“Or like he’s indicating she should be embarrassed or ashamed. Like she’s hiding her face.”
The ME redirected his attention to the woman’s face. “Hmmm. Could be.”
It was unlikely she’d get anything more from him until he’d completed the autopsy. “Well, I’ll get out of your way so you can work. Thank you so much for speaking with me.”
A hint of a smile touched the corner of his eyes. “You should have my preliminary report by the end of the day.”
She nodded before pushing to her feet and heading back to where Dak waited.
They left the dock, walking up the sharply angled ramp. As soon as their feet hit the asphalt, Dak broke the silence. “That was impressive. None of us have ever gotten more than a few words out of him.”
The praise sent a wave of heat through her core. “It’s about reading people and creating a connection. I found something that touched him, children suffering in this instance, and leveraged that.”
“Well, it’s a gift.”
She caught sight of the people behind the police line. “How about we talk to some of the potential witnesses while we’re here?”
He gestured for her to lead the way.
While she seriously doubted they’d learn anything of importance, they had to try.
Two victims in twenty-four hours concerned her more than she wanted to admit. If their unsub was spiraling, their remaining victims might be almost out of time.
.
Nine
The request had been approved.
Dak rubbed the back of his neck as he stared at the approval in front of him. When he’d submitted it, he had honestly expected the SAC to deny the request.
Yet there was no denying the obvious green light in front of him.
In spite of Kevyn’s recommendation, he’d only submitted the request for one undercover agent. He couldn’t afford to have two people from his team out of the office.
Undercover operations would begin immediately, just as soon as he could set it up with upper management at Noble’s.
To compensate for being down a task force member, SAC Sorenson was giving him two data analysts. Not quite the same as a field agent, but given their skill with computers, more than a fair trade.
“We’ll be meeting in the conference room in five minutes.” His voice broke the silence and made Kevyn jump slightly. “Sorry.”
She shook her head. “I guess I was more focused than I realized.”
He tapped out a group message for everyone to meet in the conference room and collected his notes.
The team was assembled when he and Kevyn arrived.
He’d break the news soon, but they’d take care of details first. “Where are we at?”
“I was able to get the preliminary autopsy report on Susan Conrad.” JD flipped open the file folder lying on the table in front of him. “No surprise here. Cause of death is asphyxiation. There was a significant post-mortem head wound, but it didn’t kill her. They estimate that she’d been dead close to twenty-four hours prior to being found.”
All of that was as expected. “What about trace evidence? Body fluids?”
“Toxicology is still pending, but initially nothing pops. The rain really did a good job at cleaning the body. No trace evidence. But also no evidence in any body cavities either, so possibly our unsub isn’t taking his victims for personal gratification.”
“I agree.” Kevyn looked around at the group before resting those green eyes on him. “Like most criminals, sexual predators often have a type. These victims are all across the board. My inclination is that our unsub is taking them for a different reason.”
Not that any of them knew what that reason was.
Still, he hoped she was right. Especially since one of the victims was a child.
“What about trafficking? The dark web? Any hits there?”
Felicia shook her head. “No. We’ve had facial rec software running twenty-four seven, but so far it hasn’t found any matches.”
So the unsub likely wasn’t trafficking them on the dark web.
At least not yet.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t have some alternative method of trafficking. Many traffickers worked in networks. If their guy was into trafficking, he might be part of a larger ring.
The unsub could be shipping people halfway around the world for all they knew.
Although the fact that he’d hung onto Conrad for so long indicated otherwise.
“I don’t think it’s human trafficking.” Kevyn said, as if reading his mind. “Most victims of human trafficking fit a high-risk profile. None of these victims, except maybe Ava Esterson, would fall into that category.”
“I agree, but we have to keep the option open.” No matter how unlikely it seemed. “What do we know about our latest victim?”
JD glanced down at some roughly written notes that only he would be able to decipher. “Paula Lennox. Retail worker at Nobles. Video surveillance puts her in McCauley’s Tavern until 11:49 p.m. According to the bartender – who wasn’t happy that I called so early – she drank alone, but danced with anyone who asked. Tab shows she threw back three beers and a shot of tequila in about a three hour period of time, so I bet her blood alcohol level comes back high.”
That was a lot of alcohol for such a slight woman. Could she have died of alcohol poisoning? “I want pictures of every person she danced with, any who offered to buy her drinks, any who even looked at her.”
JD nodded and jotted some notes on his notepad.
“What about her personal life?”
Kevyn spoke up. “Single, no local family. Paula was raised in Texas. Her mom died about ten years ago, dad is a workaholic who was distant. She moved up here about three years ago, although I don’t yet know why. I’ve left messages for several coworkers and her landlord, but haven’t heard back.”
“I did find a dating profile online.” Sid shrugged. “I reached out to the website to see if they could release the names of anyone she’d been talking to or had gone out with recently, but of course they won’t do anything without a warrant.”
Of course not. With the public’s focus on privacy, websites were being hypervigilant. “Let’s work on getting that warrant. Did we ever determine if all of our victims have ties to the café on the top floor of Nobles?”
JD shook his head. “No obvious ties. Oliver Richards ate there occasionally, but seemed to prefer the fast-food burger joint across the street. Susan Conrad ate there about once a week, but spent more money at the coffee shop one block over.”
And, of course, they already knew that Wendy Watson ate there on a weekly basis. The café lead seemed slim.
The team grew quiet.
Evidently all updates had been shared. Except for one. “We’ve been approved to send someone undercover at Nobles. I’ll be contacting the manager to make all necessary arrangements once we wrap up here.”
The words dropped like a bomb, with silence as the fallout.
“Only one?” Kevyn asked, arching a thin eyebrow.
“Yes.” He surveyed the group. “I know the unsub is not consistent with his victimology, but both Susan and Paula were blonde. Maybe he’s specifically trying to find a blonde woman for some reason.”
Kevyn was already nodding. “And since I’m clearly not from around here, he might assume no one would miss me.”
He fought the uneasiness roiling through his gut. Risk came with the job, but intentionally using an agent as bait didn’t settle well. “If you even come into contact with him. Nobles is a large store, so that’s a big if.”
But they were banking on that if.
Part of him prayed she didn’t. Yet, at the same time, that would be the fastest way to wrap up this case. And hopefully save lives.
₪ ₪ ₪
“Mr. Booth, thank you for meeting with us.”
Kevyn watched Nobles’ store manager closely as Dak greeted him.
Perfectly pressed black-pinstripe suit, flaming orange tie, well-ge
lled hair, and an expertly shaped goatee gave him a polished appearance. She guessed him to be in his forties, with a trim build and tanned skin.
If she’d known this morning that she’d be sitting in this office while Dak made a bid for her to go undercover, she would have dressed up a little more. And maybe done something with her hair other than pull it back.
“Of course.” Booth’s voice was slick as oil. “Although I am slightly curious why the FBI would have any interest in my store.”
The man was more than slightly curious. Interest lit his eyes as he looked back and forth between her and Dak.
“I assure you, we have an excellent security team who always reports any counterfeit bills we might receive.”
Some security team. They didn’t even notice when employees went missing right outside the store.
Dak’s smile was tight and didn’t reach his eyes. “Counterfeiting falls under the Secret Service’s jurisdiction. We’re here investigating the disappearance of several of your employees.”
Booth’s eyes bulged slightly, although the skin around them didn’t move.
Probably too much Botox.
“My employees? Missing?”
“Three in the last few weeks. Are you telling me you didn’t notice they were gone?” Dak’s tone held a hint of condemnation.
“We always notice when people don’t show up for work, but you have to understand. Retail is a high-turnover industry. Sadly, people stop showing up all the time.”
Funny how he didn’t sound too broken up over it. “Did you know Susan Conrad, Oliver Richards, and Paula Lennox?”
The momentary silence spoke louder than words. No recognition flashed on his face. “We have over a hundred people who work here. I can’t possibly know them all. Let me call in Vivian, my human resource manager. She might be able to better answer your questions.
A tall African-American woman with generous curves strode into the office a minute later, her pink shoes tapping a staccato beat across the tile floor.
Booth introduced her then added, “The agents have questions about a few employees who have gone missing.”
“Missing?” A hint of alarm lined the word as Vivian swung startled brown eyes to them. “Who?”
As she heard the names, she slowly shook her head. “I should have known something was wrong. When they didn’t show up for work and we couldn’t reach them, we assumed they had job abandoned. It happens fairly regularly, unfortunately. The thing is, while it wouldn’t be too surprising for Susan to do that, I never expected it from Oliver. And I’m heartbroken about Paula. She had such a vibrant spirit.”
Unlike Booth, Vivian seemed genuinely upset. “How well did you know them?”
Vivian’s gaze swung to Kevyn. “As well as you can, I suppose. Of them, Susan received a few customer complaints that I had to address, and Paula had the occasional attendance issue, but Oliver was a solid employee. Always showed up on time, was good with customers, and met his productivity metrics.”
“You never thought to report them missing?” Dak focused his question at Vivian.
“No. The thought that something may have happened to them never occurred to me.” Vivian didn’t look at Booth, but directed her attention between Kevyn and Dak. “As I mentioned, it’s not uncommon for employees to drop off. They usually find another job and, sadly, do not always have the courtesy of alerting us that they will not be returning, much less giving an official two-week notice.”
Dak nodded slowly. “We believe a serial kidnapper may be targeting your employees.”
Vivian gasped. “Targeting? My employees?”
Interlacing his fingers, Booth leaned forward. “We take the safety of our employees very seriously. But what makes you think this isn’t… coincidence?”
Coincidence? Seriously? Kevyn bit back the words.
“Three of his five known victims worked at your store. One of the remaining two victims is in your store on a regular basis. This store is the only common denominator we’ve found between our victims.”
Good thing she’d let Dak handle that one. He’d been much more diplomatic than she would’ve been.
“I see.” Booth leveled sharp eyes on Dak. “And what would you like us to do?”
“We’d like to put an agent undercover, working in the same department as one of the missing employees.”
“Agent Lakes.” Condescension dripped from Booth’s words. “I’m sure you can appreciate that we screen our potential employees very closely. There are certain qualities we look for, qualities that our customers expect in our employees. With all due respect, I’m not certain that an agent would be a good fit in a retail environment.”
“Mr. Booth.” The manager’s gaze swung to Kevyn. “I worked retail for over five years. I am excellent at initiating and carrying on conversations with people I don’t know. And I’m highly adaptable. I would fit in immediately.”
Booth stared at her, probably passing judgment on her fitted silk top, lightweight sweater, and bootcut jeans.
At least she’d worn her ankle boots today rather than her sneakers.
“Roger.” Vivian’s voice broke the stillness. “I think we should hear them out. If it will ensure the safety of our staff, we have an obligation to consider this.”
He snorted. “They have yet to convince me that there’s actually a threat.”
“Well, I’m convinced.” Vivian turned to face Kevyn. “What did you have in mind?”
₪ ₪ ₪
Ebony looked at the clock. Only seven minutes had passed since she’d last checked the time. Jax wouldn’t be home for two hours.
Why the loneliness hit her so hard today, she wasn’t sure. But she really wanted someone to talk to.
Well, Jax wanted them all to be a family. Surely he wouldn’t mind if she sat and talked to them.
Probably not Oliver. He wasn’t very talkative. When he did talk, he always had a bad attitude.
She’d start with the girl. Ava. Then move on to Wendy.
Maybe she could help them acclimate to their new life. The sooner they adjusted, the sooner Jax would let them have free run of the place like she did.
It’d be fun to have Wendy help her cook, to bake cookies with Ava. To play games as a family.
She’d never had siblings. Until now.
The visit with Ava was short. Disappointingly so. All the little girl wanted to do was sulk and cry.
Fine. Let her sit there alone.
She locked the door to Ava’s room behind her and meandered down the hallway, taking her time navigating between Ava’s room and the containment area. Her body ached badly enough that moving wasn’t as easy as it should be.
The door at the entrance to the containment area was closed. She tugged on it. Locked, too. Just like she’d left it.
Stretching up on tiptoes, she peeked in the window as Jax has instructed her to. No sign of anyone in the hallway, or that any of the cells had been opened.
Really, the whole thing felt like overkill, but Jax didn’t want to take any chances.
Especially not after Susan had surprised him the other day. How the woman had gotten out was still a mystery, but she was sure glad Jax had been the one to find Susan.
Otherwise, he probably would have blamed her. And maybe sent her away.
She unlocked the door and entered the hallway.
Movement in her peripheral caught her attention as she passed Oliver’s cell.
He charged the bars, his face the color of the tomatoes she’d be dicing up for tonight’s dinner.
Slamming into the bars, his arms shot through, chubby fingers reaching for her.
She jumped back, feeling the brush of his fingers on her forearm.
“Lemme outta here, you stupid little…” Profanities laced the confined space as he called her one horrible name after another.
He huffed like a charging bull and his wide eyes looked every bit as enraged.
“I swear, I’m gonna kill you! I’m gonna kill bo
th of you!”
“Stop it!” Her sharp retort rang in the sudden silence. “You say one more word to me and I’ll tell Jax. Then you’ll leave all right. Like Susan did. Dead.”
His fingers stopped moving and his hands slowly dropped. “She-she’s dead?”
“Of course she is! No one abandons family. Ever.”
“You ain’t my family!”
“We are the only family you will ever have. Deal with it or die.” A warning lit inside her head. Jax wouldn’t like her saying all this. Not at all. But seriously, these guys weren’t totally stupid. They had to know that Susan hadn’t just walked out.
The redness drained from his face. “You… wouldn’t?”
Not so cocky now, was he? She lifted her chin into the air. “Treat me like that again and you’ll find out.”
She whirled away from him, continuing the trek down the hallway to Wendy’s cell.
Wendy sat cross-legged on her bed, her leg bouncing in a jittery fashion. Brown hair brushed her shoulders and her dark eyes looked sympathetic, not hard, as Oliver’s had been.
No way had she not overheard that exchange.
Ebony hoped she wouldn’t bring it up.
“Why are you loyal to him?” Wendy tilted her head slightly, her gaze never leaving Ebony.
“He saved me.” Ebony leaned against the wall opposite Wendy’s cell, just in case Wendy decided to try a move similar to Oliver’s.
Resting her elbows on her knees, Wendy leaned forward. “From what?”
“Life. Or maybe death.” The memories came rushing in. The countless men who wanted to use her and throw her away. The traffickers who made it happen and beat her into submission if she failed to live up to their expectations. The days without food. The nights without sleep. “I don’t know why he was there or how he found me. All I know is that no one has ever taken care of me like he does.”
“I’m sorry for what you’ve been through.”
She really did sound sorry, too. “It’s behind me now. Jax loves me. And I would do anything, anything to protect him.”
“I get it.”
Somehow, she didn’t really think Wendy did get it. Sure, she probably thought she did, but how could she?
Nameless (Sinister Secrets Book 1) Page 11
