Stolen Daughters (Detective Amanda Steele)

“Looks like she left behind her parents and a brother.”

“Bring up their backgrounds.”

“Just a minute…” Trent clicked away on the keyboard, then scribbled on a blank page of a notepad she had on her desk.

She was tapping her foot. All she could think about was Logan. She had to save him. There was no other option. “Trent?” she prompted.

“I’ve got their names. Just bringing up the individual backgrounds.” One filled in on the screen. “Christina’s father… it looks like he died five years ago.”

“What about the mother?”

Trent brought up her report. “Also deceased, just before Christmas last year.”

“Tell me about the brother.”

“Name’s Daniel Ross.” He typed on the keyboard. “H

e’s still alive. Twenty-eight. Currently lives in Dumfries. He would have only been fourteen when his sister was taken.”

“Young enough to be greatly impacted. Let’s take a look at his photo.”

Trent clicked on it, then sat back. “Look familiar?”

“The mystery man’s ID solved.”

“Yep. Meet Daniel Ross, our killer. He could have read the articles on Randy Hart and felt there was an injustice. That could be why he pointed us to Hart.”

“Not sure about that. It’s like he’s killed his sister repeatedly through the girls he targets. If he’s directing our attention to Hart, is he also trying to avenge her death? Brandon said our killer could have murdered before. Maybe he didn’t like his parents either. I want to know how they died and if their deaths were suspicious.”

Trent reached for the phone. She held out a hand to stop him.

“Tell me more about Daniel Ross. Where does he work?”

Trent went to the employment section of the report. “He’s an estimator with Star Properties.”

“Where did Woodbridge Bank’s estimator work?”

Trent did a quick search. “Same place. Ross must have found out about the vacant properties through work.”

“We need unis over at Star Properties, but start with bringing in SWAT. I want this done right, so this man goes away for life!”

One of the Strategic Weapons and Tactical Unit’s responsibilities was to clear and secure a scene when apprehending suspects considered extremely dangerous or when there was a hostage situation.

“You got it,” Trent said, lifting his phone’s handset.

She left him to make the necessary calls and went down the hall to Malone’s office. She found him on the phone. He waved for her to enter, and she did, closing the door behind her. She dropped into the chair across from his desk and waited.

Malone placed the telephone handset in its cradle.

“We found him.” She’d imagined saying the words would bring more relief, some excitement, but she felt tapped out, drained dry.

“You…?”

“The suspect’s name is Daniel Ross, and he lives in a quiet Dumfries neighborhood.” She filled him in on all they knew. “Trent’s calling in SWAT. We’re going to do this all above board. I want him to rot in prison for what he’s done.” She heard the vindictiveness in her voice, and maybe she was being rash judging the man so harshly, but all she could think about were those girls and Logan.

“He will if I have a say.”

“Trent’s also sending officers to his place of work.”