Page 20 of Evidence of Us

“Okay,” I sigh and walk with Kevin to the front.

“Say your name, what our team does, and the basics,” Kevin tells me. “If someone asks something and you don’t want to answer, just say you cannot comment on an ongoing investigation. If they get off topic, tell them to stay on topic.”

“Alright,” I say as he turns to me.

“Let’s go,” he says, opening the door with a smile.

When we walk out, the sun is up, and the parking lot is full. They all shut up when I step in front of them. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale, ready to take on the world.

“Good morning. I am Detective Mariska Rowan with the New Haven Police Department, Sex Crimes Division… We have positively linked nine murders to the same perpetrator, tonight being thirty-year-old Harper Sloane… On behalf of my team and this department, we want to extend our condolences to the affected families of the victims. We will do everything within our power to bring this perpetrator to justice… We want the public to remain vigilant by traveling in groups, not answering the door for unknown persons, and keeping all windows and doors locked. This is not to cause mass panic, but to warn that this individual should be considered highly dangerous… We do not have a suspect at this time…”

“Tip line will be set up,” Kevin whispers in my ear.

“We will have a tipline set up, and we encourage everyone to report anything suspicious. No detail is too small, and we will investigate every lead as we navigate this case. As we have details to share, we will make those known.”

“What is the cause of death?” someone shouts.

“I will not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation,” I say.

“Were all the victims cut up?” a man asks loudly.

“I will not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation,” I repeat.

“Were they raped?” the same man asks.

“I will not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation,” I say yet again.

“Why won’t you provide any of the details of the crime?” a woman asks.

“Because I…” I say, pointing to myself. “Will not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation… That’s it… I will not comment on the details of an ongoing investigation. I will meet every single question with that answer. This is not to keep the public in the dark, but to give the victims and their loved ones the dignity of justice. We cannot do that if we provide the public with details to feed their natural morbid curiosity. What we know right now is that everyone needs to remain alert as we investigate these heinous crimes.”

Kevin and I turn and walk back into the station with the media in a frenzy behind us. “Kevin,” a man with a frown says as soon as the door shuts.

“This is Anthony, the sheriff,” Kevin says as we walk past him. When we get to the conference room door, Kevin turns and looks at him. “Yes, Anthony?”

“I want her doing the media interviews going forward,” Anthony says. Kevin just smiles and opens the door. Anthony is instantlydistracted as he goes into the room and looks at the boards I have set up.

“So?” Kevin says.

“She did all this?” Anthony asks as Zeke hugs me.

“I’m so proud of you. You did awesome, baby,” he whispers in my ear.

“Yeah, she’s a genius,” Kevin says. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Me?” I ask.

“What is 3268 times 47?” Zeke asks me, and everyone turns around to wait for my answer.

“153,596,” I say. “What does that have to do with… Oh.”

“Yeah, oh,” Zeke laughs. “You are the smartest cookie in the jar, baby.”

“Cookies are pretty tasty,” I say innocently.

“Remind me to test that theory later,” Zeke says with a wink.

“Perverts,” Kevin says. “Mariska, do you know a Doctor Dawson Thompson?”