Vic leaned forward, but took the time to consider this.“Miles, listen to me.The letter the killer left behind suggests Elena was targeted for the same reasons as the other victims.Her work in pharmaceuticals, her research into synthetic compounds.The connection to you specifically might be coincidence.”
He knew this was true (he had just thought the same thing himself, after all) and hearing it spoken out loud made it even clearer.So why was he struggling to believe it?
“Coincidence?”Miles's voice rose.“They put one of those devices in my house, Vic.They studied Elena's work and decided she was chemically corrupt.That's not coincidence.”
“Yes, but the killer has been targeting people involved in what they see as chemical contamination,” Vic reminded him.“A pharmaceutical researcher developing synthetic medications would fit their profile, whether she was connected to you or not.”
Miles stared at the forms scattered across the table and realized Vic might be right.The killer's obsession with chemical purification had led them to target a teacher using recalled art supplies, a florist working with pesticides, and a bus driver exposed to vehicle emissions.Elena's pharmaceutical research would make her a natural target for someone with that twisted worldview.
But it still felt personal.The killer had been inside his home, had walked through the rooms where he and Elena lived together.They had chosen Elena specifically, had written about her toxic influence on Miles's life.Whether it was coincidence or targeting, the result was the same.
“Even if you're right about the motivation,” Miles said, “they still knew about her work.They researched her job, her pharmaceutical projects.That means they have access to detailed information about potential victims, like I thought.”He shuddered and said, “I looked back through the security app when I was waiting for them to bring me all these papers.The person, whoever they were… they knew to go around back.They knew we didn’t have a camera there.And they also knew how to pick a lock.”
“Which is why we need to analyze Elena's work environment and colleagues for potential connections to the killer,” Vic agreed.“Someone with that level of knowledge might work in the industry themselves.And maybe they also know where you do and don’t have security cameras.”
Miles felt his grief pushing aside rational thought, but he forced himself to engage with the logical part of his brain.If they were going to catch Elena's killer, he needed to think like an investigator, not a grieving fiancé.But it was impossible for him to consider the idea that someone who worked with Elena could have killed her, or assisted in her murder.
“Elena worked for Morrison Pharmaceuticals,” Miles said.“They specialize in neurodegenerative disease research.Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS.Her team was developing new compounds to slow cognitive decline.”
“Who would have access to information about her specific projects?”
“Her research team, department heads, anyone with access to the company database.But also competitors, suppliers, regulatory agencies.Pharmaceutical research involves a lot of documentation and oversight.”
Vic pulled out her phone and opened up her notes.“We need a list of Elena's colleagues, anyone she might have discussed her work with, any recent conferences or presentations where she shared research findings.”
Miles nodded, then felt the weight of exhaustion settling over him.The adrenaline that had carried him through the past few hours was fading, leaving behind crushing grief and mental fatigue.He felt exhausted, and he was pretty sure he’d never felt this worn-out in his life.
“Miles,” Vic said gently, “I need you to sit the rest of this out.”
“What do you mean?”
“You're too close to this case now.Even if you could keep your analytical abilities sharp, which I doubt given the circumstances, you can't investigate your fiancée's murder objectively.”
Miles started to argue, but he knew it was pointless.What she was saying made sense.And if he did argue it, Vic would only have to make one call to Hayes.Then Hayes would make it official.
“But I know Elena's work better than anyone.I can help identify connections that you might miss.”
“And you could also miss crucial evidence because you're emotionally compromised,” Vic argued.“Or you could contaminate the investigation by making assumptions based on grief rather than facts.”
Miles felt anger flaring alongside his grief.He hated being angry at Vic, but he just couldn’t sort it all out.He still felt overwhelmed, as if not only this little room but the entire world was shrinking in on him “So I'm supposed to just sit at home while Elena's killer walks free?”he asked bitterly.
“You're supposed to let the rest of us do our jobs while you process the worst thing that's ever happened to you.And it’s not specific to you.The same would be true of any federal employee involved in an active violent crimes case.”
Vic's tone was firm but compassionate.Miles could see the logic in what she was saying, even as every instinct told him to stay involved in hunting the killer down.
“I can't just donothing,” Miles said.
“You're not doing nothing.You'd be taking care of yourself so that when you're thinking clearly again, you can eventually help catch this killer.If this goes as widely as you think it does—that is, if your elemental theory is really what’s going on here—you’re going to be very important sooner rather than later.You need to rest up at home, Miles.”
Miles looked around the sterile room where he'd been filling out paperwork about Elena's death.The thought of going home to their empty house, of sleeping in their bed without her, felt impossible.But Vic was right.He was in no condition to conduct an objective investigation.
Miles nodded, feeling completely washed out and gutted.The grief was like a physical weight pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe or think clearly.The idea of letting someone else take over the investigation felt like both relief and betrayal.
“There's one thing Icangive you,” Miles said.“Elena's work laptop.She brought it home sometimes to review research notes and update project files.It might have contact information for her colleagues, details about her current projects.”
“That would be helpful.”
“She also kept a notebook with pharmaceutical industry contacts.People at other companies, researchers at universities, regulatory officials.If the killer has connections to the pharmaceutical world, those contacts might provide leads.”
