A Profiler's Case for Seduction(17)
Richard frowned. “I can’t tell you how much the pressure is mounting for us to get these cases solved.”
Finally it was time for Mark to make his report. “I still believe the kidnapping of Professor Grayson and the murders are somehow tied together,” he began, and ignored the groans of some of his fellow agents. “Don’t any of you find it odd that when Melinda was kidnapped, all of her notes and lectures for the upcoming semester were already done?”
“Yeah, but there was also a grocery list next to those notes with a word only half-written, as if she’d been interrupted in the middle of writing out that shopping list,” Donald reminded him as he swiped powdered sugar from his mouth. “As far as the lectures notes being already prepared, maybe she is just one of those types who is creepy weird and always well prepared.”
Everyone laughed, knowing that Donald was a seat-of-the-pants kind of guy who never planned ahead for anything. More than once somebody had to call him to remind him of a briefing because he’d spaced it. His strength as an agent was in forensics, taking apart a crime scene to see what was there and what wasn’t.
“I know we ran a cursory background on Ben Craig and Amanda Burns, but I’d like to see a little more in-depth information about them,” Mark continued. “We need to talk to their friends, find out exactly what their relationship is between each other and with Melinda Grayson. We also need to look further at some of the other groupies that hung around Melinda at the time of her kidnapping.”
“This is one of your famous hunches?” Donald said with a weary sigh.
“Most of Mark’s hunches prove out,” Richard said defensively. “I say we do what he says and dig a little deeper. If nothing else it might answer some questions about the kidnapping. In the meantime we’ll continue to try to find a person who connects to all three murder victims. Somehow, someway, there’s got to be a motive that ties to one single killer even if more than one person was involved in the actual murder acts.”
“One more thing to consider,” Mark added. “There certainly are more people in this little town with scandalous secrets, and yet the killings stopped when Melinda reappeared from her ordeal.”
“That just means these murders were definitely personal to somebody,” Larry Albright said. “It doesn’t point a finger specifically at Melinda, who doesn’t appear to have had any personal contact with any of the victims.”
“So, we follow Mark’s hunch and keep exploring other theories,” Richard said.
“Thanks for the support,” Mark said to Richard later, after the meeting broke up and all of the agents had gone their separate ways.
Richard clapped Mark on the shoulder. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years of working with you, it’s that your hunches shouldn’t be ignored. Now, what’s this I hear about you cozying up to some student?”
“Dora Martin. She works in the bookstore and she’s enrolled in Grayson’s classes. I think she might be a good source of a little inside information as to campus politics and such.” Once again a hint of warmth crept into Mark’s cheeks.
“Whatever helps break this all wide-open, I’m all for it,” Richard replied. “Homecoming may have been pushed back due to all that’s been going on, but now it’s coming up soon and it would be nice if all of us could be out of here by then. The whole place is going to be crowded with alumni and parades and all kinds of extra people and events. It’s just going to make our job even more difficult.”
“Then we need to get this all solved before homecoming weekend,” Mark replied. He raked a hand through his hair, his brain racing as usual.
Richard grinned ruefully. “From your lips to God’s ears. We sure as hell haven’t managed to get a break yet.”
“It will happen,” Mark replied with a confidence he didn’t feel. “We’re the FBI...we always get our man.”
“Uh, I think that’s the Royal Canadian Mounties’ motto,” Richard said.
“It is, but in this case it’s going to be ours, too,” Mark said firmly. “We’re going to figure this out. Somebody belongs in prison in this town and we’re going to find him or her or whoever is responsible for those murders.”
“On that note, I’m heading out,” Richard said. “Pounding the pavement, that’s what solves most crimes.”
“I think I’ll do a little more video watching,” Mark replied. It surprised him to realize that what he’d really like to do was find Dora, spend a little time talking to her, just losing himself in the peaceful calm of her gray eyes.