Page 33

Ethan knew her words made sense. He stepped over a painted turtle making its way to the water’s edge at a torturously slow pace. What he didn’t know was how they explained the offender’s sudden focus on Alexa. And what that fixation might mean for hersafety.
“We’re attractingattention.”
He looked across the lake. Several people had come out onto docks to watch them. The two boats he’d seen earlier were now making their way closer to where the SAR handler was positioned. “Inevitable, I guess.” They came to a place where a copse of trees grew right at the water’s edge. Ethan went instantly alert. There were several areas like this around the lake. This one was the sort of spot he’d expect the offender to have chosen. Although it was directly across from a row of cottages, the tree line offeredprivacy.
They slowed, scanning the ground carefully. Ethan was so intent on the task that he started when three quick blasts of a whistle split theair.
The search was over. Jeanette Lawler’s body had beendiscovered.
* * *
“Thanks for your help.”
Ivan Swant, the dog’s handler, nodded at Ethan’s words. “A successful mission isn’t always a happy one.” He looked over his shoulder at the body for a moment. “I’m going to take Hudson back to his kennel. I don’t want to contaminate the scene. I wish you good luck finding the guy who’s doing this, Sergeant, I truly do. Hate to think about a monster like that on the loose.” The man turned and made his way back up to through the woods to the road beyond. And Ethan turned to look at the what the “monster” hadwrought.
The body was lying on its back, limbs perfectly straight, staring sightlessly at the cloudless blue sky. The red sequined dress was a garish splash of color against the tall grass. Eyes were intact, Ethan noted absently, and he approached from an angle, preserving what would become the inner perimeter of the crime scene. The ground was still moist after the rains of the last few days. They had a chance of getting a decent footprint. As he drew closer to the body, he thought he could see grooves in the soft ground beyond, spaced about two feet apart. He pointed them out toAlexa.
She shaded her eyes to peer at them. “The case file said the UNSUB was thought to have used a dolly to transport bodies to the scenebefore.”
“We haven’t ruled out boats in some of the scenes, but yeah, that’s what we’ve figured. Haven’t always found the evidence, though.” He crouched down near the body. “No outward sign of torture. But we can’t be sure until the ME gets a look ather.”
“I wish I didn’t feel certain we’ll find something,” Alexa said quietly. There was pity in her voice, in her expression, as she gazed down at what was left of Lawler. “He changed his ritual with the last three victims to better justify his cause. I don’t see him changing it again, sosoon.”
Her throat worked, and instinctively he knew what she was thinking. “On IHIT, I’m used to being called to crime scenes. But with an offender like this, there’s occasionally an opportunity to prevent another victim. Sometimes we’re too late,” he said softly. “Those times are the worst part of my job.” Their gazes met a second in mutual understanding. And then a movement in the corner of his eye had him whirling toward thelake.
“Sir, back that boat up! Now! Have a littlerespect.”
The rubbernecker in the fishing skiff was drifting as close as he dared, a camera phone aimed at the victim. Mentally cursing, Ethan moved into the water and positioned himself so that he was blocking the body. He’d already called a halt to the search at Victoria Park and summoned a forensic ident unit. Nyle was on his way, and he’d bring crime-scene tape and tarps. They’d have to get creative and rig up a barrier to keep the public from getting too close to thescene.
They may have been unable to get to Lawler in time to save her from the killer. But they could at least lend her some privacy indeath.
* * *
“Ethan has settoday’s briefing for…” Cell pressed to his ear, Nyle raised his brows atAlexa.
“…seven p.m.,” shesupplied.
“…seven p.m. He’ll be at the crime scene until the forensic ident guys are done. If you have updates that are time-sensitive before then, contact him as needed. Yeah.” Nyle’s mouth flattened as he listened. “It was a tough one.” He disconnected a moment later and slipped the phone into his suit pocket. “Ian McManus. They’re still working the highway cameras in New Brunswick, as well as interviews with the two victims’acquaintances.”
Nyle leaned over her and opened the glove box, taking out a small notebook and pen to hand to her. “You’re going to need these.” They got out of the car. They’d driven to the side of the lake sprinkled with cottages and cabins. “Start at oppositeends?”
Alexa nodded. It was doubtful that anyone had seen anything. The UNSUB had likely been here sometime hours past midnight when most would have been asleep in their beds. But there were fewer than a dozen dwellings. It wouldn’t take long to talk to all theinhabitants.
She knocked at the first door and received no response. Recalling the attention the crime scene had received, she rounded the house to look out back. A couple stood at the end of the dock. When she stepped onto it, they turned to look ather.
“You’re…I saw you across the lake.” A tall, slender woman with black hair clubbed back in a short ponytail approached her. “Is that a body overthere?”
Alexa gave a mental sigh. She was going to be facing as many questions as she asked. “I’m sorry to say there’s been ahomicide.”
The woman’s mouth made an “O” but the interest in her eyes was avid. “Do you know who it is? Who didit?”
“The victim’s name won’t be released until next of kin have been notified.” Alexa didn’t attempt to answer the second question. There was no way she wanted to get into that conversation. “We’re talking to everyone who lives in the vicinity. Did you see or hear anything unusual lastnight?”
“We don’t live here. Just renting for a week.” A man with thinning blond hair lowered the binoculars he had in his hands and turned to face Alexa. “Came for the peace and quiet. This is the most exciting thing that’s happened since we arrived.” Their names were Doug and Cindy Heathcliff, they told her. And after redirecting their focus time and again from details of the murder to her questions, Alexa was finally convinced they knewnothing.
The next house was more of the same. And the one after it. Although a few people were out on the lake, most were apparently going to spend the better part of their day watching the forensic ident teamwork.
The exception was the cabin midway down the row of houses. Nyle was already next door. After a desultory knock at the door, Alexa headed to the back. But there she found a mother in the water with her three young children, splashing and playing on inner tubes. It took some discretion for Alexa to state her reason for being there while being aware of the children inproximity.