Grasser raises his hand.
“We have a list of known pedophiles in the county to cross-reference.”
“Our target won’t be on any pedophile list.” A murmur of doubt and disagreement interrupts the agent. Tipton looks over his shoulder and catches Darcy nodding in agreement. “The science is conflicted here. While pedophiles seek young teenagers for sexual gratification, kidnappers are too socially awkward to forge a relationship with a woman, and take to abducting girls so they maintain control.”
“So they prefer older women but resort to kidnapping young girls?”
“Exactly.”
“Sickos.”
The other deputies nod at Grasser as Reinhold moves to the next slide. Darcy’s breath hitches when a photograph of Michael Rivers appears on the screen.
“As all of you are aware, the FBI remains concerned Michael Rivers, better known as the Full Moon Killer, plays a role in the recent kidnapping.”
“How?” Deputy Filmore lifts his palms. “He’s been in jail for…what, three years?”
“Indeed, Michael Rivers is serving a life sentence outside Buffalo, New York. Darcy Gellar, formerly of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, shot and captured Michael Rivers three years ago.” The deputies turn in unison to stare at Darcy. She discerns respect in their eyes, but she’s a zoo animal on display. “Last month, serial killer Richard Chaney murdered multiple young girls in coastal North Carolina, operating out of Ms. Gellar’s village. Chaney abducted Ms. Gellar’s daughter, but she shot and killed Chaney with the aid of Special Agent Hensel.”
“Should have killed that Rivers bastard as well,” Grasser says, winking at Darcy.
He means to compliment her, but the old frustrations over failing to kill Rivers resurface.
“The FBI uncovered evidence suggesting Michael Rivers hired Chaney to murder Ms. Gellar, and we have confirmation Rivers phoned her in North Carolina, threatening to kill her friends and family.” The next slide shows the evil smiley face. “Then this painting, the mark of the Full Moon Killer, appeared on a house outside Scarlet River belonging to Ms. Gellar’s cousin, Laurie Seagers. It’s clear Michael Rivers has enlisted another killer, likely Sandy Young’s kidnapper. In a recent development, Rivers called Ms. Gellar again and mentioned the Sandy Young kidnapping. He also promised more abductions and murders.”
Even Tipton, who has remained skeptical of Rivers’ involvement, leans forward with his elbows on his knees, eyes glued to the mark of the Full Moon Killer.
“Since Rivers is hiring murderers to kill for him, why not cut off his money supply? Freeze his accounts,” Tipton says.
“The government froze Rivers’ accounts at the time of the trial,” Hensel says from behind the table. “Problem is Rivers amassed a huge sum of money as a free man and hid it well, much of it overseas. We’ve followed the money trail for three years to no avail. He’s spreading money around by illegal means.”
“Okay, but how does he get at his funds? He’s a prisoner.”
“Just as he buys off murderers, Rivers pays someone, possibly multiple people on the inside to get him phone and Internet access. Part of this investigation is discovering who helps Rivers at the prison.”
Tipton sniffs.
“Prison guards don’t make much, not enough to compensate them for the risks. Look for a guard who owns a car or house out of his league. Or someone planning an early retirement.”
“And get me in on that deal,” Grasser says, but only a few deputies chuckle.
“The profile will lead us to Sandy Young’s kidnapper,” Reinhold says, taking control of the briefing. “If we cross-reference suspects with people who’ve had contact with anyone at the Buffalo prison, we’ll catch him faster.”
The female profiler doesn’t mention Nina Steyer. Darcy worries the FBI isn’t taking the sightings seriously. Hensel turns the briefing over to Tipton, who gives closing remarks and assigns duties to his deputies. Spotting Darcy at the back of the room, Agent Fisher weaves through the crowd with a cup of coffee in each hand.
“You look like you could use a pick-me-up,” Fisher says, handing her the Styrofoam cup.
“Thank you.”
The first sip scalds her tongue. Then the liquid gold pushes Darcy out of her stupor.
“She’s good, isn’t she?”
Fisher raises his cup toward Reinhold, who holds court with Hensel and Tipton in the hallway.
“Sharp for a young agent.”
Fisher sips his coffee and nods.
“We’ll need your help, Darcy. You know Michael Rivers better than anyone in this room, so if you have any ideas that could help us figure out who took Sandy Young...”
“Do you have a daughter, Agent Fisher?”
“I do. Married with a newborn in Memphis.”
Darcy nods and sets the coffee on the table, observing the deputies and agents as they mass around the snacks.
“My girl falls into the kidnapper’s target age range. A young teenager. When Richard Chaney took my daughter, I couldn’t bear the thought of life without her. So I know what Sandy Young’s parents are going through. I don’t know what I can offer to aid your investigation, but I’m available to you every minute of the day until the FBI locates Sandy Young.”
Fisher touches Darcy’s shoulder and moves on when Hensel approaches. Holding a glazed donut inside a napkin, Hensel is breaking his own rule about eating the locals’ snacks. His drooping eyes suggest he skipped breakfast and didn’t sleep well.
“What do you think of Agent Reinhold?”
“A solid profiler,” Darcy says, though she can’t decide why everyone wants her opinion of Reinhold.
“Fisher is helping the deputies scan the database for suspects who fit the profile. We’ll catch him, Darcy.”
“I looked up Gil Waggoner,” Darcy says, pulling the notepad out of her bag. “Did you know the Georgia child murders and abductions stopped when he moved to Wyoming?”
She rips off a copy of her findings and hands it to Hensel. He scrunches his brow.
“Returned to Scarlet River two years ago,” Hensel says, muttering as he reads. He raises his eyebrow. “Impressive track record. This guy’s a piece of work.”
“But you’re not convinced he’s a suspect.”
“I look at Gil Waggoner and I see a bully, a lowlife, a scumbag with a kink for underage girls. But a kidnapper and murderer?” Hensel itches his forehead. “I’ll talk to Tipton. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring Waggoner in for questioning.”
“He knows something about the kidnappings, Eric. If he’s not our guy, he knows who is.”
Hensel folds the paper and slips it into his jacket pocket. He glances off toward the door as the last remaining deputies file out of the room.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“This doesn’t sound good.”
“The FBI booked my hotel in Millport. I lobbied for commuting in from Scarlet River, but they want me leading the team.”
Darcy braces against the shiver running down her spine. It was a matter of time before the FBI called Hensel back to Quantico or sent him to another case, but she’d hoped he’d convince the FBI to allow him to move back in with Laurie and Darcy. She should feel fortunate he’s staying nearby, but the thought of the downstairs unguarded tightens her chest.
“I understand. Agents Reinhold and Fisher are staying in the same hotel, I presume.”
“One block from the sheriff’s department.” Hensel touches her arm and prods her away from the door. “The hotel has vacancies, Darcy. You turned down a dream vacation, but there’s no reason you can’t move Laurie and the kids into the hotel. I’ll check with the FBI, but I’m certain they’ll pay for the rooms. Everyone recognizes you’re the target.”