Page 46 of Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case

“So, he’s absolutely disgusted by something but it’s tied in to…anticipation? The hell?”

“Normally I see lines like those in someone who’s either stalking or about to attack someone else. They hate their target but are looking forward to doing damage to them.”

“So I should send this to Sho.”

“Yup. Immediately.”

“On it.” Abby’s fingers were lightning fast as she texted the picture to him. “Do I need to say anything?”

“Location of where we spotted him helps some. If we can get a name, that’s even better, but honestly, Sho doesn’t really need it. He can find anyone with a picture.”

“He’s good like that. Oh, I got a thumbs-up.”

“Then he’s already researching the guy or will in a second. He’s got a whole system down for when I report people like this, so we don’t have to do anything else.”

“Cool. I’ll remember that if I see someone.”

“Do. Don’t try to follow them, either. Just snap a picture and let Sho handle it.”

She looked at me like I’d just said something odd. “Did you use to stalk these guys until you could get a name?”

“Why are you so quick on the uptake?”

“Ooooh, I bet Donovan was pissed when he realized you did that.”

“‘Pissed’ is one word for it, yeah.”

She cackled, amused at my misery. Such a bad apprentice.

Still, I was pleased she was getting the hang of this. Abby had already developed a sense for reading before she’d apprenticed with me, but the more I worked with her, the more insight she gained into what she saw. Honestly, I felt like I just needed to give her more practice and correct any wrong assumptions she made. Girl had it mostly figured out already.

Now, wait until we got into animal training. That was a whole different ballgame.

“All right, next,” I said, encouraging her.

For some reason she stared at me hard. “Hmm, male in his late twenties, local to the area, is stunningly in love with his fiancé, has two cats—”

“Hardy har har, you’re not funny.”

Abby giggled, eyes dancing with laughter. “You’re an easy target.”

“Listen, young grasshopper, you’re not supposed to tease your master.”

“But you’re fun to tease!”

What a cheeky apprentice. What was I supposed to do with this girl, seriously?

The phone rang in her hand, but it wasn’t Sho calling. In fact, her phone didn’t recognize the number. I tilted my head so I could read the screen better.

“That’s Marc’s number,” I said with surprise.

Abby gave me the strangest look. “You have phone numbers memorized?”

I just looked at her, expression dry.

“Oh. Right. Uh, I’ll accept.” She did so and then put it on speaker before holding the phone a little farther away from me.

She had learned. A dead phone would do that.

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