“Yes, I’m Jordan Clarke.” He rose to his feet and offered his hand. “Call me Jordan.”
“Jordan, I’m Dr. Trina Edwards.” She shook his hand, then gestured toward the chair. “Please sit.”
He wanted to argue that he’d been sitting for too long already, but the shimmering compassion in her eyes had him sinking back down into the uncomfortable chair. He braced himself for more bad news.
“Jordan, I wanted you to know I’ve positively identified the victim that Bear has found as your half sister, Jennifer Clarke. And I’m sorry to tell you that it appears she’s been dead for about two months now.”
He frowned. “Two months? Not eight?”
“Two months, give or take a day or two,” she repeated. “I understand Jenny has been missing for a longer period of time than that.” Edwards hesitated, then gently asked, “Do you know when her baby was due?”
“The baby?” He tried to think back. “Ah, she was about four and a half months pregnant when she disappeared. I guess that would make her due in early February.”
“Yes, that matches my assessment,” Dr. Edwards agreed. “I believe Jenny was killed shortly after she gave birth.”
The news hit him with the force of a semitruck. “Killed how?” he asked, forcing the question past his tight throat.
“Shot in the chest at close range.” Dr. Trina’s expression was sympathetic. “I know this is little comfort to you, but she didn’t suffer. And she was an otherwise well-nourished and healthy female. There’s no sign she was mistreated prior to her death. I am truly sorry for your loss.”
He nodded, feeling numb. Jenny had been brutally murdered shortly after giving birth to her baby.
Maybe it was a good thing the FBI had created a task force. As upset as he was over losing Jenny, the thought of other women suffering the same fate made him feel sick to his stomach.
And the biggest question of all: Where was Jenny’s baby?
THREE
Autumn submitted her reports on both the break-in at her house and Bear’s finding Jenny Clarke’s body. Captain Redding crossed over to her as she finished. “Good work on finding the missing Clarke girl, but what’s this I hear about a break-in at your personal residence?”
“I’m not sure what to tell you, Captain.” Autumn stood to face her boss. “Jordan Clarke happened to be driving by and tried to help grab the perp, but the guy was armed and took several shots to keep us from catching up. When I heard a car engine, I knew he escaped.”
“You know for sure the perp is male?” Redding asked.
“No, sir, I don’t.” She flushed, shrugged. “The intruder wasn’t that tall, maybe five eight or five nine, and wore black clothes, including a hoodie covering his or her head.” She sighed. “Drug-related robberies are on the rise, but those perps are more likely to grab stuff and go. The way this guy fired at me makes me wonder if this is something more personal. I haven’t had time to go through my files to see if anyone I arrested in the past few years may be out on parole and seeking revenge.”
“Yes, I’m afraid the Clarke case will take priority,” Redding agreed. “I’ll have Peters start working your case. You’ll need to head to Denver soon for the first multiagency task force meeting.” Her boss nodded at Bear, who was stretched out on the floor beside her. “Bear’s tracking expertise will be invaluable, although there will be other K-9s and handlers working the case, too.”
She didn’t mention Detective Peters’s anger and frustration with her being chosen to participate. How would he feel about trying to find her assailant? “Bear and I look forward to helping the team.”
“I’ve already informed Peters that you’ll be taking over the investigation into the Jenny Clarke murder,” Redding continued. “He’s not happy, but he agreed to provide you the notes he has so far on the case.”
“I was with Jordan Clarke for the interview.” She didn’t mention the lack of information gleaned from the discussion. “I appreciate your confidence in my abilities.” Her boss knew she’d taken the detective’s exam with hopes of being promoted. She could only imagine how upset Peters was at being usurped by a mere K-9 patrol officer.
“Denver is only thirty minutes away, but I’m sure you’ll want to be there early.” Redding grimaced as he glanced at his watch. “I realize that doesn’t give you much time to look into your previous arrests to identify the perp who may be looking for revenge. That part you’ll need to do. But I’ll have Peters look at similar attempted robberies in the area.”
“I’ll do what I can before heading out.” Autumn noticed Jordan Clarke was still hanging around the precinct. “I’d like to update Jordan—er, Mr. Clarke—on my new assignment now that I’ve been tasked with handling his sister’s case.”
“Go ahead.” Redding frowned. “I feel bad knowing he was right to raise the alarm over his sister’s disappearance.”
“Yes, sir. Me, too.” She turned toward her K-9. “Come, Bear.”
Her dog lumbered to his feet and accompanied her through the maze of cubicles to the front lobby area. Jordan looked relieved to see her.
“Hey, Autumn. I wasn’t sure you were still here.” He swallowed hard, his expression somber. “Dr. Edwards explained that Jenny was killed two months ago, very shortly after she gave birth.”
“I’m so sorry.” She instinctively reached for his hand. “I had a feeling she was buried in that shallow grave sometime over the winter. But only two months ago? That’s really strange.”
“I know, I keep trying to figure out where she’s been all this time.” Jordan clung to her hand for a long moment. “I wish I could have found her sooner.”
