Page 28 of Shattered Sanctuary

Erin clasped her hands together. “Look, being a police officer is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Over the last several years, we’ve seen more and more distrust and animosity toward the police—the people out there putting their lives on the line to protect others. The police should be heroes—not villains. Trust me, no one in uniform hates the bad apples more than the officers who work with them. But to many people, one abusive officer means they are all like that. It didn’t matter that most of them face danger, death, and the destruction human beings can visit on each other in an effort to keep them safe. I’m only bringing this up to emphasize the difference between being a police officer and a writer. The men and women I worked with should get accolades for what they do. But for the most part, they don’t. And that’s fine. That’s the job. But I write a book, and suddenly I’m in the spotlight? It doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s like I’m suddenly on display. Not just my story, butme.” She sighed. “I’m not saying this right.”

“You said it just fine,” Kaely said with a smile. “I get it. As a police officer, everything was focused on your job. You were a public servant. As a writer, you feel exposed. Vulnerable.”

Erin shook her head. “I take it back. You do get it.” She shrugged. “I’m not used to it, Kaely. I just hate the attention. Don’t get me wrong. I like people...”

“Are you sure about that?”

Shocked, Erin could only stare at her.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” Kaely said softly. “Did you have any friends besides your fellow officers?”

Erin’s mind drifted back to her previous life. It seemed so long ago. She had no family except for a sister who was probably dead. The police department had definitely becomeher family. And now, that was gone. Several of her former friends on the force had tried to stay in touch, but one by one she’d pushed them away. Once she was published, it seemed as if they’d given up.

“I guess not,” she said finally.

“So the only human beings you were around, outside of your fellow officers, were criminals. I’m sure there were people who appreciated you, Erin, but like you said, many didn’t. You had to deal with people who hated the police. But those who want to connect with you on social media or who come to a book signing don’t hate you. They’re not criminals nor are they the people who don’t trust the police. They love your books, and they love your characters. Law enforcement characters. Do you understand?”

“You’re saying I think everyone out there is against me, right?”

“Is it true?”

“You know, if you keep answering my questions with other questions, I might start getting a little irritated,” Erin said.

“No, you’re not.” Kaely grinned at her.

“Okay, I’m not. And I get it.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “I enjoyed writing the book, okay? And I guess I could get used to the rest of it, but goodness. Why can’t I just write books and still have a personal life?”

“I’m sure you can. But why not just give it a chance? Who knows? You might find out you like people after all. I mean, you like me.”

“Let’s not get carried away, okay?”

“Very funny,” Kaely said.

Erin smiled at her. “Now, if you’re through giving me the third degree, can we get to your profile?”

“Sounds good. I told Adrian I’d have something ready for him by tomorrow. I wouldn’t normally rush this, but my main priority is spending time with you. And with a possible storm coming in, I think getting it done tonight would be best.”

Erin nodded and brought the pictures up on the TV again while Kaely gathered their notes together. As she clicked through the photos, Erin tried to concentrate on what she was seeing. But her mind was full of the questions Kaely had asked and the answers she wasn’t certain she was willing to accept.

TWENTY-ONE

He watched through the window. The women sat in the living room. They seemed to be concentrating on something. Suddenly, pictures appeared on the large screen television on the wall. He recognized them. His work. His offerings. He felt excitement explode in him like dynamite. His god whispered something in his ear, and he laughed. Yes, he knew what was coming. He was scouting now. Looking for the next one. It had to be just right. Would they figure it out? He was sending them a message, but so far, they hadn’t understood it. Clearly, they weren’t as smart as he was. No one was. His god would make sure the killing continued. It was his will.

He backed away and left them to it. As he walked toward the trees, he smiled up at them. Watcher Woods. A spirit of death existed here. The wind whipped up suddenly, and the forest whispered his name. In the glow of moonlight, he laughed and planned for his next sacrifice.

“Okay, let’s go over this together,” Kaely said. She was impressed by Erin’s natural ability to read a crime scene.Although Kaely had helped with her book, much of what she’d written hadn’t come from her. It was Erin’s own innate ability to see things others couldn’t.

She picked up the notebook that held Erin’s observations at the scene. “You were right about the victim being a tourist. Seems this isn’t part of our UNSUB’s MO though. The other two victims that have been identified weren’t tourists.” She read through the notes. “You saw the hair on her shoes and decided she has a cat.” She looked at Erin. “What made you think that these were her shoes? I agree with you, but I’m just curious.”

“The shoes fit her perfectly. They weren’t new... like the dress. There were scuff marks on the soles, so I felt they were probably hers. Also, her lipstick matched her shoes. If the lipstick had been a shade that didn’t go with her shoes, I would have gone another way. Also, the dress was pristine—except for the dirt and leaves beneath her. And the wound where she was stabbed. He dressed her carefully, yet the shoes were muddy. The shoes weren’t important to him, but the dress was.”

“Exactly right,” Kaely said. “Very good.”

Erin’s slight smile told Kaely that her praise was important. Good to know. It would help her learn.

“I also agree with you that our UNSUB put something under the body when he transported her,” Kaely said. “Something that didn’t leave any trace evidence. Or if it was there, it was lost in the dirt and the leaves where he put her. I’m wondering if he has knowledge of forensics. Did he purposely pick something that wouldn’t leave any evidence for the police to find?”

Erin frowned. “Isn’t it possible they missed something? This isn’t St. Louis—or Quantico.”

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