Ultimate Cowboy by Rita Herron Page A

abductions or the other boys, or anything that had happened to him. He exhibited signs of physical and mental abuse, and signs of sensory deprivation, as well, and seemed especially sensitive todarkness and oddly, also to bright lights. She also observed that he assumed a military stance when she entered the room and when the guard appeared to take him from his cell.”
    “So the unsub may have had military training,” Agent Cord said. “That could help.”
    Julie nodded, then licked her lips, her expression odd. Brody’s chest was beating so hard he could barely breathe.
    “The doctorconfirms that there has been long-term physical abuse,” Julie said. “There are signs of bruises, repeated beatings, and broken bones but there was no sign of sexual abuse or molestation.”
    A mixture of anguish, anger and relief filled Brody. The thought of physical abuse sickened him, but at least Will hadn’t been molested. Still he’d suffered...how had his little brother survived?
    “Ifthe unsub doesn’t sexually abuse them, then what is his deal?” Agent Hurt asked. “Why is he fixated on kidnapping young boys?”
    Brody scrubbed a hand over his face. The only one who could answer that was his brother. And Will wasn’t talking.
    “Good question,” Julie said. She turned to the time line again. “The first kidnapping was probably personal. Perhaps the unsub had a child and lostit to death or his wife ran off with the child and left. He wanted a replacement.”
    “But what about the military angle?” Agent Cord asked.
    Julie chewed her bottom lip in thought. “We can theorize all day and not get it right. But think about it. What if he lost the child while he was in the service? Maybe his wife left him while he was deployed?”
    “You could look at it another way,”Brody said. “If he was in combat, maybe he saw some fellow young men die.”
    “Or he was responsible for a child’s death,” Miles interjected.
    “He could be suffering from PTSD,” Chief Hurt pointed out.
    “Or it’s a combination,” Julie said. “He was deployed and his child either died or his wife ran off with the child while he was overseas. He comes home expecting to have his family waiting.He’s suffered, maybe injured, has PTSD and his family is suddenly gone. He looks for them but can’t find them and has to replace his son.” She paused. “So he takes victim number one, Jeremy Unger.”
    A quiet descended through the room, the tension palpable. Then Julie snapped her fingers. “Since we think that the first abduction was personal, and we know that he gives the boys new names whenhe captures them, let’s look closer at Jeremy.
    “He was seven when he was abducted, which tells us that the unsub’s son, or the child that was lost, was around that age. Let’s investigate that theory.” She turned to Agent Cord. “Why don’t you run a check on any children between six and eight who died around that time? Go back six months, a year.”
    “Since this was the first victim, theunsub probably lived near the site where the kidnapping took place,” Chief Hurt suggested.
    “That was twenty years ago,” Agent Cord cut in. “The police probably already questioned everyone who lived near there.”
    “But they were looking for witnesses,” Julie said. “Review the old case file. The technical analyst can help us search medical records for children who died within that time frame.Also, have her look at divorce records, specifically ones where a child was involved. You might even have her search the name Jeremy, or at least have her run his photo against photos of any children who died or were separated from their father.”
    Agent Cord reached for his iPad. “I’m on it. And I’ll also ask the analyst to cross-reference with men who were released from military service aroundthat time period.”
    Julie nodded. “Good thinking.”
    “I’ll keep looking at the workers who might have held jobs in the areas near the attacks,” Chief