Without Remorse by Ava Strong

Author:Ava Strong [Strong, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ava Strong
Published: 2022-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The large convention center loomed against the clearing skies. The rain hesitated now above Chicago's skyline, hidden in a few dark clouds, and Dakota hastened towards the large, gray building which resembled something of a warehouse in an industrial district. Figures were moving through the doors. Many of them had already reached parked cars in the lot, but remained by their vehicles, or sitting within, eyes on the building.

She could hear the faint hiss of whispered conversation and murmurings from the onlookers in the parking lot.

Through the open front doors, she spotted a strange array of tables, laden with ceramics and clay sculptures. Police officers stationed outside the doors were holding people at bay, gesturing for them to return to the parking lot. She could hear them issuing instructions but couldn't quite make out the content.

"Officer Lanzig is waving to us," Marcus said from her side. She followed his indicating finger to spot an older officer standing on the edge of the large building, behind traffic cones and caution tape and even one sawhorse. It was the same man Marcus had been speaking to back at the third victim's house. She hadn't caught his name that time.

She frowned. While there were police outside the convention centers’ doors, most of the traffic from law enforcement seemed to be moving around the side of the building. She spotted paramedics and an ambulance right next to the sawhorse. Police and detectives hastened quickly over the caution tape, along the small pathway lined by trees. A couple of onlookers tried to get a better angle to take photos with their smartphones but were chased away by shouting cops.

Dakota picked up her pace, hurrying beneath the morning sunlight towards Officer Lanzig.

Judging by the number of cars in the parking lot, the convention had been in full swing. What was it that Agent Carter had said? This was an artistic exhibition? Something like that. Which meant the killer had struck in the morning. The other crimes had been committed at night.

He was escalating. His last victim had only been the previous day. Murders back-to-back meant he was only picking up speed.

Dakota picked up her own pace, hastening along the cobblestone, towards the small walkway and beneath fluttering leaves on small branches from the saplings lining the sidewalk.

She angled along the side of the convention center, towards the back of the building where most of the foot traffic was gathered.

As she moved, her footsteps clapping against the stone path, she could feel her anticipation rising.

Two victims. That's what she'd been told. He wasn't just escalating timeframe, but also body count. This was quickly getting out of hand.

"Careful," Marcus cautioned. He prodded her to the side to avoid a group from forensics hastening past, moving in the same direction as them towards the crime scene.

They rounded the edge of the building, peering into the back space.

First, Dakota spotted the wall. High enough to hide the exit door in the back. There was a loading truck parked askew over a curb.

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