Page 66 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

Jake walked just behind George and his officers, shoulder-to-shoulder with Dana.

It was strange to jump back into another crime scene together. But in some ways, they worked better like this. All keen eyes and steady hands. No place for things like emotion.

On scene, Jake was introduced to Officer LaSalle, who instantly won him over with the hot paper cup of coffee she handed each of them.

He was informed the coffee was from a local joint across the street called Sacred Grinds.

The logo, a zombie’s hand reaching up from a grave, was a bit morbid for the occasion, but Jake found he agreed with the slogan— Coffee to wake the dead— and he needed it.

Another sleepless night left him running on fumes. At this point, he’d take caffeine from Lucifer himself. Anything to chase the hunger for sleep from his mind.

“Pulled CCTV and security footage already. Neville’s escorting it to the station,” LaSalle said, diving right in.

Jake made a mental note of it. Another point for the young cop in his book. No time to waste when there were bodies lying around.

Jake fell into step behind George, allowing LaSalle to take the lead navigating the sprawling graveyard. Dana walked a few paces behind. It’s how she typically liked to take in a scene. Something Jake had learned from their past cases.

He knew she viewed the world through her own unique lens. Taking it in at her pace was part of the process.

Senses tracking Dana, Jake listened to the details Officer LaSalle rattled off as they went.

“Perimeter is secure. No one’s been in or out besides us.”

George gave a nod of approval.

“So far, it’s been quiet. Wreck on the West Bank has the news tied up for the moment, but it won’t stay that way,” LaSalle warned. “City Park crowd will be showing up any minute now that the sun’s up.”

“Sure ‘nough,” George muttered. “Send Davis to deal with the Press, if need be, but I’m hoping we can get this buttoned up rather quickly.”

LaSalle stopped walking, her foreboding gaze meeting George’s. “I think you might feel differently when you see this one, boss.”

“Meaning?”

“It’s just … different,” LaSalle replied.

George shook his head. “Another graveyard. Another Jane Doe drained of blood. Sounds like our guy.”

“Yeah,” LaSalle paused, “but if it is, he’s advancing.”

“Advancing how?” George demanded.

“You need to see it for yourself,” LaSalle replied.

They followed LaSalle the rest of the way in silence.

Towering tombs and colossal mausoleums sprouted from the earth like mini empires on either side of the narrow rows, until all at once the cemetery opened up to a small clearing.

In the center, raised marble slabs rested in single file rows.

They protruded out of the manicured grounds by only a foot or two, stretching out in long, uneven rows.

They reminded Jake of tables that had sunk into quicksand, settling at different heights.

The one furthest away immediately drew Jake’s attention.

It wasn’t just the bright yellow police tape staked around it. It was the scene beyond that .

In the distance, Jake could just make out the outline of a supine body lying deathly still atop one of the simple table-like tombs.

Jake followed George and LaSalle more closely. The balmy morning breeze coming off the Mississippi made the police tape flutter—the sound a whispered warning that made his hair stand on end.

Still, he pushed past the chill pricking at his skin and ducked the tape ahead of Dana. That’s when he froze.

Jake knew it couldn’t be, but rationality didn’t help him draw breath. It was trapped, strangled in his tightening chest as he stared at the ravaged corpse in front of him.

The images came at him fast and unforgiving, burrowing into his mind.

Black hair, askew. She’d struggled.

Blue eyes, wide. Bloodshot with terror.

Lips, sewn shut. She couldn’t even scream.

And the words, brutally carved into her tattered white dress—LIAR, LIAR.

“Jake?” Dana’s voice came from behind him, snapping him back into action.

He turned abruptly, blocking her path, his only goal to shield her from the horror before it carved itself into her mind, too.

“What’s wrong?” Dana asked.

“Turn around, Gray. You don’t want to see this.”

“Jake, don’t be ridiculous —”

“Dana! Just turn around. Please.”

She paused at the desperation in his voice, but George was striding back their way. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“She shouldn’t be here,” Jake growled. “She doesn’t need to see this.”

“Dr. Gray, am I correct in ascertaining you’ve seen your fair share of bodies?” George pushed.

“Of course,” she replied.

“And you’re comfortable with helping me examine one right now? ”

“It’s why I’m here,” she insisted, sidestepping Jake’s immovable form.

Grumbling, he had no choice but to let her pass.

He didn’t have to go far to catch up. Dana stood frozen, just a few feet from where he’d tried to stop her. He watched the last vestige of color drain from her horrified expression as she saw what he had. Claire.

It wasn’t Claire. He knew that. Dana probably did, too. But seeing a mutilated corpse that could be her body double was more than jarring.

Jake tried to warn Dana. Now all he could do was stand by and wait for the fallout.