He glances over his shoulder toward the news van. “Vultures smell blood.”

“Once word of this second murder hits the airwaves, we’ll be seeing a lot more of them.”

“You might consider holding a press conference. That way you can deal with them on your terms. Nip any rumors in the bud.”

It’s a good idea. I’ve been so immersed in the case, I hadn’t considered the media end of it. “I’ll get something going.”

He stares hard at me, a bad-cop look that has probably convinced more than one recalcitrant suspect to spill his guts. “Look, I know you don’t want me here—”

“This has nothing to do with you personally,” I cut in.

“That’s the same thing they said about you.” He looks amused again. “Politics sucks, huh?”

“Something like that.”

He’s still staring at me. A stare so intense I grow uncomfortable beneath it. “I’m a pretty good cop,” he says. “I’m here. You may as well use me. I might even be able to help.”

He’s right, of course. But the thought of this man poking around in this case sends a shiver through me. My ensuing silence is all the answer he needs.

Giving me a final look, Tomasetti turns and starts toward a black Tahoe parked near the road. I watch him walk away, his words echoing in my ears. I’m a pretty good cop. I find myself wondering if he’s good enough to crack a sixteen-year-old case and all the secrets buried beneath it.

CHAPTER 15

It’s nearly three P.M. when I leave the Huffman place. I feel like I’ve spent the morning in hell. Three hours at the scene have wrung me out until there’s nothing left. On the outskirts of Millersburg, I call Lois. I can tell by her voice she’s stressed. “We got media here, Chief. I swear to God these people are curling my hair.”

I don’t tell her there are probably more on the way. “I need you to set up a press conference.”

“You’re going to invite more of them?”

“You know what they say about keeping your enemies close.”

“You are a glutton for punishment.”

“Let’s do it at the high school auditorium. Six o’clock.”

“You got it.”

“Call all of my officers and tell them we’re meeting at four o’clock. The room you set up. That’s going to be our command center.” I name each member of my small force, including Mona. “Notify Detrick and Tomasetti, too.”

“Tomasetti that Mafia-looking guy?”

Her description elicits a smile. “And check to see if there have been any missing persons reports filed. White female. Twenty to thirty years old. Blonde. Start with the five-county area. If you don’t find anything there, go to Columbus, Wheeling, Massillon, Canton, Newark, Zanesville—”

“Slow down.”

“Steubenville. Check with county and city agencies.”

“Okay, I got it.”

“Patch me through to T.J., will you?”

The line clicks. T.J. picks up an instant later. “Hey, Chief.”

“Did you get the statements from the teenagers?”