The Eclipse Killer by Rachel Funk Heller

Author:Rachel Funk Heller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Writers Coloring Book LLC
Published: 2024-07-30T17:50:34+00:00

Chapter 31

Incident Room — 2:46 p.m.

Hunter stared at a printed version of Madeline’s chart for the 911 call and thought about her prediction: the next body might show up on Monday morning. It shocked him to think the “astroguy” planned his kills this far in advance, but he recollected the first crime scene and the meticulousness of the staging. It made perfect sense that the killer worked from a timeline, but why? What was he gaining from this? Making the cops look like fools? Terrorizing teenagers into staying home nights?

Vierra bounded into the room. “What the fuck was that all about?” Vierra slammed his hand on the worktable where Hunter sat.

“Cool the hell down. Weren’t you listening?” Hunter stood, appalled at Vierra’s behavior toward Madeline and now at this outburst.

“Yeah, I listened to your girlfriend pull a fast one on us. She called Jonathan’s mother. Went to her house?”

Hunter added the astrology chart to the whiteboard, experiencing an unknown anger toward his partner. “She’s not my girlfriend, so back off.”

“Yeah, well, you want her to be. I can’t stand this cutesy crap.”

Hunter’s right arm itched to punch his partner in the face. “Hey, no one’s giving you shit about what you’re doing with your girlfriend.”

“Hey, you lovebirds, cut me some goddamn slack,” Leo said, bursting in on them. “Vierra, if the killer left clues in Swahili and we brought in a translator, would it make you this upset?” Leo asked. “Hunter, your astrology lady is charming. And face it, she’s got a fifty-fifty chance the killer is a woman.”

Vierra whined. “Ah, lieutenant, please, don’t tell me you’re taking her side?”

“I’m not taking anyone’s fucking side. Let’s examine the fucking facts and leave the fucking emotion out of it,” Leo barked. “Okay?”

Hunter breathed in, tamping down his anger. His boss was right.

“Okay. Fact one,” Vierra pointed to a photo on the whiteboard. “This sigil embroidered on the quilt from our crime scene matches Madeline’s shop logo.”

“But does that connect her shop and Savvy Seekers?” Leo asked and pointed at Hunter. “Did you ask Madeline if she’s connected to Christophe and his gang?”

Hunter paused in a slight panic. He reviewed their conversations. “I asked her, but she didn’t answer.”

“That’s a legitimate line of inquiry,” said Vierra, his voice sharp with sarcasm.

“Yeah, and fact two,” Hunter fired back, “we spoke with Jonathan’s teacher, his friends, and that Stellan kid. We confirmed Jonathan studied astrology, and Madeline confirmed he shopped at her store. She didn’t hide it.”

Vierra pointed at Hunter as a secretary approached him and murmured in Vierra’s ear. Vierra nodded his response, and the secretary walked out of the room. Vierra threw his hands in the air. “And fact number three,” said Vierra, his face full of intrigue, “Madeline’s little sister is here to see me.”

Hunter’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding?”

“No, I’ll bring her to the conference room.”

***

Hunter walked back to the small conference room where they had listened to Madeline’s presentation, intrigued by the sight of Vierra bringing in a younger version of Madeline, dressed in a tailored black suit, an ivory silk blouse, and high-heeled boots.

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