He cut himself on the glass near the window and left a fingerprint behind.” Claire lifted her cell. “The lab just called me. We’ve got a positive ID. It’s Dusty Stillman.”
The sheets and comforter had been tangled and dropped to the floor. Blood coated them, along with the carpet. Hannah stared at it before lifting her gaze to the sheriff. “Kristin was stabbed?”
Claire nodded. “Several times and then her throat was cut. It appears the killer caught her as she was getting ready to go out. A blitz-style attack.”
“Just like with me. And Julie.” Hannah’s voice was hollow. Her jaw tightened. “Did he leave a note?”
Claire shared a look with Gavin. Ryker immediately picked up on their tension. Whatever was in the note was bad. He stepped forward. “Hannah—”
“Don’t, Ryker.” She gave Claire a steely look, one normally reserved for difficult witnesses in the courtroom. “I want to see the note.”
Claire breathed out a long sigh and reached for an evidence bag resting along with a few others on the nightstand. She handed it to Hannah without a word. Ryker’s gaze took in the plain white paper, which could’ve been bought from any office supply store in the county. Shock and horror vibrated through him as he focused on the letter’s contents. It wasn’t addressed to anyone, but the message was clearly meant for Hannah.
You should have gotten in the van.
Rage unlike anything Ryker had ever experienced swept over him like a tidal wave. It heated his blood. He wouldn’t stop until Dusty was in prison for the rest of his life. It didn’t matter how long it took or how far Ryker had to go. He would hunt him down and make him pay.
“I…” Hannah swayed, and the note dropped from her fingertips. All the blood had drained from her face.
