His answer is smart and rather selfless, not something I see often when one agency takes over a case from another. It would make things a hell of a lot simpler. I nod in a sign of approval.
“So can you tell if that is John?” Hawks tilts his head, motioning inside and to the left of the door. As carefully as possible, I lean through the opening, making sure not to touch anything. It takes my mind a moment to catch up with what I’m seeing, and when I do, it confirms my earlier thoughts of rage.
Words like overkill, disorganized, and vicious flit through my mind as I take in the scene. There is debris all over the floor—papers, a stapler, a computer keyboard that I’m certain has some brain matter or other soft tissue stuck to the corner, and so much blood. This wasn’t planned, and I doubt Hawks will need to look for another weapon outside, because the killer found everything he needed in this room, including the reusable metal straw that is sticking out of John’s eye socket.
“That’s John. Don’t know his last name, only met him in passing,” I confirm.
“Anything else?” Hawks prods.
“A lot of something else. This isn’t just murder, it was torture. The assailant isn’t new to violence. They are comfortable hurting people. It wasn’t planned, which leads me to think poor impulse control, but they were willing to take their time, which speaks to a level of confidence. They either knew they would have time alone with the victim or were too enraged to care, because this kind of violence doesn’t happen in the span of a few minutes.”
When I turn, Hawks is watching me, his eyebrows high on his forehead, allowing me to see his surprise. “I’m a profiler,” I explain.
He blinks once before his features relax. “Your lady friend was worried about someone being in her house, and we have a murder right outside her door. I can’t help but think you might know a hell of a lot more than you’re telling me, and you justtold me a shitload. Do you know who did this?” He sounds more curious than accusatory, but I can’t say I like either sentiment.
“I don’t know who did this, but I agree, it’s too coincidental for my liking.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“A lot more than I am.”
“Do I need to be worried for my community?” His eyes narrow in the first signs of wariness.
“I don’t know. Long story short, Harlyn’s sister was murdered, and I think whoever did it is now hunting her.”
He whips off his hat and smacks the thing against his leg before muttering, “Christ on a cracker.”
“I don’t know for sure if this was him. This doesn’t match his MO, but he could be escalating, devolving,or… this John guy could have pissed off the wrong person, and it could be completely unrelated.”
Hawks gives me the kind of droll stare that seems to be perfected with age.
I lift my hands in capitulation. “I don’t like it either, which is why I’ll be getting Harlyn the hell out of here.”
“And leaving us with a hell of a mess,” he retorts with attitude I understand.
“This was never my case, Hawks. I was here to do a podcast.”
“Jesus. I knew that thing was going to invite problems up here. I just thought it would be too many fudgies, not dead bodies.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t plan on letting up until whoever killed her sister is no longer an issue.”
“Let’s hope Wexford doesn’t ask too many questions so we can get you both out of here. You need to make sure that happens sooner rather than later.” He looks over his shoulder as if he can feel the small group of state police approaching.
“Hawks?” the one in front greets in question.
“Wexford. This is Special Agent?—”
“Landry,” I fill in while extending my hand.
“You called in the feds?” Wexford grips my hand tightly, but his eyes are on Hawks.
“Nope, I had the pleasure of meeting Landry yesterday, and when I saw him outside, I thought I would ask if he saw anything. He was able to identify the victim, unofficially of course.”
“Of course,” Wexford parrots.
“No last name as of yet, but we have a place to start,” Hawks continues.
“I’ll get the boys on it.” Wexford returns his attention to me. “You here on business or pleasure?”
