Page 26 of Forensics of a Fable

“Maybe not,” Olivia said soothingly. “It was just a guess. I’m thinking out loud. Besides, Violet has black hair. Both Alana Drie and Jane Doe are brunettes with light eyes.” She paused, studying Bel closely. “You know. Both women kind of resemble you.”

The restof the day passed in a whirlwind of stress. Every inch of the crime scene was photographed and sketched. Every item that looked remotely suspicious was bagged. They still hadn’t made a positive ID of the victim, but Bel hoped her fingerprints or dental records would tell them more about their Jane Doe. Sheriff Griffin didn’t know everyone in town, but having grown up in Bajka and currently holding a prominent position ensured he was well known. But not even he recognized her.

“Do you want to grab a drink?” Gold asked as the women left the station, the sun long gone. “I could use one, and I don’t have the energy to cook. I don’t know how it’s possible after today, but I’m starving, and the bar is the only place with food that’s still open.”

“We didn’t eat lunch,” Bel reminded her, a half a protein bar from the vending machine her only meal since the peanut butter toast her father had the foresight to make her.

“But dead bodies turn my stomach. And two of them so close together. I don’t know why I’m so hungry. I shouldn’t be.”

“Stress. And a drink sounds—”

“There’s a man leaning on your car,” Olivia interrupted her with a hushed warning.

“Do you recognize him?” Bel froze.

“No,” Olivia whispered. “And you’re parked far from any lights. Maybe we should go back inside. What if it’s the…” She trailed off, afraid to finish her statement, and a chill ran down Bel’s spine. Had the killer come to watch his work unfold?

Bel shifted slowly, hand drifting to her gun as her heart raced. This didn’t fit the killer’s profile. He didn’t even watch his victims die. So, it seemed wildly out of character for him to taunt the police from the shadows. If he was here, Bel’s profile was wrong. If it was wrong and they weren’t dealing with a shy, guilt-ridden man, then they were dealing with a lunatic, and that changed everything. Men like that escalated, and fast.

Bel whirled on the shadow with a show of force. “Dad?” she jerked her hand away from her sidearm when she saw Reese leaning against her car, scrolling on his phone.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He jogged over to her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked as he wrapped her in his safe embrace.

“It’s late, and I figured you hadn’t eaten. I came to take you to grab a bite or to bring you one if you couldn’t leave. I was about to come inside, but Briar texted to ask about you. Then we got sidetracked because Flynn has a business trip in two weeks, and she wants me to stay with her and the kids while he’s gone.” Reese kissed her head and smiled at Gold, who wore a sheepish expression. Bel had introduced them quickly at the stationyesterday, but she didn’t blame her partner for not recognizing him in the shadows.

“That will be fun.” Bel pulled back and took her father’s hand. “They’ll love having Grandpa around so much, they’ll be sad when Dad comes home.”

“Very true, but Grandpa will be glad. I love them, but lord, I don’t have the energy to keep up like I used to.”

Bel swatted him playfully. Briar was her oldest sister, but she and her husband Flynn had waited until they could afford a house before they had children, giving them a later start. Reese joked about being too old, but the man was fit and vibrant for his age. Bel suspected he would wear out her nephews and not the other way around.

“Dad, you remember my partner, Olivia Gold?”

“Yes, of course.” He shook her hand warmly. “Are you hungry? I’ll take you guys out for a quick bite. I worked homicide before I became chief, and the tendency to miss meals was a common occurrence. While I’m in town, my daughter is going to eat.”

Bel rolled her eyes. “We were thinking of stopping by the bar down the street.”

“Sounds perfect. Come on.” He gestured for Gold to follow. “If I’m making sure my girl eats, then that courtesy extends to you.”

“You don’t have to twist my arm.” Olivia smiled.

A few minutes later, they were seated at a table with three beers and a mountain of fried food on the way when the door opened and a flurry of impeccably dark clothes rushed in. Violet scanned the dim room, spotting them almost immediately before gracefully gliding over the floor in her towering heels.

“I hope it’s okay to crash dinner with Dad.” She hugged Bel tight before offering Olivia the same comfort. “I heard what happened, and I wanted to make sure you guys were all right.”

“The more the merrier.” Reese stood and pulled another chair over. “I’ll go get you a drink. What do you want?”

“Are you sure?” Violet looked surprised by his kindness.

“Of course.”

“Thanks, I’m Violet.” She extended her hand, shaking his enthusiastically. “And a dirty martini, please.” Her father nodded and strode for the bar as she whirled on Bel. “Your dad is so nice.”

“He was a homicide detective,” Bel answered. “He knows how hard this life is on me, and he’s thrilled I’ve made friends. He loves that he has someone to buy drinks for since that means I’m not alone.” She said it jokingly, but hearing it out loud made her suddenly insecure. Bel was introverted, especially after her attack, and admitting that her father was excited she wasn’t lonely made her sound pathetic.

“Of course, you have friends.” Violet wrapped an arm affectionately around Bel’s shoulder. “And friends share their wings.” She raised her eyes conspiratorially as the waiter carried a tray of stacked plates out.

---