Page 34 of The Hanging Dolls (Zoe Storm #1)

THIRTY-THREE

The small park was tucked away, where the sea breeze carried a chill that clung to Zoe’s skin.

The sky above was a blanket of gray, heavy with clouds that threatened rain but held back, casting everything in a dull, muted light.

The air smelled faintly of salt and wet earth, and the few trees lining the park’s perimeter rustled quietly in the wind.

Zoe and Scott stood near a weathered wooden bench.

Her coat was pulled tight against the cold.

She looked down at her suede boots, caked with mud.

Those were going to go down the dumpster.

But she’d had no time to do any shopping.

If she wasn’t spending her time reading reports or witness statements, she was struggling in the kitchenette in her motel room trying to cook something healthy.

That was life on the road. A stray leaf blowing from one to another. But what roots could she put down when she didn’t even know where she came from? When was she lying about who she was?

She watched the small group gathered in the center of the park—Regina, poised and polished, sitting on the edge of the stone fountain, speaking animatedly into the microphone held by a local reporter.

Scott stood quietly, hands stuffed in his pockets, eyes scanning the area with practiced caution. “Seems like everyone in this town has something to say,” he muttered, his breath visible in the chilly air.

“Yeah, but not everyone’s as good at spinning a story as Regina,” Zoe replied, her eyes narrowing as she watched Regina gesture with her hands, her expression one of carefully crafted concern.

“Let’s hope she’s in the mood to talk when she’s done playing the saint.

Did Terri find out how she knows Logan Bennett? ”

He let out a small puff. “Five years ago, Logan Bennett was a consultant at EcoSolutions Group. She’s trying to find a link between Regina or Global Holdings Inc. and that company.”

The interview dragged on, the reporter nodding intently as Regina’s voice carried on the wind, just out of earshot. Zoe’s patience was wearing thin, her fingers tapping against her leg as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She spotted a man mimicking her impatience.

A medium-built man on the shorter side with styled, jet-black hair, and beady eyes stood at the periphery, his lips moving exactly like Regina’s. He watched her with a burning ambition, analyzing every twist of her lips and flick of her hand, as if he was assessing how well his creation was doing.

Zoe immediately knew who it was—Regina’s campaign manager, Connor.

Finally, the reporter lowered the microphone, offering Regina a polite smile as they exchanged a few final words. Zoe straightened, catching Scott’s eye. “This is our shot. Let’s go.”

They started toward the fountain just as Regina stood up, her smile fading slightly when she noticed them approaching.

Her eyes darted between Zoe and Scott, and for a split second, something that looked like annoyance flickered across her face.

But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a pleasant but guarded expression.

“Detective Cohen and Agent Storm,” Regina greeted them with a firm handshake. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. What happened to your face?”

Scott turned red.

“Ms. Warner,” Zoe said. “We need to ask you a few questions.”

Before Regina could respond, Connor, the omnipresent in Regina’s life, jogged toward them. “I’m sorry, but now isn’t a good time,” he said, his voice clipped. “Ms. Warner has just finished an interview and needs a moment to herself.”

Regina glanced at Connor, then back at Zoe, clearly uneasy. “Maybe we can do this another time? I’m sure you understand how draining these interviews can be.”

Zoe wasn’t having it. “This won’t take long. It’s important.”

But Connor was already moving between them, subtly guiding Regina back toward the path that led out of the park. “I’m afraid you’ll have to schedule something through her office,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Right now, Ms. Warner has other commitments.”

The reporter, still hovering nearby, raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the interaction. Zoe clenched her jaw, not wanting to cause a scene but knowing they were being stonewalled.

“If you don’t talk with us, I’ll gladly tell the reporter what this is about,” Scott said. Zoe eyed him and was surprised to find his eyes darkening. With the cut running down his face, still raw and fresh, he looked downright scary.

Connor flinched but his expression hardened. “Are you threatening us?”

“I have two dead girls and I’m running out of patience.” He didn’t take his eyes off Regina.

Regina sighed, her face troubled, and gave them a curt nod, gesturing them to move to a corner away from the hovering reporter. “How can I help?”

“Do you know Tara Bennett’s father, Logan Bennett?” Zoe asked.

Regina drew a strangled breath and crossed her arms. “The name does sound familiar. Why?”

Connor stiffened. “We won’t say a word without our lawyer. We know our rights.”

“And I have the right to free speech.” Scott turned on his heel to go to the reporter, but Connor blocked him.

“Fine. Fine.” He chewed his lip and raised his hands in surrender. His cheeks tinged pink and Zoe noticed his hands were shaking.

“He worked at EcoSolutions Group. That name ring a bell?”

Connor licked his lips. “We did business with them. Many years ago.”

“What kind of business?” Zoe said.

Regina opened her mouth but Connor spoke over her, his voice wavering. “The school for kids with special needs that Regina built around five years ago. They were one of the companies who were contracted to provide an environmental impact report before construction began.”

“Then why are you still paying Logan five grand every month?”

“ I am?” Regina cocked an eyebrow, her jaw locking.

“We traced it to a shell company called Global Holdings Inc., which is registered to you,” Scott said. “It looks like bribe money. And now his daughter is dead. Do you see where we’re going with this?”

“I’d be very careful about what you say next,” Connor said, wagging his finger at them. “What would we gain from killing Logan’s daughter?”

Zoe shrugged. “Maybe you’re tired of paying him off. Maybe you need more cash to run an aggressive campaign.”

“That is a very serious accusation, Agent Storm,” Regina said.

“I’ve seen people kill for far less, Regina, and political aspiration is a big motive.”

“Are you admitting that you are paying him off?” Scott asked.

“We are admitting to nothing.” Connor tipped his chin up.

“Whatever you found, it could have been a clerical error or maybe it’s Hicks.

” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “Maybe he’s actually worried that Regina is going to beat him, so he’s using this case to plant false evidence to get rid of his competitor.

I’m assuming you two are on his payroll. ”

“You have a lot of theories. Why don’t I haul your ass to the station so that we can discuss this further?” Scott stepped forward.

“We have established a connection between you and Logan Bennett. It won’t take us long to figure out what exactly you’re paying him off for,” Zoe said. “Perhaps then we can have a more civilized discussion.”

“Until then,” Connor said through gritted teeth, his eyes on Scott.

They glared at each other before Scott pulled back with a jerk. Zoe steered him away, back toward the car.

“You have to be tactful,” she murmured. “She’s powerful and if we go in too hostile, she’ll make things harder for us.”

“I’ve had my face cut in half today and then that chump has an attitude,” Scott said. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Sorry. It’s a not good day.”

“I get it.” They reached the car. The wind picked up, ruffling her hair. “I’m sure if Terri digs deep enough, she’ll find out why Regina has been paying off Logan.”

“It’s a strong enough motive.” His eyes thinned, looking into the distance where mist shrouded their view of the ocean. “But what is their connection to Lily Baker?”

“Regina has had a long career and whatever happened with EcoSolutions and her school might just be the tip of the iceberg.”

Zoe nodded. People like Regina with a henchman like Connor had several skeletons in their closet.

Lily Baker might have been one of them. There was a man Lily had been “friends” with.

Could that man have been Connor? She saw his temper flare today—a jarring contrast to the coolness and control of his employer.

“Something’s nagging me though,” he admitted. “If they are trying to erase their shady dealings, then why are they going about this in such a roundabout way? The messages and the ropes?”

“So that you ask that exact question. To deflect suspicion. Make people believe there’s a new serial killer in town, get rid of the people who can expose your corruption and win the election.

” As Zoe finished her thought, the possibility marinated inside her.

It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s ambition claimed innocent lives.

She wondered if that was what happened with Rachel.

A shiver rolled over her skin, sprouting goosebumps on her arms. Her eyes darted to Regina and Connor engaged in a heated, frantic discussion. A lot of hand waving, clenched jaws and scowls.

They were worried. Rightfully so. Zoe was encouraged that they had uncovered something that wasn’t a dead end. This confrontation had rattled them. And she knew that rattled people made mistakes, they slipped in that frenzy of trying to salvage the situation and fix things that didn’t need fixing.

But were Regina and Connor cruel and desperate enough to strangle two little girls and leave them in the woods?

Scott’s phone pinged and his frown deepened as he stared at the screen.

“What is it?” Zoe asked.

“The rangers found a toy a few feet away from where Tara’s body was found. A stuffed animal.”

“Just like with Lily.” The wheels in her brain turned.