She’d been placed in a sitting position, but that didn’t hide the word “slut” carved into her torso.The ligature marks were prominent on the pale blue skin of her neck, wrists, and ankles.She appeared to be in her early twenties and was similar to all the other victims with one exception—there was a white envelope on her lap with cutout letters spelling “Federal Pig.”
Sean turned to the photographer.“Get pictures of the note so we can open it.”
“Done.You’re good to take it.”
Brian handed his brother a pair of latex gloves.“It’s your mail.”
“Gee, thanks.”
After donning the gloves, he picked up the envelope by its corner.“Does anyone have a knife?”
The second BCI tech reached into his open box of trade tools and retrieved a Leatherman multi-tool.“Here.”
“Thanks.”Sean opened the blade and slid it carefully under the sealed flap.He didn’t disturb the glued area in case there was DNA evidence but, instead, cut the top edge of the envelope to reveal its contents.Pulling out a folded piece of paper, he dropped the envelope into a clear evidence bag the tech held open for him.The others gathered around as he unfolded the single, white, standard piece of printer paper.Again the bastard had used cutout newspaper letters.
Hope you enjoy your get well present.Next time you won’t be so lucky.S.S.
With sarcasm dripping from every word, Sean said, “Aw, and here I thought he didn’t care.Son of a bitch.”He resisted the irrational urge to crumple the paper up and placed it in another evidence bag the tech handed him.
The ME and two attendants stepped onto the patio, and Dr.Hansen shook his head.“This guy is really starting to piss me off, Sheriff.”
Crossing his arms, Matt grunted.“I’m way past ‘starting to’ get pissed off.Can BCI take some fingerprints before you take her?I want to find out who she is as fast as possible.”
Hansen nodded at one of the attendants.“Make sure you scrape under her nails before doing the prints.”
As everyone did their jobs, Brian stepped over to Sean and lowered his voice.“Rock, paper, scissors?”
“For what?”
“Winner sits in on the autopsy.Loser tells Uncle Dan his beloved beach house is now a homicide crime scene.”
Fuck.
Chapter20
Grace waved goodbye to Elsie Whitmore as Tim finished up with Mr.Berkeley.The day had been filled with a steady stream of clients needing rehab.She hadn’t expected the patient volume to rise quickly and was already considering hiring another physical therapist for part-time hours.
Glancing at the clock, she wondered if Sean was running late.He’d hoped to be here at six for when she closed, and then he’d follow her home.If he wasn’t on time, she would walk across the street to Dan’s apartment above the hardware shop until he arrived.She thought he was being over-protective, but this was his field, and after he’d gotten hit by the car, she understood his caution.
Sean returned after informing Dan about the crime scene at the beach house.Grace felt bad because she knew how much the little cottage meant to the older man.And now it was sullied because of a madman, and no amount of good memories would erase the fact that a woman had been brutally murdered and left there.
Sean had filled her in as much as he could, and her heart broke at his frustration.There were evil people in the world, and being in the FBI, he’d come across many of them, she was sure.But this case was eating at him, and she prayed they got a break soon so the task force and the residents of Dare County could breathe easier again.
Gathering up the top of a plastic garbage bag, she pulled it out of the can it was in and looked around to see if anything else needed to be thrown away.Tim was doing an ultrasound treatment on Mr.Berkeley, which would last several minutes, so Grace started for the back door leading to the alley, where the employees working in the few stores on either side of her parked.Most of them would be gone by this time, but a few would still be there.The dumpster for the businesses in her complex was back there.
Opening the door, she made sure it didn’t shut completely behind her and locked her out by putting a small wedge between it and the door jamb.The dumpster was two stores down to her right, and Grace swung the garbage bag as a silly tune popped into her head.Maybe she would find a comedy on Netflix tonight for Sean—after the day he had, he could probably use some comic relief.
When she reached the dumpster, she pushed up the lid and threw the bag inside, then let the lid drop again.Before she could turn around, two arms encircled her from behind.One hand grabbed her waist while the other clamped a cloth over her mouth and nose.A sickeningly sweet smell filled her nostrils as she reached up and tried to pull the cloth away from her face, clawing at the hand holding it.
Grace struggled against the assault, kicking and trying to break free, but her mind began to fog, and the strength drained from her limbs, rendering them useless.As she gave one last, futile kick of her leg, her slip-on sneaker flew from her foot.Her body went limp as heavy darkness overtook her.The last thing she heard before she lost consciousness was a male voice say, “Sleep tight… slut.”
Parking the Mustang in an empty spot in front of Grace’s business, Sean glanced at his watch—6:02.Not bad.With the horrendous day behind him, he was looking forward to cuddling on the couch with the woman he loved, some takeout, a funny movie or show, and Rico purring loudly in the middle of it all.When the cat wasn’t being moody, he loved to lay on the back of the couch behind them and purr in their ears.
Sean climbed out of his car just as Dan locked up the hardware store.The older man held up a finger, and Sean waited for him to cross the street with Jinx at his side.Tail wagging, the dog sniffed Sean earnestly, probably smelling Rico on his clothes.
“How was the rest of your day?”Dan asked.
Leaning against the hood of the car, Sean crossed his arms.The weight of his frustration and anger was apparent on his face.“It sucked.This morning’s victim was the niece of Congressman Holloway, Natalie Bowers.She went to a bachelorette party at a club in Elizabeth City last night and never made it home.Her friends said she met them there, and they didn’t see her leave with anyone, but the place was packed.She left early—around 11:00 p.m.—because she was supposed to run in some 5k fundraiser for veterans today, but her car was found in the club’s lot this morning.
