“She used it to illustrate how certain investigative approaches can be self-defeating.How protocol and procedure sometimes trap us, rather than guide us.Elaine argued that sometimes the only way to solve a case is to move toward the very thing our instincts tell us to pull away from.”
Ann Marie’s face tightened with concern.“And now someone has sent this exact image to you.Someone who knows about that seminar, or at least knows about Elaine Cooper’s teaching methods.”
“It can’t be a coincidence,” Riley agreed.“Not with everything else we’re seeing in this case—the carefully designed crime scenes, the origami figures designed to create dilemmas for investigators, the methodical selection of victims.”She looked directly at Brookman.“This confirms my theory that our killer has a law enforcement background.”
Brookman stared at the image on his phone for a long moment before looking up at Riley, his expression grim.“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?That Elaine Cooper might be our killer?”
“No,” Riley said immediately, the denial sharp and instinctive.“Absolutely not.Elaine and I have kept in touch.She’s dedicated her life to teaching ethical investigation practices.She’s not a killer.”
“But she knows about finger traps,” Brookman pressed.“She understands crime scenes and evidence collection.And she has the background knowledge to create the exact scenarios we’re seeing.”
Riley shook her head emphatically.“She’s not our killer.But she might be the key to understanding who is.”She withdrew her phone from her pocket.“I’m calling her right now.She might recognize something in these crime scenes that we’re missing.”
She scrolled through her contacts, finding Elaine’s number.The phone rang several times before redirecting to voicemail.The recorded voice said, “Hello, this is Elaine Cooper.I’m probably working in my garden right now, but please leave a message so I can get back to you.”
“Elaine, it’s Riley Paige,” she said after the beep.“I’m calling about a case—an urgent one.Someone has sent me an image of a Chinese finger trap, and I believe it’s a reference to your ethics seminar.Please call me back immediately.It’s important.”She left her number and ended the call.
“She’s not answering,” Riley said, sliding the phone back into her pocket.“But I know where she lives.It’s not far from here—just outside the district in Virginia.We need to go there now.”
“Now?”Brookman asked, glancing back at Lucy Gilbert, who was watching their exchange with growing unease.“We’re still in the middle of interviewing Ms.Gilbert.And I need to coordinate the protective detail for Olga Swinson.”
“You can handle all that,” Riley said decisively.“Agent Esmer and I will go to Elaine’s.The killer sent that message specifically to me, which means I’m supposed to make this connection.Every moment we wait gives them more time to prepare whatever comes next.”
Brookman ran a hand over his face, weariness momentarily breaking through his professional demeanor.“Alright.I’ll stay here, finish the interview, and get the protection in place for Swinson.”He paused, then added, “I’ll also see if we can trace the origin of that text, though I’m sure it came from a burner phone.”
“Good,” Riley said, already moving toward the door.She turned back to Lucy.“Ms.Gilbert, I apologize for cutting this short.Detective Brookman will continue with a few more questions, and we’ll be back in touch soon.”
Lucy nodded dully, the brief distraction of their exchange fading as grief reasserted itself in her posture—shoulders slumping, eyes lowering to the collection of origami figures that her roommate would never add to again.
“Detective,” Riley said, “I need you to forward complete access to all case records to my phone.And send me that text with the finger trap image.”
“Consider it done,” Brookman replied, pulling out his phone to make the necessary arrangements.
As they stepped into the hallway, Ann Marie asked Riley.“You’re certain Elaine Cooper isn’t involved in these murders?”she asked, her voice low to prevent it carrying back into the apartment.
Riley met her gaze directly.“I’d stake my career on it.”
But beneath her certainty lay a shadow of doubt—not about Elaine’s innocence, but about what the finger trap message truly meant.Someone was deliberately leading them down this path, creating a puzzle that Riley was meant to solve.
When Riley and Ann Marie stepped out of the Middleton Gardens apartment into the late afternoon sunshine, the crisp September air was refreshing.As they made their way across the parking lot toward their vehicle, Riley’s phone vibrated in her pocket.She pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
“It’s Bill,” she told Ann Marie, slowing her pace.
Ann Marie nodded, reaching for the car keys that Riley had been unconsciously clutching.“I’ll drive.You take the call.”
Riley handed over the keys with a grateful nod and pressed the answer button as they reached the vehicle.“Bill, hi.”
“Hey,” his voice came through clear and warm, a counterpoint to the clinical detachment she’d been maintaining throughout the day.“I just got home.Gabriela told me there was another victim.”
“Third one this week,” Riley confirmed as she slid into the passenger seat.“Found in Liberty Meadows Park this morning.”
As Ann Marie started the engine and pulled smoothly out of the parking space, Bill continued, “Gabriela mentioned you were on the scene early.You okay?”
The simple question carried layers of concern.Bill was asking not just about her physical state after hours of investigation, but about the emotional toll that each new body took on her.
“I’m fine,” she said automatically, then sighed.“Though if you tune into the local news, you’re liable to see my face.The press descended on the crime scene.Channel 7 seemed particularly persistent.”
Bill’s low chuckle rumbled through the phone.“Let me guess—Jennifer Sloane?Red blazer, perfect hair, talks like every question is the lead-in to a Pulitzer?”
