“Then we track him by what he can’t hide.” Garrett moved to the tactical map. “Blackridge isn’t that big. He can’t hide for long. The locals will flag him as an out-of-towner. We can use that to our advantage. We need boots on the ground in town, going place to place, home to home.”
Garrett looked at his team. At Claire, still pale but determined. At Vivi, already lining up more operatives to join them. “This isn’t only about stopping the Countdown Killer from targeting Claire.”
“What do you mean?” Hawk asked.
Garrett’s eyes met Claire’s across the table. Saw the same rage, the same need for justice burning in her gaze. “It’s about finishing what started fifteen years ago,” he said. “And making sure this predator never hurts anyone again.”
On the main screen, a photo appeared. Derek Sullivan’s FBI contractor ID. Brown hair, average features, unremarkable. The kind of face you’d see and forget.
Except Claire would never forget it now. And neither would Garrett. “Send it to our local law enforcement office,” Garrett said. “I want everyone hunting him.”
CHAPTERTEN
Derek Sullivan.
No. DerekBrands.
The name echoed in Claire’s head like a curse. The helpful IT guy who’d fixed her computer a dozen times. Who’d come to her desk with a smile and patient explanations when her phone acted up. Who’d had physical access to her devices, been able to watch her at work, for five years.
He was Collin Brands’ cousin. Had known the man who killed Lily. Had maybe even been there that night.
And she’d trusted him. The thought made her shudder. He’d been playing a long game all these years. Watching. Waiting. A spider who’d toyed with her, making sure she was secure in his web before he ate her.
Claire sat in the ops room, staring at Derek’s FBI contractor photo on the main screen. The kind face that had made her feel safe asking stupid tech questions.
The face of a monster.
“Agent Dawson?” A voice pulled her back. One of the local officers was on speakerphone. “We need you to come down to the station as soon as possible. We have questions about Derek Sullivan’s possible connection to our murder victim.”
Claire blinked, forced herself to focus. “Of course. When?”
“Now would be best. We’ve put out an APB for him, based on what Shadow Point Security and the FBI have forwarded to us, but since you’ve flagged him as the Countdown Killer from D.C. and you’re at the heart of the case, we need a statement directly from you.”
“She’ll do a phone interview for now,” Garrett cut in. His voice was firm. “In-person tomorrow when the FBI team arrives from Missoula.”
Silence on the other end. “And who are you?”
Vivi spoke up. “He commands my team, Officer Kent, and is currently Agent Dawson’s bodyguard. I agree with his assessment—the best approach is for all three groups to meet tomorrow and share our collective intel at that time so we’re all on the same page.”
Kent wasn’t pleased. “Dr. Montgomer, we have a murder victim and a suspect who’s vanished. We need?—”
“And you’ll get my full cooperation,” Claire interrupted. “But I’ve been targeted by this predator for six months. I’m exhausted, and I need rest before I sit in an interview room for hours.”
Wolf’s eyes met hers across the table. “A phone interview covers the immediate questions,” he added. “You’ll get a full debrief tomorrow when everyone’s present, and we can coordinate properly.”
More silence. A radio squawk sounded in the background. Ringing phones joined in. Several people were talking and calling out to each other. The small town police department had probably never had a murder. They were overwhelmed.
Kent gave a tight sigh. “Fine. But I want that interview within the hour. Detective Mills will call back at eight.”
“I’ll be ready,” Claire said and disconnected. She’d wanted to argue. Wanted to say she could handle an interview right now, that she didn’t need rest, that she was fine. But she wasn’t. Her hands were shaking. Her chest felt tight again. Every time she blinked, she saw Derek’s face. Smiling. Helpful.Lying.
She met Wolf’s eyes.Focus on the anger, his stare reminded her.
“Lynx, set up a secure line for the interview,” the commander said. “Doc, I want you present to monitor Claire’s responses and cut it short if the locals push too hard.”
“Copy that,” Lynx said.
“I’ll be fine,” Claire insisted. If only she believed it.
