But his gorgeous partner had already taken the leap.
Storming by Parker Young and Brook Michaels—two of the unit’s other detectives who were currently at their desks—Riley didn’t bother to knock on that closed door.
Barging into Captain Vogel’s office, she greeted him with a firm, “You’re not taking me off this case.”
Shit.Eric stepped quickly to catch up to her. “Sorry, Cap. We just got here, and—”
“Close the door,” Captain Vogel’s order cut him off.
Eric shot a quick look to the others behind him before closing the door and facing his boss.
Sitting in one of the two chairs positioned in front of Vogel’s desk was Maggie. Her naturally curly hair was pulled back into a loose style that suited her. She’d chosen a perfectly pressed dress with matching heels for her work attire.
In the chair next to her was a man Eric had never seen before. Wearing a black suit—so typical for Federal agents—the guy had short, dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard.
Eric could tell the guy was tall despite the fact that he was sitting down, but the set of cool, intelligent eyes staring back at him said a hell of a lot more.
“Special Agent Noah Killion,” Captain Vogel began. “I’d like for you to meet my unit’s top two detectives...Riley York and Eric West.” To him and Riley, he said, “Agent Killion is from Denver’s FBI field office.”
“Colorado?” Eric’s confused gaze bounced between the two men. “I’m sorry, I thought this had to do with the women being killed here.”
“Unfortunately, it does.” Agent Killion stood and held out his hand. “Good to meet you, Detectives. I’ve heard good things about you both.”
Eric shook the man’s hand and tipped his chin. “Agent Killion.”
“Please, call me Noah.” He turned his focus to Riley and smiled. “Detective York.”
“Riley.” Her hand became swallowed by the good-looking bastard’s. “It’s nice to meet you, too, but I’m confused. You said you’re here because of the case we’re working on?”
“I am.” He shoved his hands into his suit pockets. “I actually requested a meeting with Dr. Cartwright and the homicide team working the first three victims after news of those killings crossed our channels. Dr. Cartwright informed me of your newest victim during that meeting, and suggested I meet with both of you, as well.”
“What am I missing, here, Cap?” Eric looked to his boss for an explanation.
Agent Killion answered for him. “I believe the man you’re looking for is the same man we’ve been trying to find for over a year.”
“What?”Both he and Riley turned to their captain for an explanation.
“Take a breath, detectives,” Vogel ordered. “Let’s back up a few steps.”
The man was in his late fifties, his silver hair thinning, but he was still the toughest SOB in the entire damn department.
“You mind?” Killion looked to Vogel for permission to lead the discussion.
Vogel waved him on.
“Thanks.” Turning back to Eric and Riley, Killion began to explain. “About a year and a half ago, we had a string of six murders. They began in Colorado and ended in Wyoming. All six women were prostitutes between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. They had long, dark hair, were kept bound by their wrists and ankles, and held captive anywhere from several hours to a few days before they were sexually assaulted and strangled.”
“Were there any other markings on the victim’s bodies?” Riley asked before Eric had the chance to.
“If you’re referring to the Roman numeral thirteen the killer carves in the skin covering the victim’s left shoulders, the answer is yes. That’s why I’m here.” Killion opened a folder that had been on Vogel’s desk. Inside were pictures of the women he’d been referring to. “When the Dallas PD’s homicide unit ran a search on similar known victimology, we got a hit.”
A haunted expression crossed over Riley’s face. “What about John Lewis? I’m assuming you’re familiar with the case in New York?”
“I am. And I think it’s safe to say they arrested the wrong man.”
“Agent Crenshaw seemed so sure.” She glanced at the pictures on Cap’s desk. “When he called to tell me about the arrest. He was confident Lewis was our guy.”
“Because Agent Crenshaw had convinced himself Lewis was guilty. He was new to the Bureau and felt the pressure of that first case. Unfortunately, he let that dictate how he did his job.”
