Shadow's Fate (Shadow Island FBI Mystery Series Book 16) by Mary Stone

Author:Mary Stone [Stone, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mary Stone Publishing
Published: 2024-08-06T00:00:00+00:00

22

With a map of Shadow Island pulled up on her phone, Rebecca traced a line with her finger, following the route from the Old Witch’s Cottage to the cemetery where Whitney’s body had been dumped. Her brow furrowed, weariness seeping into her eyes. A map could show so much and yet reveal so little.

They still didn’t even know why the killer picked the Old Witch’s Cottage. Whitney could’ve been a victim of opportunity. Her mother admitted that she’d sneaked out before. Maybe Whitney had left to meet a boy. Or maybe she hadn’t even gone out to meet someone and instead just wanted to escape the house after having a fight with her mom.

A teen needing to blow off steam could wind up anywhere. And on a cold night, riding her bike, when stores were closed, this cottage might’ve been the only shelter Whitney could find.

She could’ve walked into something she wasn’t expecting or been tailed by someone with ill intent. Or maybe this was a mugging gone bad. Not everything had to be a conspiracy, after all.

We just don’t know enough about her yet. I need to get those girls to talk to me more.

Jake had been busy digging through the girls’ social media accounts. So far, he hadn’t learned anything useful. There were no indications of any bullying or stalking by an online predator. Sara’s social media was the most limited, and that was likely due to her protective parents.

Finding a girl’s bike at the cottage strongly indicated that the blood belonged to Whitney. But the bike could’ve been planted there to try to throw off the investigation. Rebecca wouldn’t let herself get tunnel vision. Every clue mattered until they learned it didn’t.

Jake, who’d been coordinating with the forensic team working on the possible murder scene, walked over to where she was leaning on the cruiser. “What are you thinking, Boss?”

As much as she might’ve disliked being called Boss, Hoyt’s continued use of the title had spread to everyone else, and she’d learned to accept it.

“There are several stores and commercial buildings between here and the cemetery, but almost none between here and Whitney’s house.” She pointed to both places on the map. “Let’s check along the commercial route and see if there’re any cameras we can get access to. There are no street cameras, so we’ll have to rely on the businesses.”

“What are we looking for?” Jake looked up from the map, already searching the area.

“Maybe we’ll catch a glimpse of Whitney on her bike or someone following her. Or see something like a vehicle driving erratically. I dunno, trying not to be seen while hauling a body.”

“Sure, I hear ya.”

The hunt for evidence often meant searching through everything one piece at a time. Or, in this case, one block at a time. The SUV’s engine hummed to life as she pulled away from the curb, embarking on their canvass of the town. Rebecca drove, her gaze flickering to every storefront, every alleyway, while Jake kept his eyes peeled for the telltale signs of modern vigilance—security cameras.

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