“My friend couldn’t help but notice—” the woman nodded to one of the TVs “—but weren’t you just on the Today show? You’re looking for your long-lost sister who’s caught up in the big serial killer case?”
“Yes.”
“We just want you to know that we’re praying for you and your sister.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“Would you mind—” the woman waved over her friend “—if we got our picture taken with you?”
“I don’t think it would be appropria—”
“Please, it’ll just be a sec, here.” She passed her phone to Erich. “I’m sure this nice young man would take it for us?”
The two women got up close to Kate and Erich took the picture. The women thanked them and left. When Kate and Erich were alone again, Erich brought out his phone.
“So what is it?” Kate asked. “What did you find?”
“There’s a site, hidden under layers of others, that purports to host videos of actual amputations, decapitations, cruelties of anything you can imagine.”
Kate said nothing.
“Lately there’s been a lot of hype about a series of postings called ‘Scenes from the Kill Jar.’ A kill jar is used in the collection of insects, like butterflies—”
“Butterflies?”
“Kate, it looks like Zurrn has been posting video recordings of some of his murders and tortures of women.”
Their food arrived. Kate glanced at Erich’s glass, nearly glowing red with tomato juice.
“Kate, you asked me to help you. I know these are some of the most graphic images you could ever view, but do you want to see them? I have about six minutes. It’s hard to tell, but I think he made your sister watch his work.”
Kate hesitated as her mind reeled. As a journalist she’d seen horrible things. And as a journalist it was her job to gather and see all the facts for her work. As Vanessa’s sister, Kate accepted that if she was to understand what she’d endured, looking at the video was something she must do.
I’m sure Zurrn never gave her the chance to look away.
Kate stared at Erich’s phone and the earphones he held out.
“Okay.”
Erich cued up the video, set the volume and passed his phone to Kate. The clarity, sharpness and sound were extremely high quality. Tears filled her eyes as she realized what she was seeing, hearing and feeling. By the time it ended she was drained and overwhelmed with violation and outrage.
“Pretty bad,” Erich said.
Kate swallowed and brushed at her tears before pushing her food aside.
“I can make you a copy to have for your research.”
Kate nodded.
“Kate, I know this is disturbing but it’s a good thing. It’s a key lead. I’ve arranged for copies and information to be sent to every police agency on the task force looking for Zurrn. You can bet the FBI is searching for the trail to Zurrn. And there are protocols I can run to try to track Zurrn down. It brings us a step closer to him.”
“It also brings my sister closer to death.”
CHAPTER 63
Somewhere in the United States
Vanessa rocked gently in and out of consciousness, lost in a black chasm of dull, lethargic awareness.
She was on the floor of a moving vehicle, feeling the drone of its wheels, the rhythmic sway of its suspension. She was under a tarp.
No longer in the box—the casket.
I’m groggy. Carl drugged me. He drugs me whenever he’s transferring me—or preparing something bad—so I can’t resist.
Where are we? What’s he doing?
The vehicle jerked, triggering a sudden heavy clank of metal. Like tools and equipment.
Oh, God, this is it!
Vanessa’s mind swirled with fear and emotion. She had no sense of direction, no sense of time. How many days has it been since she’d escaped and was recaptured? Maybe she was sleeping, dreaming?
Why did he take me out of the casket? Where’s the casket?
Fear swelled inside her until she forced herself to become calm, to relax, to find her favorite memories and hang on to them.
I’m in a park on a swing with my big sister. Mom and Dad are pushing us and my tummy tickles like I’m flying—it feels so good I scream.
The vehicle slowed to a crawl.
The road under the wheels had become soft, silent, like well-kept grass.
Where are we?
Calm washed over her in waves—the drugs—she wanted to sleep. No, don’t sleep. Be aware. Try to escape. But her head was so heavy.
They stopped.
The transmission shifted, the motor switched off.
A slight sway and a door opened, then air rushed in as other doors were opened. Tools knocked together. He’s moving things, equipment, grunting as he lifts things, then humming as he works nearby.
In the quiet she heard crickets and nothing else.
“Okay,” Carl said. “I think we’re ready.”
A moment later the tarp was pulled away and Carl’s hands slipped under her as he lifted her, and in an instant she saw what awaited her. A steel casket, its lid yawning, was positioned atop an open grave on a casket-lowering device. As Carl carried her to it, her screams were stifled by tape he’d put around her mouth. She struggled in vain as he placed her in the coffin and secured her inside with chains. He taped her wrists, fastened clips to her fingers and something to her body.
“Listen to me—shh-shh—listen. I’m going to remove the tape from your mouth so you can breathe easier, okay? No more noise or the tape goes back. Nod if you agree.”
She nodded. He removed the tape and she drank in fresh air.
“Please, Carl,” she whispered. “Don’t do this, please!”
“Shh-shh. I’ve customized this. I’ve installed an oxygen tank with a meter, a ventilator to keep your carbon dioxide level low. You’ll have a light and instructions. Once I set things in motion, you’ll have a little more than four hours, if you don’t struggle and use up oxygen quickly. Do you understand?”
No, she didn’t understand. How could she understand his cruelty?
“Do you understand?”
She gave him a weak, terrified nod.
“Good. I’m sorry but it’s all for the best. You really were my favorite.” He looked at her, absorbing her.
