Laurel drew out the photographs of the black dahlias on the porch as well as one of the victim’s car with something etched into the snow on the windshield. “She gave these to you?”

“Yes.”

“What does that say in snow on her vehicle?”

The officer shrugged. “‘Die, bitch, die,’ we thought. It was hard to really tell. Also, she thought somebody wiped snow off her car several times in different locations, and that’s something odd that she wouldn’t have reported without everything else that happened. Her tires were slashed about three weeks before this, but she went and got them fixed without taking a picture. Apparently she had a couple of patients who were known to be violent, and she also worked outside of Seattle where crime has skyrocketed, so she didn’t make a proper report, like she should have.”

Laurel leaned forward. “Did Dr. Rox say anything else? Anything that didn’t make it into your reports or notes?”

Officer Zello breathed out. “I don’t think so. I was thorough and even documented the slashed tires, although she didn’t want those added to the report. She didn’t say anything else about her clients. She had three ex-husbands and said not one of them would’ve bothered to stalk her. Wasn’t dating anybody and hadn’t broken up with anybody in years.”

The officer had done an admirable job of trying to figure out who’d been stalking Dr. Rox. He scrubbed both hands down his face. “I can’t believe this happened. I mean, I felt she was in danger, but not danger like this. And now the mayor’s sister-in-law was also murdered by the same psycho? It’s crazy. They were both nice women, and now they’re dead. We have to catch this guy.”

Laurel slid the photographs back into the file folder. “You knew Sharon Lamber?”

Zello’s shoulders went back. “Yeah, we all did. Most of the Genesis Valley officers voluntarily worked the charity auction each year, and she made sure we were fed during the event. Then she brought pizzas and cookies the next week as a thank you for us. She was a really nice lady.” Zello adjusted his badge on his chest. “I can’t figure this out.”

Laurel tapped the file folder so all the papers settled inside. “Do you know Abigail Caine? She’s a professor at Northern Washington Tech.”

“No,” Zello said. “Sorry. Is she another victim?”

“No.” Laurel stood. “Is it odd that you were the one who took Dr. Rox’s report all three times? I assume you’re not the only officer on duty here?”

Zello shook his head. “No. After the first time, she asked for me when she came in. I think she knew I believed her and wanted to help.”