Mark heard their conversation as he managed his own with Angela. They’d be pulling their people off the NYC apartment and move them to discreetly watch the B and B and Brant Pickering’s movements.
“We need a real timeline,” Colleen said. She shook her head. “We think Carver killed the two victims who were discovered, and he sent letters to the media. We know he kidnapped Sally. But with this murder and the murders Angela discovered, there were no letters to the media.”
“Well, a killer sometimes refines his methods,” Ragnar said.
“Right,” Mark agreed. “Except there was no letter when Dierdre was taken. I think this leads to the fact that Jim Carver is not the only guilty party. We need to finish searching this area, but I’ll bet it was used—and abandoned—by our killer already. I don’t think he kept to one place.”
“I think you’re right,” Colleen said.
“Let’s do it,” Ragnar agreed, looking back toward the ruins of the rest of the old cabins and cottages that had once housed a small community. “Divide and conquer?”
“Yes. I’ll take Red, not to worry,” Colleen said.
Mark smiled. “Thanks.”
He pointed left, straight, and right.
They all took off in different directions.
He had reached the third of the ruins in his path, an old place with just two walls—a front wall, and a side wall to the west—when he found pine planks.
They were rotting. Time, rain, and the elements taking their toll.
But a killer had been there; he had used the old ruins. The remnants of the grisly tools of his trade remained.
He had probably been amused, burying a girl in a graveyard.
She would die...among the dead.
And no one would ever find her.
He pulled out his phone and conference called Colleen and Ragnar.
“Found it,” he said. “I’m almost into reclaimed forest area—third place behind the main remaining cottage.”
Both said they were on their way.
And a minute later, they arrived with Red loyally and obediently following Colleen.
“We can have forensics look,” Ragnar said. “But I doubt they’re going to get anything. Time and nature have taken their toll. But there it is—the same pine.”
“Well, the same pine available at home and garden stores in every city in every state in the country,” Colleen said. She looked at Ragnar. “So, the first murder—possibly—was four years ago. Or perhaps there was another even earlier that we don’t know about. I’m thinking about our suspects and age.”
“Serial killers have started as young as fourteen years old,” Mark said.
“But are they able to travel at that age?” Colleen asked. “Then again, if we’re only looking at three years, I don’t know... Brant Pickering could still be a suspect, but it sounds as if he’s been telling the truth. And none of us like Gary, but—”
“It’s hard to like an elitist,” Ragnar said. “But it doesn’t make him bad—or should I say evil?”
“And according to those watching, he’s been at the Ayerses’ home,” Mark said. He looked at the sky. Night was falling fast.
“Time to leave others working at their posts. I have to get some sleep. Angela got us all rooms at a place in Front Royal,” Ragnar said. He pulled out his phone. “Yeah, she texted us the information.” He sighed, shoving his phone into his pocket. “Guys, I’m having room service. You do what you want. She got us three rooms.” He grinned suddenly. “Not sure why she bothered, but we must keep up professional standards.”
Colleen stared at him.
Ragnar grinned at her. “Oh, come on—sparks fly off you two. Hey, whatever. I’m heading back. I’ll be in my room if you need me!”
He turned to leave, waving as he got in his car.
Mark stared after him.
“But I disliked you!” Colleen said.
Mark laughed. “It’s been a long day. Let’s turn in too. And if everyone thinks we’re up to something, well hell, might as well be guilty as charged.”
He was glad she smiled.
“What the hell?” she said, grinning. “It will be good to forget again, if only for a—”
“Don’t you dare say ‘moment,’” Mark said, matching her smile.
“If only for the night,” she said softly.
He laughed again, setting his arm around her shoulders as they walked to the car.
“Oh, yes. Let’s say for the night!”