“So that’s part of his MO? That he kills his victims in a designated city?”

“The specific places where they live don’t appear to have as much significance as the city where they were killed. Why, I can’t even speculate.” Catherine sighed and Matt heard the frustration in her voice. “I’ll think more on this, but I need more background on Anne Banks.”

“Based on your thinking, the next two victims will be killed in Liberty Lake, whether or not they are from Liberty Lake.”

“Yes, without a doubt. There’s obviously a strong imperative for him in choosing the murder location—a specific reason I just can’t see yet.”

“You’ll find it.”

“I really hate to guess like this,” Catherine said slowly, choosing her words carefully, “but at least one of the victims has a clear connection to each city. Given his pattern, that increases the chances that the next two victims will have a stronger connection to Liberty Lake, since there doesn’t appear to be any connection to the lake with Manners.”

“There isn’t—nothing we can find. She is from Spokane, went to nursing school locally, lived and worked in Spokane. But Liberty Lake is only twenty minutes up the road—the local police are still working on old boyfriends, friends, neighbors, family. Maybe there is a connection we haven’t found yet.”

“Please let me know what you learn, even if it isn’t complete. Even the smallest detail will help.”

“I will. And this all gives me more than I had fifteen minutes ago. Catherine—thank you. This year has been hell for you, I get that. But sometimes, not working reminds us more of our failures than doing the job.”

“Maybe I don’t want to forget,” she said quietly, and hung up.

14

Liberty Lake
8:15 a.m.

Kara showed up at the Liberty Lake police station at 8:15 a.m. with two large black coffees and handed one to Andy. With a wink, she tossed Abigail, the receptionist/dispatcher, a small bag.

“I love you,” Abigail said when she opened the bag from Rocket Bakery. “It’s an espresso hazelnut scone, isn’t it?”

“You can shower Andy with your kindness when I’m gone. He’s a good guy.”

Abigail laughed and took a bite. Kara knew the scones were good—she’d eaten hers on the way to the station.

Kara always made sure anyone who controlled access to anything she might want loved her. Abigail was easier than most, but this was also Liberty Lake. Most people were friendly, and because everyone loved Kara’s grandmother, she didn’t even have to try all that hard. Sometimes, she just enjoyed making nice people happy—maybe because she met so few genuinely nice people in her line of work.

Kara followed Andy out to his police issue Bronco. He said, “Late night, early morning. My fiancée isn’t too pleased with me right now.”

“She knows she’s marrying a cop, right?” Kara said, climbing into the passenger side.

“A cop in Liberty Lake, Washington, with regular hours and no real risk of getting shot.”