Page 44 of Ranger Belief
That was until she stepped into the conference room at the sheriff’s department and saw him.
Jonah stood at the front of the room. His hair was windblown, and a five o’clock darkened his jaw. His shirt was the color of a bluebird sky and matched his eyes perfectly. The first button was undone, revealing the curve of his throat. When had she ever found that section of skin attractive on a man?
The shirt had been a gift from Laney for his birthday last year, along with a leather-bound journal she’d found during a rare outing to an antique store. The sight of him wearing it did funny things to her insides. She forced herself to act natural while greeting everyone else. Ryker was there, along with Chief Deputy Williams.
Jonah waved toward some chairs. “Perfect timing, guys. Sit. I was just about to hand over the meeting to Special Agent Emilia Knox with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s CriminalInvestigations Division. She has some insight to provide us about our killer.”
Laney claimed a seat, Scout settling at her feet, as Emilia rose. She nodded and smiled at Laney, and Laney returned the kind gesture with a slight wave. The two women were friends and had met several times socially. Emilia was one of the most compassionate people Laney had ever met. She’d often wondered if the horrific incident Emilia had experienced at the hands of a serial killer had made her more passionate about her cases or if she’d always been that way.
Jonah took a seat next to Laney. The scent of his laundry detergent layered with peppermint breath mints washed over her, and she felt her muscles inexplicably relax. She knew Garrett was somewhere in the building. Laney hadn’t realized how tense that made her until she felt Jonah’s reassuring and protective presence at her side.
“I’ve reviewed the case files for both murders and created a profile of your killer.” Emilia brushed a strand of her dark hair away from her face. “This should not be considered an exact or comprehensive list of traits. This is just something to guide you as you interview persons of interest. You are looking for someone between the ages of 30-45. Organized. Methodical. He probably lives alone, but appears to others as friendly and outgoing. He could be in a romantic relationship, but if so, his partner will be subservient to him. The perpetrator likes control. He planned the murders carefully, but judging from what I saw in Nolan and Lisa’s murders, I don’t think he has killed before now.”
“What makes you say that?” Chief Deputy Williams asked.
“Because he hesitated after shooting Nolan, for starters. Long enough, Lisa could crouch down next to Nolan and provide first aid before being forced to run away. There were signs even during the killer’s attack on her that he was uncertain.”
“Do you think that Lisa and Nolan were practice for Tyler and Ava?” Jonah asked.
“I think it’s possible. The killer was focused on Ava, spent more time with her. But that could simply be because he’d already murdered once and was more comfortable.” Emilia frowned. “What I will say is that the perpetrator is cautious. That’s what makes me think he’s older.”
“What about prior crimes?”
“He may not have any. A criminal like this will be described by his exes as controlling, manipulative, and arrogant. Smart too. He is probably abusive toward them, but not necessarily physically. It could be emotional and mental abuse.” She strolled to her spot at the table on impossibly high heels and opened her leather-bound notepad. “I’ve reviewed your known suspect list. The ones that best fit the profile are Eddie Sorenson and Garrett Wheeler.”
Laney leaned forward. “What about Mitch Caldwell? He’s a known stalker and rapist.”
“I would never tell you to eliminate him from the suspect list based on my profile, but in my opinion, Mitch is too impulsive to have pulled off this crime. At least, he used to be.” Emilia’s pert nose wrinkled. “In his previous case, Mitch was brazen about his stalking. Amateurish. But he also went to prison for six years and may have learned a thing or two from other criminals. He’s also older and may have more self-control now too. It’s hard to say without interviewing him.”
Frustration built in her chest. “No one has seen him at the park since I chased him away from the lake the other day for fishing in the wrong area.”
“I’ve got deputies patrolling his mother’s neighborhood.” Chief Deputy Williams raised a pen. “No sign of him there either. The state police are sending a search unit on Wednesday morning. We’ll comb through the isolated part of Piney Woodsfor both Mitch and any evidence, including areas he may have camped in. Where do we stand with Eddie Sorenson?”
“Jonah and I interviewed him this afternoon.”
Ryker ran through the chain of events starting with Eddie’s ex and then Eddie. When he got to the part about Eddie being in AA, shock vibrated through Laney. She hadn’t had an inkling about his drinking problem last spring.
“We’ve spoken to Eddie’s sponsor and the pastor of the church, who confirmed Eddie was there for an AA meeting from 7:15 to about 8:00 on Wednesday and Thursday,” Ryker continued. “However, it’s still possible he committed the murders. Tyler was shot at 9:15, according to the fireworks compliant that was called in.”
Jonah nodded. “It only takes forty minutes to drive from the church where the AA meeting took place to Piney Woods. He would’ve had time to spare.”
“But he had to pick up the Jeep Cherokee from wherever he stored it,” Laney pointed out. “After killing Nolan and Lisa, the perpetrator stole their vehicle in order to use it the following night when he killed Ava and Tyler. So forty minutes to drive to Piney Woods, another ten to switch vehicles and another ten or fifteen to drive to Campsite 8. That’s cutting it pretty close.”
“The vehicle hasn’t been found yet, and we can’t be certain Eddie didn’t hide it on a back road in Piney Woods. He could’ve driven straight to it, changed vehicles and then continued on to Campsite 8. We can time it, but I’m almost sure Eddie could’ve pulled it off.” Ryker tilted his head. “But I have to say, I was convinced that he’s telling the truth. Both his sponsor and the pastor said he’s mild-mannered and not prone to anger. Even his ex said she didn’t think he was capable of committing the murders.”
“So we keep him on the suspect list, just in case, but we shift our focus.” Chief Deputy Williams frowned. “What about GarrettWheeler? He fits Emilia’s profile and claims he was home alone during both nights of the murders. He’s cooling his heels in Interview 1, but I can guarantee his lawyer won’t let him talk to us.”
“Did he mention where he’s been all day?” Laney asked. The shooting at her cabin happened this morning, but it felt like years since then.
“Nope. He willingly came down here, but insisted on waiting for his lawyer.” She checked the smartwatch on her wrist. “Who should be here any moment.”
“Good, because I have an idea that might get Garrett talking.” Jonah leaned forward. “Let’s show him Mitch’s picture. I think Garrett knows his buddy is camping illegally in Piney Woods. If we make it seem like we’re looking at Mitch for the murders, maybe Eddie too, and all we want is Garrett’s help?—”
Laney smiled. “Then he may talk to us. Brilliant idea.”
His gaze met hers. “I’m glad you think so. Because I’m gonna need your help to sell it. Garrett doesn’t like me very much, but he certainly has a soft spot for you. Ready to play good cop/bad cop again?”
TWENTY-ONE
