“Easton, can I have a word?” asked the captain.
“Of course.”
Captain Perry sat in her guest chair. “I just found out that Claire-Marie Fox is a friend of yours. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
“Detective, our jobs are difficult enough, but when a case becomes personal, it can be…” She paused. “It can be hard to detach. Why don’t you take a few days to—”
“With all due respect, Captain, I don’t need time off. I need to find the person who’s killing these women before he does it again.”
Captain Perry nodded. “We’re drafting a press release and the chief is holding a press conference later today. We’re going public with the Wedding Gown Killer and alerting women to his M.O.”
“Good. Something has to change because he’s definitely got the upper hand.”
On a nod,Captain Perry left.
That evening, on her way home from work, her cell phone rang. “Detective Easton.”
“Hi…um. This is Parker Sandler’s sister, Debbie. You’ve been trying to reach me. I’m sorry I haven’t been available. Could you meet us at The Dungeon tonight?”
“Us?”
“Me and Parker.”
“There’s a BOLO out for him.”
“A what?”
“He’ll get arrested if a cop spots him. Give me your address and I’ll meet you now.”
“We’re driving back from Philly. Here’s Parker.” Emerson pulled into her driveway. “Detective, I promise you I’ll be there tonight.”
“What time?”
“We can meet you on L2 at nine thirty.”
“I’ll be there.” The line went dead and she called Nikki. “I heard from Parker Sandler and his sister. I’m meeting them at The Dungeon tonight.”
“I can’t join you,” Nikki said. “I’ll be on a stakeout for another case.”
“No worries,” Emerson replied. “I’ve got this.”
* * *
That evening, Stryker and his crew pulled into the abandoned strip mall. The shops had shuttered years ago and the structure sat untouched. The place was like a ghost town in the middle of a bustling section of Alexandria.
The guys were alone. Brooks cut the headlights, drove around back, and stopped in front of the rear entrance to an athletic apparel store.
“I’ll be your eyes across the street in the fast-food parking lot,” Brooks said.
Stryker, Sin, and Rhys pulled on their night goggles. “If Farraday doesn’t show, we follow Plan B,” Stryker said before pulling on his leather gloves.
“I’ll be behind the dumpster,” Rhys said. “It’s not as close as I’d like, but I can make it inside the building in—” He glanced over his shoulder. “Less than ten seconds.”
“Good luck,” Brooks said. “I got your six.”
The three men exited Stryker’s SUV and Brooks drove away. Sin pulled out his lock pick and went to work while Stryker and Rhys kept watch.
