“You’re sure that’s what she said?”

“I’m positive.”

“But she never mentioned his name?”

“I don’t think she knew it.”

The backbone buzzing had reached roar status. “This is very helpful, Wes. Thank you.”

“Do you have him?”

“We might be getting closer.”

Sam thanked him, promised to be in touch and then used the intraoffice system to call Captain Malone. “I’ve got more. Both Audrey and Kaitlyn had encounters with Shane Ramsey.”

“What kinds of encounters?”

“I showed Kaitlyn his photo to determine if she knew him. She recognized him from the garage where he works. She said he flirted with her, but she didn’t encourage him. Audrey’s boyfriend, Wes, said she used to go to that same garage until a worker looked at her funny and gave her the creeps. She said she wasn’t going there again after the last time. He couldn’t say for sure that the guy was Shane, but who else could it be?”

“Any of the other guys who worked there, Sam. The judge shot us down for the DNA warrant. He said we don’t have enough, and this won’t change his mind.”

“Two of the women have reported encounters with Shane that we can back up with witness testimony. How is that not enough?”

“A defense attorney would have a field day with this flimsy case, and you know it. We need it nailed down, and we’re not there yet. We’re closer than we were. I’ll give you that.”

“We have a matter of minutes before Ramsey finds out his son is under suspicion for this. After he’s involved, we won’t be able to get near Shane. He’ll be free to rape and kill again.”

“If we have to spring him, we’ll keep eyes on him around the clock. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Ask him if he’ll voluntarily give us a DNA sample so we can clear him. If he refuses, maybe that’ll work in our favor.”

“Him willingly giving us his DNA is about as likely as me winning a million dollars in the lottery.”

“I thought you didn’t play the lottery.”

“I don’t! That’s my point! We have to find a way to hold him while we investigate further.”

“Keep working the case and doing what you do. That led you to this guy in the first place. In the meantime, I’m working it from my end and will keep talking to the judge.”

“Okay.” Sam returned the receiver to her desk unit, wondering what Malone was up to. Before she had a second to think about what it might be, she heard shouting outside her office and got up to see what was going on.

Jeannie and Gonzo had a man by the arms who was screaming for someone to get Sergeant Ramsey.

So much for keeping it on the down-low.