I See You (Criminal Profiler #2)(50)

“Why the dumpster? Was he making a statement or just being practical?” Zoe asked.

“He’s done the deed, and now he has to get rid of her. He pulls up, likely late at night. When he’s certain no one is watching, and any camera footage would be poor, he carries her from his car, dripping some blood as he goes, and lays her in the dumpster. Then he takes the time to tuck her hair behind her ears before he covers her in debris.”

Absently, Zoe tucked her own hair behind her ear. “It’s almost a loving kind of gesture.”

Vaughan’s scowl deepened. “Assuming it’s the same guy, why dump this victim here, but leave Galina in the motel room?”

“He’s evolving,” she offered. “Different set of circumstances? Maybe he had more time with Galina. Maybe he was angry at this woman or another one who looked like her.”

“And then he snatches Hadley and Skylar from their house?” Vaughan asked.

“Each kill is a little riskier than the last,” Zoe suggested. “Because he’s cocky? Reckless? Out of control? Or trying to cover up a motive.”

“The first three are a given. This guy sat and ate a pizza on the end of the bed while Galina lay there, bleeding to death.”

“If this murder and Galina’s can be linked to Hadley and Skylar’s abduction, it would help Mark Foster’s case,” Zoe said. “If I were his attorney, that’s exactly how I’d present it to the jury.”

“It’s all a great theory, but we have no forensic proof,” Vaughan said.

Zoe could feel the pieces of the real story swirling around but refusing to connect. “All the women look like Hadley.”

“I’ll have the forensic team see if anything from this dumpster transferred to any of Mark Foster’s clothing or shoes. There’s no way anyone could spend any time in there and not pick up something. I’ll also put a call in to missing persons,” Vaughan said. “For now, we have to stay focused on finding Hadley and Skylar.”

Zoe nodded but continued to stare at the body, wondering who this woman was. Her clothes were intact, but that did not mean sexual assault had not been a motive. Some assailants redressed their victims after they were dead. But again, another question for the medical examiner.

Zoe watched as the technician covered the body’s hands in paper evidence bags. Later, there would be finger scrapings, which hopefully would recover DNA for testing.

Finally, two technicians laid a fresh tarp over the exposed portion of the dumpster floor, lifted the body, and placed it on the plastic. If there was any DNA on the body, this would ensure it was not lost in transport.

Grabbing the ends, they lifted the tarp and body and handed it to the officers outside the dumpster, who then gently placed it on the asphalt of the parking lot.

Zoe knelt by the body and for the first time could see the truly deep gashes in her chest. To stab someone in the chest required close contact. This manner of death was as personal as it was violent.

“The reason behind a murder is generally simple,” she said, thinking out loud. “Husband discovers affair. Wife confesses and demands a divorce. Husband hatches a plan for revenge that won’t implicate him.”

“You’re saying this woman and Galina were decoys?” he wondered aloud.

“He knows he’s going to kill his wife, so he sets it all up to look like a serial killer? Maybe he wanted the practice. One thing to plan murder but another to do it.”

“That’s one cold son of a bitch.”

“Yes, it is,” she said softly.

Zoe approached the forensic tech and gave him her card. “Have the medical examiner’s office call me when they schedule this autopsy.”

The guy tucked the card in his breast pocket. “Sure.”

Zoe and Vaughan got into his car, and he started the engine. His phone rang. “It’s Nikki McDonald.”

“So soon? Should be interesting,” Zoe said.

He accepted the call and put her on speakerphone. “Ms. McDonald. I don’t have anything for you yet.”

“I’m the gift that keeps on giving, Detective. Mr. Foster has a lawyer, a Rodney Pollard,” Nikki said.

“Pollard is his neighbor,” Vaughan replied.

“Well, Mr. Pollard showed up at the Alexandria Hospital a half hour ago and checked out Mr. Foster. They are planning a press conference at the Foster house in about thirty minutes. Seems they want to make a direct plea to the public for the safe return of Hadley and Skylar.”

“How do you know this?” Zoe said.

“I have a few friends in the media who would love to have my footage of the Marsha Prince discovery. Which means they’ll toss me the occasional bone. Regardless, I’m headed to the Foster house myself.”

“Thanks for the heads-up,” Vaughan said.

“Remember your friends.” She hung up without waiting for a reply.

Vaughan muttered a curse as he dialed dispatch and requested a couple of marked cars be sent to the Foster house. “I need that crime scene preserved,” he said to the dispatcher. “Spread the word that I don’t want anyone in the home.”

He pulled out onto Route One, into the sea of red taillights. Zoe drummed her fingers on the door handle as she reflected on the news.

“Interesting he’s trying to circumvent the police,” Zoe said.