Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Jackson adjusted the volume on the television as a news reporter came on. She was in the parking lot of the nature preserve, close to where Gerdie’s body had been found.
“This is the second woman found murdered in a week.” The reporter’s expression was appropriately somber, but there was a gleam of excitement in her eyes, as though she was about to reveal a giant secret. “Both victims were beaten and shot, indicating we’re looking at the same killer. Sheriff Derek Martinez has been slow to provide updates. Sources have linked these two murders to an attack from ten years ago. A young woman was beaten and nearly shot in her home.”
She glanced down at the notes in her hand. “The victim in that earlier attack has been identified as Detective Piper Jensen. She now works for the Rock Fort Sheriff’s Department.”
Piper inhaled sharply. She sat on the arm of the couch. Spots of color appeared in her cheeks, and although she said nothing, Jackson knew she was deeply upset. Ten years ago, after the assault, she’d been bombarded with questions and comments from townsfolk. Some had been genuine and kind, others nosy and bordering victim shaming. For someone who shied away from attention, both were emotionally and mentally exhausting.
“If this is true,” the reporter continued, “then it’s concerning that our sheriff is refusing to answer questions. Do we have a serial killer on the loose in Rock Fort? I intended to ask at the press conference scheduled for noon today.”
The shot flipped back to the anchors in the studio, and a different story followed. Jackson flipped off the television and nearly threw the remote down on the coffee table. “That news story has Paul Kingston’s dirty fingerprints all over it.”
Derek nodded. “I’ve long suspected he was being fed information from my department. Since I took over as sheriff last year, I’ve done my best to plug the leaks. Clearly, I haven’t been successful.”
Ava wrapped an arm around her sister’s shoulders in silent comfort. Weston and Cole sat on the couch. Both looked furious. Footsteps upstairs punctuated the kids’ movements. Finn and Emma were playing in their rooms.
Derek focused on Ava and Piper. “I’m so sorry.”
Piper waved off his apology. “This isn’t your fault.”
Ava nodded in agreement and offered him a smile. “We’ve been the subject of town gossip more than once and survived.” She squeezed Piper’s shoulders. “I should go upstairs and talk to Emma and Finn. Some people will shamefully ask them questions. I don’t want them to be surprised.”
Derek winced. He removed his cowboy hat and ran his hands through the mussed strands, making them stand on end. “Ava…”
“Don’t you dare start beating yourself up, Derek. None of this is your fault.” She limped across the room and briefly touched his arm with her hand. “I’ll take care of the kids. You keep my sister safe and catch this killer.”
The doorbell rang. Jackson strolled across the living room to answer it.
Grandma Mary breezed inside the moment the door opened, enveloping him in a hug. “I saw the news story. How are my girls?”
“Hanging in there. But they’re upset.”
She nodded and then patted his cheek. “You also look upset.” She gave him another motherly hug. “When things are bleak, it can be hard to rely on your faith, but keep praying. God is listening. He will ease the burdens in your heart and find some way to bring goodness from these tragedies.”
“Thank you, Grandma Mary. I needed to hear that.”
“Of course, child.” She released him. “You’re a good man, Jackson Barker. Always have been. Piper became tough out of necessity, but no one was made to walk this earth alone. It might take her some time, but she’ll figure that out.” Her gaze drifted to Ava and Derek. “So will Ava.”
He sighed. “I hope you’re right. ”
Jackson was about to close the front door when he spotted several members of the ranger team heading up the walkway. Felicity and Daniel were accompanied by Luke Tatum, Grady West, and Bennett Knox. Trailing the group was Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez, the commander of Company A, and Bennett’s wife, Emilia. Emilia worked for the state police as a criminal profiler.
All of them greeted Jackson with a hug or a handshake. Grady paused and lifted the bakery box in his hands. “We brought treats. I also wanted to let you know Tara sent out messages in the prayer group.”
Tara was Grady’s wife and often initiated the group’s social events. All the rangers’ wives, girlfriends, and fiancées were close thanks to Tara’s leadership. Jackson often wondered how she made time for it all with her busy medical practice and two young children, but she always seemed happy to organize the get-togethers.
“Thanks, Grady. The way this case is going, we need all the prayers we can get.”
“We’ll catch this guy.” Grady patted him on the back. “Don’t you worry.”
His colleague’s words were confident. Relief unfurled as Jackson realized the entire living room was full of top-notch investigators. He sent up a silent prayer to the Lord, giving thanks for his teammates. They were more than friends and colleagues. They were family.
Jackson settled on the couch next to Piper. She leaned closer to him until they were shoulder to shoulder. He was tempted to wrap his arm around her, but that wouldn’t be professional. Grandma Mary and Ava quickly went upstairs to talk to the children.
“We’ve all reviewed the reports and the evidence,” Luke said, opening the bakery box. Assorted pastries rested inside. He then tossed napkins down next to trays of takeaway coffee. It was rare the team met without food. “From the looks of things, our number one suspect is Wally Hutchinson. Where are we on locating him?”
“His friends and family have been interviewed multiple times, but no one is telling us much.” Derek took a long sip of his coffee. “Todd Hutchinson, his younger brother, is also missing and has been since the bombing at Elena’s house. We don’t have any evidence directly linking him to the murders or the bombing, so I can’t obtain a search warrant for his house.”
“What about Kylie Reynolds?” Jackson asked. As an ex-girlfriend and the mother of Wally’s child, Kylie might know a lot of helpful information.
“She and her daughter have been placed in protective custody, since there’s a possibility Wally may target her next. Kylie’s been forthcoming with what she knows, but it’s not much.” Felicity rolled her eyes. Her hair was braided and hung down her back. “This isn’t a surprise, but apparently Wally doesn’t think too highly of women. He kept a lot of secrets from Kylie.”
“She said Todd and Wally were close but didn’t always get along,” Daniel added. He was uncharacteristically sporting a five-o’clock shadow, the whiskers a mix of brown and gray. “But they’re very loyal to each other. Hurt one and you’ll tussle with them both. ”
“So it’s possible Wally and his brother are hiding out together.” Jackson frowned. “Still he transported Gerdie somehow. Why hasn’t his car been spotted? We have a BOLO on it.”
“He could’ve changed out the license plates with stolen ones,” Weston suggested. “Criminals like Wally would know to do that to avoid detection. He could even be driving a stolen car. We’ve sent Wally’s photo and information to every law enforcement agency in the state, labeling him as a person of interest.”
“I’m also going to share his information in the press conference, letting everyone know, including Wally, that we need to talk to him.” Derek wiped his hands with a napkin. “If he’s not involved in the murders, then he needs to come forward.”
“What about the link between these murders and my assault?” Piper asked. She clasped her hands together in her lap and the knuckles turned white. “Was the killer telling the truth? Was he responsible for attacking me?”
“I don’t think so.” Emilia shot Piper a sympathetic look. Not so long ago, Emilia was hunted by a serial killer bent on terrorizing her. Bennett had saved her, and now the two were happily married. “I’ve thoroughly reviewed the case file from your assault. Derek, excuse me, Sheriff Martinez?—”
“Nope. It’s Derek.”
Emilia smiled and then nodded before continuing, “Derek did an excellent job. There were bloody fingerprints left behind at the scene. The blood was yours, Piper, but the fingerprints matched Lionel Islip. I had the lab run them again, just to be certain. They came back a match.” She removed a report from the file folder and handed it to Piper to review. “Elena and Gerdie’s killer is not the same man who assaulted you. However, and this is where I need to be cautious, it’s possible Lionel had a partner.”
Piper’s brow creased in confusion. “But there was only one attacker.”
“The other could have been waiting outside, acting as a guard. It would explain how he knew the specific details of your assault. Details that weren’t included in the police report.”
“There’s some evidence to support the theory of a partner,” Derek added, scraping a hand over his chin. “An elderly man spotted two men running down the back side of the neighborhood around the time of your assault. I followed up with him, but he couldn’t provide any more information. His vision was poor, and he didn’t get a look at their faces. None of the other neighbors could confirm the sighting. Since you were certain there was only one assailant, I disregarded it.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I screwed up.”
“Doesn’t sound that way to me.” Piper’s tone was gentle and understanding. “I would’ve done the same, given the same set of facts. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty, and no investigation is perfect.”
“Agreed.” Lieutenant Rodriguez ran a hand over her ponytail before tossing the dark strands over her shoulder. “Wally is our main suspect, but there are others to pursue. Todd is one. But we could be completely off base and there’s a third person responsible who isn’t on our radar yet. Based on the phone call to Piper yesterday, the killer wants to keep us chasing our tails. Has anyone questioned Marcus Reed? If we’re right, and someone encouraged him to shoot Piper, then maybe he can tell us who it was.”
“I tried but didn’t get anywhere.” Derek blew out a breath. “Marcus was pretty out of it at the time. The drugs had worn off, but he wasn’t mentally stable yet. He’s still in the hospital. I can swing by there today and give it another go.”
“No, I’ll do it,” Piper said. “Marcus and I have known each other since I was a kid. I used to give him food when I lived with my mom and we had some to spare. He may be more upfront with me.”
“I’ll go with you.” Jackson wasn’t letting her out of his sight.
Lieutenant Rodriguez nodded. “Good. Now for the rest of you, let’s assign tasks. Emilia, are you working on a profile of the killer?”
“I am.” Emilia’s gaze swept the room. “But there’s something you all should know. This case is urgent. Whoever is responsible for these murders won’t stop. Moreover, his fixation on Piper isn’t imagined.”
Jackson’s gut clenched. He leaned forward. “Emilia, do you think this guy has killed before? Before Elena, I mean?”
She nodded. “I’d be surprised if he hasn’t. Piper’s assault was the beginning. Since then he’s been practicing. Now he’s an expert. Elena and Gerdie’s murders were well-executed and well-planned. He knows what he’s doing.” She held his gaze. “Be careful. Both of you. He wants Piper, but won’t hesitate to kill anyone standing in his path.”
His mind whirled, thinking back on the attacks, including the bombing. Something that he’d been questioning suddenly made sense. “He waited until Piper was clear of Elena’s house before igniting the bomb.”
Piper inhaled. Her gaze shot to him. “What?”
Emilia nodded. “That’s what I think too. You were the target that day, Jackson. He wants you away from Piper, and he’s willing to kill you to do it.”