“Wow, that was fast,” she said. “You are good.”
“I’ve been doing this a long time.”
“How long?”
“Since I was fifteen.”
“What made you want to get into hacking?”
“You ask a lot of questions, Easton.”
“I thought we were beyond the formalities.”
“It’s your name, isn’t it?”
He had her on that. It was her name. “You also have a great way of not answering my questions.”
“Run me through what happens with April’s body,” he said.
“It’s up to her next of kin.”
“I’ll pay for whatever he decides.”
“What? Why would you do that?”
“If we find the killer stalked her here at my club, I’m responsible for what happened to her.”
“No, you aren’t, Stryker.”
“If he wants her body sent back to Iowa, I’ll pay for that. Or cremation.”
“You sure?”
“If the words are coming out of my mouth, I’m sure.”
Emerson dialed.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Mr. Peters?”
“You got him.”
“My name is Detective Easton. I’m with the Arlington, Virginia police.”
“I’m in Iowa. You sure you got the right guy?”
“Are you April Peters’s brother?”
Silence for a few beats. “Is she in trouble?”
“Are you her brother?”
“Yeah.” His tone had changed, the anxiety sending a quiver through his voice.
Emerson pushed out of the chair. “I’m very sorry to tell you this…your sister is dead.”
Silence, then he whispered, “God, no. Please, no.”
