“We can’t get a trace on him, anyway,” Carson continues. “He’s only using it for recognition. He won’t hurt Avery without an audience, right? And by supplying him with a direct link to this department, we’re giving him that audience.”
Sadie turns to Quinn, completely dismissing Carson. I let a smile slip.
“In theory, he’s right. But in this instance? He’s utterly wrong. The hostility the UNSUB exudes when he’s ignored suggests he’ll retaliate. He may have no plans to kill Avery…he could only want to bait me…but we could trigger an explosive reaction that endangers Avery if we kill communication.”
With a nod, Quinn says, “I agree. We’re not doing anything to jeopardize Avery.”
Carson crosses his arms. “All right. Then me and rope boy are bringing in Julian as soon as possible. That’s one way to knock a suspect off the list for sure.”
My jaw ticks as I grit my teeth. This new desire to defend my brother is disturbing. I’ve spent so long loathing him; I feel I’m the only one allowed the right to make accusations against him.
“If that’s the only way to eliminate him as a suspect,” I say. “Then I’ll find him. If he’s here at the station, then he’s not anywhere else.”
A tight smile pulls at Sadie’s lips. “Colton needs a phone. Something to stay in contact with us at all times since the techs confiscated his.”
As Quinn beckons a tech over to get Sadie’s request underway, I link my fingers through hers and pull her close. “This is for you,” I whisper. “I don’t give a damn about Julian.”
She frowns. “I know. But clearing him will also clear any connection Carson is trying to pin on you.” She kisses my cheek. The feel of her soft lips on my skin sparks a fiery pang in my chest.
“Promise me,” I say to her.
Her features fall.
“Promise me you’re only using it as a tactic. That you won’t actually try to meet this sadistic fuck on your own.”
With hesitation, she nods. “I promise that I won’t…not right now. He’s not falling for it anyway. There’s too much coverage and surveillance. He can’t chance giving himself away like this.”
I release a breath. “Be safe.”
“You, too. Anything you uncover, send it here. You and I will go over it.”
Her implication is clear: we’re the main targets, and we have to stay ahead of everyone else.
I turn toward Quinn with a warning ready on my tongue, but he says, “You don’t have to say it. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“I know.” I stare him straight on, letting my eyes speak for me. If anything happens to her, I’ll end you. Then I say to Carson, “Lead the way, detective.”
He scoffs. “Fucking hell. If you end up being the UNSUB, I will kill you dead.”
I raise my eyebrows at him. “Ditto.”
4
Pieces
Sadie
Pressure builds behind my eyes, around my forehead, at my temples. It’s the physical manifestation of the weight bearing down on me—the pressure to connect all the pieces and save Avery.
I glance down at my phone, check the time. I imagine I can hear the ticking of the clock counting down the hours. The minutes. The seconds. But it’s all in my head. Right there with the mounting pressure.
I hit my office quickly to change into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt I had stashed there. Quinn thought it’d be a good idea to change, get comfortable for the long day ahead of us. It’s almost as if I can’t think for myself. I hate this feeling. Completely disoriented. It’s like…if I can just uncover one clue, just pinpoint the abduction site, then I can connect the rest of this puzzle.
And so that’s where we start. With the clock ticking, Quinn and I begin at the one place we know Avery always to be. Her lab.
“What is the last communication you had with her?” Quinn asks as he sets up the standing UV lamp. He brought his laptop with us and is conducting the search and comparison against the department while I attempt to determine the abduction site.
You would think that an M.E.’s lab—being equipped with every type of forensic equipment at the ready—would be the perfect environment to mount an investigation. It’s the exact opposite, however. As Quinn switches on the lamp, the light illuminates a massive amount of substances. From the blood of previous victims, to every other conceivable body fluid.