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“That’s the real reason Jared was taken off the task force, not because of his temper. Although, that hadn’t helped.”
Her jaw dropped. “But you never…”
“I know. And I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but we didn’t know anything for sure.” He gestured to Holly with the hand that held the cigarette. “And then he went to prison.”
Holly stood to pace in the small space as Andy took a long drag of his cigarette. She turned toward him, gripping the back of her chair with both hands, and studied Andy’s expression, realizing why he still suspected her ex-boyfriend of being the most prolific serial killer in American history.
“And the rampage of killings stopped,” she said. “There have been only a few in the last five years you’ve attributed to being possible victims of the Green River Killer. Nothing like the fifty plus victims you suspected he murdered between 1982 and 1984.” She tried to read Andy’s eyes. “You still think it could be Jared?”
He frowned. “I don’t know.”
“What made you suspect him?”
“One of the initial FBI profilers believed the Green River Killer was someone with authority, possibly a cop. Jared had been overly eager to join the task force, and you know better than anyone how volatile his temper could be. In early ’85, a prostitute gave a witness statement saying she saw one of the Green River Killer victims getting into a car matching Jared’s personal vehicle, along with Jared’s description.”
Holly’s stomach churned. She’d almost married that man.
“Before joining the task force,” Andy continued, “Jared had been visiting one of the body dump sites after victims had been discovered. After that prostitute’s witness statement, I started to wonder if Jared’s interest in the cases could be more personal than professional.”
Holly groaned, tilting her head toward the ceiling. “How is this even possible?” She looked at Andy. “How could you never havetold me?”
He blew a puff of smoke out the side of his mouth. “I wanted to be sure before I said anything to you. But there’s something else I never told you. You’re not going to like it, and I don’t want you jumping to any conclusions. But at this point you might as well know.”
Holly stared at him in silence.
Andy dragged his gaze toward the window. “Jared was seen more than once at the strip club where Meg worked.”
Holly stood from her chair.“What?”
Andy put up a hand. “It wasafterMeg was killed and before the two of you started seeing each other. I have no idea if he ever went there while Meg was working. In fact, I doubt that he did.”
Holly turned away from Andy, her movements stiff as she circled behind her chair before tightening her fingers around its back. She racked her brain, thinking of all the times she’d mentioned to Jared about Meg working at that seedy strip club. Never once had he given any indication that he’d been there. The floor tilted beneath her feet.Had Jared seen Meg working there? Had he…was it possible…She took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry I never told you.”
Holly’s eyes brimmed with tears when she met Andy’s gaze. “You should have.”
“You’re right. But I’m ninety-nine percent certain that Jared isn’t the guy we’re looking for. Meg worked at that place for, what, only four months? Most likely, she and Jared never crossed paths.” He scratched the back of his head. “Jared’s an asshole, but that doesn’t make him a serial killer.”
“You didn’t see the look in his eyes when he tried to killme.”
Andy’s expression softened. “I’m not saying he isn’t capable. Just that I don’t think he’s the killer we’re looking for. While Jared’s been in prison, there have been a number of women who’ve gone missing who fit the victimology of the Green River Killer.”
Holly already knew this from Andy keeping her informed of the investigation over the years. “But they haven’t been found. Without bodies, you have no idea how they were killed. Some of them might even be alive. Plus, they were all involved in prostitution, which is a high-risk lifestyle on its own. You’re only assuming they were victims of the Green River Killer.” Holly lifted a hand to her neck, remembering the feel of Jared’s meaty hands closing around it. What if Jared was the Bus StopKiller? There hadn’t been any murders fitting that profile around Seattle since Jared had been locked up.
Andy’s cigarette flared as he took a long pull before stubbing it out on his ashtray. “We don’t know anything for sure.”
“That’s what scares me, Andy.”
His tired eyes met hers. “Me too.”
Chapter 23
HOLLY
Holly shivered as she moved through the darkened parking garage, reflecting on what Andy had told her. Given Jared’s supposed alibi for last night, and the fact she hadn’t seen the man’s face in the Albertson’s parking lot, Andy didn’t think she should file a restraining order—yet. Although, unlike Andy’s surveillance guy, Holly wasn’t convinced Jared had been the one he’d seen inside that house.
She dug a hand into her purse in search of her keys, cursing herself for not cleaning out her bag after last night. She took a cursory glance around the parking garage before climbing into her Civic and locking the door. On the drive home, her mind reeled, thinking of Jared.