by Levi Fuller
I watch the recreation play out. It’s not a detailed replay of a kill but rather a bird's eye-view of Kanawha County, zooming in on Kanawha River and its tributaries. A blue dot seems to pulse below us, the body of James, working its way backwards from where it had been found to where, according to Dhillan's science, it had been dumped.
I smile, knowing no one can see my face. He is rather brilliant, like his little sister.
The area he has marked contains the actual site within it.
Another point to you, Dhillan.
“Any ideas, people?” Mark's voice comes from my left.
“Those trails were all closed, weren't they? A year or two ago?” Violet asks from my right.
I resist the urge to sigh as they begin discussing the evidence that has come to light in the week and a half since the body had been found. Phone records to a number that no longer worked indicated that two of the three missing teenagers were coming out here to meet someone. In both cases, the co-ordinates were corrupted, not helping the detectives zero in any closer.
“Where are the ranger’s stations?” I ask as the conversation hits a lull, knowing that I should offer help without a direct request.
“I'll bring them up.” Kareena's voice is right behind me and I reach back a hand, laying it on her waist. It is for her that I don't let the pressure in my head consume me. For her that I suffer to be more careful, to stay anonymous.
Little orange dots appear on the scene.
“What are you thinking, Dr Mavros?” Mark asks as the four new markings blink at us.
“We know that two were planning a meeting. Both had received calls or messages from the same number, but their plans don't correlate.”
“You think someone set this up?”
“Maybe. If they did, I think an abandoned ranger’s station may have been useful.” I let my voice trail off, as if I am merely stating a stream of consciousness.
“Thank you, Kareena,” Mark says after a long pause.
The virtual image blinks out and we all remove the headsets.
“Thank you for joining us, Dr Mavros.” Mark turns from me back to the others. “Dr. Chais, please split your people into four groups, each to be led by a detective of the VCB. We'll sweep the area around the stations.”
I watch them file away and move over to give Kareena a hug. “What shall we do, then?”
She looks up at me and I can see a slight shadow of concern in her eyes. Maybe I sound a little too upbeat.
“You know I can't stand just waiting around.”
The worry vanishes and she gives me a small smile. “I guess we can go out for lunch.”
“How about we go home for lunch instead?”
I watch the blush creep up her cheeks and feel as close to happy as I can get without an active hunt.
****
Dhillan stepped out of the morgue, wishing, not for the first time, that he could wash the images out of his mind. They were still just kids. In the end, an officer from Boone County had come over to follow each group, too. He slammed his fist into the wall, remembering the state Violet had been in when he had gotten home last night.
She always tried to be strong here at work, but he knew, he saw how every death cut her up inside.
He shook his head. The police of Boone County weren't going to like it, but his results were indisputable. Their double-murder/suicide theory didn't quite match up to the things he found. They, like the detectives here, wanted something quick and neat, easy to solve and easy to move past. But this wasn't going to be able to be pegged on James Burton.
He looked towards his computer and sighed. He'd transfer his report in the morning. It wouldn't change the fact that this was going to be a long investigation.
He glanced up at the clock on the wall. Seven, already two hours over-time.
Rolling his shoulders, he left the Forensics Labs and headed towards the conference room Violet had taken over. He had little doubt that she would still be there, pouring over her notes and psych reports, trying to regain whatever thought she had had in the Freezer. He hardened his heart. Maybe it was time to stop being so gentle.
****
I watch Dhillan come in and wonder if I will be able to make a getaway now. He greets us all, looking careworn and tired. Maybe he'll suggest we wrap things up.
“Any progress?”
Of course not, I think as Violet shakes her head at him.
“I know there's something there.”
I smile to myself. Oh, there is, but you'll never find it. Which is a good thing, too, or I would probably have to kill you.
Dhillan opens his mouth and I feel another flare of hope that he'll suggest we leave it for the night.
“Jason.”
All of us eyeball him, varying degrees of incredulity on our faces.
“What?”
He turns to Violet as she speaks, his face determined and hard. “You first thought that these unsolved murders were connected because of him, right?”
She nods and I resist the urge to laugh. Not even I am this prolific. If every murder here was mine, I would have had no time for anything else.
“What exactly did he say about Jane?”
She pales and Kareena admonishes her brother in a soft voice.
“Think, Violet, please. Replay the conversation in your head.”
“Dhillan—”
“He told you something about Jane, something that was in her parents’ psych report.”
I wonder what has gotten him so riled up, as Violet's face pinches. Is it the new corpses in our morgue?
Violet turns away suddenly, eyes wide, and begins to rifle through her notes. Seizing one, she begins to read.
Instinctual need takes over and I hold my breath, then laugh at myself.
What can she possibly find? My kills only have one thing in common and it isn't something police ever think of. They're not connected by age, race, religion or gender. Their physical appearance ranges the full breadth of human variety. Nothing links them except...
“Fear. They are all connected by fear.”
Violet's voice completes my thought and I feel my blood run cold.
About the Author
Levi Fuller is an International Bestselling Author.
As a person who believes life is an adventure, we are all exploring the unknown each day, your support is my inspiration. I’m excited to have you read my books so we can go on the most thrilling adventures together!
A lot of writing inspiration comes from wandering in the woods, as it alternates from shutting my mind to new ideas.
Drinking beer, sitting on the dock watching ducks passing by is the highlight of my day.
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