For a first victim. His brows lifted as he considered it. But what about his last? It would make quite the grand finale. It would complete the circle. He’d consider it.

For now, he had work to do. Another lovely with whom to deal. He already had her picked out. Very soon the cops would find another body in a ditch and the pillars of the community would find another skeleton dumped on their doorstep. He had it on good authority that they’d all been practically pissing themselves all day. Who would break? Who would tell? Who would tear their idyllic little world asunder?

He chuckled, just picturing it. Pretty soon the first two he’d targeted would get their letters. He was starting to enjoy himself.

Dutton, Monday, January 29, 5:35 p.m.

This is really nice!” Meredith explored the bungalow with a delighted smile.

Hope sat at the table. Alex took the red Play-Doh under her nails as a good sign.

“It is nice,” Alex agreed. “And there’s a park not even a block away with a carousel.”

Meredith looked impressed. “A real carousel? With horses?”

“With horses. It’s been there since I was a kid.” Alex sat on the arm of the sofa. “This place was here then, too. I’d pass by when I was walking home from school.”

Meredith sat next to Hope, but her eyes stayed on Alex’s face. “You sound wistful.”

“I was, then. I always thought this was like a dollhouse and the people that lived here were so lucky. They could go on the carousel any time they chose.”

“And you couldn’t?”

“No. We didn’t have money for things like that after my dad died. Mama had trouble scraping enough together for us to eat.”

“Until she moved in with Craig.”

Alex winced and slammed the door in her mind before the first scream took hold. “I’m going to change and run out for some groceries. Then I’m going out again.”

Meredith frowned. “Why?”

“I’m going to search. I’ve got to try, Mer, because nobody else cares enough to.”

Not entirely true. Daniel Vartanian had offered to help. We’ll see how helpful he is.

“I’ve got to go back to Cincinnati tomorrow night, Alex.”

“I know. That’s why I’m trying to get all this done now. I’ll be back later and you can show me all the wonderful games you and Hope play so I can take over tomorrow.”

Alex went into the bedroom, closed the door, and took the gun from the satchel. It was still in its box, and willing her hands to steady, Alex took it out and looked it over again. She loaded the magazine like the store owner had shown her and set the safety with care. She’d need a bigger purse, because she intended to keep the gun with her. It would do her no good locked in its lockbox when she was elsewhere. For now, the satchel would have to do.

“My God, Alex.” Alex whipped around in time to see a furious Meredith close the bedroom door with a hard snap. “What the fucking hell is that?” Meredith hissed.

Alex pressed her free hand against her racing heart. “Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do that?” Meredith’s hiss was shrill. “You’re telling me not to do that when you’re standing there holding a goddamn gun? What the hell are you thinking?”

“That Bailey’s missing and another woman is dead.” Alex sat on the edge of the bed, breathing again. “And that I don’t want to end up the same way.”

“Dammit, girl, you don’t know anything about guns.”

“I don’t know anything about searching for missing people, either. Or caring for traumatized little girls. I’m kind of learning as I go here, Mer. And don’t scream at me.”

“I’m not screaming.” Meredith sucked in a breath. “I’m whispering loudly, which is different.” She sagged against the closed door. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted that way, but seeing you with that thing was a shock. Tell me why you bought the gun.”

“I went to see the dead woman today in the morgue.”

“I know that. Agent Vartanian was with you.”

He hadn’t told her the whole truth, of that Alex was certain. But there was a kindness in his eyes and a comfort in his touch that she couldn’t ignore. “He doesn’t think Bailey’s disappearance is a coincidence. If whoever killed that woman is copying Alicia’s murder, I’m the other original player who’s returned to the stage.”

Meredith paled. “Where are you going tonight, Alex?”

“The Dutton sheriff told me to check out the homeless shelter in Atlanta if I wanted to find Bailey. Vartanian said it wasn’t safe to go alone, that he’d go with me.”

Meredith narrowed her eyes. “Why? What’s in it for Vartanian to go with you?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out.”

“Will you tell him about what Wade said to the army chaplain?”

I’ll see you in hell, Simon. “I haven’t decided yet. I’m playing it by ear.”

“You call me while you’re out,” Meredith said fiercely. “Every half hour.”

Alex slid the gun into the satchel. “I saw the Play-Doh under Hope’s fingernails.”

Meredith’s brows winged up and down again in a facial shrug. “I stuck her fingers in a ball of it, hoping to engage her, but no deal. You might want to pick up some more red crayons when you go to the grocery store.”

Alex sighed. “What happened to that baby, Meredith?”

“I don’t know. But somebody needs to check out Bailey’s house. If you can’t make the local cops do it, maybe Vartanian can.”

“Don’t think so. He said he couldn’t get involved unless he was invited by the sheriff, and so far, Sheriff Frank Loomis hasn’t been too helpful.”

“Maybe this girl’s death will change that.”

Alex shrugged out of her suit coat. “Maybe. But I won’t hold my breath.”

Atlanta , Monday, January 29, 6:15 p.m.

Daniel was still frowning as he exited the elevator and headed toward the team room. Frank Loomis had been too busy to see him and finally Daniel had to leave.

He sat down at the team table where Chase and Ed were waiting. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Why were you?” Chase asked.

“I tried to call you from the road, Chase, but Leigh said you were in a meeting. I’ll explain. I promise.” He pulled out his notebook. “But first, let’s debrief. Ed?”

Ed held up a plastic evidence bag triumphantly. “A key.”

Daniel squinted at it. It was about an inch tall and silver and had a muddy string threaded through the ring hole. “Where did you find it?”

“In the mud we took from around the storm sewer. It’s a brand new key. It still has the marks from the key cutter. I don’t think it’s ever been used.”

“Fingerprints?” Chase asked.

Ed scoffed. “We should be so lucky. No fingerprints.”

“It could have been dropped by anyone before the body was left there,” Chase said.

Ed was undaunted. “Or he could have dropped it.”

“What about the blanket?” Daniel asked. “Do you know where it came from?”

“Not yet. It’s a camping blanket sold in sporting goods stores. The wool is water resistant. It kept the victim fairly dry given the rain we had on Saturday.”

“So this murder thirteen years ago, the girl in Dutton,” Chase said. “Was that also a wool camping blanket?”

Daniel rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know. I haven’t been able to get the old police report yet. I’m running into a brick wall I don’t understand.” And it was disturbing. “But we do have a lead on the victim, maybe even her face.” Daniel told Chase about his work with the Fun-N-Sun security team. “The security guy e-mailed me this still photo. It’s grainy, but you can see her face. She’s the right height and body type.”

“Slick,” Chase murmured. “This came off the park’s security tape?”

“Yep. The cellist slogan on her sweatshirt caught my eye. Park Security called me while I was driving back. They couldn’t find a credit card receipt, so they think she paid cash for her meal. They’re going to review the tapes from the front gate and FedEx copies of the tapes to us, too. She may have paid her park admission with a credit card. If we haven’t tracked her by morning I’ll release this photo to the news services.”