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Nothing else ... not even those damned photos ... mattered right now.

She tugged on her sneakers and tied the laces. She didn’t know what time Bent had left last night—if he had—or if he’d come up to her room and found her asleep first. He would have woken her if he’d learned anything new. Same went for this morning. No calls meant nothing new. Disappointment felt like a pile of rocks on her chest.

Then again ... she stilled. Maybe this was not entirely bad. If past experience with the Messenger MO held true, no news was good news. Once he was finished with a victim, he left her where she was easily found. Eve hadn’t been found, so there was still hope.

Her cell vibrated with an incoming text message.

Probably Bent or Eric wanting to know if she was up yet.

Unknown number.

Anticipation roared through her like a freight train rushing out of a tunnel. Had to be Palmer Solomon.

Happy birthday, Vera.

Anger twisted her lips into a sneer. Who cared? Before she could type a response, another message appeared.

He’s waiting for you on a hilltop surrounded by woods and pastures and goats. Be there at nine. Alone.

Hope surged through her. But dwindled just as quickly. What the hell? That could be anywhere around Lincoln County! There were all kinds of hills and endless pastures, fields, and woods. Lots of people had goats! Damn it! She squeezed her eyes shut a moment, ordered herself to calm. Proceeding carefully here was extremely important. She couldn’t risk making him angry or putting him off in any way. Deep breath. She chose her words carefully as she typed a response.

I’m not sure I can find the location in time. Any other details?

Vera held her breath and waited.

Wind chimes. The sound is driving him mad.

Wind chimes?Her mind rushed in a dozen directions. Where the hell could that be?

She sent a reply.Let me know if you hear anything more from him ... I need more.

The ellipsis that told her he was typing appeared. Then, his message:Be careful, Vera. If you choose not to go alone there will be consequences.

Her lips tightened to hold back a string of curses. And there it was. The warning that she should go alone—assuming she figured out the location in time. It would be nice to believe dear old dying Dr. Solomon was not playing games this time, but he was. She got that. He might not want his grandson to continue killing, but he didn’t want him jailed or killed either. And it was obvious he was enjoying this game with Vera.

“Bastard.” She called Eric—only because his resources would be quicker.

“Vera, you okay this morning? We’ve been going all night and—”

“Is Bent with you?” She didn’t need to hear him say they still had nothing despite hours of effort.

“No. I haven’t seen him this morning. I’m at the command center. We’re set up in the department’s conference room.”

“I need you to call Alcott’s guy in Nashville. Tell him Palmer Solomon has contacted me via a cell phone this morning. If there’s any chance his grandson has been in touch with him using that same phone ...”

“Then we might be able to pinpoint his location,” Eric finished for her. “What did Solomon tell you?”

“There’s no time,” she urged. “Make the call. We’ll go over the rest when I get to the command center.”

“I’ll call him now.”

“Eric, if Solomon learns the agent is coming, he’ll send his grandson a warning, and then it’s game over.” The mere thought of what that would trigger crushed against her rib cage.

“Got it.”

“Thanks. I’ll be there soon.”

“Hey,” he said, waylaying her, “happy birthday.”