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It took Cole ten minutes to give the newspaper editor the bare bone details of both crimes. He left out the autopsy details, particularly the horrendous sexual abuse, but he gave the man enough for an informative article.
“Here’s the important part,” he said. “We may have a serial killer here, and I don’t want to wait for more bodies.”
“People will be happy to know you aren’t too pigheaded to cry uncle when you have to.” John’s approval was obvious.
Cole held up his hands, palms outward. “I’d be very foolish if I was. This isn’t about me. It’s about catching a killer. Hopefully, before he takes another victim.”
Garrett picked up the recorder, put it back in his pocket, and stood up. “I’ll get started on this right away. The paper comes out again tomorrow, and I saved some front-page space, just in case. But if we want the presses to roll on time, I’d better git. As it is, we’ll be working until the sun comes up.”
Cole stood up, and the men shook hands. “Thanks again, John. This will be a big help.”
“I’ll do a sidebar, too, kind of like an editorial,” Garrett called over his shoulder as he turned toward the door.
“Everything helps. Everything.”
****
Dana worked on the spreadsheet for more than two hours, but her mind kept wandering, thinking back to Kylie and that scene so many years ago. She didn’t look up until the front door opened and she heard Cole talking to someone, then the door closed.
“Did you sleep at all?”
“Yes. Some.” Her cheeks heated as the images from the dream danced in her head. Then she took a good look at Cole, at the fatigue and worry lining his face, and her heart ached for him.
Her heart? Ached? When had she feltanythingfor a man? “You look terrible.”
He forced a weak grin. “Nice to see you, too.”
She stared at him. “Oh, my God, Cole. Has something else happened?” She set aside her computer and scrambled to her feet.
“No.” He sprawled on the couch and tugged her back down beside him. “I just hate to think anyone like that is living in our community. That it’s someone I see every day.”
“Just like no one wanted to think the pedophile lived here,” she reminded him.
“I know.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “But it’s obvious strangers stand out here. Plus neither those little kids nor Leanne or Shannon would be the type to get in a car with a stranger.”
He draped his arm over Dana’s shoulder, and at the moment, she wasn’t inclined to move it. “So you think they could all be related?”
“Let’s say I’m willing to examine the options. I’ve got my associates at Guardian Security coming in the morning. I’ll be anxious to get their take on it. I read the preliminary autopsy report on Shannon a little while ago. I can’t even begin to tell you how awful it was.”
Dana’s stomach clenched. She didn’t know if she could listen to this part. “That had to be hard for you.”
“This whole thing is hard for me. I saw terrible things when I was with the Marines, but this tops my worst nightmares.”
“Oh, Cole.” She wanted to pull his head to her breast. Do something to soothe him. And where had that come from?
He gave her a tired smile. “By the way, thanks for what you did today. I appreciate it.”
She shrugged. “I was glad I could help. I was surprised you even asked me.”
“Hey, I’m not stupid enough to ignore an offer like that. You did good, Dana. It might have taken forever to find her otherwise, especially with her scent masked.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Masked?”
“Damn. Me and my big mouth.” He told her about the condition of the body.
As brief as his description was, Dana could hardly bear to hear it.
“Did you eat?” she asked.
