Page 56 of Night Fall (The Quantico Files 1)

Alex sighed, trying to release all the tension from her body. “You’re right. I should have seen it, and you could be right about his escalation. I don’t know how many churches are in the Kansas City area, but the KCPD can’t cover them all. Some of the victims were purposely chosen away from his base of operations. He didn’t want investigators to know where he lived.”

“That makes sense.” Logan took a sip of his hot chocolate. “Hey, not bad,” he said with a smile.

Alex nodded. “Could be worse.” She set her cup on the lamp table next to her chair. “You know, I think we need to consider whether Adam has changed his appearance. He must know we’ve discovered his identity. The stakes are high. He can’t take a chance that someone will pick him up and stop his destiny. I really don’t think he looks like the photo we have from his employee file and driver’s license.”

Logan was quiet for a moment. “You’re right,” he said finally. “He has short, dark hair and is clean shaven in those photos. So his choices would be to dye his hair lighter, grow his hair longer, and grow a beard, which would also cover that scar on his chin. Maybe he hasn’t made all those changes, but at least he’s probably grown a beard.”

“I think longer hair and a beard are a given. But he might also dye his hair. The police are looking for a dark-haired man. They might want to look for someone with blond hair. Or gray. Could he be trying to look older?”

“That would take a lot of effort,” Logan said slowly. “Adding wrinkles, dying his hair gray ... I’m gonna bet on blond hair. Not red, of course. Too easy to spot.”

“So we’re betting now?”

Logan chuckled. “No. I have a feeling I wouldn’t win against you.”

“Maybe we should call Harrison,” Alex said. “I’m afraid the police might walk right past Walker because he doesn’t fit the photo they have.”

Logan shrugged. “I have to believe Harrison has thought of that, but if you feel it’s important...”

Alex picked up her phone and called. As she waited for Harrison to pick up, she wondered if he was home in bed. It was almost eleven at night. However, he picked up on the second ring and sounded awake. Alex shared their concerns.

“Yeah, we thought of that,” Harrison said. “The chief has an artist working on possibilities. What’s your opinion? How will he have changed his looks?”

“We think he’ll have blond hair. Not sure if he’s had time to grow it out much, though, so he could be wearing a wig. We also think he’ll have a beard. Maybe a mustache too.”

“Glasses?”

“A real possibility.”

“This helps. Thanks, Alex. I’ll contact the chief.”

“Great. See you in the morning.”

“Okay. And thank you for all the great work you’ve done. It’s appreciated.”

“Just doing my job, sir. Good night.”

She clicked off and had barely opened her mouth to tell Logan what Harrison said when she realized her partner was asleep. She rose from her chair and went over to him.

“Hey, Logan. Better get up and go to your own room,” she said. “I guarantee your bed will be more comfortable than this couch.”

His eyes fluttered open, and he chuckled softly. “Wow. Sorry. Big, strong FBI agent brought down by a nice fire and a cup of hot chocolate. I suddenly feel a little vulnerable.”

Alex laughed. “I won’t tell anyone.”

“Thanks.” He got to his feet, then grabbed his bag and walked to the door.“Good night, Alex,” he said. “I’m just down the hall if you need me.”

“Thanks. Same here.”

He grinned at her and opened the door. She stepped into the hall to watch him go, curious to know where his room was. He was just about to unlock one of the doors when Alex noticed someone walking toward him. It was Mike.

“Hey,” Logan said. “Did you get sent to this hotel too?”

Mike smiled. “Yeah, but I’m surprised. I assumed all the nonessential personnel would end up at Cowboy Bob’s Motel and Gift Shop a few miles from the CP. I was prepared to battle mice and other little varmints.”

Logan laughed. Alex forced a smile, but Mike’s words stirred the fear inside her. The thing she couldn’t face.

“Are you going back to the CP in the morning?” Logan asked.

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