Page 48 of Crossing Lines

They all turned to him. It wasn’t what he’d said but the way he’d said it. Clearly he felt strongly about people making assumptions based on what a person’s relations had done. It was unusual, because Wyatt was typically pretty low-key. Did he have a past that they didn’t know about?

“You sound pretty heated about that,” Reese said.

Wyatt blushed. “Oh, sorry. It’s just that happened in another case I investigated, really got me mad.”

Sam cleared his throat. “Wyatt has a point. We can’t assume Ricky and his family are killers just because of an unsolved case and a coincidental location of a parked car.”

“We can’t cut him any slack either.” Jo glanced at the corkboard. “Though that hair found on Kirsten does bother me, and we know it didn’t match Ricky. Then again, his story is shaky, he was the last person that was supposed to be with Kirsten, and he works for Thorne Industries.”

“And let’s not forget how Beryl Thorne and her brother Robert keep cropping up in this case. Robert didn’t leave the house yesterday, and no one came in either,” Wyatt said. “But I wonder, just how sick is her brother, anyway, and what is he sick with?”

“And what was he doing five years ago when those other girls were murdered?” Jo stared at the picture of Robert Summers. He looked happy, jovial even, but she knew that even the most evil serial killer could look like a happy-go-lucky guy. Ted Bundy had charmed many of his victims.

“Good question. If Thorne’s story about Robert killing the pet is true, we should do some research.” Sam turned to look over his shoulder at Reese.

“I’m on it!” Reese left the room.

“Wyatt, I’d like you to watch the Summers house again today. I’m going to call Bev Hatch and see if she can spare us a man to put a tail on Ricky Webster,” Sam said.

Sam punched Bev’s number into his phone. They had a good working relationship, and if things weren’t too busy for the county sheriff, she’d lend an officer to him.

“Hey, Sam, please tell me you don’t have another victim.” Bev’s voice was wary.

“No. Nothing like that, thankfully. But that is kind of why I’m calling. You might be able to help us prevent another one.”

“How so?”

Sam brought her up to speed on the case and asked if she had a spare officer that could keep a tail on Ricky. “If Kirsten Stillwater’s death was the work of a serial killer, we think he may strike again soon. If it was some sort of argument or lovers’ quarrel, then we might get lucky and catch Ricky hiding evidence or doing something suspicious. Either way, I think it’s a good idea to keep an eye on him.”

“Just so happens it’s a slow time. Give me the address, and I’ll send someone,” Bev said. “I hear Thorne is pissed about the shoe DNA. Claims someone planted that DNA and it was all a setup, and he’s yelling about police corruption. You’ll have your hands full juggling that as well as looking for a killer.”

Sam sighed. “Any word on what, exactly, Bascomb has up his sleeve next?”

“I heard he’s lying low. The DNA was a blow to his ego. He was positive it would prove his client’s innocence, even though we’d gone over that evidence thoroughly.”

“Great. I can’t wait to see his next act.”

Bev snorted. “No kidding. Okay, give me the Webster address, and I’ll get someone right on it.”

Sam gave her the address and hung up. Lucy must have sensed things were about to roll, because she stood and stretched then came over to stand between Sam and Jo, looking bright-eyed and wagging her tail as if to indicate she was ready.

“Speaking of Thorne, Bridget is coming down today to look at a picture and see if she can identify him as the person who was with Amber before she disappeared.”

“That will help with that case. Now we just need something to break with the Stillwater case.”

“At least the killer hasn’t nabbed anyone else. Maybe her death was personal, and there won’t be any more killing.”

“Or maybe the killer is just waiting for the perfect moment to grab his next victim.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ding!

The killer’s computer chimed, and he looked to see a reply from Vicky to Carly about their new meeting time.

Perfect!

The killer sat back and smiled at the screen. As usual, he’d overcome the little glitch in his plans. His Vicky—that’s what he’d come to think of her as now, his—had moved her plans with Carly up to three in the afternoon.

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