Chasing Evil (Circle of Evil) by Kylie Brant Page B

been a no-brainer.
    And despite their singular lack of success so far, there were worst ways to spend a sunny June morning than familiarizing herself with Edina’s lovely outdoor spaces. A dozen uniformed officers were scattered around the Ashton Creek Park loop. It was the fourth of the area’s running trails they’d checked, and although a few people they’d stopped had recognized Van Wheton, none admitted to knowing her or having seen her in the area yesterday.
    Jenna walked briskly ahead to stop a young mother strolling a toddler and infant. Sophia lagged behind, scanning the area. It was a given that the offender had stalked the victim. According to Van Wheton’s daughters their mother had varied her route so the subject would have had to be following the woman to make his move. More likely he’d trailed her for days and chose the area he would snatch her from. Another big risk, she thought, bending to retie her shoe, unless his plan to accost Van Wheton depended more on deceit than surprise. None of the places they’d covered so far this morning were especially isolated, although some had trails less traveled than others. Given how security conscious her daughters had said their mother was, it wasn’t surprising that the woman’s caution extended even to her exercise routine.
    Rising, Sophia’s gaze traveled past Jenna and the young mother, who was shaking her head and continuing on her way. But even if Sophia were right about how the offender managed to gain his victim’s cooperation initially, he’d still want to keep his exposure to a minimum. Maybe he changed his appearance for each kidnapping. She eyed the scantily clad female jogging at a steady pace toward them. Even the vehicle he drove could be different every time. It would explain the lack of similarities that had emerged so far about the disappearance of their other two victims. Although she imagined that Cam’s first task once they got back to Des Moines would be to compare the security footage taken at the Edina bank with security images contained in the case files for each of the ID’d victims.
    The thought broke off as she sighted a figure in the distance. Frowning slightly, she walked rapidly toward Jenna, her gaze still on the man she’d observed. He was too far away for her to recognize his features but something nagged her about the way he stood, tall and lanky with hands shoved deep in the pockets of his baggy shorts, shoulders hunched, head ducked.
    Except his head wasn’t ducked now. His attention was fixed on the barely covered woman jogging toward Sophia. Memory clicked and she veered off the trail onto the manicured grass, intent on talking to him.
    His hair was sandy colored. Shaggy. He fought a losing battle with the slight breeze by repeatedly raking it back from his face with spread fingers, his focus still fixed on the woman sporting only a neon pink sports bra and spandex tights with running shoes. He maintained a swift gait across the grass in a style that seemed haphazard, as he circled around benches and trees. But ultimately he kept a parallel pace to the jogger on the path.
    Sophia had closed half the distance between them before he noticed her. Froze.
    “Sir, could you help me?” she called, quickening her step.
    Abruptly he angled away, heading toward a wooded area closer to the creek.
    She walked faster. “Sir? Please stop for a moment.”
    But the stranger had forgotten his fascination with the jogger on the path. He was now intent on reaching the shelter of the trees.
    A sliver of caution filtered through her, although Sophia didn’t break stride. Reaching into her bag, she brought out her cell phone. Thumbed in Jenna’s number.
    “What are you doing?” was the agent’s greeting. Sophia tossed a look over her shoulder. Already Jenna was crossing the blanket of grass toward her.
    “There’s a man here. I’m positive I saw him this morning at Centennial Park.” She’d reached the tree line now, and her