“Was he raped?”
“Yeah. They’re doing the exam now, so I won’t have results for a few hours at best.” Nash grimaced and shuddered. “We gotta get this fucker, Colin.”
“Did the kid get a good look at him?”
“Nah,” Shannon said with a sneer. “He had a hood over his head the entire time, so he saw nothing. He was tied up and gagged.”
“So, he was held not quite twenty-four hours.”
“Yeah, about that.”
“And he has no idea of the location?”
“All he told me so far was that the guy drove around for about an hour before dumping him in the parking lot. But that doesn’t mean much. He could have been driving around just to throw us off on the time factor.”
“Shannon, keep me in the loop,” Colin said.
“I’ll send you a copy of my report soon as I finish it. Should I send it to Donnie and Clayton too?”
“No, that’s my job. I’ll disseminate the information to everyone on the task force who’s assigned to the case.”
* * *
The report arrivedin Colin’s office just before he left for the day and reading it left a foul, dark sickness roiling in his gut. The victim had been raped and suffered anogenital trauma but there was no evidence of semen in his body either from anal or oral penetration. He had been severely beaten, and most of his injuries flowed from that source. “Jesus,” Colin spat out, his chest tight with anger. He sent the report to the task force, then headed for home.
Still disturbed by what he had read, he discussed the information with Joshua that evening hoping Joshua’s calm presence could ease the feelings of revulsion still churning within him. His husband winced, then nodded as if he understood the report’s significance. “That makes sense to you?” Colin asked.
Joshua nodded, his face twisted. “Part of it anyway. My guess? The attacker is probably impotent. In cases where the assailant suffers from some kind of sexual dysfunction there’s usually a higher incidence of intra-rape violence and anogenital injuries.” He glanced at his husband. “This information seems to fit that profile.”
“That might help us,” Colin said, reaching to stroke his hair. “At least it’s another fact we can work with.” He sneered out a disgusted breath. “God, I want to catch this guy!”
“It’s an educated guess, Colin, not a fact. Andeveryonewants you to catch him,” Joshua murmured. “The whole university is on edge because of these abductions.”
“You seeing evidence of that at the clinic?”
Joshua nodded. “Well, we’re screening a lot more calls on the hotline. Anxiety related. Depression. Stuff like that. Mostly students.”
“This would be an excellent time for everyone to keep to their dorm and stay off the streets.”
“You know that won’t happen. Not on a campus this large.”
“Shannon and the other cops are talking to everyone within a two-mile radius of where these abductions took place. They’re each taking a sector, so they hit as many people as possible. Maybe they’ll come up with something.”
“There’s no connection between these victims?”
“None so far, and listen, Josh,” Colin said reaching to take Joshua’s hand. “This guy isn’t just taking girls anymore. He’s taking guys too. So be damned sure you’re aware of your surroundings when you walk to your car...or anywhere else.”
“We’re not that close to the theater,” Joshua observed.
“You’re closeenough,” Colin replied. “Easy walking distance.” He drew Joshua into his arms. “I’m not kidding. Be aware. Don’t let your guard down for a second.” He leaned back and scrutinized Joshua for a moment. “I don’t suppose you’d consider carrying my gun just—”
Before he could finish the sentence, Joshua jerked away in stunned surprise. “Are youkiddingme, Colin? You know better than that! I’m scared to death of that thing!”
“I could teach you how to use it safely,” Colin told him. “A few sessions at the gun range with me, and you’d be fine.” He frowned and caressed Joshua’s cheek. “Just for protection.”
Joshua gazed into his husband’s eyes in silence for a long moment, then he smiled. “I adore you,” he murmured.
Colin’s brows narrowed and he cocked his head. “Is that your sweet and husbandly way of telling me ‘no’?”
