by WL Knightly
“I’ve seen it,” he sneered, making his way to the area the foot was found. “Bunch of damn sadistic kids.”
“I’m sure the rest of her is out there,” he said. “We need to comb the area as soon as possible. I don’t want any more of her getting carried off.”
“What are you doing out here?” he asked. “Or is that still a big secret too?”
“It’s not. I’ve finished my work here, but before I left town, I was assigned the Cassie Ryan case.”
“I see. So, did you have some sort of lead or something? Or do you usually go out wandering in the dark on private property?”
“I had a clue from the video where she would be. From the amount of dirt caked on the boot, I think she was buried in a shallow grave, and the animals got to her.”
“And you haven’t found anything else?”
“No. I wanted to check on the site because I had hoped that tomorrow I could pinpoint a site for them to look for her. Finding this much was pure luck.”
“It was something,” said Bowden, who looked up to see Sarah standing by the car, where the lights from the other cars illuminated her in the dark. “What in the hell is she doing out here?” He gave Ethan a hard look.
“She’s with me. We were both working on the lead together.” He didn’t feel like he had to tell him any more about the case than that.
“She shouldn’t be out here,” he said with enough acid in his voice to let Ethan know he meant business.
“Why not? She’s had training the same as the rest of you.”
“That’s beside the point. She’s working for the press. If you were smart, you’d keep your distance.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ethan turned to one of the other officers who had arrived on the scene.
“We wanted to know what you want us to do, sir.”
Ethan gave his instructions as a few others gathered. “Spread out and start canvassing the area. It’s possible she’s scattered. We’re looking for a shallow grave or anything that might lead us to her body.” He raised his voice so the others could hear. “When you find something, call out for attention and wave your flashlights. I want markers on the ground anywhere you see anything that might be relevant.”
The other officers stood there as if they hadn’t heard a word he said. “That’s all,” he said, waving his hand.
“What do you want us to do, Captain?” Ethan asked.
Bowden turned and started barking orders at his men, and they finally went to work.
“So much for cooperation,” said Ethan. “You might want to explain to them that this is my case and I’m in charge. Or else we’re going to have a real problem. I’d hate to have to go over your head.”
Bowden opened his mouth to speak but didn’t get a word out. Instead, he looked over Ethan’s shoulder.
Ethan glanced back to see Sarah walking over as Bowden stormed away. She watched him with disappointment in her eyes. “I wanted to say hello,” she said. “It’s been a while, but he knows me from when my dad worked with him. I think I was four when I first met him.”
“He’s bad company right now,” said Ethan. “And I’m not sure he’s too happy to have you here.”
She seemed taken aback by the news. “Oh? I hadn’t realized I had gotten on his bad side.”
“Don’t be surprised. Men like him rarely have good sides.” He went out to where the men were searching and got in on the grid, and Sarah followed. She fell into step and began to comb the area with him.
Just when he had reached the middle of that particular field, one of the other officers from up ahead whistled and started moving his flashlight to indicate he’d found something.
“Over here,” he said.
“Here,” said another as another light waved.
“I’ve got something,” called one of the other men.
Ethan realized that they found the other pieces and wondered how much of Cassie Ryan was left.
By the time he caught up to the first searcher, a small crowd of others had formed. “Excuse me, gentleman,” he said as he did his best to be respectful. What he found was a skull that had been stripped of most of its flesh, leaving behind a gnarly mess of blonde hair and rotting tissue.
He glanced back and held his hand up, but it was too late to stop Sarah. Her eyes were wide, and she quickly put her hand over her mouth and stepped away, as did many of the others.
Ethan read the name on the officer’s tag. “Officer Metcalf, could you get one of the markers, please? We need to get forensics in. They’ll want to run tests on the bullet wound.” Or what was left of it. “Could you look in the area for a bullet just in case?”
“Yes, sir.” The man gave no fight and went back to work.
Ethan turned to go to the other location, where some of the others had congregated. Before he even made it to the front of the crowd, he could hear what they had found.
“It’s the rest of her,” one of them said. “Or most of her.”
“It’s the grave,” said another one. “Those animals must have dragged her head off.”
“If you could give me some room,” he said, pushing his way forward where he learned everything he had just heard was true.
Cassie Ryan’s body was still mostly buried, and while it had been chewed on, it was still in a condition where she could be easily identified.
“One of the deputies found some of her clothes over there,” said another officer. “It got caught up in a vine, so we think the wind must have blown it after it was disturbed.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll need another marker here, men, and let’s get to work so we can get her out of here as soon as possible.”
He didn’t get any resistance from them as he walked back to the car where Sarah stood, gazing off into the distance. “Who would do something like that? Just leave her there for the animals like she wasn’t anything at all.”
“That’s what we get to figure out. The case is only beginning.”
Another car caught his attention. “I guess Bowden called in everyone,” he said as it stopped behind the others.
Sarah’s eyes narrowed as if she were straining in the dark. “Yeah, seems like it.”
A moment later, Thomas Asher got out of the car. As he approached, they were the first people he came to.
“I heard the call and thought I’d ride out. I didn’t expect to see you two out here.”
“It’s my case. I guess I have the right.”
“What’s your excuse?” he said to Sarah.
“Someone dumped your girlfriend’s friend out here. You might want to give her a call. I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear it. She doesn’t have to worry over what happened to her.”
Thomas unclenched his jaw to respond. “I’m sure she will read it tomorrow. Besides, when I left her, she was just about asleep.”
He walked away, and Ethan looked down to see Sarah’s fists balled tight. “I’ve seen enough of him for one night,” she said.
“Yeah, it’s funny how we keep running into him.”
“Yeah, call him Mr. Coincidence,” she said with a sarcastic tone.
“Nah, I’d have to believe in them first.” Ethan stared at the man as he joined his fellow officers up ahead. Somehow, he’d expected him to show up.
Sarah let out a sigh and raked her fingers through her hair. “He’s right about one thing. This is going to make big news now that we’ve found her body.”
Ethan had hoped the man wasn’t right about her. “I’d rather you hold off on too many details. This is an active murder investigation, after all. I don’t need people tromping around on my crime scene or getting in my way.”
Sarah pegged him with a hard look. “Someone has to report it some time, you know. And my editor is expecting something breaking. This is perfect.”
“I know, but I’m asking for discretion, that’s all. Some things are sensitive, which is why I made a deal with you. You promised.” He was going to make her keep her word.
As she walked away with the dim light casting her perfect silhouette, he wished he’d kept his big mouth shut.
Chapter 20
Ethan
With the investigation of the body dump taking all night, he slept in most of the morning and didn’t wake until his phone rang out Commander Clark’s ringtone.
He slapped for the alarm clock until realizing that the nagging wasn’t going to stop until he got up and answered it. “Yes, Commander. Good morning, sir.”
“I hope you’ve got something for me, Charles, or else I’m afraid I’m going to have to rethink letting you go all the way to Los Angeles.”
“I do have something. I found the body of the missing girl I was telling you about.”
“Refresh my memory on how this connects to your cop tip?”
“I came out to investigate his claim that his sister had been sold into the sex trade, but when I got here, I learned of another case that ties back to the company both women worked for. I don’t think that is a coincidence with two girls having something horrible happen under that management’s watch.” He wasn’t going to tell him he thought that was the same company that Katherine had interviewed for.
“And you found her body?”
“Yes, sir. I’d like to stay on a bit longer until I can figure out why this case is connected. I have a feeling there is more to this man’s claim.”
“You think it’s valid?”
“Yes, I do. I’ve met the officer in question, and he definitely has some strange behavior.”
“Do you think he’s got something to do with the crime?”
“No, but I think he’s on the same track as me. I’m just not sure what he’s up to yet. But from the tip, his actions are definitely suspicious.”
“Fine, I’ll trust you on this one. I just hope you know what you’re doing. Watch your back and keep your nose clean.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep me posted, would you?”
“Yes, sir.” Ethan hung up the phone and scratched his chin. He wiped his eyes and got to his feet as he stumbled to the coffee pot before dialing Sarah’s number.
As the phone rang, he cursed for her to pick up. He had left his clothes and the evidence back at her place all night, and now he needed it back.
Just as he ended the call, there was a knock at his door, and when he peeked out of the peephole, he found Sarah standing there with his suit and the plastic baggie he’d taken from Cassie’s room. She was dressed casually and wore a satchel on her shoulder.
He brushed his hand through his hair and opened the door. “Hey. I was just calling you.”
“I know. I didn’t feel like talking, but you left this at the house last night, so I thought you’d want it back.” She offered it, and he took it, looking in the bag to see the cell phone had been tucked inside it as well.
“It’s all there,” she said, rocking on her heels. “I didn’t even copy anything down for notes, in case you were wondering.”
“Come on in. We can talk,” he offered.
She hesitated.
But he wasn’t going to give up. “Come on. I’m having some coffee. Do you want some?”
“I guess.” She let out a long breath as she gave in. “But only so you can read over the story I have. You know, since we made a deal.”
He stepped aside, and she entered, looking around the room for a place to sit. He had his suitcase propped open on the sofa, and she seemed a little hesitant about sitting on the bed.
Ethan glanced down and realized he was wearing only his shorts. He quickly grabbed his robe and shrugged it on so she didn’t feel uncomfortable.
“Here,” he said when he was done. “Let me get this.” He quickly pushed his things aside, messing up the order of them, knowing he’d have to spend time later making it right again.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He went to pour them each a cup, and once he passed hers off, he sat on the foot of the bed just across from her. “So, you stayed up all night writing?”
“Not all night. I think I must have gotten more sleep than you.”
He rubbed his bleary eyes. “Yeah, it was late. But I just woke up.”
“So, I wrote this. You can tell me what you want me to leave out. It’s pretty cut and dry. I stuck to the obvious details and main focus points, and you can sign off on the rest.”
He shrugged it off. “It’s okay. I trust you.”
“Bullshit,” she said exhaustedly. “You are just being sweet, and I thank you for it, but I really could use your eye. And if there is anything I could add, I wish you’d tell me before I turn this in.”
Ethan skimmed the report and was surprised when it was a very cut and dry piece, with no frills or chills and nothing to sensationalize it. “Not bad. You didn’t mention the foot?”
“I didn’t think you’d want me to.”
“I think you could mention it. But not the location.”
“Cool, thanks.”
“You know, I still need to look at the evidence, if you’re interested?”
Her eyes lit up, and she let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, I’ve been dying to peek all night. I didn’t, though, as a matter of principle, but God was it tempting.”
Ethan chuckled as he took out the books and phone. “Yeah, I would have peeked.”
He thumbed through the pages and found that some had been ripped out. “This is never a good sign,” he said, pointing it out to Sarah.
“She must have written something she regretted.”
“Yeah, I’d say so. Whatever it was, it happened between the dates of April twentieth and June sixth two years ago.”
“Two years ago. That’s around the time that Starr Asher went missing. Do you think she had something in there about it?”
“I guess we’ll never know now, will we?”
“Unless she put the pages somewhere.”
“I don’t know. As good as she had these things hidden, what would be the use?”
“If she wrote something in there that could get her in trouble, I’d say that was a good enough reason.”
“Maybe she kept them in the apartment somewhere,” said Ethan. “It might be worth going back to check.”
“Didn’t you send a team in?” she asked. “Maybe they have already found something.”
“I put the request in, but they haven’t gotten to it yet. I bet the landlord would let us in to do another sweep.” He didn’t seem like he had any reason to make them get a warrant.
“I’ll go with you,” she said. “That is, if you don’t mind. I have to make a stop at the office, but it shouldn’t take long.”
“I can run you by.” He checked the planner he’d taken. “This is for two years ago too.”
“Really?” she said, moving to the bed beside him. She read the page he had it opened to, which was just at the end of May. There was a small note that read: the lodge in pink ink. “What’s the lodge?”
“I have no idea,” he said. “Maybe a spa or a rehab?”
“Maybe,” she said with a nod. “Although they didn’t seem to help Starr’s addictions. In fact, they only made them worse, it seemed. I’d have to say it’s most likely a spa or a cabin somewhere. Maybe she was taking a vacation.”
“With such a hard life, I’m sure she needed one.” He closed the books. “We should get going. Let’s bring this with us. If you don’t mind.” He handed them back to her to put in her satchel.
“Thanks,” she said, tucking them away. “I really hoped I’d get to keep working with you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sorry I was an ass.”
Sarah shrugged. “It happens to the best of us.”
After taking five minutes to get ready, they made it across t
own in no time, despite getting bogged down in some heavy traffic on the way to the TMI office.
Even though Sarah didn’t take too long while inside, he could tell that something had upset her when she came back out.
“Did you get it turned in?”
“Yeah, but I’m not sure.” She bit her lip as if she had more to say.
“Of what?” he asked, seeing something had really bothered her.
“Of what they’ll print. They’ve been reading a lot of the internet hype and said they wanted to add some of their conspiracy theories to my article. I flipped out, but let’s face it. They usually do what they want.”
“Tell them if they change it, you want your name removed,” he said. “You don’t have to take that.”
“If I want my job, I do. If they take my name off, I won’t get paid, and they’ll just do what they want.” She let out a frustrated sigh and propped her elbow up on the door to shield her eyes with her hand. “Let’s just focus on where we’re going.”
“Well, I called the landlord while you were in there, and he said that’s okay with him. He’s going to leave the key at the front desk, but he’s not coming down this time. He said he has other things to do.”
“Ah, well, nothing like one of your tenants getting shot to make you indisposed.”
Ethan continued across town and took a detour to avoid the traffic that had given him the trouble before. It was a shortcut that brought him to the apartments from a whole different street.
“You know the city better than me,” she said. “And I’ve lived here all of my life.”
“The GPS is doing all the work,” he said, pointing to the dash as he turned into the lot.
It didn’t take nearly as long as it had the last time to get in the gates. Ethan parked the car, got out, and waited on Sarah to join him at the front of the car before heading to the apartment door.
Ethan noticed the door was open a crack and took out his gun. If there was someone still inside, he needed to know he could protect them. “FBI, come on out,” he called into the room.