Page 42 of The Graveyard Girls (Detective Ellie Reeves #11)

FORTY-ONE

Ellie’s stomach churned. If this killer was the same one who’d abducted Ruth fifteen years ago, there could be victims they hadn’t found. The enormity of that and that they had no definitive persons of interest worried her even more.

She drummed her fingers on the table. “The fact that there are multiple victims in different locations could suggest that our killer either travels around or his job takes him to these areas.”

“The work angle would definitely fit,” Derrick agreed.

“But that’s another needle in the haystack,” Ellie said. “He could be homeless and moving around or his job involves travel, which could be anything from a traveling salesman to a writer to a truck driver, delivery guy, handyman, a traveling nurse, even Uber driver.”

She gestured to Deputy Landrum who was their resident tech expert.

“Landrum, start looking into that. Check with the detectives working the cases Agent Fox just added to the murder board. See if the families mentioned someone related to them or acquaintances who might fit those descriptions.” It was a long shot but they had to start somewhere.

“On it,” Deputy Landrum said. “Send me copies of the police reports, Agent Fox.”

Derrick nodded. “My partner at the Bureau is searching the girls’ social media, emails and texts for connections to one another. Maybe a teen chat room or something. Our killer could be a cyber stalker.”

“Good point,” Ellie said. They needed more manpower. The FBI had sophisticated technology and more expertise in doing that than their police department. “We need as much help as we can get.”

“I’ll ask Angelica Gomez here for another press conference,” Captain Hale added.

Ellie didn’t want to create panic, but if the news story brought in a helpful tip, it was worth it.

Derrick cleared his throat. “Detective Reeves, if our first victim was Ruth Higgins, I suggest we go to Brambletown.”

“Agreed. Maybe someone remembered something that seemed unimportant at the time. Or if they’ve kept secrets, the realization that the kidnapper/killer may have not stopped with Ruth, might shake them up enough to talk.”

Cord shifted restlessly. “If you need manpower to question locals, I’m in.”

Ellie nodded. Cord had proven helpful on all the cases they’d worked together. Not officially being a cop might make it easier for some people to open up to him.

Time was not on their side. They needed answers before the killer struck again.