Chapter 24
Twenty-Four
“That’s Patricia Long,” Erin whispered to Noah and Kaely.
“You said you met her once?” Kaely asked.
“Yeah, she was doing a book tour and came to St. Louis. I was thrilled to meet her.” She shrugged.
“I’d written a couple of books for a small publisher.
When I went to the book signing, it was the first time in my life I wondered what it would be like to be a bestselling author.
Until that moment, the only thing I’d ever wanted was to be a cop. ” And a behavioral analyst for the BAU.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Noah said. He got up and walked over to where Detective Herrington and Patricia Long stood.
As they talked, Erin looked over at Paul’s desk.
He sat there, staring at her. She was worried he might try to cause a problem for Noah, but then she remembered that Herrington was the one who’d asked Noah to finish her interview.
She wasn’t certain who had more authority, Herrington or Paul Jackson.
It would be interesting to see what happened now that Herrington was back.
Erin noticed a copy of her book on Paul’s desk.
If he came back for a signature, she would be as nice as possible.
Maybe she could help to smooth things over.
She smiled at him and turned her attention back to Noah.
A couple of minutes later, he came back to where she and Kaely waited and sat down.
“Seems she’s in Virginia visiting her daughter,” he said. “She goes to college here. They want to question Ms. Long.”
“That’s quite a coincidence,” Kaely said, frowning. “She just happens to be in Virginia where the murders happened?”
Erin nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourselves,” Noah said. “Some coincidences are just that. Coincidences.”
Erin knew he was right, but it still set off alarm bells in her mind.
Seemed odd. But maybe she was trying to see something that wasn’t there.
She felt you could get to know someone through their writing.
An author’s personality bled through the pages.
She’d never noticed anything in Patricia Long’s writing that would make her think the author could be a serial killer.
Besides, the killer they were looking for was a man.
If by chance she was female, she’d have to be extremely strong.
The victims had probably fought back, and most women wouldn’t have been able to overpower them, although it wasn’t impossible.
She frowned and pulled the photos back toward her.
“What are you thinking?” Noah asked.
“I’m sorry,” Erin said. “I realize you found no evidence at the crime scenes. No DNA under the victims’ fingernails. But were there any defensive wounds?”
“No. Nothing,” Noah said.
“Could they have been drugged?”
Noah stared at her. “You’re wondering if a woman could have killed our victims?” He was quiet for a moment before saying, “Nothing suspicious in their tox screens.”
“There are some things that don’t stay in the system that long,” Erin said. “Like insulin. An overdose might not show up because it is absorbed quickly. And insulin is something naturally found in the body.”
“Actually, there are quite a few things like that,” Kaely said. She stared at Erin. “You’re wondering if a woman could have drugged or poisoned the victims and then been able to kill them without resistance?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sure Herrington is wondering the same thing,” Noah said. “Trust me, he’ll check to see where Miss Long was when the other women were murdered.”
Erin cleared her throat and nodded toward Herrington and Long as the two of them walked toward them.
“Ms. Delaney, I thought you might like to meet Patricia Long,” Herrington said. “Our latest victim was killed using the MO from Ms. Long’s book.”
Herrington’s tone wasn’t necessarily sarcastic, but there was definitely a sharp bite to it. Why? Surely, he didn’t actually suspect either one of them in the murders.
“Ms. Long is uncomfortable talking to us,” Herrington said, suddenly making the situation clear. “I thought maybe since you’re both in the same line of work, she would be more comfortable if you sat with her while I interview her.”
“Herrington,” Noah said, “why don’t we give Ms. Long a little time to decompress? It’s up to you, of course, but maybe some coffee and a little conversation would help before she talks to you?”
“Fine, but you know the rules,” he said, looking at Erin. “No sharing anything about the case that we’re trying to keep private.”
Erin nodded. “Of course.” She wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about, but she wanted him to think she did.
“All right, I’ll be back to interview her soon. I’ll need my desk back.” Herrington turned around abruptly and walked away.
“Sorry about that,” Noah said in a low voice. “He’s a little tightly wound. Of course, he has every right to be. We’re trying to find this guy. If we’d cornered him sooner, maybe he wouldn’t have had the chance to use your book as a road map to murder.”
“Trust me,” Patricia said, “I want him caught too. The idea that he took something from my book to kill someone makes me furious.”
“I understand,” Erin said. “He did the same thing to me.” She held out her hand. “I’m . . .”
“Erin Delaney,” Patricia said, shaking her hand.
Erin remembered her low, throaty voice from the book signing.
Very distinctive. Although she was about ten years older than Erin, Patricia didn’t look it.
She was a striking woman. Her brown hair was expertly streaked with blonde highlights.
“I loved Dark Matters, Ms. Delaney. Perfectly written. Very suspenseful.”
Erin opened her mouth to say I love your books too but suddenly felt like it would sound insincere.
Instead, she said, “I met you six years ago when you did a book signing in St. Louis.” She laughed nervously.
“I wanted to tell you how much I loved your writing, and that you inspired Dark Matters, but I was afraid it would sound disingenuous. And it’s Erin. Please.”
For the first time since entering the building, Patricia smiled. “I can tell from your writing that you’re a very straightforward person. And it’s Pat.”
“Thank you, Pat.” Erin pointed toward the tables set up in the back of the building. “Would you like to share a cup of coffee with me? Maybe we could talk a little bit? I mean, we’re both going through the same thing.”
Patricia sighed. “Yes. Yes, please. The police showing up at my daughter’s dorm room, insisting I come with them because some psycho used a book I wrote to commit murder? Yeah, I’ve been a little upset. I’m not quite sure what to think. Maybe talking to you will help.”
“Would you rather we wait here?” Kaely asked. “I’m Kaely Hunter,” she said to Pat, “and this is my husband, Noah. He’s working on this case.”
“Kaely Quinn-Hunter?” Patricia said with a smile. “I always look at the acknowledgments inside the novels I read. I guess it’s because of all the people who’ve helped me with my books. You worked for the BAU, right?”
“Yes, and now my husband works there.”
“I could tell that the research in Erin’s book was spot-on. Now I know why. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter.”
“Kaely, please.” She held out her hand, and Pat shook it.
“And Noah.” Pat shook his hand too.
Patricia smiled at them, but Erin could see the weariness in her face.
“Let’s go get that cup of coffee,” Erin said.
She stood and shook her head at Kaely and Noah, who nodded in understanding.
Erin felt it would be better to talk to Pat alone.
She was really upset. Erin headed toward the back of the building, Pat following behind her.
Erin wasn’t certain just how she could help.
What could she say that would calm Pat’s nerves when she was already fighting with her own?