‘Miss Lewis, we don’t know each other very well,’ he starts carefully. ‘I only know of you from Mr Bell, so I have secondhand information at best. But he says you’re smart, and pretty tough. I’d like to think we can cooperate to get this situation resolved quickly.’
Finally, her head turns. Her eyes are spooked and wary. ‘Bell said that about me?’
Carter nods. ‘He said you’re strong. He also said you don’t trust the FBI. I’m sorry you’ve had bad experiences with the bureau in the past. I know we let you down during the Huxton case, when you had to save yourself. I know our agents were very … tenacious when they pursued you for more information afterward. And I know former section chief Donald Raymond made a lot of bad decisions during your involvement with the Butcher case. So your impression of the FBI is tarnished. But I want to try to improve that impression.And we need to work together on this. The only way we can do that is if we talk with each other.’
A long beat as she presses her lips together. Then she says, ‘You remind me a little of Agent Cooper.’
‘Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.’ He makes a soft smile, settles back in his seat. The plane is taxiing and the cabin lights are dim. ‘Ed Cooper was a good man. I miss him a lot.’
‘How long have you been with the bureau?’
‘About sixteen, seventeen years? Closer to seventeen. I started out as beat on the street, took the long road up to federal. Law enforcement’s the only job I’ve ever known. I’m a career cop, Miss Lewis.’
For whatever reason – his manner or his words – she seems to be thawing. Her arms are still crossed, but she looks less stiff. She’s pale, and he can’t blame her for that. This situation would frighten anybody. For someone who’s survived what Emma has, it must feel like a horrifying regression.
‘Again, I’m very sorry we had to do this. If we could have transmitted photos of this new victim for you to view, that would have been preferable, but a fax picture—’
‘A fax picture is useless for detail,’ Emma says. ‘It’s better if I see things for myself.’
He nods because she’s right. ‘And we’re on a tight timeline with this case. I’m relieved you agreed to come to Pittsburgh. But look, I’m hoping we’ll get there and find something that defuses it all. I can’t make guarantees, but that’s what I’m hoping.’
She visibly steels herself. ‘I think you’d better give me all the information, if you want me to make a call on it.’
‘Okay.’ The lift in his stomach as the plane takes off. He waits until they’re coasting. ‘All right. As of today, we’ve got three victims. We called in Mr Bell a few months ago, when we realized the perp was targeting college-aged women.’
‘I thought Bell was already in training with you.’
‘No, it’s a flexible arrangement. He’s been completing some units for his pre-USMS training. We brought him in at the end of July. He’s due to go back to Wisconsin in October for second-session classes.’
Emma looks at the back of the seat ahead of her. ‘He’s doing okay?’
‘He’s doing very well. He’s bright, disciplined, and he’s committed to the work. And of course, he has a good track record.’ As if it’s an afterthought, Carter adds, ‘He healed up fine after St Elizabeths.’
She pauses, nods. ‘Good to know.’
‘I’m afraid I vetoed him meeting us in Pittsburgh. I wanted only essential staff on this trip.’
‘Oh. Okay.’
‘I’m sorry. You’re stuck with me.’
‘That’s fine.’
He thinks she is more disappointed than she’s prepared to say. Better to press on with the details. ‘So it was the appearance of all three victims, plus some particular elements at the scenes, that made us pull the lever and come get you.’
‘They’re all young.’
‘Yes. And they all fit a type.’
‘White, slim, dark-haired,’ she recites.
‘You know the pattern.’
She looks out at the flying night. ‘It’s Huxton’s pattern.’
‘Yes.’ Carter senses that Emma’s reactions are on a cycle: withdraw, approach, withdraw. Her comfort zone is narrow. He needs to share this information, though, so she’s prepared for what’s to come. ‘But it wasn’t just the physical similarities that made us jump.’
‘What are the other elements?’ Her voice is toneless again.
