I shifted then, taking in the woman’s face—too much like Hallie’s. And now her skin was a sickly gray color. My gut churned. Hallie was safe. At my parents’ with the boys, Grae, and Caden.
Luisa’s lips pursed. “I’d say a few hours, give or take.”
Nash moved in closer to my side. “A few hours ago, someone left that note on Hallie’s SUV. Could doing that have set this guy off?”
That was the kind of thing I needed Anson for. To understand a dark and deranged mind. But one thing the note today made clear? The killer had Hallie in his sights.
“Clint,” I clipped.
He turned to me. “Yeah, boss?”
“Anything on the BOLO for Len Keller?”
He shook his head. “Nothing yet, but we’ve got all law enforcement agencies in the county and surrounding areas looking.”
My jaw worked back and forth. “I want you to get a list of hotels, motels, and rentals. Fax his mugshot and details to all of them. I want him found and now.”
Clint nodded, motioning to Abrams. “We’ll get on it. Call if you need anything else.”
I glanced at Gibson. “I want these uploaded to the case file and email sent to our point person at the FBI.”
“S-sure,” Gibson stuttered. “What should I say?”
“I’dliketo tell them this body is on their conscience, but we’ll put it nicer than that. Tell them there’s been a development. A new confirmed victim.”
I looked down at the woman I recognized as a missing person from one town over, now with no color to her skin and clad in a blood-soaked nightgown with flowers in her hair. I didn’t need to see her hip to know there would be a brand there.
Maddie cleared her throat. “If there’s something I can use for a scent, I’ll start the search.”
Luisa reached into her pack for an evidence bag. “I need this back. A piece of the nightgown tore when the killer dragged her body.”
Maddie nodded. “Of course. I won’t let it get contaminated.”
I turned to Nash. “Call me with updates. And be careful.”
His hand rested on the butt of his service weapon. “Always am.”
Daniels shook his head. “Such a shame. She was so young.”
That sick feeling was back. Far too young. Way too much life ahead of her.
“I need to call the chief from Brookdale, make the notification. Stay here until Luisa and Gibson are done.”
Reed scowled at me but didn’t say anything.
Daniels nodded. “Of course, Chief. Let us know if you need anything.”
I made my way back down the trail, the image of the woman haunting my every step. Beeping my locks, I climbed into my SUV. I sat there for a moment, gripping the wheel so hard I thought it might break.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I pulled out my phone and hit a contact. It rang and rang. There was no answer until an automated voicemail picked up, then a beep.
“Anson. I need you, man. I know it’ll fuck with your head, but Ineedyou. There’s a woman I care about. A woman I love.” My voice hitched at the word. “She’s in danger, and if I don’t figure out who’s after her, I could lose her. You know what it’s like to lose someone you love. Help me. Please.”
I hit end on the call and prayed it was one he’d return.
43
HALLIE
