Her Winter of Darkness by Melinda Woodhall

Author:Melinda Woodhall [Woodhall, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creative Magnolia
Published: 2020-09-07T16:00:00+00:00

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Peyton sat in the briefing room with Nessa and Santino, hoping Ingram wouldn’t find out where she was. She knew Nessa would never let her partner sit in on the discussion with the deputy marshal, and she was more than eager to hear what he had to say.

“I’m sure you know the U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for apprehending federal fugitives,” Santino said, sitting forward in his chair as if he might get up and go at any minute. “But you may not be aware that we also operate the witness security program.”

“I’m aware,” Nessa said. “And I’m guessing we must have a fugitive or a witness here in our little town.”

Santino nodded, and Peyton could see stress on his face for the first time. The deputy marshal was in a hurry.

“Maybe both,” he said. “Ling Lee is a resident in your community. She’s been in the witness security program for many years. It seems her real identity was revealed in your local newspaper. She alerted us this morning, and I’m the lucky investigator who got the case.”

Unable to stop herself, Peyton asked the next question before Nessa could.

“So, who’s the fugitive?”

“Donovan Locke.”

Santino’s voice hardened as he said the name.

“He was convicted of multiple felonies involving human trafficking, drug distribution, and possession of illegal firearms. His ex-wife testified against him, but he ended up escaping federal custody. He’s been on the run for twenty-eight years.”

Widening her eyes, Peyton couldn’t hide her shock.

“And you’ve never been able to track this loser down?”

“I wasn’t on the investigation team back then,” Santino countered, but he didn’t sound offended. “From what I can see in the files, the trail went cold, and this is the first time Locke has shown up on the radar in years.”

“And you have reason to believe this man, this Donovan Locke, may be here?” Nessa asked. “Why would he come to Willow Bay?”

“Lisa Li is his ex-wife,” Santino explained. “She testified against him. After Locke escaped, she went into witness protection. Based on our records, the protection team tried to make it appear as if she and their child died in an automobile accident.”

Nessa stared at Santino as the pieces started to fall into place.

“And now he knows she’s alive and in Willow Bay,” Nessa murmured. “Which explains a lot.”

“What do you mean?” Santino asked.

“I mean I think Locke’s already here,” Nessa said slowly. “And I think he’s left us a calling card.”

Pulling out her phone, Nessa scrolled to the photos she’d snapped of the school IDs that had been in Astrid Peterson’s pocket.

“This ID was in the pocket of a homicide victim we found in Old Willow square yesterday morning. We think the victim was kidnapped and being held against her will. Maybe even intended for trafficking based on what we know.”

Nessa passed the phone to Peyton, who passed it on to Santino.

“Then Locke is already here,” Santino said, staring down at the phone. “And based on what you’ve just told me, it looks like he’s still running the same type of operation he was convicted of before.

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