Chapter 3
Three
“So, you’re sure about this?” Kaely asked Noah as they finished breakfast.
“As certain as I can be.” He sighed and shook his head.
“We looked at the first killing as if he’d shown us his MO as well as his signature.
We thought that if he killed again, his MO would be the same.
Then the second murder threw off our investigation, because everything had changed.
It was then that we had a pretty good idea what the UNSUB was up to.
By the third murder, we knew what to expect, but we had no idea what his next choice might be.
None of us have seen anything like this before. ”
“It’s not fair,” Kaely said. “Erin is still trying to heal. She’s working on a new book. How can I tell her about this?”
Noah stared into his wife’s dark brown eyes and saw her concern.
Her curly auburn hair framed her lovely face, making his heart beat a little faster.
She looked exactly the same as the day he’d met her.
No matter how old she got, he’d still believe she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
Every day they were together was a gift he would never take for granted.
“I know it’s hard, but we believe she needs to come in.
Not only for her own protection, but because she might be able to help us.
We have three bodies, and we’d like to write a profile that will help catch this guy.
” He leaned back in his chair. “I had to get permission for you to be the one to tell her what’s happening.
If you don’t do it, the FBI will. I know it will be easier coming from you. ”
“What about the first two murders? Have you reached out to the others?”
“Yes. Todd assigned a case agent to the task force. He’s sent information to the field offices that cover the area where the authors live. They sent an agent out to interview them.”
Todd Hunter was the Special Agent in Charge of their Behavioral Analysis Unit. They were blessed to have him. Noah had great respect for Todd. Not all BAU units were represented as well as they were.
“Any feedback yet?” Kaely asked.
“It’s early, but I heard after the initial interviews that Dan Harper doesn’t seem too concerned.
He’s promised to tighten his security and let us know if he notices anything suspicious.
Toni Sue Smith is pretty spooked. She’s staying with a friend in another city.
Since we just realized the connection, agents will need to talk to them more.
If the BAU wants to speak with them, we’ll do what needs to be done online. ”
Kaely frowned. “Don’t you think someone should be watching out for them?”
“That’s up to law enforcement in their area. Our advice would be to provide protection, but ultimately that will be their decision.”
“But you want Erin here?”
Noah nodded. “She’s so isolated in Sanctuary, Kaely.
I’d feel better if she were here so we could keep her safe.
Besides, according to you, she’s got this incredible mind.
I’m hoping she can see something we might be missing.
We have approval from the state police to bring her to Fredericksburg.
They’ll interview her in person.” He smiled.
“I would never admit this to Todd, but her natural instincts are only second to yours.”
Kaely fought back a smile. “You’re only saying that because you don’t want to hurt my feelings.”
He got up from the kitchen table, went over to his wife, and kissed her on the head. “No, I’m not. You’re still the most naturally talented profiler I’ve ever met.”
She picked up her napkin and good-naturedly swiped it at him. Then she lifted her coffee cup and stared out the window.
She had grown quieter lately. Noah knew she was discouraged about the treatments they’d been going through, trying to get pregnant.
So far, nothing had been successful. They both wanted kids so badly.
He felt it was time for them to consider adoption.
There were so many children who needed homes.
He knew they’d love any child they brought into their lives as if they’d been born into their family.
Why was Kaely resisting the idea? He’d asked her once, and she’d explained that she wanted a baby that looked like him.
But he suspected there was more to it than that.
Her childhood hadn’t been good, and he wondered if somehow her reluctance to adopt was tied to that somehow.
Her grandparents had adopted her father, who turned out to be a notorious serial killer.
Was she was afraid the same thing might happen to them?
It was an unreasonable fear, but he wasn’t certain how to help her when she wouldn’t talk to him about it.
“I told Todd that you would contact Erin today and ask her to come.” He stood near the kitchen door and stared at Kaely.
“Will you call me after you talk to her? Let me know what she says? If she says no, we’ll have to turn it over to law enforcement out there.
Adrian probably won’t be involved. The state police will take over. ”
Kaely nodded. “Wish I knew exactly what to tell her. It’s not going to be easy.”
“I know, but I have faith that you’ll figure out just what to say.” He blew her a kiss. “Love you. I’ll call you later.”
She smiled at him. “Love you too. Bye.”
As he grabbed his jacket and his keys, he whispered a prayer for Erin’s safety and peace of mind, as well as help for Kaely as she struggled with her desire to get pregnant.
He glanced back at her one more time. She clutched her coffee cup and gazed out the window as if the view outside had answers to the questions and concerns that overwhelmed her.
He wished he could make things better, but until she came to terms with the failed treatments and her issues with adoption, there wasn’t much he could do but just love her with all his heart. That part was easy.
Erin enjoyed her walk with Adrian. He was more talkative than she was, and that helped her to relax.
They had so much in common. He’d been on the police force in Chicago, but the out-of-control crime and the lack of support from city officials had left him discouraged and wishing he were still in Sanctuary, where his grandparents had raised him.
When the chief of police retired a few years ago, he’d jumped at the job.
“This place really is a sanctuary for me,” he told her as they made their way down a trail that led to a large lake.
“I feel so at peace here. Since my grandparents died, the people who live here have become my family. I’m especially close to my officers.
Besides being great people, they excel in their jobs.
I’d put them up against any police officer in any city.
Sometimes I can’t understand why they stay here.
They could work anywhere. Like I said, things are usually pretty quiet—at least until you came to town, and we had to confront a serial killer. ”
“I hope you don’t think my being here had anything to do with that,” she said, laughing.
“No, not at all,” he responded with a grin. “But I certainly was glad you were here. You and Kaely were a great help.”
Erin loved the peace and quiet that had settled on the town after the killer had been caught. She hoped the only murders she’d have to deal with from now on would stay on the pages of her new book.
She’d just gotten back to the cabin and said good-bye to Adrian and Jake when her phone rang. She plopped down on the couch, and Chester jumped up next to her. He lay down and let out a sigh. Their walk had worn him out, and he fell into a deep, doggy nap.
She looked at her phone. Kaely. It had been a while. She answered it.
“Hey,” she said. “Glad to hear from you.”
She expected Kaely’s greeting to be equally cheery, but her response seemed guarded, careful.
“Everything okay?” Erin asked.
Kaely was quiet for a moment, and Erin felt herself tense up.
“No, it isn’t,” she said finally. “We need you to come here. There’s . . . a situation.”
“What kind of situation?”
Kaely cleared her throat before saying, “The BAU is working on a really serious case. Someone is killing women, and they’re using the MOs they took from certain mystery and suspense novels.”
“I don’t understand,” Erin said, although in the back of her mind, she did.
“The third murder copies the killings in your book, Erin. Investigators need to question you, and Noah and I are concerned for your safety. Please trust me and come here as soon as you can.”