“The sheriff’s office ID-ed her, but we haven’t found any connections yet,” Grey answered and shook his head. “Our best option is going to be the footage. We checked, and where she was left is a blind spot without cameras on it. We will have to canvas all of the others in the area.”

I wasn’t shocked. The unsub had been careful and calculated thus far. I doubted they’d leave a body in the open if they thought it would get them caught. No, their motivation was solely to leave it for Len. The killer kept us on the phone long enough for us to find that group of warehouses. They knew we’d be there.

“How is she?” Grey asked, and I was taken by surprise at his question.

“As good as she can be.”

“Keep her close,” Grey said. “Make sure she’s alright. I doubt this unsub is done with her.”

I knew he was right. The killer only seemed to escalate when it came to her.

“Let me know the second you have something from the footage,” I said. “I’ll be here, watching over her.”

Grey nodded before he left, and I returned to Len. She sat with her legs pulled up on the couch, both of her cats beside her.

I sat on the other side, careful not to disrupt the felines.

“How are you?” I asked, a simple question, yet also impossible.

I knew it was more than just a one word answer. The entire case revolved around her; I couldn’t imagine what that felt like.

“I just can’t stop thinking about how that could’ve been me,” she admitted. “All of this is happening because of me. The unsub isn’t going to stop killing. It’s my fault. I said the wrong thing on the phone.”

“No, Len,” I stopped her. “That woman would’ve already been dead before you said that. The unsub is taunting you, trying to get a reaction. I know it’s hard, but you have to try to ignore what they’re attempting to wring out of you.”

“I just can’t stop blaming myself,” she sniffled.

I knew nothing I said to comfort her would help, but I wanted to try anyway. “You are not to blame for the Coastal Killer’s actions. You’re as much a victim as any of the others. They’re taunting you because they couldn’t get to you. They know you’re stronger than they are. Don’t let them take that away from you.”

She set aside her tea and moved closer, cuddling into my side. I wrapped an arm around her, holding her until she fell asleep after only a few minutes, exhausted from everything. Shock was mentally draining on a person.