Drew returned, holding a photograph. “This is Jinny Corcoran, Hill’s sister.”
She looked like all the others.
No. They all looked just likeher.
It was clear in the way Hill had styled their hair. They’d all been given the same slight wave. They all wore the same shade of pink lipstick, very much like what Jinny wore in the picture. He’d even dressed them in similar fashion, with leggings and blousy tunics.
“It’s clear Hill has some sort of sick obsession with his sister,” said Drew. “My guess is she’s dead too. Elaine, we can’t ignore the fact you look a lot like Jinny. I’m putting more officers on the island today.”
Elaine touched the photo. “Those poor women.”
Connor fumed. “We need to find that sick fuck.”
“We need to find him,” said Elaine, her voice ragged, “and we need to destroy him.”
“We will,” said Drew.
“Do they have to stay up there?” asked Elaine. “It looks like a fucking sideshow. There’s no dignity.”
“We’re going to take them down,” Drew assured her. “My men have already notified a couple of the families.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “I promise you, Elaine. They’ll be treated with dignity.”
Connor put an arm around her shoulder. “I’d like to take Elaine home now.”
“Of course.” Drew nodded. “Let’s head back to the station.”
As they exited the room, Elaine looked over her shoulder at the dead women.
Connor put a finger on her chin and turned her head away. “Don’t look back.”
Fire flashed in her eyes. “I want him dead, Connor.”
“I swear to you on my life, lady, we will kill him.”
Drew escorted them out of the house and drove them down the street. Elaine sat in the back with Connor, clutching his hand. She stared out the car window, no doubt reliving the gruesome moments in Hill’s gallery. The shadows on her face made him feel like a man drowning in a dark sea, weighted down by rocks in his pockets. Connor’s mountain lion prowled, hungry for blood.
If Hill thought he was coming anywhere near Elaine, the great cat would settle the score.
