Rachel thought a grieving sister looking for some sort of vengeance was not the best lead, but she also knew that they didnt have much to go on and this was a killer that was going to be very active.

Tell her well be by to talk to her in about an hour. You got an address?

***

Jessi Parker lived in a nice two-story home, three miles away from her sister. When Rachel and Jack arrived, she was waiting for them in her living room. She was drinking a strong-smelling tea and regarded them with red, puffy eyes when Rachel and Jack sat down on the couch across from her. From elsewhere in the house, Rachel could hear the murmured voices of a man and childpresumably Jessis daughter and husband.

We understand that you were relentlessly calling Kel in the wake of your sisters murder, Rachel said. And then the police. While I understand youre going through quite a lot, I have to ask if there is any reason for it. Do you have any leads or information that can help us find who is responsible for this?

No, and you see, thats just thing. Jessi Parker was frantic and highly emotional. Her words were coming out quickly, all slurred together. She was an emotional mess, and Rachel was going to be very surprised if they gathered anything of note from speaking with her. Lucinda didnt have enemies. I know its the sort of thing a grieving sister is supposed to say, but I mean it. Lucinda was the sort of woman everyone loved. And to think that someone jut decided that she didnt need to live anymore…

Jessi stopped here and slammed her hands down on the coffee table. The strike was hard enough to cause her cup of tea to jump slightly, some of it sloshing out.

Mrs. Parker, did the police tell you that Lucinda was not the first?

She nodded, wiping fresh tears away. Yes. And that somehow makes it worse.

A few days ago, there was another woman murdered in the exact same way. Her name was Gloria Larsen. Do you happen to know if your sister knew a woman by that name?

Jessis red eyes squinted hard in concentration for a few moments but then she shook her head. I dont recognize that name. Kel might, but… She shrugged, as if she really didnt expect much from Kel, either.

We also understand that Lucindas divorce from her first husband had been finalized last year and the marriage to Kel is only about four or five months in. Do you happen to know what cause the first marriage to fail?