Chapter 44
Knight had a damned tag-along. He resisted the urge to snarl.
At least it was Sebastian Lorcan and not Malachi.
Malachi had offered to ride back with him to Helery County to continue their conversation.
Hell, no. Almost two hours in a damned vehicle with Malachi—it would not be a conversation he wanted to have while driving.
Lorcan was going to grab Ward’s rental truck when they met back up in Helery County, and use it to get himself back to Finley Creek before turning the rental in at the branch in Finley Creek.
They still had too much to talk about, the truck was a secure, soundproof location for their conversation regarding the internal threat inside PAVAD, and it got Knight back to Miranda.
Because one thing had stuck out from Dani’s report.
Sheriff Johnson had brown hair. That girl he was always with was a platinum blond—long platinum blond.
She’d been on Kevin’s team. She knew Harper.
She was taller and heavier than Miranda—who at five-eleven and one-sixty, was a healthy size.
That girl could do some serious damage with a softball bat. Even eleven years ago.
They’d had one hesitant, non-fatal blow to Kevin Adams eleven years ago. Followed by three with more confidence. Two attackers. One adult—one child? It made sense.
“You are thinking something. What?”
“Apprenticeship relationship offenders. I’ve not done a lot of reading in that area yet.
Older man, younger woman is my best theory right now.
DNA confirms a male and a female in blood samples taken from eleven years ago and from three months ago.
My main lead is a narcissistic sexual predator, wearing a damned badge.
The sheriff of Helery County has a pattern of sexual harassment.
I suspect assault. And child sex abuse acts, I just haven’t found evidence of that yet.
Last two victims—signs of partnership. First murder victim twenty-eight years ago was the sheriff’s stepbrother.
And there is a dead teenage girl from a fall down the stairs.
Stepdaughter of the good sheriff. Sheriff has a problem with the deputy who has been assisting us. ”
“Sounds like a dominant/subordinate offender partnership. And the subordinate may be escalating, as well. How old is she?”
“Mid-twenties. Same age as the most recent victim. And same age as the victim from eleven years ago—his daughter. Teammates. All three of them.” Knight thought for a long moment.
Of how he suspected Johnson and his partner would be evolving right now.
Or rather…devolving. “Miranda is there alone, right now. Her only backup weighs one hundred pounds on a good day—and has already drawn the suspect’s attention. ”
“We’re about twenty minutes out. Let’s find Dr. Talley first. And I’ll stick around if you need. I’m on call, anyway.”
Not his first choice, but Lorcan was damned good at what he did. Despite being related to the Brockmans in multiple ways.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“It could be worse—Lake is also in the area. You could have been stuck with him.”
“Talk about giving a man nightmares.”