Chapter Four Bree #5
I nodded, leaned back in my chair as Stanley joined us.
He had been a year below me in grade school, so I knew of him, but we never ran in the same circles.
These guys were all police officers, so I let myself go a bit.
“Things are moving along. We’re combing through everything, camera footage and all that. Interviewing everyone we can.”
Ray, the older detective, spoke up. “So, why’d they bring you in? Stone doesn’t usually need hand-holding.” He sniffed. “Need to bring in a consultant.” He finger quoted. “The department payin’ you for what, lookin’ over our shoulder?”
“Fresh eyes on a case like this can’t hurt.
Two murders in such a short time can cause panic if people think a serial killer is out there.
” I didn’t want to get into it, especially with one of the more experienced guys.
“Captain just felt more hands on deck were needed, and I was happy to oblige.” I went for a smile.
“So, what have you come up with so far?” He seemed determined to poke at me.
“Well, I’m pretty sure the same guy killed both women.
He got in and out both times without being noticed.
He’s smart, probably familiar with the club’s layout.
He waited until the place was busy, the alcohol had been flowing, and the sea of bodies was tuned in to the loud music.
Everyone pressed in close both on the dance floor and at the bar.
He’s probably decent looking, hits on the women, and they talk. ”
“That’s a stretch.” He made a face. I noticed the others watched us.
“I disagree.” I looked at him. “Straight women dancing and enjoying a few drinks are always open to a nice-looking guy. It’s why many of them are there.”
“She’s right,” Ginny chimed in. “I see it all the time when we go out. It’s nothing personal, but a girl’s got standards, just like men. A nice-lookin’ guy’s always welcome.” She laughed, and the others joined in.
“Race, age, height, and motive?” Ray cut through the noise of the table, shutting everyone up. He shrugged and waited for me to take the bait.
“That’s not something I want to comment on right now.” I turned to Ginny, but Ray held up a hand.
“No, let the newbie answer the question. You’re here as our consultant, so consult.”
I licked the inside of my mouth. I often ran into cops who had a problem with the fact that I didn’t wear a badge or that I didn’t have to follow their rules. “I’m not gonna speculate on that.” I hoped someone would change the subject again.
“So, what is it that you do speculate?”
“The facts.” I was tired but knew this was a test. “But if you insist.” I shifted my weight in my chair and looked at Ray. “White male, forties, medium height.”
“And that’s based on?”
“Nothing, because we don’t have all the facts yet. These facts are based on the average serial killer in America.”
“Motive?”
“To kill.” I lifted a shoulder. “His motive was probably to simply just kill someone, women. It probably wasn’t premeditated. He didn’t have any specific target in mind, but who knows at this point.”
“I could have told you that,” Ray scoffed.
“Of course you would have, because that’s really the only thing we’ve got so far.” I turned my glass in my hands.
“Weren’t you training to be an FBI agent?” Bostwick held up his phone. “I googled you.” He grinned as he scrolled through the page, and I knew the moment he read it. “No shit, you’re her?” His eyes lit up, and mine dimmed. “Oh my god.”
“What?” Ellis strained to see the screen, and Ray squinted at me like he distrusted me even more.
“She’s the girl Bradley was with when they stumbled onto the Barbed Wire Killer when they were just teens.
” Bostwick grinned like he’d just met a celebrity.
My stomach rolled, and I did everything in my power not to show how much that topic affected me.
Though I saw Kennedy’s pissed expression when he saw my face fall at the mention of it.
“What was it like? You got in a stare-down with a killer. You must’ve shit your pants wondering what he’d do to you. ”
I refused to comment. People always wanted to know the details, like when you see a car wreck.
“The case was never solved,” Bostwick said, filling in for the others who hadn’t heard of it.
“The guy wrapped barbed wire around his victims’ necks and choked them with it.
Threw their bodies in the river. Bradley and Bree just escaped by the skin of their teeth. Ran like hell and got out of there.”
“Just like you should,” Kennedy muttered. “Read the room.”
“So, you didn’t solve that case?” Ray’s mouth twisted as he folded his arms and sat back.
I could feel the sweat break along my forehead and swallowed hard as my head shot back to that day.
I could see the eyes of the killer boring into mine, and I imagined the wire was around my own neck.
Fear hit me in a wave. I took a moment to try to get myself under control so I could speak without emotion.
“I think you’d agree the department would hardly let a teen solve a murder.” I gave Ray a wry look. Kennedy pressed his hands against the table, and I could see he was trying to hold back. It wouldn’t do for him to get into it with them over me. I knew he could see how hard this was for me.
The walls seemed to close in on me, and I could feel my heart pound in my chest. “I think I should go.” I grabbed my purse and headed for the door against their protests. I pushed it so hard I nearly hit someone in the face.
“Wow, where’s the fire?” Brad dipped down low to catch my expression when I tried to hide it.
“No fire.” I plastered on a smile. “Kennedy thought it’d be nice for me to meet some of the guys. He invited me for drinks, but I really need to get some sleep.”
“You want me to drive you home?”
I pointed over his shoulder. “No, thanks, I’ve got my truck.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah . . . yes, I’m just mentally fried.
Go enjoy your friends. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.
” I didn’t wait for a response—I hurried across the street and down the two blocks to my truck.
Once I was safe in my steel box, I flopped my head forward against the wheel and let fear simmer its way to the surface.
Tears burned down my cheeks, and my heart began to race to the point of pain.
Thoughts of that awful day at the river swirled in my head, and I knew I just needed to ride out this panic attack, then I could pull myself back together again.
Maybe being back in Sheffield really was a bad decision.
“Oh my god,” I whispered as the tremors set in and rooted to my bones.
What I wouldn’t do to feel safe for one day.