Page 29 of Shattered Sanctuary

“It’s always possible, but I get the feeling Adrian runs a pretty tight ship. And Detective Johnson has excellent training.”

“Not so sure about Doctor Gibson,” Erin said.

Kaely understood Erin’s reservations, but there really wasn’t anything they could do. They had to trust that Gibson was doing his job the best he could.

“I also agree with you that Chloe was getting ready to go out before she was killed,” Kaely said. “Her makeup was perfect. I don’t think our UNSUB put it on her. If he had, it would have been messy.” Kaely frowned. “But there aren’t any signs that he tried. Nor did he remove her shoes. High heels. Hot pink. They don’t really match the style of the dress.”

“Maybe shoes and her makeup weren’t important to him. Or their jewelry. He’s focused on something else,” Erin said. “But why the white dress? Is he trying to make her like the angels? And what about the blue ribbon?”

“My guess?” Kaely said. “The dress is important, as is the ribbon. The shoes and makeup don’t bother him because... maybe his mother wore makeup and fancy shoes? Maybe unlike some serial killers, he actually loved his mother.”

“Could she have been a sacrifice? You know, to the angels? He tried to make her seem more virginal as a way to...” She shook her head. “I started to say maybe he was trying to appease the angels, but that doesn’t fit, does it? He desecrated the figurine.” She met Kaely’s gaze. “We touched on this before. That maybe he’s actually angry with the angels. Or with God.”

“I think that’s very perceptive,” Kaely said. “And fromthese pictures, I also agree with you that if, as the owner of the resort said... What was his name?”

“Hubbard,” Erin said. “Merle Hubbard.”

Kaely grinned. “I started to say Merle Haggard, but I was pretty sure that was wrong.” Kaely found his name in the notebook. “Yeah, that’s right. Mr. Hubbard said she was going to the Grits and Grains event, but he didn’t see her leave the resort with anyone. So, either she planned to meet someone there, or she was hoping to meet people at the event. Either way, it would explain why she was so dressed up.”

“That’s true,” Erin said. “How far away was this event again?”

“About twenty miles, it says in your notes.”

“Wait a minute. Where’s her car?”

“That’s a good question,” Kaely asked. “If it was at the festival, she probably met her killer there.”

“But if it’s still at the resort...” Erin said.

“Then she never left on her own,” Kaely finished for her. “So that means the killer probably lives in Sanctuary. He’s been killing for a while, so he’s not a visitor.”

“Unless he comes here just to kill,” Erin said slowly.

“Either way, he has ties here. Whether he lives here, or he travels here to kill, this place is important to him. Sanctuary is important to him. Remember that most serial killers have comfort zones. I’m guessing that he lives here.”

Erin looked at her and nodded. “Do you need to call Adrian and ask about her car?”

Kaely turned Erin’s question over in her mind. Finally, she said, “Yes. It could tell us if he purposely tried to avoid being seen at the resort.”

“So, it’s possible Mr. Hubbard might recognize him?”

Kaely nodded. “I’d like to know if she ever made it to the event. It’s entirely possible that he asked her to pick him up somewhere along the way.”

“Then her car could be anywhere.”

“That’s possible,” Kaely said. “If I had to guess, I think she met him there. But I doubt they ever went inside. Too risky. If I was the killer, I would have met her near the event. Then I would have gotten her into my car.”

“Would he have stabbed her there?”

“No. He wouldn’t taint his own property. He’s smarter than that.”

Erin sighed. “I’d bring up chloroform, but you taught me that people don’t instantly go unconscious when it’s used.”

“It’s possible that if a large enough amount of chloroform was used, the victim would become unconscious quickly, but they would fight back. Besides, the amount needed could kill them.”

“So, what did he do?” Erin asked.

“I don’t know. He could have choked her, but I didn’t see any bruises on her neck. Maybe he hit her.”

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