“Ira.” I tip my hat in greeting. “What can we do for you?”
“Well, I was outside watering my plants and that red car slowed down by the house again. They didn’t notice me at first, but as soon as I waved, they sped off.”
Next to me, Jade stiffens, and my hackles rise. I don’t like this one bit.
“Thanks for letting us know, Mrs. Ira. Did you happen to get a good look at this person?”
The old woman shakes her head. “No, sorry. They were wearing a dark hoodie, and I couldn’t see much. Especially not with these old eyes of mine.”
“Okay. That’s okay, Mrs. Ira” I turn my attention back on Jade. “Why don’t you go in and pack your things and anything you’ll need for Pumpkin. I’m going to take another look around your property.”
“Okay.” Jade nods and heads inside.
“Is everything okay?” Mrs. Ira asks.
“We’re not sure, Mrs. Ira. But if someone is watching Jade, I don’t want her here.”
“You’re a good man, Weston Donovan. Please take care of our Jadie.”
“I’m not going to let anyone hurt her, Mrs. Ira.”
After we get everything Jade needs, I take her back to my place and make sure she’s comfortable before I head into the station.
I’m not sure what it is I’m looking for, but something is nagging at me. I pull out files upon files, scouring through them for anything about a red car, but nothing is popping up. Frustrated and ready to give up, my heart stops when it finally hits me. RM. The initials on the locket Jade found on her porch that night. I flip to the file I need, and my stomach lurches. Rachel Murphy. Our Jane Doe.
How the fuck did her necklace end up on Jade’s porch?
Holy fuck.
My mind races to another file, and there, in a plastic bag, is an earring from one of the other crime scenes. I think back to what Jade said that day. Something about another ring she had thought was Sarah’s. All the air in the room ceases to exist as I put these pieces together. Is our unsub taking jewelry from his victims?
It doesn’t make sense, though. I don’t understand how this involves Jade. She’s not blonde.
Natalie.
My head snaps up, and I reach for my phone to call Cade.
“What’s up?” he answers on the second ring.
“Do you remember that earring you found at one of the crime scenes?”
“Uh, yeah. Why?”
“I think our unsub is taking jewelry from his victims. I need you to speak with Ms. Tizzy. Find out if Natalie had anything she might have been wearing that’s not accounted for.”
“You got it.”
I hang up the phone just as Garrett walks into my office.
“Hey, Sheriff. What are you doing here?”
“I’m trying to figure something out,” I tell him, sorting through all the files again.
“What do you got? Maybe I can help?”
“Other than a couple pieces of jewelry and a red car, nothing. But I could use your help.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
