"I was venting," Jennifer interrupted. "That's all. I was frustrated and tired and feeling like no matter how hard I worked, I couldn't get ahead while these other women were getting all this free publicity and mentorship. But I didn't do anything about it. I just complained online like everyone does."
Kate pulled out her phone and opened the app where she'd been taking notes. "In one post, you wrote that the overwhelming majority of the graduates didn't deserve their success. That they were being handed opportunities on a silver platter while real business owners struggled."
"And I stand by that," Jennifer said, crossing her arms. "Those women got a lot of help that the rest of us didn't get. But that doesn't mean I wanted them dead. That's a huge leap from complaining to murdering someone."
"Maybe, but we have to follow every lead," Sloane said. "Two women are dead, and both of them graduated from the program you criticized."
Jennifer's expression shifted to something closer to understanding. "You think the killer is eliminating competition. That's why you're here. You think I might be scared enough of these women succeeding that I'd kill them."
"We're considering all possibilities," Kate said carefully…neither conforming nor denying.
"Well, you're wasting your time with me." Jennifer walked back toward the front of the bakery, and Kate and Sloane followed. "If someone is killing these women because they see them as competition, then you're looking for someonewho's actually threatened by them. Someone who's failing and desperate. I'm not failing. Look around. My bakery is doing fine. Not great, but fine. I'm paying my bills, keeping my doors open. I don't need to eliminate anyone to survive."
Kate had to admit the logic made sense, even if Jennifer's confidence felt almost inappropriate given the circumstances. "What about your safety? If the killer is targeting program graduates and business owners, aren't you concerned?"
Jennifer reached under the counter and pulled out a compact pistol, setting it on the glass surface between them. "Concealed carry permit. I keep this with me at all times. If anyone comes after me, I'll be ready."
Kate felt her eyebrows rise, alarmed that the woman had so flippantly pulled out a gun. She hadn't expected that response. Beside her, Sloane looked more annoyed than surprised, her jaw tightening slightly.
"You feel you need to carry a weapon," Kate said.
"I'm a woman who works alone in a business that handles cash," Jennifer replied. "Of course I carry. It's just common sense. And if there is some psycho out there killing business owners, I'm not going to be an easy target."
Before Kate could respond, Sloane’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and said, "Excuse me, I need to take this.”
Kate watched as Sloane turned her back to them while taking the call. She obviously only heard one side of the conversation but she could tell it was not a good one. Sloane’s posture went tense as she said, “Yes. Okay… where is that? Got it.”
She turned back to Kate and said, “We have to go. That was Demarco… and there’s another body. The same weapon used. This one's in Shockoe Bottom."
Kate felt her stomach drop. “Okay… let’s go.” She then turned back to Jennifer and said, “Thank you for your time and cooperation.”
“Sure. But… Jesus, a third victim?”
“Looks that way,” Sloane said. “But if you could keep that quiet for now, it would be much appreciated.”
Jennifer nodded as Kate and Sloane headed for the door, the cheerful bell chiming again as they left. Once they were outside, Sloane turned to Kate with frustration clear on her face.
"That was a waste of time. And did you see how casual she was about everything? Two women are dead and she's giving us a tour of her bakery."
"She was defensive," Kate said as they walked quickly toward their car. "And overconfident. But I don't think she's our killer."
"Because she has a gun?"
"Because her business is stable enough that she doesn't feel threatened. The killer we're looking for is someone who feels desperate, not someone who's annoyed they didn't get into a mentorship program." Kate unlocked the car and got behind the wheel. "But more importantly… did you see her apron? It was practically coated in flour and icing. She’s been at the bakery all day… I bet you anything. And if this is a recent victim…”
“Yeah, I see what you’re saying.”
At the car, Sloane climbed into the passenger seat, already pulling up the GPS coordinates DeMarco had given her.
Kate started the engine and pulled away from the curb. Another victim meant the killer wasn’t nearly done… and that they were running out of time to stop whatever was happening before more women died.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The newest crime scene was the residence of Ryan and Susan Hayes. The home was a brick ranch-style home in Shockoe Bottom, set back from the street with mature oak trees providing shade across the front yard. Kate parked behind two patrol cars and a crime scene van, noting the time on her dashboard: 4:53 p.m. It looked like she may not be making it home for dinner after all.
The house had an unusual layout that became apparent as Kate and Sloane approached. While the main entrance faced the street, a separate door was visible at the back corner of the house, accessible by a stone pathway that wrapped around the side. A small wooden sign near that door read "Hayes Consulting - By Appointment Only."
"A home office with its own entrance," Sloane observed. "I guess that would be effective at keeping clients separate from personal space."
