Chapter 31 – June 24, 1994 – Sergeant Aileen Taylor
“I’m sorry—you need to slow down. What’s your name again?” Sergeant Taylor kept her voice even as she took the unexpected call from Mercer, Wisconsin.
“He’s not here. And neither is the girl.”
The voice crackled through the line. Emil glanced up from where he sat beside her.
“Okay, I understand that—but what’s your name?” she repeated.
“Sergeant Hanes. I’m the officer sent to check on your suspect. He’s not here. His car is, though, so I doubt he’s gone far.” There was a pause. “I know the guy. Makes a hell of a Friday fish fry. You sure he’s who you’re looking for?”
Sergeant Taylor glanced at Emil. He shrugged.
“Thank you, Sergeant Hanes. Let’s stay in contact. Keep an eye on the house and call me if he shows up.”
She grabbed her pen, jotting down the number with a slight tremor in her hand.
When the call ended, Emil exhaled heavily. “I’m telling you, Sarg—this doesn’t add up. I don’t think he’s tied to anything beyond the assault. We’re chasing something we can’t prove.”
Taylor didn’t respond. Her eyes tracked over the number again and again as she tapped her pen against the pad.
“Sarg?” Emil pressed. “Did you listen to me yesterday? No DNA on any of the six unsolved murders. Nothing ties him to them. Why are we still pushing this?”
“He has to be involved.” Her voice sharpened. “We didn’t come this far for nothing. It fits too well.”
Emil went quiet for a moment, then tried again. “Sometimes it’s not that simple. Sometimes we follow the wrong lead. Sometimes it’s coincidence. And sometimes… we have to let it go.”
Taylor threw the pen across the room. It hit the wall with a dull thunk.
“Emil, you’ve been here from the start. You helped find this. This is our guy.”
“It’s time to let go,” he said calmly. “It’s been a year. We’ve got nothing that holds up. Even if we find him, we can’t make it stick.”
“No.” Her voice went tight. “He’s our guy.”
Emil stood, deciding not to push further. He turned toward the door—
And the phone rang again.
Taylor lunged for it.
“Norwald Police—Sergeant Taylor speaking.”
Emil paused as her expression shifted.
“Silent River Plantation burned to the ground last night?” Her fingers tightened around the cord. “Tell me everything.”