Page 138 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

“I’m not going to ask you again,” Jake growled. “I need to see Dr. Gray’s report regarding this case.”

Creed unwisely brushed him off. “It’s not relevant. We have our own profilers working on it.”

“Those kindergarteners?” Jake huffed with impatience. “Yeah, I’m not going out on a limb when I say they can’t hold a candle to what she can do. I’d stake my career on it.”

“With all due respect, Agent Shepard, I hear you don’t have much of a career left to be staking such claims.”

Jake got right in Creed’s face. “Then you know I’ve got nothing left to lose.”

Creed took a step back, looking nervous but unconvinced. “I understand your concern, but Dr. Gray’s expertise is in the occult, not serial killers.”

“Where the hell do you think these murderous bastards get all their horrific ideas?”

Creed gave him a tired look beyond his years.

“Listen,” Jake said. “I don’t care that you didn’t read the report, but I need to see it. ”

Creed looked hesitant, but that didn’t deter Jake. He got right in the green agent’s face again. “I’m not asking.”

Creed did the smart thing and sent Jake the file, which he printed and distributed to every man, woman, and child in the NOPD precinct.

“What are you thinking?” George asked after leafing through Dana’s findings.

“Here,” Jake said, pointing to a section he’d highlighted. “White male. Single. Between the ages of 40 and 50. Profession in the medical industry.”

“What about it?” George asked.

“She describes Monroe to a T.”

“Yeah?”

“Then it’s not a stretch to assume she got the rest of it right.” He pointed to another section of the report. “Unsub is smart. Enjoys the thrill of hiding in plain sight. He’ll most likely feel safe in a heavily populated area of the city where he can blend into a crowd when necessary.”

“That’s the CBD,” George said, unfolding a map for Jake to look at. “Urban, heavily populated, but still has enough vacant buildings for him to hide.”

Jake nodded. “According to Dana’s research, Monroe will have found himself somewhere to set up shop.” He read from her report again. “Unsub will need access to a secure off-the-grid facility with fail-safe power system to perform medical procedures on his victims.”

“That’s most the hospitals in the city.”

Jake shook his head. “It’s not a hospital. She said off-the-grid.”

George frowned. “Shepard, we’re in the hurricane belt. Everyone in this city has a generator.”

“We’re talking about more than your average home generator.” Jake pointed to Dana’s report again. “Something bigger. What buildings in the CBD have built-in backup power?”

“Most of the banks. Some hotels. Maybe some high-end shops.”

“How do we go about finding which ones? ”

“Blackout grid search would be fastest,” George suggested.

“If we cut the power, Monroe will know we’re on to him. Could make him accelerate his plans.”

“You got another option?” asked George.

Jake frowned. “No, but I won’t put Dana at risk. We find another way.”

Creed stalked over, Dana’s report in hand. “That’s not your call, Agent Shepard.”