Page 19 of Shattered Sanctuary

“Well, we are in the wilderness.”

“At least we’re driving cars instead of riding horses. It’s getting really chilly out there. Hope this storm doesn’t knock out the electricity. Not sure even this fireplace can heat the whole place.”

“Steve told me there’s an automatic generator in case anything happens.”

“Suddenly, I love Steve,” Kaely said.

“Yeah, I’m growing fonder of him too. I just wish he’dtold us before we arrived that a storm was on the way. We could have postponed our trip until things settled down.” Erin frowned. “You don’t need to know how to read people to see that Steve was acting a little weird about the cabin.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s too cold even for the ghost tonight.” Kaely stood up and turned around. “You know, I never thought of Steve like that. Believing something so silly, I mean.”

“I don’t know,” Erin said. “He spooked me.” At Kaely’s expression, she waved her hand dismissively. “I know you don’t believe it, but I’ve seen some strange things.”

“Okay, how’s this? I’ll protect you from ghosts if you get those photos from your phone onto the TV.”

Erin smiled at her. “Deal.”

While Kaely continued to rummage through the refrigerator, Erin set up the TV settings and cast the photos from her phone onto the screen. Now they could gaze at larger images of death. Not a very wholesome collection to view while eating supper—at least for some people. Except for the last body they’d viewed today, she found the photos very interesting.

As she clicked through them, she became so involved, she didn’t notice when Kaely came back into the room. When she spoke, Erin jumped.

“Sorry,” she said. “I find this fascinating.”

“It is. Maybe we should eat first before we go through them?”

Erin shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me, but if you want to, we can wait.”

Kaely shook her head. “I’m good. I agree with you that this UNSUB is really remarkable. He isn’t staying true to what I’d expect to see. The savagery of the body we saw thisafternoon compared to the way he dressed the victim from this morning. Dressing her in white. Closing her eyes. The statue in her hands. That killing was careful. Controlled. So different.”

Kaely put a plate and utensils down in front of Erin. Blackened salmon, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. These premade meals were incredible. They smelled great.

Kaely was right. The bodies that were buried were handled differently than the one found in the woods this morning. They were assuming that his anger was because he was learning—but could there be something they were missing? To stop him, they’d need to understand something that was beyond reason. Something vicious and malevolent.

FIFTEEN

“Have you encountered an UNSUB like this before?” Erin asked Kaely before she took another bite of her salmon.

She shook her head. “I’ve encountered killers who practiced first. More than once. But changing his MO as much as he has? No, not really. Not like this.”

“Do you think he’s perfected his method of killing?”

Kaely sighed. “Yes, but one thing to remember. Many times, it’s that very mindset that makes it easier to catch them.”

Erin frowned. “How do you mean?”

“It actually makes them more predictable. If we’re right, and he’s figured out how to kill the way he feels compelled to, we can begin to predict his next movements. It helps us to understand his signature. The thing that drives him.”

“And if we’re wrong?”

Kaely shrugged. “Then things will become much harder. Let’s hope he sticks to his plan.” She sighed and shook her head. “I know how cold that sounds, but hopefully you understand what I mean.”

“He’s only started, hasn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Kaely said. “I’m afraid that’s true.”

Erin frowned. “Care to share your prediction for his next attempt?”

Kaely was quiet for a moment. “You know, I don’t think our UNSUB will move too far out of the area. The forest is huge. It’s easier for him to stay here—in a place where he can hide so easily. I also suspect that this area is important to him. I think he started killing here.”

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