Tracy’s hand flew to her mouth while tears filled her eyes. “I can’t believe it. Sylvia and I weren’t close, but we were friends. She was beginning to make a name for herself in her profession. The last time we spoke, Sylvia was excited about a new project in the city. . .Wait, someone is targeting each of us? Why?”
Olivia answered, “Actually, we believe the killer is targeting Lizzy. We’re still trying to understand why, but he appears to be attacking people connected to her.”
Tracy’s wide-eyes ping-ponged between them. “But why? She’s the sweetest person, and she’s been through so much. Her mother left her when she was young.”
With the case changing quickly, keeping facts from the public might be what helped them catch the killer. He wanted to tell Tracy the reason why she and Sylvia hadn’t heard from Lizzy was that she’d been taken by Van Gogh.
Outside, red and blue lights flashed across the wintry countryside. Asher and his partner rose.
“There’s your protection. We’ll have a word with them and then we’ll be on our way.” Asher turned from the door while Olivia headed out ahead of him. “You have my number. If you want to talk about anything, call me. I know it’s scary what you’re going through, but believe it or not, what you endured may have major implications. It could help us bring down the killer.” He squeezed her arm.
Olivia returned with one of the two police officers. “Tracy, this is Officer Suthers. He and his partner will be here with you. If you need anything, just let them know.”
The officer shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. We’ll be right here if you need us.” The officer gave his number to her. “Call for any reason.”
She smiled. “Thanks, I will.” She looked to Asher. “Please, catch this man. I can’t imagine another woman going through what Sylvia must have endured.”
“Again, you have my number. If you need anything, call.” Asher followed Olivia back to the SUV and climbed inside.
Olivia backed out and waved as she passed the parked cruiser. “Not much to go on really.” She spared him a look. “We can have a sketch artist meet with her and put together a composite.”
Asher nodded. “It’s something. I’ll set it up.” While he made the arrangements to have the Bureau’s sketch artist visit Tracy, he wondered if the killer had another victim in his sights. If he did, they wouldn’t have long to find her before she ended up like Sylvia Abbott.
Chapter Five
“She’s dead?” Lizzy couldn’t believe it. Sylvia was dead. And it appeared the killer was stepping up his attacks. Agent Hamilton had relayed a message to Sheriff Callahan to tell her another girl from her college days had almost been taken by the killer.
Tracy was always so strong. Lizzy was grateful she’d escaped the killer, but it appeared as if he weren’t going to let her go so easily.
“I’m sorry, yes. Sylvia was found at First Christian Church outside of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Do you recognize the name?”
Lizzy grabbed for her husband’s arm. She and Will had stepped away from the chaos surrounding them to take the call on the burner phone she was using.
“I do. I attended that church for a time when I lived in the area.” Her troubled gaze collided with Will’s. “Remember? You and I went there once.”
He nodded. “I do remember. You think the killer somehow followed Lizzy there, Sheriff? Maybe knew about her connection to the place? Is that why he left Sylvia’s body there?”
Lizzy fought back tears. An innocent person had died because of her connection to the killer.
“The agents believe it’s a good possibility. They have a footprint and a partial fingerprint. The car that the killer used to get away was stolen two days earlier,” Sheriff Callahan told them.
“Unbelievable. What can we do to help?” Will asked.
“Nothing.” The sheriff was quick to answer. “With the director of the FBI gunning for you and the rest of Strike Force, the less time you’re in contact with anyone the better.” The sheriff paused for a moment. “I was able to clone your former phone so I can keep track of any activity on it. So far, there’s been no contact from the killer. And no indication Director Holden has any idea I’m doing this.”
“He’ll come after you if he thinks you’re helping us,” Lizzy told him. “Please be careful. I don’t want you risking your job or worse on us.”
“This fella, Holden, is working for the people who are coming after you, make no mistake. And I don’t plan to let him get away with bullying innocent people for his own gain.”
Lizzy smiled at the sheriff’s answer. “Thank you.”
“How are you holding up? Anything I can do?”
Though the sheriff knew little about what had happened, for his own good, he’d been one of their strongest advocates right from the start. As they’d prepared to leave their Northwest compound, the sheriff had done everything he could to assist. He had no idea about the recent attack on them, and she prayed the men responsible for it wouldn’t be able to trace her or the rest of Strike Force to their current location. If that happened, she had no idea where they could go from here to escape them.
“You have been wonderful. Thank you. If you hear anything on the case, will you get in touch?” Lizzy asked. She wanted to stay connected as long as possible because the man who had tried to kill her was always there in her head, taunting her with his words. You made me do this.
He’d made it clear he held her responsible for taking his mentor, and he would do everything in his power to find her, even in her mountain hideaway.
Lizzy ended the call. Best to keep any communication with the sheriff as short as possible. She handed the phone back to Will who powered it down. As a rule, they all kept their phones off whenever they weren’t in use.
“I hope they catch him soon,” she whispered. “I can’t imagine what Sylvia went through.” The sheriff had told them the killer was quickly changing his MO. Taking out his rage on his victim. His main focus on Lizzy. The photos he’d sent from the compound in Idaho had been chilling. How had he found them?
“This man is becoming brazen. He believes he’s invincible. He’s making mistakes. The team will catch a break soon. I believe it,” Will told her, and she smiled at his positive thinking. He’d been her rock since she’d recovered the memories of what Edward Buckley and his apprentice had put her through.
“I sure hope so. I can’t imagine another person going through this. The killer is becoming more enraged with time. He’s coming unglued.” She’d given Sheriff Callahan a list of people she knew from her college days. Lizzy had a bad feeling it was only a matter of time before the next victim was taken.
Chapter Six
Rage was like fuel for his body. His lips peeled away from bared teeth. He would not allow them to defeat him. She wasn’t the next in line, but she would work. He watched from the shadows as she carried her trash to the curb. His hand circled around the stun gun. Slowly he stepped from the side of the house.