Page 36 of Dark Shadows
“No.” Mason showed her his phone with a text from Cree.
Some marks are warnings. Others are promises. Be careful which secrets you uncover.
Mason's phone buzzed again. “Forensics report on the cutting tools,” he said, scanning the message. “The blade used on both victims has a distinctive serration pattern consistent with a specialized hunting knife. The angle and depth of the cuts indicate someone right-handed with significant upper body strength. This could match several of our persons of interest.”
His eyes met hers over the top of the phone, concern evident in their depths. “Whoever did this knows exactly what they’re doing.”
15
“I can't believe you've never seenGhostbusters,” Mason said, shaking his head as they drove toward the county morgue. “Someone who sees ghosts should consider that required viewing.”
“Really?” Savanah raised an eyebrow. “You want me to take movie advice from a guy who doesn’t watchNCISor know who Jethro Gibbs is or understand his rules?”
“My techniques surpass those guys by miles.” He grinned. “For starters, I have you.”
“Lucky you.” She turned to look out the window, hiding her smile. The familiar streets of her hometown rushed past, creating a strange mixture of comfort and unease.
“Do ghosts really make the lights flicker?”
“Seriously?”
“What? I need to educate myself here.”
Their laughter faded as they pulled into the morgue parking lot. A familiar figure stood near the entrance of the gift shop next door. Her mother arranged flowers there.
“Mom?”
Catherine Miles looked up, her face brightening. “Savanah.” She crossed to their car, her eyes scanning Mason with obvious interest. “This must be Agent Spencer. The town gossip committee wasn’t wrong. You sure are handsome.”
“Mason, please.” He shook her hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Miles.”
“Catherine.” She smiled warmly then turned to Savanah. “I wanted to call you, but...” She twisted her hands together nervously. “You must come to dinner tonight. Both of you. I insist.”
“Mom, we have work to do.”
“And you must eat. Seven o'clock work for you?”
“Sure,” Savanah answered with a sigh, knowing her mother wouldn’t let her out of dinner.
“I’ll let you get back to whatever you’re doing, but, Savanah, don’t leave town without telling me this time.”
“Of course, Mom.”
Mason's hand found the small of Savanah's back as they walked toward the building, the gentle pressure both supportive and surprisingly intimate.
Inside the morgue, Dr. Yvonne Peters waited with the victims’ files. The coroner's youthful appearance contrasted sharply with her confident demeanor.
“We have three victims total after last night's murder,” she began, motioning them to follow her. “Two recent, one significantly older, just bones at this point.”
Savanah hugged her arms to her chest as they approached the first body. The antiseptic smell burned her nostrils.
“Your pedophile died from blood loss caused by multiple knife wounds.” Dr. Peters pulled back the sheet with practiced efficiency. “But this symbol was drawn on.”
“You think he did it himself?” Mason asked.
“No, it was after he was killed. There was blood on his skin beneath the marker. I’d say it was probably added after death, considering how the spiral is perfect.”
Mason leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against Savanah's. “That's the symbol from the tombstones.”
