Page 29 of Gage

Gage clicked on his phone and decided to call the FBI about the hair. He asked for the lead agent and explained everything when he got through.

“That’s troubling,” the agent said. “We found that hair in one of the graves, but it disappeared two days ago. Was there a letter with it?”

“I didn’t see a letter,” I listened to Gage talking, wondering where this conversation was going. “Wait,” Gage said, and my heart sank. “Are you telling me someone in the FBI is involved?”

“No, I’m not saying that. The forensic people were there suited up with masks. Hell, anyone could be here taking evidence. I wish we would have had it tested for DNA immediately.”

“I’m doing that. But the killer told Lori that he ripped his wife’s hair out before he killed her,” Gage explained. “By the way. What is that bastard’s name?”

“JD Hoffman.”

“I’ll still call him ‘the killer.’ He doesn’t deserve a real name. I only wanted to know his name so I could investigate him. I’ll talk to you later.”

“You need to bring the hair back,” the agent said.

I glanced in my rearview mirror and froze. “Someone is following us.”

Gage’s Jaw tightened. “I’m going to lose him, and then I will call you after we have the info on the hair. You need to put every one of those forensic people in a lineup, and see who they are, and question them about who else was there. Lori is wondering if we even killed the right guy,” Gage said.

“Damn, she’s the only one who can recognize him. I’m going to send you a photo of the dead man. I’ll talk to you later. Good luck losing that guy. I wish we could catch him.”

Gage’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I won’t take any chances while Lori’s with me. But I can steer him your way. How about we pass the Denny’s on Hazel and First? You can intercept him there. He’s in a black pickup. Bring backup. Once you’ve got him, send me a photo.”

When my phone beeped,I looked down, and so did Lori. I glanced at her. “Yes, I’m sure that’s him. I only saw him for a few minutes. But I’m good at remembering faces. That’s him. I know it is. But who is following us?”

We drove around for an hour before The FBI called and said they were ready. As soon as Gage drove past Denny’s, he turned left and pulled into the parking lot. I saw the cars surrounding the black pickup. Gage put it into gear, and we left.

The phone rang, and Gage answered. “Hello.”

“Gage, this is Agent Frye. This man is Glenn Hoffman, and his brother is JD Hoffman. He said that they have more brothers, and they won’t stop until Laura Daniels is dead. You need to keep her away from anyone she loves because he said they will go after her family because JD was the head of their family.”

Gage’s grip on the wheel tightened. How many brothers are we talking about?”

“Five total, now there are four. We’ll keep him locked up. He’s crazy. He pulled a gun on us. There are three more out there.”

“I wish you would have killed him,” I said.

“Who knows what will happen? Keep your eyes peeled for anything strange,” Agent Frye said.

Gage glanced my way. Then he called River. “Can someone stay with Eddie Daniels? There were five brothers in the serial killers family, and they want to kill Lori and her family. I’m driving with Lori to Arizona. I’ll call her dad and tell him what’s going on.”

River’s voice was calm. “Why doesn’t he come here and stay in your house? It’s empty, and they’ll never find him here.”

“Can you pick him up?”

“Sure, give me his address,” River said.

Gage handed me the phone, and I told him where my dad lived. Then, I called my dad and explained what was going on.

“There is no need for him to pick me up. I’m sure I will be safe,” my dad said.

“Please, Dad, just this one time. Let him take you to Gage’s home so I won’t worry.”

“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll pack my suitcase and be ready when he gets here.”

“Lock your doors while you’re waiting,” I said.

“Okay, I’ll lock my doors. You take care of yourself, sweetheart. Are they going to try and lock these men up?”

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