Avery’s brow creased. “If Nolan faked his death for the specific purpose of enacting revenge, he’d avoid contacting his friends or family. He has a violent criminal history, including stalking and strangling women in a manner similar to our victims.”
“Those are good points, Avery,” Emilia said. “And normally I would argue Nolan should be our top suspect. Problem is, Nolan had years to come after you but didn’t. What triggered him now?”
“My move home. I arrived in town six months ago. There were articles in the local newspaper announcing my position with Harrison University.”
Grady frowned. “It’ll be difficult to track individuals who moved to town six months ago, but we could take a pass at new students and faculty. If Nolan is using a fake ID, we might spot an inconsistency.” He made a note on the whiteboard.
It was another thread to pull, and Weston was grateful. Police work was tedious, but every detail was important. One of them could crack the case wide open.
“Let’s assume Nolan is dead,” Weston said. “The killer has intimate knowledge of the events surrounding Jack Starin’s death, along with Nolan’s murder.”
Grady tapped the marker against the whiteboard. “That brings us to our other two suspects, Mike Steel and Nolan’s best friend, Tom Belvin. On the surface, Tom fits Emilia’s profile. Thirty-seven, college educated, well-liked, born and raised in Union County. He admitted knowing two of the victims. One arrest for drug possession years ago, otherwise, Tom’s criminal record is clean. After interviewing friends and coworkers—including a couple of ex-girlfriends—there’s no indication he’s violent.”
“So we can’t eliminate him,” Avery said. “But he’s not a top suspect.”
“Correct,” Grady said. “Which brings us to Detective Mike Steel. He fits Emilia’s profile perfectly, down to being a chess champion. He doesn’t have an alibi for any of the abductions. Mike applied for the university’s Chief of Police position. He was interviewed several times, but when asked about his previous history with alcohol, Mike got defensive. The dean felt Mike failed to recognize his own mistakes, and told him so.”
Avery’s mouth flattened. “And then they hired me.”
There was a faint hint of vulnerability in her tone and Weston stepped closer, as if he could shield her from the pain. He hated to see Avery hurting.
“That may have been the trigger,” Emilia said. “From Mike’s point of view, his career was destroyed by your dad, and then he lost a valuable position to you. He decides to get revenge. His primary target is you, Avery, but by killing women associated with Harrison University, he also damages the school.”
Weston rocked back on his heels. Everything lined up. “Has Mike been questioned again?”
“We’ve tried several times.” Grady frowned. “His attorney keeps shooting us down. The sheriff allowed us to search Mike’s desk and locker, but it didn’t yield any new leads or establish a connection between Mike and the women.”
“Have you traced the killer’s phone call to Avery?” Weston asked.
Grady hooked a thumb in his belt. “The killer is tech savvy. He used a burner phone to call Avery, and then turned it off. We can’t get a location. I have technicians keeping an eye on it, but unless the killer uses the phone again, we won’t pin him down.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound like Mike,” Avery said. “When the sheriff’s department switched to tablets for reports, it took Mike months to figure the system out. He complained about it constantly.”
Weston shrugged. “He could’ve been faking.”
“Maybe, but what if we’re focused on the wrong suspect?” Avery asked. “I have trouble believing Mike snapped and suddenly started killing women to get back at me and my dad over a job.”
“Avery…” Weston shifted in his boots, trying to figure out the best way to say her perspective was compromised due to her personal relationship with Mike.
Avery blushed and her shoulders turned inward. “I know how it sounds. I get it.”
Emilia’s gaze locked on Avery’s face. “But you think we’re missing something?”
“I don’t know. Mike’s reaction when we confronted him was off. He was furious. Insulted, really. If he was the Chessmaster, wouldn’t he have planned his answers better? We could be barking up the wrong tree and end up missing the killer in the process.”
Weston studied the whiteboard. Avery was right. They didn’t have a shred of hard evidence linking Mike to these murders. It was all suspicion and supposition. Emilia’s profile was an important tool, but it wasn’t proof.
“No one wants to overlook anything,” Grady said. “Trust me. We’re tracking down every lead. We just don’t have much to go on.”
“Meanwhile Rachel is still missing.” Avery ran a hand through her hair. “I released a statement asking for information about Nolan Starin to the media. The crisis center is running a tip line, and volunteers are spreading flyers around town. I’d like to check in with them. Maybe there’s a new lead.”
Weston glanced at Grady. There was worry in his fellow ranger’s expression, concern Weston shared. Was Avery right? Were they narrowing in on the wrong man?
Avery spent the car ride second-guessing herself. When Weston put the truck in Park at the crisis center, she undid her seatbelt. “You think I’m wrong about Mike, don’t you?”
He hesitated. “Honestly, I don’t know. You have insight into Mike I don’t. You know him well. At the same time—”
“I could be in denial because he’s my friend.”
“Yes.”
Weston confirmed her own suspicions. Her emotions were muddled by a combination of exhaustion and worry. Where was Rachel now? Was the Chessmaster hurting her? The echo of Rachel’s screams kept playing in Avery’s head over and over.
She exited the truck and shivered against the rush of cold air. Weston came around the vehicle and hugged her. Some of the tension in her shoulders eased away. His jacket was soft under her cheek, and she could make out the faint beat of his heart.
Avery lifted her face, and Weston kissed her. It was soft and gentle and filled
