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Fiona nodded, her mind racing with possibilities as she began to search the area. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the verge of a crucial discovery – one that could finally bring some sense to the senseless violence that had claimed two lives.
Fiona's gaze followed the stream, the sun reflecting off the water like tiny shards of glass. She felt a chill run down her spine as she imagined Nadine Howe's lifeless body lying nearby just a week earlier. She shook her head, trying to dispel the gruesome image.
"Strange that the killer chose this place, isn't it?" Jake said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Look, the edge of the forest is close to that neighborhood."
Fiona squinted in the direction Jake was pointing, and sure enough, she could make out the rooftops of houses just beyond the treeline. It seemed odd for someone to commit such a violent act so close to potential witnesses. Harry’s body was found much deeper into the woods.
"Maybe they wanted easy access to a quick escape route," Fiona mused, her eyes scanning the area for any possible clues. "Or maybe they were just being reckless."
"Could be," Jake agreed, bending down to examine a patch of disturbed earth near the caution tape. "But we still need to figure out why Nadine and Harry were targeted in the first place."
Fiona nodded, pulling out her phone to check the GPS again. As she studied the map, she made an unexpected connection. "Jake, look at this," she said, excitement lacing her words. "This spot isn't even very far from where Nadine lived with her parents."
"Really?" Jake asked, taking a step closer to peer at her screen. His eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. "You're right. That's... interesting. Maybe it was a crime of opportunity. Nadine lived around here, and Harry was an avid hiker.… they could have been in the wrong place at the wrong time."
“Maybe…”
Fiona stared at the crime scene tape, its yellow color a stark contrast against the lush greenery surrounding them. She closed her eyes, attempting to picture the scene as it must have been just a week ago. She could see Nadine's body lying there, the back of her head brutally bashed in, and it was almost as if she could feel the terror that had filled the air on that fateful day.
"Over there," Fiona said, opening her eyes and pointing toward a perch above the river. "That seems like the most likely spot for the killer to have struck her."
"Let's check it out," Jake replied, his voice subdued. If he was still struggling with his personal issues, he did well to hide it as they approached the perch.
As they climbed up to the spot, Fiona couldn't help but shiver, feeling a sudden chill despite the sun filtering through the trees. The perch offered an eerie vantage point, overlooking the now calm stream below. She imagined the killer standing here, weapon raised, waiting for their unsuspecting victim.
"Can you think of any reason why both Nadine and Harry's bodies would be so much more decomposed than they should be?" Fiona asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Jake shook his head. "No, it doesn't make any sense. It's like something accelerated the process, but I can't figure out what."
"Maybe we're missing something..." Fiona muttered, her thoughts racing. She felt a deep-rooted frustration bubbling inside her. They were so close to uncovering the truth, yet it remained just out of reach.
"Maybe we should talk to the families," Jake suggested, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "They might have noticed something unusual or out of place."
"Good idea," Fiona agreed. "We'll start with Nadine's family and then move on to Harry's."
CHAPTER SEVEN
The sun cast a warm golden glow over the suburban neighborhood as Jake and Fiona approached the Howe residence. It was a modest home, its well-kept lawn lined with bright flowerbeds that seemed to reflect the love and care put into them.
As they neared the front door, Jake found himself growing increasingly anxious. He knew it wasn't just the weight of the case pressing down on him – there were personal concerns gnawing at the edges of his mind, but he couldn't afford to let them distract him now. Focus, Jake, he chided himself silently. You need to be present for this.
"Ready?" Fiona asked, her eyes searching his for confirmation.
"Of course," Jake replied, offering her a reassuring smile before knocking on the door.
A few moments later, it opened to reveal a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a weary expression. She looked as though she'd been crying but was doing her best to maintain composure.
"Mrs. Howe?" Jake asked gently, showing his FBI badge. “I’m Agent Jake Tucker with the FBI. This is my partner, Fiona Red, a forensic specialist. We'd like to ask you a few questions about Nadine, if that's alright."
"Of course," Mrs. Howe said quietly, stepping aside to welcome them in. "I'll do whatever I can to help find whoever did this to my daughter. I knew it wasn’t an accident, so when the police called to inform me this morning, I… I wasn’t surprised.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am,” Jake said.
As they crossed the threshold, Jake took in the surroundings. Family photos adorned the walls, showcasing happier times and the vibrant young woman Nadine had once been. It was a stark contrast to the sight of her body in the woods, and Jake felt a surge of determination to bring her killer to justice. Jake took in the details of the living room: family photos lining the walls, a well-worn couch, and a coffee table cluttered with cups and tissues. It was a space heavy with the weight of loss, an atmosphere that made his heart ache even more for the bereaved mother.
"Have a seat," Nancy gestured towards the couch, her voice quivering.
"Thank you, Mrs. Howe," Fiona said, offering a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder. "We'll do everything we can to find answers."
