"There are a lot of connections," he told them."They both worked directly or indirectly on a number of cases together.That gives us over a dozen people that they helped to incarcerate, and that number is growing.That also gives us over seventeen victims, which makes for a lot of family members and friends who might have a grudge against the two.I’ve worked cases like this long enough to know that we’re not necessarily looking for something that was done wrong, but something that the killer might perceive as wrong.Which, again, expands the list.However, I do think I have something here."
Derek tapped the desk before him as if there were a file there.
"What did you find?"Alison asked.
"Thomas Vaughan," Derek said."Among everyone I’ve found so far, he stands out to me.His sister was murdered five years ago by someone who was treated after being found not guilty on the grounds of temporary insanity.The man was released, and five days later, he was found with Vaughan’s sister—a murder-suicide."
"Any connection to the sister?"Moore asked.
"Not that they found.It looks like the released Brian Cooper was out for three months, bouncing from job to job, and grabbed someone off the street late one night.There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the murder or the suicide.It was an open-and-shut case."
"And Vaughan?"Moore asked.
"Inconsolable after being told the news," Derek said."No history of violence, no criminal record, a mini-breakdown after his sister was killed, but he went back to his job afterward.He has a wife and two kids.A house, a car, a dog, and all of that.However, he has been very vocal since his sister’s death, and has joined multiple protests and is a member of a number of activist groups looking for change within the criminal system.On the surface, he doesn’t seem like the type of person we’re looking for, but we don't know what’s going on beneath that, right?"
"Why now?"Alison asked."He might not seem like he fits the profile, but if there’s something that happened recently, a catalyst, then he would be our guy.When was his sister killed?"
"Five years ago," Derek said.
"No, the exact date," Alison told him.
"August seventh."
"That was three weeks ago," Alison pointed out."The five-year anniversary of her death.That would work as a catalyst."
"I’ll get my coat," Detective Moore said.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Alison stood with Detective Moore as she knocked on Thomas Vaughan’s door.Derek had remained at the office to continue researching connections to the victims and looking for someone with a reason to murder two professionals so violently.
When the door was opened, a woman with long black hair stood staring at them.The woman widened her eyes and shrugged a little.
"Whatever it is you’re selling, I ain’t buying."
"Detective Moore," Moore said, showing her badge."And my associate, Dr.Payne.We’d like to speak with Thomas Vaughan.Is he in?"
The woman rolled her eyes with a professionalism that hinted she practiced in front of the mirror most mornings, then turned and screamed into the house.
"Tommy!They’re back!"
As if that explained everything to everyone involved, the woman left them at the door and wandered away, leaving Alison and Moore standing there.
A moment later, a man in his thirties, Thomas Vaughan, came to the door.
"Who are you?"he demanded.
Moore showed her badge and introduced herself again, also introducing Alison.
"A doctor?"Thomas asked."What’s that for?"
"Can we come in?"Moore asked.
"Certainly politer than the last lot."Thomas turned from the door and waved over his shoulder, issuing a command."Follow me!"
Alison and Moore entered the house, with Moore closing the door behind them.They followed Thomas down the hallway lined with framed photos.Many were of Thomas and his family, around half of them, and the other half were of his sister, or the two of them together.They knew from the information they had compiled before coming over that Thomas had always been close with his sister, and the photographs bolstered that.
"Yeah, in here!"Thomas called as he entered a room.
