Page 256 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Wade noticed the change in her demeanor and pulled over to the shoulder of the road, waiting for her to complete the call. Once she disconnected, he asked, “What’s going on?”

“That was Trooper Cunningham. He’s at the park. One of the rangers found another body.”

“I’m surprised the cadaver dogs missed one, but it makes sense for our killer’s timeline. If the forensic anthropologist has the dating correct, then we may be missing a body or possibly two.”

“The latest victim appears to be a recent kill.”

Wade swallowed a lump in his throat. “How fresh?”

“According to the park ranger, she wasn’t buried. Seems the killer wanted her to be found.”

“We’ll have to ask the medical examiner how long ago she died.”

“Cunningham’s best guess was that she was killed in the past day or two.” Jamie looked away.

Wade stood by the body.The victim displayed atop the massive boulders nearest the parking lot. Her hands were folded as if in prayer, her dress carefully arranged, and a diamond-studded cross nestled in the hollow of her throat. The wayit scattered the sunlight seemed to mock him. The killer was taunting them.

He turned to face the DCNR ranger who’d found the body. “Pete, right?”

“That’s me.”

“Did you touch the body when you found her?”

“I may have. I’m not sure. I approached to check on her, but once I drew near, I could tell she was gone.”

“Did you see anyone suspicious in the area?”

“No. There was nobody else around.”

And still, he may have touched the body. Wade shook his head. “Did the uniformed officers get a statement from you?”

“Yes. Before you arrived.”

“All right. If we have any more questions, we’ll find you.”

The ranger stalked off, seemingly put off by his dismissal, but Wade didn’t have the time or energy to worry about hurt feelings. He had a case to solve before anyone else died.

As he strode through the parking lot toward his car, he noticed Emily standing by her vehicle observing the flurry of activity. He couldn’t see her eyes through her sunglasses and wished she’d remove them. When he ambled over to her, she obliged. “Hi,” he said.

“Austin told me Pete discovered another body this morning.”

“Unfortunately, he did. Maybe the killer made a mistake that’ll help us find him.”

“I hope so.”

“Me too.” He rolled his shoulders to get the kinks out. “This case is a nightmare.”

“I know. For me, too, and it’s not even my case. Not officially, anyway.”

“But you’re emotionally invested.” It wasn’t a question.

“I am.” She sighed.

He draped his arm over her shoulder and gave her a side hug. It wasn’t his place to offer comfort, but his heart couldn’t seem to grasp hold of that fact. “Are you going to be all right?”

“Eventually.” She gave him a weak smile before climbing back into her Ford Interceptor.

As she left, regret settled in and made itself at home in the pit of his stomach. If he’d stayed in Havertown, would she be his wife instead of another man’s girlfriend? There was no telling, but he wished things were different.

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