"We wanted to ask about the letter opener," Sloane said. "Did you find any prints on it?"
"None at all." Jacob moved to a nearby workstation and pulled up photos on his computer screen. He was quick and methodical, humming as he pulled up a series of photographs. "The weapon was completely clean,” he said. Whoever used it either wore gloves or wiped it down afterward. Given the lack of other trace evidence, I'd say gloves."
Kate moved closer to see the screen. The letter opener was ornate, with a silver handle engraved with decorative scrollwork. The blade was thin and sharp, designed more for elegance than function.
"The attack was fierce, though… even with just the one stab," Jacob continued. "We found spinal fluid on the blade, which means it penetrated deep enough to reach the spinal column. That takes significant force."
Kate nearly shuddered at the detail. The brutality of it contrasted sharply with the careful staging of the bodies, the methodical cleanup of evidence. This killer was both violent and controlled, capable of extreme force, but also meticulous planning.
"What about the letter opener from the Holmes murder?" Sloane asked. "Do you have that here yet?"
"Not physically, but it's being transferred from the precinct that handled that case. Should be here by this afternoon." Jacob opened another file on his computer with the same speed as before. "The precinct that was originally in charge did send over the full report though. I've been comparing the two weapons."
"And?" Kate prompted.
Jacob pulled up side-by-side photos on his monitor. Both letter openers looked nearly identical, with the same ornate silver handles and similar blade shapes. The detail was remarkable.
"The weapon used on Patricia Holmes was also wiped clean of prints," Jacob said. "Same level of care in removing evidence, same lack of trace materials. This killer is meticulous and takes their time."
Sloane leaned forward, studying the images. "They look like they came from the same manufacturer."
"They did. Same company, same product line." Jacob zoomed in on one of the photos. "But here's where it gets interesting. Each letter opener was personalized."
"Personalized how?" Kate asked.
Jacob adjusted the image, focusing on the blade. "See this engraving along the edge of the blade? It's small, designed to be decorative but not immediately obvious. And as creepy as it seems, each victim was killed with their own letter opener."
Kate stared at the screen. "The names were engraved on the blades?"
"Along the flat part, near where it would be hidden inside the body,” Jacob said. “You wouldn't see it if the blade was down int the body to the hilt—which it was, in both cases." Jacob pulled up another angle. "The engraving is professional quality, done by machine rather than by hand."
Sloane pulled out her phone and made notes. "So both victims had personalized letter openers that were nearly identical except for the names."
"Yep. Same manufacturer, same style, same type of engraving." Jacob closed the images. "Either that's one hell of a coincidence, or these letter openers came from the same source."
Kate looked at Sloane, seeing her own thoughts reflected in the younger agent's expression. This wasn't a coincidence. It couldn't be. Someone had given both victims these letter openers, personalized with their names, and then used those same objects to kill them.
"Thank you," Sloane said to Jacob. "This is incredibly helpful."
"Let me know if you need anything else. I'll call as soon as the Holmes weapon arrives for physical examination."
Kate and Sloane left the lab and walked down the hallway toward the elevators. The basement level was quiet, most of the other labs empty this time of day. Kate's mind was working through the implications of what they'd just learned.
"We need to find out where these letter openers came from," Sloane said, echoing Kate's thoughts.
"James might know. But my money is on these things being either gifts or brand new purchases for the victims’ new business ventures." Kate pulled out her phone and brought up the file for the Thornton murder. She found the home number and called it, not liking the idea of bothering James again. "I'll call him now."
The phone rang four times before he answered, his voice rough and distant.
"Hello?"
“Is this James?”
“James, it’s Kate… Kate Wise. Wise. I'm sorry to bother you again, but I have an important question about Rachel. And it might help us get some very important answers."
There was a pause, and Kate could hear him breathing, trying to pull himself together enough to speak. "Okay."
"The letter opener that was used... do you know where Rachel got it?"
