And some of the pictures her family and friends had provided at the outset of her disappearance showed her wearing the bracelet. It had the twisted figure eight, known as a love, or infinity, knot. It was sterling silver, with a spring ring clasp.

The responses from Tatum and Campbell were swift and certain.

“Oh my God! Yes, it’s Sam’s bracelet!” Campbell told McDade over the phone. “It was the last gift my sister gave her. Where did you find it? Did you find Sam? What does this mean?”

“No, we haven’t located her yet. But this is a strong lead, and we’re working on it,” McDade said. “I ask that you please keep this confidential so as not to jeopardize the investigation. We’ll keep you posted as we go.”

The discovery of Samantha Moore’s bracelet was a huge break.

Reflecting on it, McDade felt it was as if Sam was signaling that the case was solvable. It was evidence, rock-hard evidence, and it catapulted the investigation to a new level.

Federal agents and state investigators intensified their work.

That the bracelet was in Spiker’s possession had triggered several actions. The truck camper was seized, put on a flatbed, and taken to Waterbury to be processed by crime scene people. The bird cam video was being reexamined to determine if the camper in the footage was consistent with Spiker and Gangel’s vehicle. The effort to locate Spiker’s DNA continued, but now plans were under way to collect a sample from him for comparison with the Hydra’s DNA.

And McDade and Noble were ready to question Spiker, who was being held in a secure interview room.

CHAPTER 54

Somewhere in the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

The hinges creaked as Byyle closed the doors to the shed, looped the padlock through the chain, and locked it.

She must be recaptured, he thought, scanning the area.

On one level, he could regard her escape as the upside to the failed auction. Had his price been met, he would’ve had to deliver her to the buyer. Still, this turn of events had deprived him of preparing her for an exhibit, something that gave him pleasure and pride. That she did what she did made her qualities manifest.

She was remarkable.

Of course, others had tried to get out. They’d try anything. They’d bargain, they’d beg, plead, cry, and scream. Oh, how they screamed. They’d try to claw out, climb out.

Each effort was an exercise in futility.

It amused him.

But this one had succeeded.

For now.

The effort she must’ve made in her struggle astounded him.

She also enlightened him, highlighting an error he’d made.