"No, but we’re hoping you can help with that," the special agent said."We found a body, and it looks like the Riverside Strangler is back."
"Back?"Alison asked."I’ll come and take a look."
She knew she would refuse if she wanted and concentrate on her sister’s case, but it was a chance for redemption.The Riverside Strangler was her first case.Emma’s case might be her last.
I have a second chance, and I’m not going to blow it this time.
CHAPTER TWO
"Thank you for coming."Special Agent Nicole Hartley said when Alison entered the office.
Alison grabbed the woman’s hand when it was extended, and she shook it.She’d come straight from the airport after flying out to California.
"Professional curiosity got the better of me," Alison admitted."The Riverside Strangler was the first case I worked.Honestly, I didn't do a lot of work on the case, but I wanted to come for another crack at it."
"They never did catch him, did they?"Hartley asked.
"No," Alison admitted."From what I know of the case, they came close at one point and thought they had their man, but it turned out to be someone unconnected to the case looking for fame.The killer murdered three people and was never seen or heard from again.You really think they’re back?"
"That’s what we want you to help us with," the special agent admitted.
"Okay, but why me?"Alison asked."I didn't work on the case for very long.You could measure my contribution in minutes."
"Because…" Hartley paused."Why don't you come through to my office, and I can explain it better to you.All the information is in there."
"Sure."
Alison’s mind ran wild with the possibilities.The special agent had called her out to Philadelphia and was now being vague about the case.There was more to it than just a body.
The FBI field office in Philadelphia was unlike the one she was used to in California.The field office was much smaller, but the workstations within were almost identical, and it had the same feel.There was a buzz of noise that lilted through the building, and the rhythms and beats of the phone calls and conversations felt like different verses of the same song.
Special Agent Hartley’s office was larger than Alison had expected, and one wall was covered with photos that Alison viewed but couldn’t take in immediately.
"This is part of the reason why I called you," Hartley said.
Special Agent Hartley was shorter than Alison, had blonde hair to Alison’s black, but they both shared a similar shade of green eyes.Alison dressed professionally for work in a pinstriped suit, and while the special agent wasn’t dressed scruffily, she wore baggier clothes that looked far more comfortable.
Alison only picked up on it when the special agent turned to the side, and she gained Alison’s respect immediately.She had not formed an opinion of the agent, which usually came after some time working together, but the baggy clothing was meant to hide the developing belly.
The special agent had been pointing at one of the photos on the wall, but caught Alison’s gaze moving downward.
Harley smiled."It’s getting harder to hide."
"How far along are you?"Alison asked.
"Just over five months."
"That’s incredible."Alison laughed."Even just the miracle of life in itself, but to be working at the same time.It must be hard."
"Yeah."Hartley stopped to think about it."It can be at times, but I’m used to it.It’ll get a lot harder as we get closer to the due date, but I’ll work as long as I can.I hope you’re okay working with a pregnant agent."
"Of course," Alison said."The real question is whether or not you’re okay working with me.I have an uncanny ability to attract danger."
"You also have an amazing knack for solving the cases that no one else can."
"Then let’s hope we solve it together before there’s any danger."
Alison couldn’t help but smile again as the agent went back to work.Her job was inextricably linked to death, and yet, here was new life.
