Nobody seemed hungry. Laurel turned and took her seat next to Huck’s chair with Smudgeon on her right. Monty sat across from her, Sheriff York at his side. Tension rolled through the room, and she twisted her neck to release some of it.
Huck cleared his throat. “We’ve identified the victim in our parking lot as Yana Richards, a twenty-five-year-old car salesperson from Woodstone Used Cars. She was last seen Tuesday night and wasn’t expected back to work until this morning. He killed her fast rather than keeping her for a week like some of the earlier victims.”
Sheriff York reached behind himself for a piece of pepperoni pizza. “So no missing person’s report?”
“No,” Huck said shortly. “After this meeting, Monty, have somebody dig into her life like never before. Talk to everyone who knew her and trace every second from the time she left work on Tuesday. We’re getting warrants to dump her phone and computers now.”
Monty nodded. “We photocopied our reports regarding sexual predators in the area as well as records of similar crimes in other states. They’re in the blue folders in everyone’s stacks,” he said.
Huck glanced at the file folders. “Excellent. Thank you. The reports in the red folders are from the state police crime techs regarding the other victims along with possible backgrounds. So far, the connection between all of the victims seems to be the Genesis Valley Church and their physical descriptions—blond and fairly young. That may be all there is to the case.” He focused on Sheriff York. “Do you have an update?”
York shrugged. “Not really. I’ve canvassed the city, and nobody knows anything. I’ll keep looking around, though.”
“You do that,” Huck said grimly. “We just received updated lab results, and there’s no viable DNA on or in the victims. This guy is careful. Also, Lisa Scotford was not pregnant, and I notified Pastor John of that fact this morning.”
The pastor must’ve been so relieved. Laurel sat back. “Do we have this guy on video from last night?”
Huck turned toward Laurel. “Yes, and I thought we could create an updated profile after we watch the CCTV from last night as a team. I watched it earlier. It has to show something about his mindset, even if we can’t identify him. Right?”
Laurel nodded. “Agreed.” Although she’d already updated the profile in her head after finding the body, watching the video couldn’t hurt. Would they finally be able to identify the killer? She hadn’t even had a chance to ask Huck about his interviews with the cemetery workers and her uncle.
Huck pointed the remote at a flatscreen monitor attached to the wall behind the chair where he usually sat. A grainy video slowly took form. “This was taken around three in the morning, it was raining, and the lighting isn’t the best in the parking area.”
Laurel twisted her chair to see better.
A truck drove directly across the parking area and turned sideways. “That’s the truck apparently stolen from the cemetery,” she said quietly. “It’s the same one that ran me off the road and was used by the person who shot at me at Dr. Caine’s house last night.”
Huck paused the video. “Look at the front right panel.”
Laurel ducked her head to see better. “Three shots. From me.” So she hadn’t hit the jerk. Too bad.
Huck started the video again. “Watch this guy. He knew where the cameras were. He’s playing with us.”
The truck parked crosswise on the parking lot, with the passenger side door toward the camera. The killer opened the driver’s side door and then the back door, dropping down and disappearing from sight. The rain poured down, hitting the truck, and nothing happened. Well, nothing they could see. He remained out of sight for about three minutes and then rose, seemingly still crouching, and entered the truck. The windows were blacked out, so it was impossible to see inside or see him. Then he drove away.
Laurel’s throat tightened with frustration. “We can’t even get an accurate height or weight from this video. There’s nothing.”
The dead woman lay on the ground, now revealed, just as Laurel had found her only a few hours earlier. She closed her eyes and took a moment to compose herself. She opened them to see Monty watching the video, his face pale. He shook his head.
Huck stopped the video. “Agent Snow?”
Laurel cleared her throat. “This is now a game between him and us. He still has the compulsion to kill, and his victimology is still young blondes, but now we’re a part of his ritual. The fact that he left the body in our parking lot, the location of our task force, is a ‘fuck you,’ I’m smarter than you, and you’ll never catch me. He might as well have left a sign saying just that.”
Huck took out his chair and sank into it. “Could be a woman. The rape kits all came back with spermicide and condoms, but you don’t need a dick to do that kind of damage. Pardon my language.”
Laurel eyed the film. “I know, but the profile stands. I think it’s a man.”
Huck looked at the group. “Monty and my team are still interviewing the cemetery employees, including Carl Snow. Sheriff York, we need you to show a picture of the vehicle to possible witnesses while you keep canvassing the local community.” To Huck’s credit, he didn’t sound a bit sarcastic when addressing the lazy sheriff.
The office phone buzzed from the table beside the screen, and Huck frowned, pushing the speaker button. “Ena? What do you have?”
“It’s the ME’s office,” she said. “You want them?”
“Yes,” Huck said. “Put them through.”
Laurel sat back. It was doubtful Dr. Ortega had found anything so quickly, especially since the body had been in the elements for hours.
“Hi. It’s Dr. Ortega,” the man said. “I have something.”
