Page 58 of If You're Reading This
He’d walked to the back of the house, flashbacks of Morgan’s award-winning photo hitting him.
It was of this exact hunting cabin. Everything had been recreated.
Except in her photo, there was no dead body—only an old coat.
His stomach churned with nausea at the thought.
Whoever had done this was sick. So, so sick.
Finally, the distinctive rumble of approaching vehicles broke the silence of the forest. Two patrol SUVs and an unmarked sedan appeared around the bend, lights flashing but sirens silent in deference to the dead.
“Here we go.” Logan squared his shoulders as the vehicles came to a stop.
Captain Ashcroft emerged from the first sedan.
The fact Ashcroft himself had come wasn’t a good sign.
Then Logan reminded himself that this man was one of his suspects. He’d been at the award ceremony that night, and he’d never mentioned it.
Ashcroft’s tall frame surveyed the scene with obvious displeasure. Flanking him were Trooper Reeves and DetectiveYazzie, both looking uncomfortable at the obvious tension radiating from their superior.
“Gibson,” Ashcroft acknowledged with cold formality. His gaze shifted to Duke and Andi. “And the civilian interference team, I see.”
“The victim is inside.” Logan ignored the jab. “His name is Daniel ‘Knox’ Kohler, and he’s a former member of the Iron Brotherhood out of Denver. He’s been arranged to mirror one of Morgan’s photographs.”
“You’re certain of this?” Reeves’ professional curiosity overrode the awkwardness of the situation.
Logan pulled out his phone and found a picture of Morgan’s original photograph alongside the images he’d captured of the crime scene. “See for yourself.”
Reeves examined the comparison, her expression growing grave. “That’s . . . meticulous.” She glanced at the hunting cabin. “Same angle, same lighting effect from the window. He even positioned the body to match the folds in the coat from her photograph.”
“Which is exactly why this should be handled by troopers who are officially on duty,” Ashcroft cut in sharply, his cold gaze fixed on Logan. “You’re on personal leave, Gibson. Or did that detail slip your mind? Again?”
“A woman’s life is at stake, Captain.” Logan struggled to keep his tone neutral. “Morgan has been missing for five days. We have evidence now linking her disappearance to two homicides, both staged to recreate her photographs.”
“We?” Ashcroft’s eyebrows rose. “Last I checked, you weren’t authorized to conduct any investigation, much less recruit civilians.” He nodded toward Duke and Andi. “No offense intended.”
“None taken,” Andi said. “Though I should point out that as private citizens, we’re well within our rights to report ourconcerns to law enforcement—which is exactly what we’re doing now, am I right?”
Logan loved it when the lawyer in Andi emerged.
But this conversation had stirred up something new in her.
“Speaking of Morgan, maybe you’d care to tell me why you were at her award ceremony the night she disappeared.” Logan stared at his captain, waiting for his response.
CHAPTER
THIRTY
Ashcroft’s nostrils flared.“Excuse me? Do you know who you’re talking to?”
“I’m just asking questions.” Logan held the man’s gaze.
His captain stepped closer. “Are you accusing me of being behind this?”
Tension zinged through the air. “If you’re not guilty, why aren’t you answering the question?”
“I have nothing to hide. Yes, I was there. But I didn’t think it was important.”
