Hide and Seek (Criminal Profiler #1)(72)

Cameras rolled as attendants lifted the body into a bag, laid it on a gurney that was wheeled to the waiting van. At least the woman no longer lay on the side of the cold, exposed road.

Bennett approached Macy. “Nevada has asked me to follow the van to the medical examiner’s office. With all this attention, he wants me to personally make sure there is no problem with the chain of custody. Autopsy likely won’t be until tomorrow afternoon.”

“Understood. When you get back to town, I would like to meet with Bruce Shaw again. I want to talk to him about Beth Watson and also get that buccal swab.”

“I can take care of both.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you when you get back to the station.”

As the van and Bennett’s car pulled out, the other vehicles followed in a procession down the narrow road out toward the main highway.

Nevada moved toward Macy as she walked to his car. Each step hurt, and she was anxious to pop a few ibuprofen.

Her phone dinged with a text from Spencer. We’re finished.

On my way, she texted back before saying to Nevada, “Agent Spencer and Ellis are finished. I’d like to talk to them both while the sketch is still fresh in both their minds.”

“Let’s go.”

Without a word, the two rode back to the station. He parked in the back, and they entered through the rear.

“Seeing as you’re her cousin and clearly worried about her, let me go first?” Macy asked.

His expression was a blend of annoyance and gratitude. “Take good care of her.”

“Of course.”

She stopped by the break room, downed a couple of ibuprofen, and chased them with water. She knocked on the door.

“Enter,” Spencer said.

Macy pushed open the door and found Ellis clutching a handful of tissues. She had red-rimmed eyes and was slightly pale.

“Are you all right?” Macy asked.

“I’m fine,” she said with a faltering smile. “For some reason, I just got emotional. I haven’t in years, but when I saw the sketch, I lost it.”

“That’s good progress.” Or so she’d been told.

“Cathartic,” Ellis said.

Macy turned to the tall, slim woman making the final touches on a sketch. Zoe Spencer was in her late twenties and had joined the FBI after graduate school. She was not only one of the best sketch artists but was also a leading expert on art forgery. She wore simple, fitted black pants, a gray V-neck sweater, and a silk scarf around her neck; her auburn hair was coiled into a neat bun. Her flawless skin required only red lipstick and mascara.

“Agent Crow.” Spencer rose. “It’s good to see you again.”

They’d crossed paths on a case last year, and Macy had found Spencer to be highly effective. “Thanks for coming.”

“Thank Agent Ramsey. He’s the one who authorized the visit. He said this case now takes the highest priority on his docket.”

“Did you make any progress with the sketch?” Macy asked.

Spencer’s stoic expression softened when she looked toward Ellis. “Ms. Carter did an excellent job. She has wonderful recall.”

“It didn’t do that much good,” Ellis said. “I only saw a guy in a mask.”

Spencer turned the sketch toward Macy. The pencil sketch, drawn with exacting detail, gave them all the first glimpse of Ellis’s attacker. The man had a long, lean face, a thick neck, and vibrant blue eyes that stared back with an unsettling sharpness. His lips were full, and his jaw appeared more pointed than square.

“It’s not a full likeness,” Spencer concluded. “But it’s a start.”

“I can’t believe I remembered that much,” Ellis said.

“As I said, you have a sharp mind,” Spencer said. “The final print is ready to be released to the press as you see fit.”

Macy stared at the eyes that jumped off the page at her. The door opened and Nevada stepped in. He took one look at Ellis and his expression hardened.

“Are you all right?” Nevada demanded.

“I’m fine, Mike,” Ellis said firmly.

“As I just told Agent Crow, she did well,” Spencer said.

Nevada exhaled a breath, and Macy sensed he was trying to dissipate the pent-up anger. “Thanks, Agent Spencer.”

“Anytime.” She turned and poured a cup of coffee, which she handed to Ellis before making one for herself. “Ellis did remember her attacker had a distinct smell of sweat and body odor.”

“Like he’d just worked out or was working manual labor.” Ellis crushed the tissues in her hand. “And his front tooth was slightly chipped. I can’t believe I never remembered it before. But when I saw the eyes, it came flooding back.”

“You said he also said something to you,” Spencer said.

“He said, ‘You’ll never forget me.’ The asshole was right.”

“A memory doesn’t have to have power over you,” Spencer said. “Focus on where you are now.”

Ellis sipped her coffee and set it down. “Speaking of which, my coworkers are meeting me in town. We’re headed to the closest bar.” She extended her hand to Spencer. “Thank you for the coffee, but I need something stronger.”

“I don’t blame you,” Spencer said. “Again, excellent work.”