“Well, we need to back up a bit. Phyllis Wilson was the previous holder of Cassie’s ticket. Phyllis Wilson died from manual strangulation, and her body was covered with bites from one attacker. She was drugged with scopolamine, heroin, and Rohypnol. She also showed signs of sexual assault. Her estimated time of death corresponds to a time we can show Dr. Maddox in the operating room with six witnesses,” Julian said.
Javier slapped the table. “We didn’t know that. She was found just last night.”
Julian looked to Kieran, following the chain of command. “Detectives, I will remind you, you are our guests. We’re certainly under no obligation to share our information with you. We’re doing so for Cassie and her family.”
“I’m sorry. Every bit of info you beat us to reminds us of what resources we don’t have.” Javier frowned.
“Social media confirms Ames knew Phyllis Wilson. She was dating Bynum Jr. on and off since high school. Here’s a grainy picture of the woman, about five-foot-six, thin, looks to be between eighteen and twenty-five, leaving Petals Florist with a dozen black roses. Black roses were left on Cassie’s bed the day after the stabbing—the only black roses sold in a twenty-mile radius. The store clerk said she paid cash. It’s a side view, but we’re running facial recognition now. A blonde fitting her general description bought black roses the day of Cassie’s first attack too,” Matty said.
Ian scowled. “Isolate the central supply people until we can get them to look at a photo array. Create one with Phyllis Wilson. Put that in front of the florist. Get it done before her picture runs everywhere.”
Javier poured himself another mug of coffee. “If Phyllis was part of this, who killed her? Ames was already dead.”
“I would put money on Bynum Jr. He’s either involved, or he may be dead too. His family is not cooperating. We have someone in his office and his parents’ home. We are continuously checking departures at bus and train stations, airports, rental cars, and taxis. His black BMW remains parked at Mom and Dad’s,” Kieran said.
Andy looked grim. “The problem is whoever else is committing these crimes is getting smarter. All the other victims are dead.”
“All? There’s more than two?” Kieran shouted, surprised.
“There are ten. The most recent victim was found at 0300. All were strangled, bitten, brutally assaulted, and drugged with heroin and scopolamine. Cassie differed by four things: the roses, the strange internal bruise, the bathtub, and she lived. The others were found in natural water or washed up from natural water. Is Bynum Jr. responsible? And if so, what do these women have in common? Who broke into Cassie’s home? Was it just to torment her? If so, why wait six years after the fact?” Andy asked.
Julian stood as the screen lit up. “Review of cameras around Cassie’s home show, early Thursday morning after her attack, a figure walking along her front path. Two hours later, we see the same figure depart. I traced the arrival time and departure in an array of outlying streets. Based on the various images, I can say with reasonable certainty it is a male, approximately five-foot-nine to six feet tall, about 175 pounds, driving a black car. We are looking at reflection and pigment, but it’s a high-end luxury car. The description fits Bynum Jr. and his vehicle.
“The night before Cassie was moved from the hospital, that same security camera caught a flash of light coming from the front of Cassie’s house. Extrapolating potential light sources, the flash could only come from inside the home. We found and ran a partial shoe print through Sole Mates. The print is a custom Mezlan boot. It’s costly, sold in only a few places in the area, but it is also sold online. We are culling through purchasers, trying to connect anyone to Ames or Bynum.”
Andy pushed back from the table. “This is a giant pail of … poo. We have a whole bunch of clues leading to nowhere in particular. One way or the other, we need to find Bynum Jr. We need to find out if Phyllis was the rose-buying poisoner. Why did someone break into her house twice, and what did they take from there? I don’t have to tell you we spoke with all five sons, Luke, Rachel, and Sophie. None had any idea what she kept in that hole in her closet. Was it jewelry since there wasn’t even an earring back anywhere?” Andy asked.
“What do the ten victims have in common with each other and Cassie? And since she is the sole survivor, where is she? This puts her in grave danger,” Javier worried.
Ian realized both detectives had crossed an emotional line too. “Cassie is alive and safe.”
“Chase, we need to talk with her,” Andy insisted.
“I wish I could say something different, but she’s not conscious. She awakened from her coma for a total of seven minutes and was agitated and confused. Tomorrow at 1100, come to my McLean address. I will take you to see her.”
“God, I’m so sorry. I never gave it a thought she was still so sick. It’s been thirty-four days since the attack. Andy and I will be there tomorrow. In the interim, we will try to find Bynum Jr., and we’ll get an arrest warrant for Maddox.”
“Kieran has an appointment with him this afternoon at 1300. The board meeting starts at 1100,” Ian said.
“Good, we will meet you at Maddox’s office at 1300.” Andy Blake stood. After an exchange of handshakes, the detectives headed out.
Ian looked up at his staff. “Outstanding work. Julian, find Bynum Jr. Whatever you need. If it’s manpower, call the other branches. Martin, find that hostess, Franny. Linc, check the whereabouts of the Ames family at the time of the hospital attack. Also, see if you can get any more info on Andromeda. Check cell towers. Re-interview the operator and any staff who was with Maddox in the OR. Monique, please contact technical analysis. I want a background on Kevin Tyler and Burt Marshall. Look for any crossover to Cassie.
"Kieran and I will look at the ten dead women, and I’m sure they looked, but we will check for any deaths in the area of Ames’s early life as well as Bynum Jr.’s. Zach, I want you to speak to Whitman Senior’s partners. If you have to, go in as part of Homeland.”
Zach “Ice” Wentworth, trained as a site exploitation specialist, was the team chameleon. The founders held Homeland Security credentials, which facilitated the company’s work with the government.
Ian reached into his jacket inner pocket. “Martin, when you are done with Franny, we need to find out why Cassie had this in her closet.” Ian placed the baby hat on the table.
Monique drew a sharp breath. “You think she has a child?”
Ian arched his brow. “I don’t know. It’s time to start pushing a little harder with the family.”
Martin picked up the tiny hat. “If I were a girl, I would go to my best friend. If it’s okay with you, I’ll start with Sophie.”
Esther entered the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Amy forwarded the following pieces of information. Cassie was admitted to the Franklin Clinic at 0400, seven hours after the Mellon 21 exhibition. I sent the publicity pictures from that night to your tablets. Brett notified me they have a five-point facial recognition match for Phyllis Wilson at Petals. And Greg Wilds called. He wants to see Ian at 1500. Ian, I told him you were out of town on business. Stephanie is Dr. Stephanie Reynolds, a psychologist specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder.”
“Esther, call Wilds. Tell him I will meet with him instead of Ian at 1600. Also, call Stephanie Reynolds. Once you track her down, forward the call to me. Thank you again, everyone,” Kieran concluded the three-hour meeting.
