Page 49 of See How They Hide

“It explains a lot,” Evan said. He’d been thinking about it for the last hour as he followed Riley to the diner and waited. They had many theories about how Thalia had been kidnapping the people of Havenwood over the years. One or two people almost every year. They set up traps, but never figured out how she got into their valley.

She hadn’t gotten in. Riley had brought peopleoutto her.

“She’s been helping Thalia all along,” Evan said quietly.

“We don’t know that,” Anton snapped.

But Evan knew. All the little questions they’d had over the years were answered if Thalia had an inside person.

“Evan,” Anton said firmly when Evan didn’t say anything, “we don’t know what happened. But we will learn the truth. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Keep watch, be safe. Calliope has lost too many people over the years. We owe it to her to come home in one piece.”

18

Quantico, Virginia

Matt listened to Michael relay the situation in South Fork, then said, “I’ll be in Denver tonight. I want Catherine to listen in to the interview with Mr. Gardner and Ms. Pierce. They are not suspects, but theyarepersons of interest. I want her in Kara’s ear.”

“Roger that.”

“Have you heard back from Fort Collins PD about the partner?” Matt asked.

“They’re en route to his house.”

“Let me know as soon as you do. Where do this Gardner and—what’s his partner’s name?”

“Donovan Smith,” Michael responded.

“Where do they fit in?”

“Gardner made the anonymous call. He already told us that he and Riley Pierce went to the house to check on Jesse, who he claims is a friend of his. They found him dead, left the scene, went to a diner and called it in. They ordered food, but according to the waitress neither ate more than a few bites. So far, the evidence at the cabin supports his statement. If one or both of them killed Jesse Morrison, it was weeks ago.”

Ryder popped his head into Matt’s office. “You need to leave for the airport in ten minutes, and Dr. Jones is here.”

“Tell Kara to hold off until Ryder can set up the feed with Catherine,” Matt said.

“Roger that,” Michael said.

Matt ended the call and grabbed his go-bag out of his office closet. He always had an overnight bag packed in case he needed to leave in a hurry.

Ryder set Catherine up in their unit’s secure communications room. A large monitor would allow her to view the video feed of the interrogation, and she would be able to talk to Kara through their comm system. Matt really hoped Kara didn’t shut her earpiece off. He knew she didn’t like people directing her questioning—and Kara was good in the box—but in a case like this where they had no idea what was going on, a psychiatrist with Catherine’s experience was invaluable.

Catherine looked up from her notes, took off her reading glasses. “What’s Jim’s ETA to the crime scene?”

“Two hours and change,” Matt said. “It’ll be dark by the time they get there, but the sheriff’s department is bringing in a forensics team to support Jim and provide equipment.” It would take two days and two drivers to transport the forensic RV to South Fork, so Matt made the call not to use the vehicle and rely on the local crime lab and facilities.

“Michael said that he didn’t see any poppies on the scene,” Catherine said, “and the victim appeared to have been dead for some time, so at this point I’m comfortable calling him the first victim.”

“Jim will confirm, but I agree.”

“Is the only connective thread tying Jesse Morrison to our victims the false identities?” Catherine asked.

“That, and the fact that Riley Pierce, Jane Merrifield’s former roommate, was one of the people who discovered the body this afternoon.” Matt filled her in on the timeline Michael had provided. “Neither Riley nor Andrew have a record, but we suspect Pierce’s identity is false.”

Ryder cleared his throat. “Andrew Gardner has a social security number issued six years ago. An educated guess is that his is also a false identity. We’re still working on confirming the other information he provided. His employer, Fort Collins Veterinary, confirmed he’s worked as a vet assistant there for just over five years. His partner, Donovan Smith, has worked for a local nursery for the same length of time. They bought their house for cash and have no mortgage. Agent Heller is looking into that purchase. So far we haven’t found anything on either of them prior to the move to Fort Collins.”

Matt asked Catherine, “What do you think is going on here?”

“I don’t feel comfortable even guessing at this point. How confident are you that Ms. Pierce and Mr. Gardner will cooperate?”

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