once-over—as if expecting a plain woman in a
kapp
and practical shoes—and extends his hand as I approach. “I’m Deputy Hicks.”
He’s a stout chap with beefy arms and a neck as thick as a telephone pole. I’ve met him at some point, but for the life of me I can’t remember thecircumstance. I shake his hand, noticing the sweaty palm and overtight grip. “Thanks for coming.”
“Sheriff Detrick wanted me to let you know we’re here to assist if you need us.”
“I appreciate the offer.”
He looks at Glock as if they’re best buds. “Officer Rupert was just filling me in on the case. Hell of a damn thing.”
I think of Belinda Horner. “Tough on the family.”
“You got a suspect yet?”
“We’re running some background checks. Waiting for the autopsy and the lab results.”
“Do you think it’s the same guy as before?”
I look around, aware that the reception area has fallen silent. People are listening, watching, their eyes alight with the anticipation of news. Details to titillate the dark side of their imaginations. Reassurances to calm their fears so they can get on with their lives without worrying about a madman running amok in their town.
I shake my head. “We don’t have anything concrete to substantiate that.”
“Has to be, though, don’t it?” He looks genuinely curious, a cop who likes a good murder mystery with a twist. “I mean, what are the odds of two killers with the same MO in a town this size?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I look him square in the eye, the way I might a suspect who’d ventured too close. Hicks gets my message and backs off.
Not wanting to ruffle feathers just yet, I tell him about the briefing I’m about to hold. “You’re welcome to sit in on it.”
His expression tells me this pleases him. He’s in the loop. One of the guys. “I gotta get back. Sheriff just wanted you to know we’re available if you need manpower.”
If this had been any other case, I would have jumped on the offer. I would have formed a multi-jurisdictional task force and included not only the sheriff’s office, but the State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. I can’t do that with this case. The last thing I need is a half dozen overzealous cops breathing down my neck.
I make a mental note to call Detrick later to thank him personally andstave off any questions about my lack of action. “Let me see where we’re at on this thing and I’ll give you guys a call. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
“Good enough.” He jerks his head, then heads toward the door.
I smile at Glock. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Briefing in two minutes.” I start toward dispatch to collect my messages. “My office. Let everyone know about it, will you?”
Glock gives me a mock salute and hustles to his cubicle.
I’m midway to the dispatch desk when Janine Fourman blocks my path. “Chief Burkholder, I’d like a word with you.”
The urge to push past her is strong, but I don’t. She’s a substantial woman, both in physical stature and her standing in the community. I’ve been around long enough to know any mishandling on my part will come back to bite me. Janine ran for mayor last election and lost, but only because a few people figured out a clawed creature exists beneath that favorite-aunt façade. I’ve seen those claws extended a time or two myself, and I have no desire to get verbally mauled when I have a murder to solve.
“Janine, I’m about to meet with my officers.”
She is a woman of about fifty-five with dyed black hair, small brown eyes, and a body as short and round as a milk-fed beef cow. “Then I’ll get right to the point. This whole town is abuzz about the murder. The rumors are flying that it’s the serial killer from the early nineties. Is that true? Is it the same guy?”
“I’m not going to speculate.”
“Do you have a suspect?”
“Not at this time.” It doesn’t
kapp
and practical shoes—and extends his hand as I approach. “I’m Deputy Hicks.”
He’s a stout chap with beefy arms and a neck as thick as a telephone pole. I’ve met him at some point, but for the life of me I can’t remember thecircumstance. I shake his hand, noticing the sweaty palm and overtight grip. “Thanks for coming.”
“Sheriff Detrick wanted me to let you know we’re here to assist if you need us.”
“I appreciate the offer.”
He looks at Glock as if they’re best buds. “Officer Rupert was just filling me in on the case. Hell of a damn thing.”
I think of Belinda Horner. “Tough on the family.”
“You got a suspect yet?”
“We’re running some background checks. Waiting for the autopsy and the lab results.”
“Do you think it’s the same guy as before?”
I look around, aware that the reception area has fallen silent. People are listening, watching, their eyes alight with the anticipation of news. Details to titillate the dark side of their imaginations. Reassurances to calm their fears so they can get on with their lives without worrying about a madman running amok in their town.
I shake my head. “We don’t have anything concrete to substantiate that.”
“Has to be, though, don’t it?” He looks genuinely curious, a cop who likes a good murder mystery with a twist. “I mean, what are the odds of two killers with the same MO in a town this size?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I look him square in the eye, the way I might a suspect who’d ventured too close. Hicks gets my message and backs off.
Not wanting to ruffle feathers just yet, I tell him about the briefing I’m about to hold. “You’re welcome to sit in on it.”
His expression tells me this pleases him. He’s in the loop. One of the guys. “I gotta get back. Sheriff just wanted you to know we’re available if you need manpower.”
If this had been any other case, I would have jumped on the offer. I would have formed a multi-jurisdictional task force and included not only the sheriff’s office, but the State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. I can’t do that with this case. The last thing I need is a half dozen overzealous cops breathing down my neck.
I make a mental note to call Detrick later to thank him personally andstave off any questions about my lack of action. “Let me see where we’re at on this thing and I’ll give you guys a call. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
“Good enough.” He jerks his head, then heads toward the door.
I smile at Glock. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Briefing in two minutes.” I start toward dispatch to collect my messages. “My office. Let everyone know about it, will you?”
Glock gives me a mock salute and hustles to his cubicle.
I’m midway to the dispatch desk when Janine Fourman blocks my path. “Chief Burkholder, I’d like a word with you.”
The urge to push past her is strong, but I don’t. She’s a substantial woman, both in physical stature and her standing in the community. I’ve been around long enough to know any mishandling on my part will come back to bite me. Janine ran for mayor last election and lost, but only because a few people figured out a clawed creature exists beneath that favorite-aunt façade. I’ve seen those claws extended a time or two myself, and I have no desire to get verbally mauled when I have a murder to solve.
“Janine, I’m about to meet with my officers.”
She is a woman of about fifty-five with dyed black hair, small brown eyes, and a body as short and round as a milk-fed beef cow. “Then I’ll get right to the point. This whole town is abuzz about the murder. The rumors are flying that it’s the serial killer from the early nineties. Is that true? Is it the same guy?”
“I’m not going to speculate.”
“Do you have a suspect?”
“Not at this time.” It doesn’t
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