Vanessa pulled out the zippered evidence bag.

“Can we get the ballistics guy to look at these?”

“Sure. We’ll drop them off on the way up to the fourth floor.”

****

The fourth floor, all of it, was Homicide. It appeared to be a quiet day, with just a few officers at their desks. One was reading a newspaper, while a couple others seemed to be intent on some paperwork.

Nina Jefferson took them across the floor to where two glass-paned conference rooms were and opened the door on the left.

“You guys can set up in here. I’ll get the remainder of the evidence that we didn’t send down to you guys. I’ll be back shortly.”

In less than twenty minutes, Vanessa and Jason had the Marcie Walker evidence spread out on the conference table in front of them. The extensive set of photos were almost mirror images of their own crime scene.

Jason had an involuntary shiver when he realized this guy was targeting women that resembled his partner.

Nina Jefferson came back into the room carrying the zippered evidence bag Jason and Vanessa had brought with them.

“It’s a match. Of course, you already knew the caliber was the same. What really cinched it was the bullet casing. The firing pin on the gun that your guy used has a nick on the right side.”

She showed the detectives a blown-up photo of the back end of the casing. The nick was clearly visible. She then pulled a second photo from behind the first. It had the nick in the identical location on the casing.

“This photo is of the casing from our killing. Same gun in both killings.”

Vanessa grunted.

“Yeah, seemed pretty likely after looking at these photos from the two crime scenes. That gives us victim description, ballistics and the posing of the body. It’s likely the same guy. The medical examiners report said she had been dead about a week when she was found. How long had she been missing before time of death?”

“24 hours, give or take.”

“I don’t see in here that you guys had any solid suspects.”

Nina sat down at the table and sorted through the file until she found the piece of paper she was looking for.

“We questioned all her friends from school and her job. We also looked for some kind of connection to the wine glass but found nothing.”

“Did you ever locate her missing clothes?”

Nina shook her head.

“We were able to determine what she was wearing when she was last seen because it was her work uniform. She was a clerk at 7-11 and was seen leaving with her smock on. She never made it home.”

“What about the wine glass?”

“Generic discount store type made in the eighties. We figured he picked it up at a flea market or garage sale.”

Jason got up and started to pace. He liked to process information out loud and let Vanessa comment.

“Okay, we have two murders, apparently by the same man, done six months apart. We don’t have any other crimes matching these two, that have been reported, in Texas. The two crimes are in different cities, suggesting that he either traveled from San Antonio to Austin for the first killing and did the second in his backyard, or the reverse. It’s also possible he has moved from Austin to San Antonio. We also need to consider that his business may bring him to both cities, and he lives somewhere else.”

Vanessa raised her hand like she was in school.

“Nina, how far off the beaten path was your victim found?”

“Oh, she was way back in the woods, pure luck she was even found at all. Some guys, who got lost doing one of those ‘cache’ searches, stumbled onto the body.”

“Well, that doesn’t mesh with our scene. It was close to the road, almost in the open.”

Jason stopped pacing and looked at his partner.

“Meaning what?”

“I don’t think our victim was number two, more likely three or four, at least.”

“You think he was too comfortable and practiced by the time he got to our victim?”

“That’s my gut instinct.”

Jason looked at Nina.

“Did you guys interview her parents?”

“Yeah, we drove down and gave them the news. They didn’t have a clue who would want to hurt their daughter.”

“I think we’ll go by and see them again. Maybe they’ve thought of something since then.”

“If they have, let me know.”

“Of course. Can you take us out to your crime scene?”

“Sure.”

****

They arrived at the lake about 45 minutes later. Nina was not kidding. The location was way off the beaten path. The killer, presumably not as experienced as he is now, could have taken his time to do the ritual exactly as he wanted.

The large tree still showed the scar from almost seven months ago. The bullet having passed through Marcie into the tree.

They left there and drove past Marcie Walker’s apartment and the 7-11 where she worked.

Jason noticed the distance between work and home for Marcie was less than half a mile.

“It would appear that he was waiting for her. There is not much time or opportunity for her to be taken.”

Nina agreed.

“That’s what we figured. While it could have been random, this neighborhood is not the usual area we find people cruising for victims.”

“No. Certainly not like where our victim was taken from.”

They pulled back in at the Austin PD and climbed out of the car. Jason extended his hand and shook with Nina Jefferson.

“Thanks for your help. We’ll be in touch.”

Vanessa climbed into their own car and waved at Nina.

“Thanks!”

Nina smiled and returned the wave.

“Have a safe trip back.”

****

Jason let Vanessa drive back to San Antonio. He used the time to make some notes about what they had learned and organize his thoughts. After a while, he realized he was hungry.

“Hey, you want to stop at Stumpies BBQ?”

“Ugh, not me.”

Jason thought she was going to throw up.

“You alright?”

“Yeah, fine. Just not hungry.”

“I thought you loved Stumpies pulled pork sandwiches?”

“I do. It’s just…well…I’m pregnant.”

Jason laughed out loud.

“No, really. You just not hungry?”

“I’m not kidding, I’m pregnant.”

Jason could see the little smile on her face that was a sure sign she wasn’t lying. She was excited.

“You really are! How long have you known?”

“About three weeks.”

“Well, you’re a great one for news!”

“Look, Jason, just keep this between us for now.”

He couldn’t help but grin.

“First of all, congratulations...”

“Thanks.”

“…but why the secrecy. This is great.”

“I don’t want to be treated any different at the station. I’ll be forced to drive a desk and I don’t want it to be any sooner than necessary.”

“How’s Rob?”

“He’s thrilled.”

“I bet. Okay, your secret is safe with me. Can we still stop at Stumpies? I’m starving.”

“Fine, just no onion rings!”

Chapter  4

Jason had tried to make an appointment for the following day with the parents of Marcie Walker but they were out of town. It was the following Monday when Vanessa and Jason were able to meet with them.

As they pulled up in front of the modest bungalow style home in south San Antonio, Jason noticed how normal it looked. White with a gray shingle roof and flower beds on either side of the front door. He was struck, as he often was with these cases, how out of place tragedy seemed on a street such as this.

They got out and walked to the front door and as Vanessa reached to ring the bell, the door opened.