He continues with his semi-pointless recap. “They found clothes and shoes that match descriptions provided by several home invasion victims of the male assailant, including the images Janet Ross found online.”
My blood pressure skyrockets. “Well, we’re doing a bang-up job at getting evidence to convict Hartley. Oh wait, he’s dead.” I grind my teeth, fighting off a groan. “Perhaps we should prioritize preventing thenextmurder over solving crimes committed by a dead man and his shit-for-brains girlfriend. Are we the FBI or Mayberry PD?Jesus.The life of the most precious woman on earth is on the line. She’s counting on us to save her. Oh, and so is my psycho sister.”
“Easy, Hayes,” SSA Chase cautions, her wrist flexed to flash an open palm at me. “Do you need to step out?”
Although phrased as a question, it’s an order.
Maybe she’s right. I stand and prepare to take a quick break.
The trill of an incoming phone call makes my legs freeze.
Agent Carson puts the call on speaker. “What do you have for us, Andrews?”
His voice sails from the device in the center of the table. “I saw your text about the DNA hit. That, along with what we learned from Ginny’s supervisor at the casino boat, should tie a nice bow on her charges.”
“Tell us what you found out there,” Chase orders, always one to cut the bullshit.
I sink into my chair, remaining silent. Chase arches her brow at me, silently asking if I’m good to stay. I nod at her, then focus on my breathing and the recap Andrews is providing.
“Ginny’s supervisor shared her payroll records with us. The shifts she missed work align with the home invasion dates. Every last one of them. And a few others in the weeks prior that mightpoint to other events or crimes we weren’t aware of, such as whatever they did to force Sophie into the scam.”
I tap my fingertips on the table, ideas percolating. “Warren, can you send me those earlier dates? Maybe Ginny was present at Kenzie’s first abduction. That might explain how they know each other. Maybe Ginny was the one caring for her when she was abducted, and Kenzie befriended her to save her own ass.”
“IfKenzie was taken the first time,” Romero utters, shooting an apologetic look my way.
“I know, man.” I exhale forcibly. “Look. My sister is a bitter pill to swallow. But I don’t see her being part of this shit. At least not the entire time. She’s never been in trouble aside from trivial shit. I seriously doubt she’s capable of something this heinous.”
Then again,?a week ago, I wouldn’t have thought she was capable of the evil required to open that chasm between Lila and me.
“Sending her time sheet to the group chat now,” Andrews announces.
“Got it,” Chase responds, leaning toward the speaker phone. “You three have been in Cocoa for half a day. You better have more than that.”
“Buckle up. We’ve been busy,” my mentor responds, pausing to clear his throat. “We just pulled the plug on the upcoming sailings of the sunset gambling cruises. They’re pissed, but that’s what happens when your ship becomes the scene of a double homicide. An ERT squad arrived about thirty minutes ago, and they’re processing the scene.”
Carson beats Chase to the follow-up. “That sounds like more than a hunch. Talk to us about your proof.”
“Our newly deceased dealers, Emma and Sophie, both worked on last night’s evening cruise. Ginny Lawrence did too.”
“Someone’s been a busy gal,” Carson mutters.
Andrews continues. “Security pulled footage for us. The actual murders weren’t recorded, unfortunately. However, we saw enough to put together a plausible theory. I’d expect ERT will get us the forensics to prove it.”
“Hit me with it,” Chase orders, kicking back in her chair and twirling a pen between her fingers.
“Sophie was followed into an employee-only corridor by Ginny Lawrence and an unidentified male. Ginny swiped her badge to grant him access, then bolted to return to her post at the cashier’s cage. About five minutes later, Emma entered. Neither woman was spotted on camera leaving that room, nor were they seen anywhere else in the casino from that point on. The male exited through the corridor a few minutes later. We believe he slit their throats and tossed them overboard from a small deck attached to the rear of the break room. There isn’t any other way they could have left that part of the ship.”
“Any evidence on the back deck?” Romero asks.
“Blood on the railing, which I’m confident will match the victims. Hopefully some of his if we’re really lucky. When the perp emerged from that corridor, he was no longer wearing the black sweatshirt over his T-shirt. It was probably bloody, so he chucked it into the water.”
“Send me the footage of the unsub for facial rec,” Agent Carson jumps in, chomping at the bit.
“You won’t get a hit. I already tried,” Hemsley responds, interjecting from Andrews’ phone line, which must be on speaker mode.
We all brace for the inevitable blowback from their ongoing rivalry, but Bianca’s suddenly distracted by something on her screen. Her forehead creases deepen, and she lowers her face to her screen, her eyes swiping side to side like she’s speed reading.
Without anything snarky from Carson, Hemsley continues his explanation. “Between his dark sunglasses and a low-sethat, the perp kept himself well concealed. I also suspect Ginny helped him find the cameras so he could avoid them. With luck, we’ll eventually find a good shot buried in there somewhere. It’ll take a while to comb through it all, though. Let’s assume we won’t get an ID fast enough and find him another way.”
