Page 38 of So Lethal

The very first event was a career exhibition that had taken place two weeks after Rebecca started her employment. It featured different deaf people in the Bay Area who enjoyed successful careers. Deaf students could visit with them and learn all of the wonderful career opportunities available for the hearing-impaired.

Among those careers were graphic design—hosted by Monica Smith—and accounting—hosted by James Porter.

A kernel of suspicion sprouted in Faith’s mind. “Michael, can you call Beth again, please?”

Michael frowned. “I thought she was out.”

“She is, but I want to ask her a question.”

“Sure.” As he dialed the number, he asked, “What about?’

“It looks like Rebecca Thorne had contact with Monica Smith and James Porter.”

Michael’s eyes widened. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. She hosted a career day for the hearing-impaired at the South Bay Community Center. I guess she volunteers there. I just want to see if maybe she had contact with Sarah Martinez as well.”

Michael lifted a finger. “Yes, hello, Beth. I’m going to put you on speaker. Faith has a question for you.”

“Hello?” Beth’s nervous voice wavered from the phone.

“Hello, Beth,” Faith said.

“I’m… I’m sorry…” Beth said weakly. “I know you told me not to tell anyone, but I thought that people should know, and—”

“I’m not calling about your talking to the media,” Faith interrupted. “You absolutely shouldn’t have done that, but I shouldn’t have told you anything about the case in the first place. I’m calling because I was wondering if you had the name of the guest moderator for your week three support group session.”

“Oh.” She sounded relieved. “Oh, sure. I can get that for you. One moment.”

Faith heard the sound of rummaging. A few seconds later, Beth said, “I have it here. The guest moderator’s name was Rebecca Thorne.”

Faith’s heart leaped. She kept her voice calm as she replied, “Thank you. That’s all I needed. Try to stay away from the media, okay?”

“Yes, of course. I’m so sorry if I caused you any trouble.”

“Take care.”

She hung up and turned to Michael. “Well, look at that. I guess we have a new suspect.”

A better suspect, too. Marcus was connected only to Sarah so far. Rebecca Thorne was now connected to all three of their victims.

There was a knock on their hotel room door. Faith looked through the peephole and saw a woman outside. Her hands were in plain view, and Faith didn’t see any sign of a weapon, so she opened.

The woman at the door was tall, about five-eleven, and of sturdy build without being fat. She wore a knee-length skirt and a long-sleeves suit jacket, but if her toned calves were any indication, she was in great shape.

Killing shape.

She smiled, revealing twin rows of perfect white teeth set under emerald-green eyes and framed by wavy reddish-brown hair. “Good afternoon! I’m Rebecca Thorne.”

Faith stepped aside. “Come on in, Miss Thorne.”

Rebecca stepped inside, her heels clacking softly. Faith closed the door and said, “Why don’t you have a seat, Miss Thorne? We need to talk.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Rebecca's brow furrowed slightly, but she kept her bright smile as she took one of the desk chairs. Faith took the other one, and Michael sat on the edge of one of the two queen beds.

“So you volunteer at the community center in addition to your job with the ASL interpreter service?” Faith asked.

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