Page 69 of Sharp Force

“Whoever is involved should face criminal charges. You should make sure of that.”

“Not smart to show our cards quite yet. Plus, we’d have to prove it,” Benton says.

“Since he dug his gloves out of a pocket, there’s no way they weren’t contaminated,” I point out. “A good chance we’ll find his DNA.”

“Maybe someone wanted to sabotage our car in hopes we’d be injured or killed, but I rather doubt it.” Benton continues pondering the possible motive. “More likely, we were intended to find the device.”

“Except we aren’t supposed to be on the way to Mercy Island right now and not many people know we are,” I remind him. “Technically, we’re on vacation, getting ready to leave the country. That was the plan.”

“Someone gave Whalen a heads-up. An assignment,” Benton says.

CHAPTER 23

We’re nearing Daingerfield Island’s picnic areas, parking lots and marina off to our right at the river’s edge. The Mount Vernon Trail cuts through the wooded spit of land, snow showing in shadows between trees, and now Marino is texting again.

Have notified officers at the entrance of Mercy Island & will meet you at 13 Shore Lane. Wi-Fi’s back up, lights on, phones working again,he writes.

I think of the signal jammer found outside the wall around the hospital grounds, the same small black box with eight stubby antennas that’s turned up in the earlier murders. The homemade device interferes with the signals between cell towers, rather much like background noise in a crowd drowning out a conversation.

“You don’t believe they’re related, do you?” I ask Benton. “The signal jammer at the crime scene, and what the trooper attached to our car?”

“Unfortunately, plenty of people out there are well versed in electronic devices, modification kits, and all that goes with them,” he answers. “The components are readily available, and you can google for instructions. But it wouldn’t make sense to think the Slasher has something to do with an attempt at hacking into our car.”

“Let’s hope not. It would suggest he knows a lot about us. But then he probably does if he’s spying on our property.”

I look up at the clearing sky as if I might spot the serial killer’s orb-shaped drone threading in and out of clouds.

“I suspect Whalen was passing along a message,” Benton says. “A threat from someone powerful. We’re being warned.”

“I find that very disturbing since there’s White House involvement,” I reply. “Are you considering what he did might be related to that?”

“Yes.”

“Should we be worried about Calvin Willard? Is he being protective of his nephew and warning us to be careful?” I ask.

“The publicity about Zain won’t be a good thing. No doubt already isn’t,” Benton says. “And if it turns out he’s the killer, that’s enough to tank Calvin Willard’s bid for president.”

I’m alerted of another incoming call. As I see who it is, I can’t help but think of the irony.

“Speaking of someone powerful,” I say to Benton.

“Doctor Scarpetta.” I answer my phone, pairing it with the SUV’s speakers.

“Please hold for the governor,” her chief of staff, Laverne, tells me.

I hope she won’t be listening in on the conversation. I have little doubt she’ll pass on anything useful to her pal Maggie Cutbush, who won’t hesitate to use the information against me somehow.

“Kay? What on earth is going on?” Governor Roxane Dare’s unhappy voice sounds inside the Tesla. “I wake up Christmas morning to news of another Phantom Slasher attack? This time on Mercy Island?”

“I’m on my way there—” I start to reply before she interrupts.

“Not even two months since the last murder, and now again. On Christmas morning of all times. Two victims slashed to pieces, the woman dead. I understand she was attacked in bed like the others.”

“As I’ve said, I haven’t reached the scene yet.” I’m not going to share what I know at this stage. “I’m not in a position to discuss—”

“Kay, we’re supposed to be partners in keeping the public safe.” The governor cuts me off. “Or at least this was my understanding when I brought you back to Virginia, appointing you chief again. Two powerful women working in tandem. I thought we’d have each other’s back.”

She’s making sure I’ve not forgotten why I’m here, and that I should be grateful. Eternally grateful. Most of all I’d better show it.