“See?” Trent said after the waitress walked away. “The entire world isn’t bad, and there are people who believe in what we’re doing. We just have to take care of ourselves well enough to keep doing it. Now let’s go watch the rest of that surveillance footage. I got another tape while I was waiting for you.”
As they stood to go, both of their phones beeped.
“Fingerprints are in. Let’s go see what they can tell us.”
Chapter Eight
Though it was difficult, Amelia surprised herself by feeling relieved after the conversation with Trent. Opening up to him had diminished some of the weight on her shoulders. She could face things again. As Trent walked into the station, she stayed behind in her car for a moment. She texted Everett. “Are you free this afternoon? I can stop by after three.”
She suspected he wouldn’t believe her, not after yesterday. But this time she meant it. She would deal with things. She would get through this.
Almost immediately her phone vibrated. “See you then,” was his response.
She walked into the station well after Trent had disappeared inside. He was already bent over paperwork. She went to his desk and waited. He shook his head as he looked up at her.
“Well, it’s no real surprise, but the fingerprints on the body match Anna Resnick, the young woman reported missing yesterday.” As Trent talked about their victim, Amelia was already imagining the look on Anna’s parents’ faces when they were told the news. She’d personally had to notify families quite a few times since working as a detective. She never had to do so as an FBI agent, and she had never gotten used to it.
“Also…Amelia, you’ll want to see this. I can’t even…I can’t believe it.”
The look of absolute shock on Trent’s pale face caught her attention. He was one person she always believed when he said he found something unbelievable. He pushed the papers in her direction. He looked so lost. Utterly confused.
“The bloody print on the shoe belongs to Emma Green,” he said. It was so shocking she had to look herself just to make sure he was right. It simply couldn’t be. There was no way. The lab had to have made a mistake.
“How is that even possible?” Amelia stuttered.
“I have no idea,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
They were quiet as Amelia thought about poor Emma having to be wrapped up in all of this. Life never gave her a break, and it just wasn’t fair that some people seemed picked by fate to suffer more than any one person ever should.
“Well, she is being framed,” Amelia said, stating the obvious. “But what kind of sick bastard tries to frame their victim?”
“I doubt he thought he’d be successful,” Trent speculated. “There’s no way he thought we’d blame Emma for the crime. He knows we rescued her; he knows that we know something’s going on. I think it’s all part of his game. He knew we’d at least have to reach out to her. He expects us to tell her about the fingerprint. I think he’s trying to terrify her. To send a message to her through us.”
“It’s probably his way of punishing her for escaping. Threatening her to remain silent, keeping the mental torture alive. She stayed with him for days, yet she still claims she doesn’t know who took her. That she never saw his face. I bet this is his way of assuring she won’t speak to us so she can’t help with this case. He’s letting her know that he’s watching.”
“Yeah, but it’s not just some idle threat.” Amelia’s heart pounded as she thought of it. Of her own captor. She saw this as a threat towards herself as well, and she could feel his eyes on her. Watching. Waiting. “I just don’t understand how he would be able to get a print from her. He had to be close. He’s in her inner circle. Or at least he found a way to be. He’s dangerous, and if we tell her, she’ll only worry more. It’ll further traumatize her.”
“I know, and I wish we didn’t have to play that role. But we have to tell her. For one, we have to follow up on the lead. We can’t just ignore it and act like it didn’t happen. At the very least, she has to be careful.”
“He’s evolving,” Amelia said, eyes glazed over. “We’ll need to update VICAP, too. Other agencies may have a match. This guy is playing a game, and who knows who will be his next next pawn.”
“We will find him, Amelia.” Trent looked her in the eyes, and she hated that she’d told him of the connection. Now he knew why she was so concerned and she couldn’t hide it anymore. He knew how vulnerable she was. She resented that more than anything. “I know this is all a lot, and you have a right to be scared.”
“I’m not scared,” she snapped.
“Fine.” He held out his hands in surrender. “You’re not scared. But there’s hope in all of this. Our killer is getting arrogant, taking lots of risks. Even roping Emma in again is a bold move on his part. He’s changing, getting bored. Getting sloppy,” he emphasized. “Leaving lots of evidence behind thinking we aren’t smarter than him. But we are, you know that. It’s only a matter of time now before we catch up to him.”
Amelia nodded as they sunk into silence. Processing the shock before they could really look into the case and figure out just what was going on.
“I think he left the fingerprint because he wants us to know they’re all linked,” Amelia said. “Maybe he’s making a statement through these murders. Maybe he has some kind of vendetta against all these women. That could be why he left all that evidence under Anna’s tongue for us to find. Because we haven’t made the connection yet, and he desperately wants us to.”
“That sounds plausible.” Trent nodded as a smile bloomed across his face. “There’s gotta be something linking them all together. A piece we’re missing. A message he’s so desperate to get across that he’s willing to risk getting captured so we can see it.”
“Exactly! We need to put all the cases together again, start from the beginning and see what we’re missing. We need to look into each of the women and their backgrounds, paying closer attention to any connections, and…” She didn’t want to do this. Amelia knew how much it would hurt her. Yet their killer had left them no choice. “We need to start by talking to Emma Green.”
Chapter Nine
As ready as Amelia had been earlier that day to face her mother’s lawyer, now that she was actually here, she was less prepared for it. She sat in her car in the parking lot across the street, staring at the building. She wondered how long it would take for Everett to give up if she just never went inside.
He would keep calling her. She knew that. As much as she avoided him, he never gave up. She was feeling bad for continually blowing him off. He probably had other clients. So far, three people had entered and five had exited the law offices of Berg, Lewis, and Traynor in the fifteen minutes she’d been there. He didn’t have time for her. Didn’t have time for this. It was time for her to be a big girl and face her fears head on.
Despite all this self-chiding, it still surprised her when she opened the car door and stepped out. She wanted to turn right back around. Drive away. She had a case to work on. It was much more important than this. Think of poor Emma!
No. She had told Trent that she would talk to Everett. He would ask her if she did, so she needed to get this over with. If she admitted she hadn’t, she’d never hear the end of it. Then he’d know for sure how hard this was for her, and it shouldn’t be this hard. She didn’t know why she found it so difficult.
But it was. Regardless of how things should or shouldn’t be, Amelia paused in front of those glass doors. The historic building loomed overhead. Tinted windows blocked her view from outside, but she imagined it was imposing. Stuffy and formal. Not the kind of place Amelia would like.
She shivered. Forced herself inside in a split second of bravery. That’s what it always took. Taking advantage of split seconds of bravery. That’s how she’d get through this. She had to get through this.
Unfortunately, the building was just as she feared it would be. A slick, dark wood floor cozied up to crimson walls. Bits of black a
nd gold gave the air of wealth. Everyone looked very professional as you would expect in a law firm. Amelia looked down at her rumpled shirt and stained jeans. She looked like a stressed detective.
“Hello, welcome to the law offices of Berg, Lewis, and Traynor! How can I help you?” A blonde receptionist who looked like she modeled in her free time peered over the giant desk. Caught. Amelia knew how stupid she’d look if she ran out now.
Worst of all, now that Trent knew, he’d make her come back. She’d have to face this woman who saw her come in and stare stupidly. Saw her run out. She was a detective, for god’s sake! She was supposed to be brave. She could handle this. She walked right up to the desk; it was so much easier when it wasn’t personal.
“I’m Amelia Slate, here to see Everett Lassen.”
“Welcome, Ms. Slate.” She smiled a cold smile. “Mr. Lassen told me to look out for you. I know he’ll be pleased you’re here. Have a seat, I will let him know you are here. Can I get you anything while you wait? Water, tea, or perhaps a soft drink?”
“No thank you, I’m fine.” Amelia turned and took a seat in one of the oversized chairs in the corner of the lobby. Taking out her phone, she checked social media to see what fake happiness people who called her a friend were up to. She knew if she could distract herself in someone else’s world for a little while, she just might stand a chance at finally finishing this. Seeing it through before she lost her nerve.
She was just sinking into an interesting read about the celebrity of the week when someone cleared their throat. She looked up to see a tall, fit man with dark hair standing in front of her. His blue shirt against his dark suit made his green eyes glow. They looked like they could see right into her soul. She hated him right away.
“Ms. Slate, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” He smiled and offered his hand. Amelia shook it and stood awkwardly. This was the same guy she’d blown off about a dozen times. She didn’t consider before how embarrassing that would be.
“It’s nice to meet you, too. Please, call me Amelia.”
“Amelia.” His smile grew. “Why don’t we go into my office so we can finally discuss that estate?”
She nodded, and he turned to lead the way. Good, she thought, let’s get this over with so she would never have to think about her mother and the fact that she died without giving Amelia a chance to make amends ever again.
She took a step forward. Trent would make her come back. If he couldn’t get her to, then he’d tell Brenda, and she had more trouble saying no to Brenda. Besides, there was no one left in her family to deal with this kind of thing. She had to do this.
She took another step. Looked away from the door and followed Everett to his office on the second floor.
It was impressive, especially since he looked to be in his early thirties himself. He had a wonderful view of the park nestled within the city. Glass floor-to-ceiling windows, large desk, the décor was all spotless. No fingerprints or dust. A fountain gurgled in the corner, breaking any awkward silence. The office was tastefully decorated. Classy, but not overbearing.
He sat behind his desk and motioned for her to sit on one of the leather seats facing it. He pulled up a file and set a box down on the desk.
“I have never had so much trouble giving someone their inheritance,” he chuckled. “But at least I don’t have to deal with family members fighting each other over their loved one’s belongings. That’s always so tragic.”
“That’s because I’m the only one left,” she retorted. He looked away for a moment, then back at her.
“I’m sorry to hear that, truly. You’re probably well aware then that you are the sole beneficiary of Emily’s estate, and it’s a sizable one, to say the least. Honestly, I don’t know how you didn’t come in to claim it sooner. You inherited the house, of course.”
“Of course,” she repeated, feeling a little foolish that she hadn’t really thought of that. The house was beautiful, much better than the rundown place she currently rented. But what was she going to do with it? It was stuffed with memories, with things that would remind her of the family she once had. The family she now missed dearly. There was no way she could live in it, could she? There was no way she could sell it to strangers, either.
“As well as a couple of other properties she had, including a vacation home in the mountains,” he continued.
Amelia smiled. They hadn’t visited that house in forever, but she loved the cabin. Before her brother’s sickness took a turn for the worse, her mother brought them there every summer. They’d explore when he was doing well. Play detective. Cameron had always wanted to do something in his life to help people. Amelia had always assured him he would.
“There are multiple accounts,” he continued. “I have all the figures for them written down, as well as the information to access them. I’ll go over that with you today. There’s also this box. The only physical items not left inside the house are in this box. I would be more than happy to go through the contents with you if you would like.”
He looked at her as if waiting for a reply. Amelia couldn’t think of one to give him. Her mind was too busy processing all of this. Trying not to break as she thought of her mother, her brother. People she loved dearly now gone forever. And she did love them, she’d loved them both. But she was so angry…
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll just start off with what’s in the accounts and the details of each property. Then we can go through the box.”
Her mind glazed over as he listed off properties and account after account, getting angrier with each figure he gave. There was so much there, more than Amelia could’ve ever imagined. She would be quite well off after this. Bordering on wealthy even. She was profiting off her mother’s death. Her mother, to whom she’d been unkind too many times, who she had alienated because of anger.
Guilt and more anger ate at her as he kept going. Each time she thought he was done, he kept prattling on. And it was just too much. She didn’t deserve any of this. Didn’t want it. Finally, she stood in a huff. Grabbed the box.
“We’re going to have to finish this up another time,” she said, fighting back tears. “This is taking longer than I thought, and I forgot I have another appointment.”
“Okay.” There wasn’t much he could do to stop her. “Should I send you the rest of the information? What’s the best way to contact you?”
“Sure thing.”
She ran out the door before he could make sense of why anyone would be unhappy about a blessing like this.
Chapter Ten
Amelia polished off the Chinese food she had waiting for her by the time she got home and stared at the box glaring from her coffee table. She did not understand what was inside any more than she understood her mom. She hadn’t even known her mom had things stashed away that weren’t in the house. She also hadn’t known that her mom had that much money. There was a lot she didn’t know about her mother, apparently. She regretted not getting to know her better sooner. Not even trying to forgive her. She wished with all her heart that she would’ve at least attempted to bridge that gap sooner.
She stepped towards the box. The ghosts lingering inside it scared her. She didn’t want to face her mother, her past. She didn’t want to find more things she couldn’t ask her mother about. This had already been so much, too much to handle.
She kind of regretted leaving that office so quickly. She initially thought it was odd when Everett offered to help her go through the contents. But now she thought it was a great idea. Having Brenda or Trent here with her would be too personal, but she didn’t want to do it alone. An outsider who didn’t care about her or her mother would be a relief.
Before she could overthink it, she took out her phone. Sent him a text.
“Hey! Is that offer to go through my mother’s things still open?”
She tossed her phone to the couch. This was the perfect diversion, because now she would have to wait for him to answer. Assuming he would probably not respond until business ho
urs, she was shocked when her phone buzzed just as she was turning around.
It couldn’t be him. Not so quickly. She grabbed it and checked.
“Yes, of course! When did you have in mind?”
Good question. She didn’t actually want to go through it at all. But the sooner, the better. Then she could put all of this behind her.
“Is now too soon? I could swing by the office and bring it to you.”
“The office closed about an hour ago.”
Of course it did. She wasn’t great at keeping track of time. Always running on her own clock.
“But I can come over, if that’s okay with you. Might help to do so in the comfort of your home, anyway. What’s your address?”
Amelia wasn’t expecting that. It would possibly be better to go through things in her home, away from the office. But she wasn’t one to let strangers in.
She texted him her address, then cringed at the mess all around her house. For twenty minutes, Amelia went into a frenzied cleaning mode. The first in far too long. It almost looked like she was a functioning person again.
A knock at the door brought the cleaning frenzy to a halt. Amelia glanced around the apartment with some pride. The trash was taken care of, floor swept, dishes done, and a candle was burning to get rid of the odor that had settled into her home. But the pieces of the case files were still lying about everywhere. Crime scene photos were taped up on her walls. Organized chaos, or at least she hoped that’s what it looked like.
Amelia opened the door to a casual version of Everett in jeans and a t-shirt. He was far less intimidating like this, and she was grateful he had come over.
“Come in.” She stepped back. “Thanks for coming.”
“No problem.” He smiled as he walked inside. “This is often a difficult process for families, especially those who don’t have others to rely on. I’m more than happy to help in whatever way I can.”
The Darkest Secrets Page 4
