Page 90 of Forever Gone

“I’ve been thinking about that,” she said. “Connor mentioned it, too, but I think it’s worth looking for another connection between them.”

Annoyance rose before Selena could examine it.

The school link was the first fact that joined all three women beyond geography and injury. They had spent hours searching records and interviewing suspects while Linda Mercer remained missing. Now Kelly wanted to step away from the strongest line they had.

“It seems pretty clear-cut what the connection is,” Selena said.

Kelly turned toward her. “They all lived in this area. Going to the same high school isn’t unusual when there are only a few schools within reach.”

“They attended during overlapping years.”

“Not the same year. Their ages aren’t exact, and we haven’t established that they knew one another at school.”

“They knew enough of the same people for it to matter.”

“Probably,” Kelly said. “But we should compare employers, clubs, churches, medical providers, property records, relationships, and any complaints they made. Karen moved away. Ruth stayed. Linda worked in Harlan. Something may have brought them together later.”

Selena heard the careful tone and disliked that, too. It made the disagreement sound as though Kelly was managing her.

“We have a serial killer selecting women from the same school period and cutting out their tongues. That isn’t background noise.”

“I didn’t say it was.”

“Then work the connection.”

“I am. I’m suggesting we don’t make it the only one.”

Blethan leaned back, hands folded over his stomach.

Selena caught the interest in his expression.

“Do what you want, Kelly,” she said. “If you want to go chasing shadows when we’ve got a perfect connection, that’s fine. You do that, and I’ll look into what matters.”

Silence followed.

Kelly’s pen remained between her fingers. She did not argue. The restraint should have ended the irritation. Instead, it left Selena feeling as if she had pushed harder than the moment required.

Blethan rocked his chair back by an inch.

“Well,” he said, “this was entertaining.”

Selena turned toward him. “Is there any other forensic evidence?”

His eyebrows lifted, but he allowed the subject to change.

“No foreign DNA on Karen Sloane or Ruth Keller. No usable unidentified prints at either scene, I’m afraid. Both locations contained mixed household prints, but nothing that survived comparison as an unknown offender profile.”

“What about trace evidence?” Kelly asked.

“Common fibers. Soil. Plant material from Karen’s drive. Nothing specific enough to help yet. Linda Mercer may give us more. Her vehicle and the barn created additional surfaces, but Matt Price has only begun processing them.”

“Any indication the bodies were moved?” Selena asked.

“Karen and Ruth died where they were found. Linda was killed inside the car or placed there almost immediately after death. Blood distribution should tell us more once I’ve completed the examination.”

“Time of death?”

“Karen’s estimate remains within the original late-afternoon-to-evening window. Ruth died several hours before her boyfriend found her. Linda had been dead at least a day when Connor located the car, possibly longer. Temperature changes inside the barn make precision difficult.”