“Maybe Jeanne Coleman is why Francine was in Eastville to begin with. She knew Jeanne. Jeanne’s personal documents were in her ceiling. They were hiding them from someone. Jesus, they themselves appeared to be hiding in the Eastville Projects,” Gwen said. “They all had to have been afraid of someone.”

“Whoever wanted them dead knew a lot of personal information about them too. Old information. Well, Francine and Samantha, at least,” Val blurted, finally getting the chance to tell them what she learned from Eddie. “Samantha’s boyfriend told me that they used to play in Chestnut Ridge Park, the same place where the first victim’s skull was found, Jeanne Coleman’s skull.”

Both Gwen and Jack stared.

“And that’s not all,” Val said, and then told the rest of the story. “Francine and Samantha’s parents eventually moved to Niagara Falls and when they got older they hiked in Devil’s Hole Park.”

“So, remains of victims are found in places sentimental to Francine and Samantha,” Jack said. “We still don’t know who was in Devil’s Hole but at this point, we have to assume it was someone they knew.”

“No one can find any trace of Lorelei Sebastian. She’s still missing. Her skull could be the one sitting in the medical examiner’s office,” Gwen said.

“The skull found in Devil’s Hole would belong to the earliest victim. The first victim always puts a crime in motion. It sets the stage.” Jack grew excited. “I asked you before if we could get another look at this skull. Can we do that? Do you have access to where it’s kept?”

“Yes. We all do. Our swipe cards open all of the rooms,” Gwen said.

“Good. I need to see it.”

“Sounds like a plan. Let’s go!” Gwen stood up and grabbed her jacket.

“Wait a minute,” Val protested. “We can’t just break in.”

“If you have a key how is it breaking in?’’ Jack asked plainly.

“If we get caught, Dr. Blythe will fire me immediately,” Val said.

Jack scoffed at the man’s name. “Val, Blythe’s going to fire you anyway, maybe not today, but soon. Ask yourself why is he trying so hard to get rid of you. You need to get him before he gets you.”

Jack had a point, but still this was too risky.

“I just don’t know about this,” Val said.

“Five minutes. That’s all I need.”

“But what if we get caught?”

“You worry too much. Now how do we get in?” Jack was out of the door before she had a chance to answer.

The drop-off bay around the back of the hospital was the best way to get Jack into the morgue undetected. At this time of night there would be only one security guard on duty and he would be at the employee entrance.