Chapter 42 Lawson
LAWSON
A sick feeling churned deeply as I pulled into the trailhead’s parking lot. The scene had become far too familiar: the array of law enforcement vehicles, the coroner’s van. All because another life had been lost.
As I climbed out of my SUV, I caught sight of Maddie and Nash, Shadow at their sides. I lifted my chin in greeting, and Shadow quivered next to them. Maddie gave the dog a release command, and she ran over to me.
I bent to scratch behind her ears. “Going to see if she can catch a scent?” I asked.
“We thought it was worth a try,” Nash said. “We might be able to tell if he’s parking in the lots or has a place in the woods somewhere.”
I nodded. “Definitely worth a try.”
Holt had been training Wren’s dog, Shadow, for search and rescue, and now that Maddie was home, she’d taken the dog’s training up a notch. I glanced up at her. “You sure you’re up for this?”
It wasn’t that long ago that she’d been through her own harrowing ordeal.
Maddie nodded. “I want to help. And Nash’ll be with me.”
“Like glue,” Nash muttered.
I didn’t blame him.
“Let’s go,” I said.
Maddie gave Shadow another command, and she ran right back. Maddie leashed her, and Shadow stayed right at her side.
We made our way up the trail in the twilight. The poor hiker who’d called in the discovery would likely have nightmares for the rest of his life and might never hit a trail again.
Voices sounded from up ahead, and lights peeked out through the trees. The dump site was closer to the parking lot this time.
“Wanted her found fast,” Nash muttered.
“It’s a more popular trail, too,” I added as the group came into view. “Different from the kills five years ago.”
That could mean we had a copycat or that our killer was getting off on discovery, maybe thinking he was sending a message by getting his victims found quicker. My brain could make a case for either. What I really needed was Anson’s genius to figure it all out.
Gibson, the crime scene photographer, was shooting away, bending over the body to get some close-ups. Reed and Daniels were talking in hushed tones off to the side. Clint and Adams were speaking with Luisa and her assistant.
Daniels looked up at my approach. “Chief.”
I lifted my chin in greeting. “You take the hiker’s statement?”
He nodded. “Poor guy.”
“Poor me,” Reed muttered. “He almost puked on my shoes.”
I bit my tongue to keep from saying something I’d regret.
“When did he find the body?” I asked.
“About three this afternoon. Called it in. Reed and I got here a little before three-thirty. Rang you right after.”
I glanced at Luisa. “How long has she been dead?”
I shifted then, taking in the woman’s face—too much like Hallie’s. And now her skin was a sickly gray color. My gut churned. Hallie was safe. At my parents’ with the boys, Grae, and Caden.
Luisa’s lips pursed. “I’d say a few hours, give or take.”
Nash moved in closer to my side. “A few hours ago, someone left that note on Hallie’s SUV. Could doing that have set this guy off?”
That was the kind of thing I needed Anson for. To understand a dark and deranged mind. But one thing the note today made clear? The killer had Hallie in his sights.
“Clint,” I clipped.
He turned to me. “Yeah, boss?”
“Anything on the BOLO for Len Keller?”
He shook his head. “Nothing yet, but we’ve got all law enforcement agencies in the county and surrounding areas looking.”
My jaw worked back and forth. “I want you to get a list of hotels, motels, and rentals. Fax his mugshot and details to all of them. I want him found and now.”
Clint nodded, motioning to Abrams. “We’ll get on it. Call if you need anything else.”
I glanced at Gibson. “I want these uploaded to the case file and email sent to our point person at the FBI.”
“S-sure,” Gibson stuttered. “What should I say?”
“I’d like to tell them this body is on their conscience, but we’ll put it nicer than that. Tell them there’s been a development. A new confirmed victim.”
I looked down at the woman I recognized as a missing person from one town over, now with no color to her skin and clad in a blood-soaked nightgown with flowers in her hair. I didn’t need to see her hip to know there would be a brand there.
Maddie cleared her throat. “If there’s something I can use for a scent, I’ll start the search.”
Luisa reached into her pack for an evidence bag. “I need this back. A piece of the nightgown tore when the killer dragged her body.”
Maddie nodded. “Of course. I won’t let it get contaminated.”
I turned to Nash. “Call me with updates. And be careful.”
His hand rested on the butt of his service weapon. “Always am.”
Daniels shook his head. “Such a shame. She was so young.”
That sick feeling was back. Far too young. Way too much life ahead of her.
“I need to call the chief from Brookdale, make the notification. Stay here until Luisa and Gibson are done.”
Reed scowled at me but didn’t say anything.
Daniels nodded. “Of course, Chief. Let us know if you need anything.”
I made my way back down the trail, the image of the woman haunting my every step. Beeping my locks, I climbed into my SUV. I sat there for a moment, gripping the wheel so hard I thought it might break.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I pulled out my phone and hit a contact. It rang and rang. There was no answer until an automated voicemail picked up, then a beep.
“Anson. I need you, man. I know it’ll fuck with your head, but I need you. There’s a woman I care about. A woman I love.” My voice hitched at the word. “She’s in danger, and if I don’t figure out who’s after her, I could lose her. You know what it’s like to lose someone you love. Help me. Please.”
I hit end on the call and prayed it was one he’d return.