Blood of Eden by Tami Dane Page A

died. But what about the fresh bite marks? Not to mention, the foreign DNA sample that was found on all three victims?” the chief asked. “They couldn’t have possibly picked that up a week before their death.”
    Which meant what? The unsub was going back to visit his victims after they collapsed? Why?
    Every member looked sober as we gathered our things and headed toward the door. Somebody nudged me as I was leaving the room. I twisted to look over my shoulder. As I suspected, it had been Gabe.
    â€œWhat?” I snapped, worrying I’d hold up JT. We had important things to do. Now was not the time for silly schoolyard games. When Gabe didn’t say anything right away, I motioned toward JT’s cubicle. “JT’s waiting. We have a lot to do.”
    â€œYeah. I know. This won’t take long.” He grabbed my elbow—he actually had the nerve to touch me—and pulled me off to one side. I glared at his hand and clamped my lips shut. “Look, I know you’re mad about the BAU, but I wanted you to know I had nothing to do with that.” He honestly expected me to believe that pile of dog poo?
    â€œOkay, whatever.” I jerked my arm out of his grasp and tried to muscle my way past him. He was such a freaking huge ox. Why was he blocking the way? “Gabe.”
    â€œYou don’t believe me.”
    â€œNo. Of course, I don’t. But that doesn’t matter. None of this does. Right now, what matters is JT, who’s standing over there by the elevators, twiddling his thumbs, wondering why I’m wasting time having a tête-à-tête with you.”
    Looking almost pathetic, Gabe shrugged. “You’re right. Good luck, Sloan.” He stepped aside to let me pass, and I scampered to my cubby, crammed my Netbook into the case, slung the strap over my shoulder, and headed for the elevators. I gave JT an I’m-sorry smile and checked the elevator call button to see if he’d already pressed it. Yep, it was glowing red.
    â€œWhich victim do you want to check out first?” I asked, catching my breath after the mini sprint I’d done to catch up to him.
    â€œI was thinking about that.” The elevator door slid open and JT motioned for me to go in first. “All three fit the same profile, so I don’t think it matters. But I think we’ll go with Laura Miller.”
    JT drove, leaving me free to think. Now that the case had taken a sharp left, into Life-or-Deathville, I wanted to do my best to help. Nobody would hear any smart-ass comments about the Clock of Doom from this girl again.
    I flipped to the copy of Fischer’s notes. He’d made a copy for every member of the team and left them on the table. “This guy’s thorough,” I said, impressed. “He included a minute-by-minute breakdown of Miller’s final day.”
    â€œThat’ll make it easier. I’m assuming we need to start at her house.”
    â€œYup.” I reread the itinerary. “Damn, I wore the wrong shoes this morning.”
    â€œWhy’s that? I don’t see anything wrong with them.”
    I glanced down at the butt-ugly, cheap vinyl pumps. The man was no judge of shoe quality. “Our victim ran over five miles that morning.”
    He sniggered. “Ah, I see.”
    I stared down at my feet. Five miles in those shoes, and I’d be crippled for weeks. “I have an idea.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” He flipped the turn signal and glanced over his shoulder, inching onto the freeway.
    â€œYou jog the route, and I’ll follow you in the car.”
    â€œSure. We can do that.” He pointed at the gearshift. “You do know how to drive a stick, don’t you?”
    Shit. Why hadn’t I noticed that before? “Um, the answer to that would be no.”
    â€œI’ll let you give it a try when we exit.”
    â€œNo, that’s okay.” My toes cramped at just the thought of