Cast the Cards

“I think it could spook the murderers, and my top priority is taking them in to custody before this whole thing escalates any further.”

“You think it will?”

“Possibly. It’s hard to profile without more information.”

“Hmm, funny thing about the mail. It’s unpredictable these days. It’s a shame this package was delivered a few days later then it was supposed to be.”

Savannah smiled. He’s buying me time. “Yes, sir, it’s awful, the state of the postal service being what it is.”

“I’m glad we understand each other. You can head out now.”

She stood, grateful for the bend possible in the smaller station. The steps to her office felt like miles, and as she opened the door her hand shook. Carey looked up from his desk and nodded toward the package that set in the center of his desk.

“This one’s smaller than the last.” Her gaze drank in the manila envelope as she set her bag on the chair across from him.

“There was no indication of anything hazardous.”

“That’d be too impersonal. They want to watch me take my last breath.”

“The calmness with which you say that disturbs me.”

She peered up at him and smiled. “Would you feel better if I told you I was crying on the inside?”

“No, smart ass.”

“Let’s go to the lab. Suit up and examine it.”

“Thank God. It’s been killing me staring at the thing.”

“I bet.” She opened her bag, dug out a pair of blue gloves, and pulled them on. Gingerly she lifted the package. The postal markings were from a small town in Texas, which told them nothing. They were clever. She’d give them that.

Ten minutes later, in blue suits and gloves, she stood side by side with Carey at an evidence table. Slicing open the top of the envelope with a scalpel, she used a pair of tongs, and pulled out a large swath of tissue held together by a brilliant red ribbon. As she undid the bow, she willed her hand to remain steady. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

She peeled back the layers of paper. Her heart lurched. A piece of blonde hair was revealed in the second layer. Six-inches long, the curl exuded feminine energy. Logged and placed in a plastic bag it was set to the side.

“You rea

dy to go back in?” Carey asked once he was finished documenting, sans the date.

“Yes.” She returned to unwrapping and discovered a faded wreath of purple and blue flowers woven together to make up a mock crown.

“What the hell?” Carey whispered.

“I don’t know. I think these are his trophies.” She waited for him to grab a plastic bag that would accommodate the new article of evidence. He returned to the table with an open bag and eased the fragile offering up, lowering it into the protective sheath.

“Then why is he sending them to you?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” He sealed the bag and she unfolded the last layer to reveal the Empress card sitting on top of a loose sheet of paper. Unlike the first one she’d received, there were no pictures cut out and pasted. At first glance the card appeared to be un-tampered with. But only a thorough examination would say for sure. Removing the paper from beneath the card, she held it up and began to read.

Dear Agent West,

I trust you enjoyed the last gift I sent. Here’s another for your growing collection. I hear you’re clever. So I hope you don’t disappoint. Enclosed is a gift, if you’re quick enough to catch it. I am ever one step closer.

“Son of a bitch is taunting us.”

Carey rested his hand on her shoulder. “We’ll catch him.”

She nodded, unable to speak for fear he’d hear how much the simple gesture affected her. “We only have a few days with this, and then the Feds will come down and try to take over.”