“And?”
“And it’s Jamal Foster.”
Aidan sat in the chair at the computer desk, unsure of what to say.
“The forensic anthropologist confirmed Jamal’s throat was cut,” Chief Gillespie continued. “Before I called you, I went over the original report for Keisha Moffett and it seems she died shortly before Jamal’s estimated time of death. So, I’m guessing after our suspect cut Jamal’s throat, he ran after Keisha to take care of her. Jamal, on the other hand, may have been disoriented enough to end up where he was and bled to death.”
“Why hasn’t anyone come across his body?” Aidan asked as Shaun appeared in the doorway.
“Well, we have experienced heavy storms and inclement weather since then. Over time, he probably sank into the ground and underneath falling leaves.”
Aidan nodded. It made sense.
“So now we know Jamal didn’t kill Keisha,” Aidan muttered. “Your suspicions all those years ago were correct, Chief.”
“Hmm,” Gillespie muttered. “But that begs the question: who killed Keisha, Jamal and the rest?”
“That’s what I intend to find out. Eventually,” Aidan said. “Thank you, Chief, for everything.”
“No, Agent O’Reilly,” Gillespie insisted, “thank you. Because of you, I can give Keisha’s and Jamal’s families some sense of peace knowing he didn’t kill her.”
“Let’s pray we can find the man responsible so we can give all the victims and their families the justice they deserve.”
“Will you keep me in the loop?”
“I certainly will, Chief,” Aidan promised.
“And I’ll see if I can’t dig up anything on my end. After all, The Carnations Killer did strike my city.”
“Anything you come across will be a major help, Chief,” Aidan told him.
After they ended the call, Aidan looked at Shaun and told him what was said.
“Why didn’t The Carnations Killer use the same means of death on Keisha and Jamal as he did the others?” Shaun asked out loud.
“Well, they weren’t his types of victims, so they didn’t matter to him. Otherwise, I think he’d probably do to Keisha the same thing he did to the others.” Aidan paused. “The Carnations Killer has a particular type when it comes to killing. He prefers blondes and whites. Keisha Moffett was neither, and Jamal Foster wasn’t either—not to mention he was a male. They were only collateral damage.”
Shaun considered what Aidan said and seemed satisfied with the deduction. He looked around the small office and said, “We’re about done here. Unless Jordan worked from somewhere else, I’d say he’s clean.”
Aidan nodded. “That doesn’t really surprise me.”
“You didn’t think he did it?” Shaun picked up a photo of Jordan and his uncle. They stood with fishing poles in front of a large pond, with a house in the background, beaming for the camera. From what Aidan could see, Jordan looked to be fifteen in the photo. His face showed signs of a happy teenager. Aidan couldn't help but wonder what happened over the years to make him the arrogant man he became.
“You don’t either,” Aidan pointed out.
Shaun shook his head. “What do you want to do about him?”
“Well, he’s the only piece of the puzzle we have,” Aidan muttered, looking out the window. “Just because we didn’t find anything here, doesn’t mean he’s not the offender. Despite what you and I feel.”
“So, you want to keep him detained?”
“At least over the weekend. It’ll give us time to talk with Agent Byers.” Aidan knew he was the agent in charge of The Carnations Killer investigation in Michigan. He was now retired to Canada but had agreed through email to talk to them over the phone the next day at noon, their time. “It’ll give me some sense of satisfaction that he’s behind bars for a few days.”
Shaun laughed at the prospect.
“He’ll be out by Monday,” Aidan added.
“Why don’t we call it a night?” Shaun suggested. “I think we deserve it. Wanna have dinner and a few beers with me?”
“Sure,” Aidan told him. “Let me give Cheyenne a call and let her know.”
They decided on Mellow Mushroom, a restaurant Aidan knew Laura loved, but he and Cheyenne had never been.
Walking in, it was noisy with chatter and Aidan had to strain to hear the soft-spoken hostess ask how many in their party.
Shaun told her two and requested the patio.
Cheyenne and Aidan enjoyed dining outside at restaurants during the summer, so he was glad when Shaun said he also preferred it.
There was only one other customer who sat outside, a woman munching on a Greek salad while reading a book. They chose a table away from her since she was smoking, and Aidan hated being around smoke.
“So how long have you been with Cheyenne?” Shaun broke into his thoughts as they scanned the menu.
“About five years,” Aidan replied.
“Really?”
Aidan looked up at the sound of his surprised tone to see him raise an eyebrow.
“Five years and you haven’t asked the woman to marry you.” He shook his head as if he were ashamed.
Aidan snickered. “I have a ring for her.”
“Yeah? So, what’s keeping you?”
Aidan shrugged. “Work. And my younger sister recently got married, so it was best not to ask her then. I suppose the timing hasn’t been right.”
Aidan settled on a Jerk Chicken Hoagie without mushrooms as the waitress approached. They ordered two beers and their food. The waitress took the menus and left them to their conversation.
“I’m surprised she’s still with you,” Shaun said, leaning back. He crossed his legs and rested his right arm on the back of the chair. “A woman being with someone for five years with no promises? And you live with her, right?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you afraid of? I know you love her. You have that twinkle in your eye.”
“I don’t know,” Aidan admitted. “I guess a part of me is waiting for
