Morales nodded."That's our read, too.And based on what you and your team have learned about Kane's disciples, this person believes they're doing righteous work."
Miles thought about the disciples they had caught before.Each one had possessed specialized knowledge related to their chosen method of murder.This killer would be no different.They would understand meteorology, atmospheric conditions, and how to predict where their victims would land based on wind patterns and release points.
"I think to start off, we need to compile a list of everyone associated with SkyHigh Adventures," Miles said."Instructors, pilots, mechanics, anyone who had regular contact with Parker.And we need to look at people with access to weather balloons and meteorological data."
"I can start pulling those records," Morales said."It might take a few hours to get everything together."
“And I can help,” Kim said from her place by the door, clearly ready to head out and get started.
"In the meantime, we should visit Parker’s family,” Vic said.“See if there's anything they might know that could help.”
“Sounds like we’ve got a plan,” Morales said.“All three of you, just let me know if there’s anything else I can do.As for now, Agent Kim...let me get you situated for a ride and assistance over to the field office.”
They headed out of the office space together, and Miles felt the investigation shifting into familiar territory.Another city, another disciple, another pattern to decode.But this method was different from anything they had encountered before.The scale and planning required to lift someone thousands of feet with weather balloons suggested patience and technical knowledge that made this killer particularly dangerous.And the wrecked state of the bodies meant less chance of the killer leaving clues…not that any of the disciples had so far.
Miles hated to think such a thing so early into the case, but this was already starting to feel like it might be the most difficult Elementalist case yet.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Miles adjusted the air conditioning vent as Vic navigated the rental car through mid-afternoon Los Angeles traffic.The GPS showed they were twenty minutes from the Parker family home in Pasadena, though with the congestion on the 110, that estimate felt optimistic.
"I keep thinking about the logistics," Vic said, changing lanes to avoid a slow-moving truck."How do you get someone thousands of feet in the air without anyone noticing?Especially with weather balloons.Even the smaller, cheaper ones would be hard to miss."
“They must have a pretty isolated launching spot,” Vic said.
"But you would still need to drug or incapacitate the victim first," Miles said."Then somehow get them into a harness, attach the balloons, and release them.That's not exactly a stealth operation."
Miles pulled up information about weather balloons on his phone, trying to center his mind.He used his favorite AI source and found what he needed quickly."A standard weather balloon can lift about seven pounds when inflated,” he read.“To lift an average person, you would need at least thirty balloons, probably more to account for the weight of the harness system."
Vic glanced at him briefly before returning her attention to the road."Thirty balloons.Can you imagine trying to manage that many while also controlling an unconscious person?"
"It would take time and space," Miles said."You couldn't do it in a populated area.Too many variables, too much risk of being seen.Like you said, you’d need somewhere isolated, probably with vehicle access to transport the victim."
"And the victim would need to be completely incapacitated," Vic added."If they woke up during the process, they could fight back or call for help.The whole thing would fall apart."
"The killer is meticulous...just like all of the other disciples have been.They wouldn't attempt something this complicated without having every detail worked out in advance.God only knows how long they spent planning this all out."
"So they scout locations, test the balloon system, practice the timing."Vic merged onto the exit ramp."But that level of preparation means they're not operating impulsively.They're choosing victims deliberately and giving themselves time to plan each murder."
"Which means there's probably a cooling-off period between kills," Miles said."Unlike some of the other disciples we've encountered, this one may not escalate rapidly after these initial two.They'd have to take their time because of the elaborate set-up.”
“Ah, if we could only be so lucky,” Vic said with a weary smile.
The GPS announced their arrival several minutes later, and Vic pulled up to the curb in front of a single-story ranch house with a well-maintained front yard.Two cars sat in the driveway, and Miles noticed that the curtains were drawn despite the afternoon sunlight.
They walked up the concrete path to the front door.Miles rang the doorbell and heard movement inside almost immediately.The door opened to reveal a woman in her early sixties with graying brown hair styled in a short bob.Her eyes were red from crying, and she held a tissue in one hand.
"Mrs.Parker?"Miles asked gently."I'm Agent Sterling with the FBI.This is Agent Stone.”
She nodded and said, “A lady by the name of Detective Morales called ahead to let me know you’d be coming."
“You’re Amanda’s mother, correct?”Vic asked.
“Yes, that’s right.Linda,” she said, offering her small hand for a shake.“Please, come on in.”
They followed her inside and Miles could practically feel the sorrow coming off of Linda Parker.The house matched it; the interior of the house felt heavy with grief.The living room was neat but the air itself seemed thick.A man sat on the couch, probably Linda's husband, and a younger woman occupied a chair near the window.The younger woman looked like she had been crying recently and was working hard to hold herself together.
"This is my husband, Robert," Linda said, "and our older daughter Jessica, Amanda's sister."
