All The Shiny Things by Robin Mahle

Author:Robin Mahle [Mahle, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Crime Fiction, Kidnapping, Serial Killers, Crime, Thrillers & Suspense, Murder, Police Procedurals, Mystery
ISBN: 9780996683029
Publisher: HARP House Publishing
Published: 2013-09-22T21:00:00+00:00

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The forensics lab had become a familiar place. Katie’s work often revolved around it; collecting evidence from crime scenes, usually thefts, home invasions, and sometimes arsons, if robbery had been involved. She wasn’t assigned any homicides. That required special training and years on the job. She had neither of those qualifications and, for now, that was just fine with her. This past year had brought about enough of a dramatic shift in her life and career. She was content with her work identifying low-life criminals. That was safe, as far as she was concerned. The same couldn’t be said for what she was dealing with on a personal level.

“How are we coming along on the Reid letter?” Marshall asked the techie. That was what he called the guys in the white coats.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, detective, but this guy left nothing behind. We’ve run it for prints, DNA, fibers; you name it. I can tell you how old the paper is and where it was likely purchased. It was watermarked.”

“He used watermarked paper?” Marshall’s rhetorical question was answered with a nod from the guy in the coat. Marshall turned to Katie. “It’s not much, but we might be able to narrow down a location. What’s going to be really interesting is to see if Chief Wilson’s letter has the same watermark.”

Turning back to the man, he continued. “So where do you think this paper came from?”

“Not one of the big box office supply stores. No, this came from a small stationery store. The type and quality of the paper and the watermark have been identified as having come from a mill in the Pacific Northwest. We believe it’s the Green Mill Paper Company in Oregon City. Much of what they produce comes from recycled materials, which is what we’re seeing here in the fibers of this sample.” He held up the letter with a large tweezers-like instrument. “This is one of the watermarks they use. Although they mainly sell to publishers and newspapers, they have a loyal base of mom and pop stationery stores that have bought from them for generations.

“We tracked down their customer list and narrowed it down to five shops in Oregon. These locations were the ones that purchased this particular style of watermarked paper.” He handed Marshall a list of names.

“Well, we thought he hadn’t traveled far and this proves it. We need to get our guys out there and talk to these storeowners; see if they recognize the sketch. You mentioned you knew how old the paper was?”

“Right; yes.” The techie seemed to have been distracted by Marshall’s small, but meaningful, recognition of his handiwork. “I believe it’s about three years old.”

Marshall deflated, like an old birthday balloon from a party that had ended long ago.

“Three years?” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, appearing to fight off the despondence that was building inside of him. They had been hit with so many roadblocks up to now and here was another one.

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