Page 8 of A Dark Place

“This one is different,” Olivia whispered because despite the fact that this wasn’t a church service and they were investigating a homicide, the sacredness seemed to warrant respectful quiet.

“Yeah, I have a feeling this guy is going to change everything. He seems to be on a mission to rewrite the history for the Van Gogh Killer completely.”

Olivia thought the same thing. “It’s like he’s shedding the trappings of everything that defined Van Gogh in the past. He’s forging his own path.”

Asher looked behind them. “Yeah, and we’re going to have a hard time convincing Holden this is the same killer when his main focus is on bringing down Strike Force no matter the cost.”

Olivia’s misgivings rose. “You think he’ll want to sweep this under the carpet?”

“Without a doubt. He’s trying to use what’s happening with the killer to force Lizzy and Will out of hiding. . . or somehow blame them for the crimes.”

Olivia shot him a look. “We can’t let that happen.” An uneasy feeling settled over her as they reached the front of the church.

The two detectives spotted them and came over. They’d been called out to investigate the homicide until they’d discovered something that made them suspicious they were dealing with the serial killer.

“Jeff Stanley,” one of the detectives introduced himself. “This is my partner, Tim Mahoney.”

Olivia shook both men’s hands. “How did you connect this to Van Gogh?”

Stanley pointed to something clutched in the victim’s hand. “Starry Night. His signature, right?”

Olivia saw the photo clutched tight. Another twist from the killer.

“As soon as I saw the photo, we stopped what we were doing and called your team.”

“We appreciate it.” She and Asher moved to the lifeless body of Sylvia Abbott. Sightless eyes stared up at the ceiling of the church, the horror and damage to her face branded in Olivia’s mind forever.

The killer had gone to town on Sylvia. The violence that was expressed here was much greater than in the past. Before, it had almost seemed to be calculated incisions. Enough to make sure the victim suffered but not enough to kill her until they were ready. But this, this was something that went beyond what a human could inflict on another. “He did a number on her.” She knelt beside Asher. One thing in particular caught her attention. Her ear was still intact, which would explain why they hadn’t received the trophy.

Olivia said a prayer for Sylvia’s family. She pointed to her face. “Jaw was broken.” It appeared as if most of the bones in her face were crushed. There were bruises on her neck that seemed to indicate the killer had strangled her at some point. No human being deserved this kind of brutality.

Asher’s eyes connected with her. “This man is changing Van Gogh’s MO. He didn’t leave the photo of the victim tied up at Sylvia’s apartment. He deviated from choosing someone with dark hair, and deliberately picked this victim because of her connection to Lizzy Grayson. And now this.” His hand swept the devastation on Sylvia’s face. “This seems eerily personal.”

Olivia believed the same. “There was trace DNA found on the knife the killer used to attack Lizzy at the Washington compound. It seems to indicate that whoever this person is, he’s somehow related to Lizzy and Buckley.”

Asher’s attention returned to their victim. “The only question is how. According to Lizzy’s Aunt Betty, there are no other family members living.”

So how did this second killer fit into the family dynamic?

Olivia carefully removed the photo of Van Gogh’sStarry Nightwith gloved hands. On the back of the printed photo, the killer had scribbled words. She read them aloud. “This was his. Now you will see mine.”

Asher held her gaze. “He’s telling us he’s done with following Buckley’s rules.”

“Looks like it.” Olivia caught Detective Stanley’s attention, and he came over. “Is there video surveillance set up at the church?”

The detective shook his head. “No. This is a rural community. Everyone is trusting.”

In other words, they were out of options.

“We’ll speak with the pastor next and see if he can tell us something more.” Olivia rose along with Asher. “Can you show us where he is?”

The detective started out one of the side doors while she and Asher followed.

With the new changes the killer was throwing at them, they had no idea where he would lead them.

“He obviously has a score to settle with Lizzy,” Olivia said. “Although she wasn’t the one to kill Buckley, he’s blaming her for his death, or something else.”

“Maybe he’s upset because she got away.”

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