Hide and Seek (Criminal Profiler #1)(55)

“What about earlier? Did you see anything in the woods that caught your attention? Clothing? A discarded shoe? Trash that didn’t look right?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary,” the man said.

“What about sounds? Anything that seemed off?”

“No, unless you count the bear we ran into. Thankfully, it was a young one and not interested in us.” Dark eyes narrowed. “Are you a cop? You sound like a cop.”

“I’m the sheriff of Deep Run. But I’m a search and rescue guy right now, trying to do a job.”

“We didn’t see anything,” the woman repeated. “But if we do, can we call your offices?”

“Yes, please.”

He believed the couple hadn’t seen Debbie, but neither had they been looking for her. An untrained eye out here could easily miss signs of her presence. After he collected their contact information, he said, “When you get to the base of the hill, there will be one of my deputies. If you see anything, report it to him.”

“Sure, no problem,” the male said.

“Thanks,” he said.

The couple continued down the trail.

“We’re heading up the mountain, aren’t we?” Ellis asked.

“I am.”

“Which means I am,” Ellis said. “Where you go, I go.”

“There’s a ninety percent chance that Debbie Roberson never set foot in this park,” Nevada said.



Macy and Bennett arrived at the Shady Grove Real Estate offices minutes after seven to interview the third rape victim, Rebecca Kennedy. An early wake-up call that morning coupled with the nonstop investigation was taking a toll.

Macy had no time to be tired, so she would suck it up. She would get her old life back even if it killed her.

The Shady Grove Real Estate facility was a one-story building with a small front porch and a couple of inviting rockers beside a sign that read WE DON’T JUST SELL HOUSES; WE CREATE HOMES. The windows were large and inviting, and the place still had a new-building look that would surely fade soon.

They knew Rebecca worked late hours but hadn’t called ahead to announce their visit. Macy didn’t want to give Rebecca time to fabricate a reason to avoid an interview.

Bennett strode to the front desk, catching the eye of the woman behind the counter closing up for the day. “Jenny, remember me from the self-defense speech I gave at Rotary a few months ago?”

“I do,” Jenny said, smiling. “Good memory for names.”

“Can you ring Ms. Kennedy and have her come out here? I have a few questions.”

“I think she might be finishing up with a client.”

“Well, ask her to get to a stopping place and come out front. It’s important.” Though Bennett rarely raised her voice, her clear, direct tone gave no room for argument. Jenny nodded and quickly ducked around a corner.

“Ms. Kennedy owns this business?” Macy asked.

“Yes, she opened it after she graduated college. She’s done very well for herself.”

Five minutes later a petite, slim woman came around the corner. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore a navy-blue dress and flats. Sadly, she fit the perpetrator’s target profile of a pretty young woman. And her small stature would make her easier to subdue.

Macy reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out her badge. “Ms. Kennedy, I’m Special Agent Macy Crow with the FBI. I’d like to ask you a couple of questions.”

The woman looked at Bennett and then back at Macy. “Now’s not the best time.”

“I know it’s not ideal, but I’m going to need to hear your story,” Macy said.

“I gave a statement to Sheriff Greene when it happened.”

“I may be able to get you to recall a detail that can help apprehend the man who assaulted you.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t come by the offices yesterday. I just couldn’t bring myself to face that place.”

“We understand,” Macy said.

Rebecca crossed her arms. “I saw you on the news this morning, and then I hear Debbie Roberson is missing. What the hell is going on in this town?”

“Is there somewhere private we can talk?”

“It’ll have to be quick. I have a client arriving soon. There’s a lounge over here.” Rebecca led them across the lobby to a small alcove furnished with a small round table and several chairs around it. A large box of tissues sat in the center.

Macy eased into her seat and shifted her weight until she found what might pass for comfortable before removing her legal pad from her backpack. She flipped to a clean page. “Ms. Kennedy, take me back to the night you were attacked. Do you remember what the weather was like?”

“The weather?” Absently, Rebecca fingered the edge of her turtleneck. “It was hot. Really humid.”

“It was August, correct?”

“Yes. August 15. I worked a late night at my dad’s real estate firm. I was an intern in his office in those days. My parents had separated, and it was my chance to spend time with him.” She brushed imaginary lint off her very clean sleeve. “I stopped by the grocery story to pick up a soda and a frozen pizza. I was excited about putting my feet up and watching a movie. I had my mother’s house to myself that night, and I was glad for the solitude.”