“He would have to have a partner. Bale? Sean?” Harlow mused.
“Sean is a viable suspect,” Stella said. “He was with the first victim. Even if he thought that would cast suspicion on him, it would be a brilliant move. We’ve seen a serial killer hide right in our midst, and we didn’t suspect him. Sean was around for that. He might have learned a few tricks of the serial killing trade.”
“He was with Search and Rescue when Lucca went missing,” Raine said. “But where was he when Charlie Gainer was killed? Charlie worked on the rehabilitation crew. Sean certainly would have had the opportunity to interact with him.”
“I just don’t see that he has a motive,” Vienna said. “I don’t like the man, but I don’t see him killing men. I don’t think he has that kind of confidence in himself.”
Shabina agreed. “He’s a follower, not a leader.” She told the others what Chelsey had told her about the incident involving the dates and spices. “He was concerned that he might be blamed. He wasn’t upset that Bale struck Chelsey or that I would be implicated in the murders. It was all about him. He did get into aphysical altercation with Bale, but from what Chelsey said, Bale attacked him first. I agree with Vienna. I don’t think he has the nerve to be a serial killer. He isn’t a narcissist like Bale.”
“We keep coming back to Bale,” Zahra said. “Let’s get food to refuel the brain cells. I can’t think clearly when I’m starving.”
Shabina waved them to the sideboard, where the warmers were waiting. Before she could follow them, Raine indicated for her to look at her computer screen.
“I just received this alert.” She spoke in a low tone and pointed to words scrolling across her screen.
Shabina’s breath caught in her throat. The assassin Deadly Storms had struck again. This time he’d brought down one man. Owen Pelletier. He wore the mark of the assassin just above his left wrist, and he appeared to have been subjected to torture. Again, those wounds mimicked the scars Shabina had on her body. Evidence had been provided showing Owen Pelletier had been a part of the mass murders and torture Scorpion perpetuated.
Nothing in the report mentioned Lefebre.
Shabina stroked her fingers over her aching thigh. “Do you think he’ll get away with it?”
Raine shook her head. “You know Rainier won’t let this go until Scorpion is dead.”
Shabina took a deep breath. “There’s no mention that the assassin was caught or wounded.”
Raine smiled at her. “I don’t think Deadly Storms is anything but smoke. A ghost. He comes out of the darkness—or a sandstorm—and then he’s gone. How he can keep from having his skin peeled off in a violent sandstorm, I don’t know. Most people can’t move. They can’t see or breathe. They cover every inch of skin and hunker down until the storm has passed.”
“Hopefully, he’s on his way home to me,” Shabina said. “Let me get you your food.”
“I’ve been trying to do more things for myself,” Raine protested. “Although not only did the keys to my car disappear, Rainier said if I found another set of keys and tried driving, he would remove the car and let Rush know I’m not cooperating with my physical therapy plan.”
Shabina burst out laughing. “I’m so happy he has someone else to boss around. Maybe that will take the pressure off me.”
“Don’t count on it. I’ll start telling tales about your escapades. Trying to sneak off by yourself without your personal protection team.”
Shabina gasped. “You wouldn’t dare. It isn’t even true…yet. I’ll admit I’ve had thoughts of total rebellion, but I gave Rainier my word to stay close to the protection detail.”
“You seem to be so much stronger, Shabina.”
“I think finally realizing my father was responsible for so many things I took the blame for helped to free me from all the guilt. To finally know where I stand with him has been a good thing. You’d think it wouldn’t be, that it would make me feel worse about myself because it is very apparent I mean nothing to him. Instead, the knowledge empowered me. I feel much stronger. I also made up my mind to cut him out of my life. I came to the Sierra for peace. I don’t want toxic people in my life anymore.”
Vienna’s laughter bubbled over as she sank down into one of the cuddle chairs and placed the plate of food on the end table. “Can I just remind you that someone is murdering people we know, and this isn’t the first time? I think our peaceful hometown and the surrounding mountains have been invaded by killers. If that isn’t toxic, I don’t know what is.”
Shabina made her way across the room to the warmers to make herself a plate. Raine followed her much more slowly.
“I think the only one who wants to strangle me on occasion is Rainier. My enemies are across an ocean, and I’m grateful for that.”
She helped Raine put the various food items on her plate. Trying to balance on one leg and lean over the sideboard when she was on the shorter side didn’t make for success when getting her favorite foods. It was easy enough for Shabina to help her and then carry her plate back to Raine’s favorite spot.
Once they were settled with their food, Shabina asked the question that had been weighing on her for a while. “What could possibly tie these victims together? I think if we can figure that out, we’ll be able to see a clearer picture of the murderer.”
“Random? Opportunity?” Zahra ventured.
Raine shook her head. “I’ve studied the crime scenes. This was premeditated, and the murderer chose each victim, waiting for the opportunity to be alone with them. It’s probable he drew the victim to him. Even set up a meeting.”
“I question the fact that none of them fought back,” Shabina said. “How were they so distracted that they were smashed in the head with a rock? Twice. Didn’t you say that was in the ME’s report, Raine? I can see the second time because they would be disoriented, but not a single victim heard a noise behind him? Especially after the first murder took place, I would think they would be doubly vigilant, especially the ones killed in Yosemite.”
“Shabina has a point,” Raine said. “We have five victims and not a single one was on alert? Why? Even the kid should have been aware of his surroundings. He was a criminal. He stole vehicles. He must have kept his eyes open.”
