Stolen Daughters (Detective Amanda Steele)

“Sure.” She fumbled in one of her pants pockets and took out her phone.

Amanda happened to look up and see Malone coming toward her. “You got this?” she said to Trent, and he nodded.

Amanda stepped away, putting about ten feet between herself and Bethany and Trent. “What is it?”

“I just spoke with the officer posted outside five thirty-two,” Malone said. “He’s been there since midnight. Didn’t see anything all night. I know we don’t have TOD yet, though I’d expect sometime between then and now.”

“Huh. I would think he’d have seen something that might help us.” If this was the same killer back a second time, he might as well have been the invisible man. “The officer was awake, though? Eyes open?” She knew from personal experience just how boring and mind-numbing surveillance could be.

“I sure hope so.”

“But you’re not sure?”

Malone angled his head and pressed his lips. “It’s entirely possible he saw nothing.”

“He confirmed that he hadn’t left his post?”

Malone clenched his jaw. “Why are you being so stubborn about this? If we can’t take the word of one of our own, then we might as well give up now.”

She realized she might be coming across just as Malone had accused, but she was feeling frustrated. Maybe taking it out on the faceless officer. Then again, if a badge told Malone he saw nothing, then Malone would believe him. His brothers in blue had to give Malone strong reason not to trust them.

Malone snapped his fingers. “I can see it on your face, Steele. But let it go.”

When he pulled out her surname, it was hard to feel like she had much choice but to submit.

“So how did it go with—” He nudged his head toward Bethany.

“She’s the vic’s best friend. No leads on who had a beef with Shannon, but Trent’s getting info on the next of kin now.”

“I can take care of delivering the notification.”

“Actually, I’d prefer to do it,” she said. “We might get a lead on someone in Fox’s circle. As you said to Trent we need to slow down, and that means considering all the angles on this case. It appears on the surface like Jane Doe’s killer might have motive, but what’s to say someone with a vendetta against Shannon didn’t take advantage of that? Her name, after all, was in the paper.”

Malone seemed to consider her words, then grinned and wagged his finger. “See, that’s why the LT can’t knock you down, Amanda. You’re an amazing cop. Just keep that up.” Malone’s gaze went beyond her. “And speaking of good cops.” He waved someone over. She turned and saw a male PWCPD officer headed their way.

“This is Officer Tucker,” Malone said once he got to them. “This is Detective Amanda Steele.”

Trent joined them and held up his notepad to Amanda, likely to communicate he had the sister’s information.

“And Detective Trent Stenson.” Malone swept an arm toward Trent. “Officer Tucker here found where the killer gained entry to the residence. You go ahead, Tucker.”

Tucker was in his early twenties but, based on the shining pride in Malone’s eyes, held a lot of promise. He had a willow-reed frame and brown hair. He smiled, or rather twitched, uncomfortably as Amanda looked at him. “It appears like he may have accessed the property through a window in the back. It’s shut, but the screen was cut. There’s also a sliding patio door back there. It was unlocked.”

Amanda glanced at Malone, then Trent. “Then why enter through the window? Surely he would have tried the door first.”

“I’m thinking that’s likely the way he left, ma’am,” Tucker said. “It would have been much easier than crawling back out the window.”

“I agree. Good observations. Make sure to pass this information along to the CSIs. They should dust the windowsill for prints. Also, the inside handle on the patio door.” She offered a smile at the rookie, though she wasn’t entirely sure what had Malone so enraptured with him. Now wasn’t the time to ask, but she was interested in popping into the backyard. While she and Trent looked around, it would also give the CSIs and ME more time to work.

She walked to the rear of Shannon’s house. Trent came with her, but Malone didn’t.

Like at 532, there was a gate at the end of the driveway. She went through, not even knowing exactly what she was looking for. But she was interested in seeing where Shannon’s killer had gained entry with her own eyes.

She noted the overgrown bushes, large trees, and the relative seclusion. Windows in the houses butting against Fox’s property would have offered an exceptional line of sight, though. Amanda pointed them out to Trent. “Someone might have seen something.” She’d make sure that canvassing officers visited the residents. Depending on Shannon’s time of death, most people likely would have been sleeping, but they still needed to ask. “If we’re looking at the same killer,” she added, “his killing Fox was a brazen move.” She hated that her mind was going to the dark place where serial killers lurked. But even if the same person was behind the murders, didn’t a serial killer by definition have more than two victims? She really didn’t want to think about that.

“That’s for sure. Striking twice in two days, and on the same street? I’d definitely say he wanted to make a statement.”

“The mutilation tells us that, no matter who killed her. But what are you thinking?” she asked.