Page 34 of Say Nothing
"I can check, but I don't think so," Samantha replied.
"Okay," Derek said."We know the killer is tech savvy, but they have more skills than that.They know how to pick locks and do it well.They got in and out without damaging the door by the looks of it."
"They must have gained entry before she got home," Alison pointed out."If the metal rod was in the slot when the killer arrived, they couldn’t pick that.They waited until Patricia was out, picked the locks, waited inside, then attacked her.When they left, they could only lock the deadbolts again."
Detective Moore led them through to the bedroom where the dead body lay.They didn’t have to study the body.You could replace any of the three dead women with each other, and it would be the same.The body lay on the floor, legs and arms spread out, scratches on the neck, plastic under the fingernails, the same bluish tint on the skin.The bag was bagged, ready to join the collection back in the evidence locker.
"Was the closet door open when you arrived?"Derek asked.
"Yeah, we think that’s where the killer hid in wait for her," Samantha said."We won't know that for sure, but it makes the most sense."
A cat mewed as it entered the room.It wandered over to Alison and rubbed its body against her before walking away.
"One witness," Samantha commented dryly."Not much use, I’m afraid."
"All right, so the killer gains access to the building," Alison said."Maybe they slip in when someone is going out, but that lets them be seen.I would bet on them programming a fob to gain entry, and if they hacked two security systems previously, they shouldn’t have a problem taking over the CCTV cameras and maybe playing the footage on a loop for the security guard.I saw a security office on the way in."
"We’ve spoken to the security guard already, and he didn't see anything," Samantha said.
"The killer goes up to the fourth floor, picks the locks, re-locks the door, and hides in wait.Patricia comes home, they surprise and kill her.When the killer leaves, they’re able to lock the door behind them.But, before leaving, they leave a message for us, and that message is…"
"Right through here," Samantha said.
She led them through to the small bathroom.There, on the mirror, was a handwritten message written in lipstick.The lipstick lay open on the edge of the sink.
Justice is blind, but I see everything.
Derek took out his phone and took some pictures."I'll send this to digital forensics and see if they get anything from it or can match the handwriting."
It doesn’t mention me, and that’s some relief.
"It does fit with Nichols’s messaging," Alison noted."Still, it doesn’t give us much to work with.We already knew they were targeting women testifying against violent criminals.They know we know that.This is just for show.The killer is growing more confident.We don't know where they might strike next."
Derek’s phone rang and he stepped out of the bathroom to take it.
"It's amazing just to hear you think this through," Samantha said."If Karter and I were on the case by ourselves, we wouldn’t be close to finding their killer, but I believe in you.I know you’ll catch them."
"Let's hope you’re right," Alison said.
"We need to go," Derek said."Raymond Nichols has something to say, and he’ll only speak to us.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Derek strode back into the interview room as soon as they returned to the CBI offices.Alison was half a step behind him.
"You wanted to talk to us?"he asked Raymond.
"I wanted to talk to her," Raymond said, pointing at Alison."Were you being straight with me when you said that you believed I was innocent until proven guilty?"
"I was," Alison said.
She went to the table and sat down while Derek remained standing.
"I don't trust him," Raymond said, pointing to Derek this time."I don't trust any of the agents in this building or any other building, for that matter.I know what you all think of me.I advocate for the truth and justice, and it rubs you all the wrong way.I saw the look in your eyes.You wanted to hurt me when you were sitting opposite me, and—"
"Will you just get on with it?"Derek begged."If you have something to say, just say it.We’re investigating a triple homicide now, so if you want to confess, go ahead.Or I can leave the room, and you can confess to Dr.Payne if she’s the only one you’ll talk to."
"That other agent came in and gave me some dates, and I have alibis for two of them, but I wanted you to be here when I give the alibis because I don't want them destroying evidence, and I don't believe you would let that happen, no matter what you’ve done in the past."
