Page 67 of See How They Hide

“I’d like to interview Riley. She has more to say, she just doesn’t know it yet. Would Agent Costa object if I joined his team in Colorado?”

“Of course not,” Catherine said.

He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know Matt Costa well, but I’ve heard he’s very protective of his unit.” Dean had been trying to meet with Matt about the Mobile Response Team for some time, and while he appreciated that both of their schedules were tight, they could have found a mutually agreeable time.

“Matt is a professional,” Catherine said. “He’ll welcome expert insight.”

“Mr. Kim,” Dean turned to the analyst who ran operations for the MRT. He knew Ryder Kim from the academy; he’d graduated from Quantico a little over a year ago and Dean had been one of his instructors. “Would you please give your boss a heads-up that I’m on my way? I think I can contribute to the investigation. I’d like to interview Riley Pierce first thing in the morning, alongside Detective Quinn. But I don’t want to assign tasks to his team without his okay.”

“Yes, sir,” Ryder said.

“Would you like me to join you?” Catherine asked.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Dean said, “but you will be available for a psychological profile?”

“Of course.”

“What are you thinking at this point?”

Catherine hesitated just a moment.

“I don’t expect a detailed profile,” Dean said. “I’m looking for generalities. I understand cults, and cults can attract a variety of personality types. But a cult like the one Riley describes is highly unusual, especially that it has existed for several decades and never been on the FBI’s radar. This could be because they have little public presence. Yet no one has complained, not even a report from a parent or child that their loved one was manipulated into joining and they aren’t allowed to talk to them. That is the number one reason a group is put on my radar. How did the cult bring in new members? How did they vet them so that they didn’t have friends and family looking for them? It’s unique and interesting, and I hope Riley has answers.”

“I was initially brought in because of the unusual crime scene at the Benson homicide,” Catherine said. “The red poppies were a red flag, but now I think they are a taunt.”

“How so?”

“Thalia, Riley’s aunt, gave the poppies to the victims to remember her, as a calling card for when she visits again. While I can’t ignore the possibility that she could be involved, I don’t think she would rescue a dozen people over a decade, then start killing them.”

“I concur,” Dean said.

“While we need to look there in order to rule her out, I think—and this is a guess, which I don’t like to do—that the poppies were meantforThalia. To tell her that they never forgot those who left the cult.”

Dean considered, nodded. “It would be logical, if Thalia was the one who found the bodies.”

“Perhaps it was their way to draw her out,” Catherine continued. “If what Riley said is accurate, and Thalia financially damaged Havenwood when she left, they may want her to pay for that. First, by killing those she helped, and second, by drawing her back so they can punish her.”

“There could be more bodies,” Dean said, “or they haven’t found the others.”

Catherine nodded. “Riley was young when her grandmother died. Her memories may not be clear. Plus, she’s been away for nearly four years.”

“That is precisely why I want to speak with her. She knows more, but it’ll take time and finesse to discern the truth. I also believe she’ll help us find Havenwood. Riley knows where the community is, she just doesn’t know she does.” Dean leaned back, thinking about everything they’d learned in the short interview. “She’s an artist,” he said. “I’m hoping to use that to entice her to draw a map. She might not know preciselyhowto get to Havenwood, but she should be able to recognize landmarks. At a minimum, she’ll be able to draw the faces of everyone she remembers, which may help in identification.”

Ryder stepped back into the room. “I have you on the first flight out in the morning, at five.”

“Thank you, Ryder.”

“I also let Agent Costa know you’re coming. He’ll meet you at the airport.”

Dean thanked him again. His initial assessment was correct: Costa was very protective of his team, hence picking Dean up at the airport. Being an outsider wasn’t going to be easy.

Dean wouldn’t have pushed his involvement if he didn’t think he could be an asset for their case. And after listening to the interview with Riley Pierce, he was positive he could help.

25

South Fork, Colorado

Sloane and Jim arrived at Jesse Morrison’s house just after sunset, but the sheriff’s department had brought in lights and the coroner was gracious enough not to move the body before they arrived. It had been a long day, but the cold air gave Sloane her second wind.

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