"But he worked at Northern Star for years," another reporter called out without waiting to be acknowledged. "How did you connect him specifically?"
Isla's jaw tightened. That investigation had been frustrating—they'd checked every employee at Northern Star after finding boot prints at Alex Novak's murder scene, but Brune had changed his boots by then. The connection had finally come through painstaking cross-referencing of work schedules, dock access logs, and witness statements from multiple cases.
"Comprehensive review of personnel records, forensic evidence, and victim timelines," she said, keeping her response deliberately vague. Some details needed to be held back. "The evidence pointed to Mr. Brune specifically."
"Agent Rivers!" A man in the back waved his phone. "Jason Webber, True North Podcast. Your listeners want to know—what was it like confronting a serial killer who'd evaded detection for decades? Can you describe that moment?"
Isla felt James shift behind her, and she resisted the urge to look back at him. This was exactly the kind of sensationalized question she'd dreaded.
"I was doing my job," she said flatly. "The focus should be on locating Mr. Brune and ensuring public safety, not on—"
"But you were alone when you encountered him at North Pier, correct?" Webber pressed. "That must have been terrifying, facing him one-on-one."
"I was armed and trained," Isla said, her voice cooling by several degrees. "And I wasn't terrified—I was focused on apprehension. Unfortunately, Mr. Brune fled before backup arrived."
Kate stepped forward slightly, a subtle signal that Isla should wrap up, but the questions kept coming.
"Agent Rivers, how does it feel to be the one who finally caught the Lake Superior Killer?"
"Is there any connection between this case and your previous work in Miami?"
"Are you worried he might target you specifically since you identified him?"
That last question, from a young woman near the front, made Isla's stomach clench. She hadn't allowed herself to think about that possibility, had pushed it down every time it tried to surface during her late-night walks along the docks.
"Mr. Brune's pattern has been consistent," she said carefully. "He targets vulnerable individuals near the waterfront. I don't believe—"
"But you disrupted his routine," the woman interrupted. "You exposed him. Doesn't that make you a threat to him? Doesn't that put you at risk?"
"Marshal Argon will now address the manhunt logistics," Kate said smoothly, stepping back to the podium and effectively cutting off that line of questioning. "Thank you, Agent Rivers."
Isla moved aside as Argon took her place, launching into a detailed explanation of search parameters, jurisdictional cooperation, and public safety measures. She should have felt relieved to step out of the spotlight, but the reporter's question echoed in her mind.
Doesn't that put you at risk?
James appeared at her elbow, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "You did good. Clear, professional, exactly what they needed."
"I hate this," Isla murmured back, watching Argon field questions with the easy confidence of someone who enjoyed media attention. "Standing here talking about him while he's out there somewhere."
"I know." James's hand almost touched her arm, then dropped back to his side. The gesture was so brief she might have imagined it, but the warmth it generated lingered. "But Kate's right—people need to know who to look for. Someone out there might have seen him."
The press conference continued for another twenty minutes, with reporters lobbing questions at Argon about search grids, inter-agency coordination, and the resources being devoted to Brune's capture. Isla stood at attention, maintaining the professional facade while her mind drifted to the map on her computer screen, the scatter of red pins representing sightings that led nowhere.
Finally, Kate stepped forward to close the conference. "We'll provide updates as the situation develops. Mr. Brune's photo and description are available on the FBI's website and through our tip line. If anyone has information about his whereabouts, please contact the number on your screen. Thank you."
The reporters didn't disperse immediately, clustering together in small groups to film their stand-ups and live shots. Isla caught fragments of their commentary as she moved toward the building's entrance.
"—remarkable detective work—"
"—decades of killings finally exposed—"
"—the agent who caught the Lake Superior Killer—"
She pushed through the glass doors, grateful for the relative quiet of the lobby. The cold air had seeped through her blazer during the conference, and now the building's warmth felt suffocating by contrast.
"Agent Rivers!" A voice called out behind her. "Just a few more questions—"
Kate was suddenly there, positioning herself between Isla and the reporter who'd tried to follow them inside. "We've concluded the official statement. Further inquiries can bedirected through our public affairs office." Her tone was pleasant but left no room for argument.
