„Detective Reagan,“ Julia said. „Did your mother bring lunch?“ she asked hopefully.

Reagan moved into the room and it suddenly became that much smaller. „Maybe next time,“ he returned. „So our boy’s a sharpshooter with a quick needle. Did the autopsy turn up anything else?“

„Not yet.“ Briskly, Julia bent back down to the body.

„What did you find out about the white van?“ Kristen asked and Reagan turned, his eyes narrowed in reproach and for a moment he said nothing. She knew he knew about her call to Spinnelli and that she’d offended him by not calling him first. Possibly even hurt him.

But she hadn’t been able to call him. The wounds she herself had raked open that morning were still raw, the humiliation still too fresh. He thought he knew, but he didn’t. And even if he did, there was no way he’d ever understand.

„It was a flower delivery van,“ he finally said, just as quietly. „Spinnelli’s got a few men canvassing the Arboretum area where King’s body was found to see if anyone saw a similar van. Hopefully it hasn’t been so long that the trail’s gone cold.“

One of Julia’s techs came in with a clipboard. „Well, this is something you don’t see every day,“ Julia said. „Two of your Blade vies have evidence of cellular damage. From the look of these slides, I’d say your gang boys at one time were frozen solid.“

Mia tsked. „Freezer burn. Shoulda’ used Saran Wrap.“

Reagan shot Mia an amused look before turning back to Julia. „That makes sense.“

Julia raised a brow. „It does?“

Mia nodded. „The three Blades were in the photo together, but they were last seen at different times. We wondered what our humble servant did with the first bodies while he killed all three. He wanted them all in the photo together, since they did the crime together.“

Reagan crossed his arms over his chest. „This could mean that he’s storing them in a place where he can’t risk detection. If he hadn’t frozen them, the first two bodies would have started to stink before he bagged all three.“

Mia scrunched her mouth. „Or he could just be the fastidious type.“

„This could also support his being a hunter,“ Jack said. „A hunter would have a big freezer for his game, especially if he went for deer.“

Reagan nodded slowly. „You’ve got something there,“ he said, then looked over at Mia. „After the press conference, let’s pay a visit to the local target range. I’ll bet they have a club for hunters or know where we can find one.“

„Ask for members that go for deer and fowl,“ Jack advised. „You don’t sew up deer after they’re dressed, but you might stitch up a bird. I’ve got to get back now. Bye, Julia.“

Julia looked up from King’s body with an absent-minded smile. „Bye.“

Mia rolled her eyes as Jack left with a backward wave. „Idiot,“ she muttered, but Kristen wasn’t sure if she meant Jack or Julia and frankly was in no mood to care. All she was looking for right now was escape from Reagan’s eyes that seemed to follow her every move. She’d pulled on her own coat and was two steps from the door when Mia stopped her with a lifted hand. „Wait. We actually came to talk to you about that database you keep. The one of all your cases. Did you keep track of whether or not the victim was satisfied with the outcome of the case?“ Mia asked.

„Or more importantly,“ Reagan’s voice rumbled softly, „with you. We’re looking for someone who didn’t blame you for losing.“

Kristen swallowed, the sound of his voice sending prickly tingles up and down her spine. He was too close, way too close, but there was no room to back away. So she drew a deep, steadying breath instead, unwillingly drawing in the smell of him. Soap… and gyros. He’d had gyros for lunch. „They all blame me, one way or another. But I’ll go through my list and try to remember everything I can.“ She glanced at her watch and felt the tension already throbbing in her neck spike, this time at the thought of Zoe Richardson’s planned conversion of Spinnelli’s press conference into a three-ring circus. „It’s showtime, people.“

Friday, February 20,

3:00 p.m.

This is better than sex. The thought struck Zoe as funny, even as she acknowledged the truth of it, but she didn’t smile. Cameras were poised, the stage set with microphones and two straight-backed chairs. A door on the left opened and two men walked to the podium. One was John Alden, Kristen Mayhew’s boss, the other Lieutenant Marc Spinnelli.

And speaking of the devil… As Alden and Spinnelli took their places on the stage, Mayhew entered, flanked by Mitchell and Reagan. Zoe frowned inside her head at the sight of Reagan who thought he was pretty hot stuff, giving them the slip this morning. Still surrounded by her honor guard, Mayhew moved to the sidelines, her face devoid of any signs of their earlier altercation until she spied Zoe sitting in the front row. Mayhew’s response was quickly masked, but not before Zoe saw her green eyes flash.

Spinnelli stepped up to the microphone and the vague murmurs ceased.

„You’ve heard we are investigating a string of connected murders,“ Spinnelli announced without preamble and Zoe felt more than saw the heads turning her direction.

Thank you, thank you, Zoe thought.

„Yesterday we recovered five bodies. All were declared homicides. As you know, all the victims had within the past three years passed through the justice system, but were either acquitted or released by way of plea. The investigation is being led by Detectives Mia Mitchell and Abe Reagan of my office and supported by the State’s Attorney’s Office. We currently have no statement on the status of the investigation other than to say we are applying all urgency to its resolution.“ He paused and cameras flashed.

Next to her a man from a competing station popped to his feet. „What can you tell us about the letters that were received by the victims of the five dead men?“

„We are not commenting on that at this time.“

Zoe rose to her feet and pretended not to listen to the rustling murmurs of her peers. „Lieutenant, can you comment on the personal letters received by ASA Mayhew dedicating the murders to her and declaring himself her humble servant?“

She’d guessed the part about the murders being dedicated to Mayhew, but quickly saw she’d guessed right.

Murmurs became mutters and exclamations and from her plum spot on the first row she could see Spinnelli’s jaw clench hard in anger, if not in surprise. Showing her hand to Mayhew this morning had been necessary to confirm her lead, but unfortunately it had also given Spinnelli time to mentally prepare. It was still a direct hit and she let herself bask in the thrill of the scoop.

„We have no comments at this time,“ Spinnelli said evenly, but the deed was still done. Zoe looked at Mayhew from the corner of her eye. Mayhew stood straight and tall, her face perfectly composed as the flashes now aimed at her face. Damn, but Zoe had to respect her for keeping her cool when it was important. It was probably why Mayhew was Alden’s top prosecutor. She knew when the public was watching and played it well.

„But all the victims had been defendants unsuccessfully prosecuted by ASA Mayhew,“ Zoe pressed. „Do you have any words for the other men and women who are out on the street because Mayhew was unable to get a conviction?“

One of the men behind her said, „Duck!“ which sent skitters of laughter through the press, but it was obvious neither Alden nor Spinnelli was amused.

Spinnelli pointed at a reporter from WGN. „Next question.“

Zoe sat, pleased. Sometimes a blatant dismissal said more than a direct response.

„Are you looking for a single killer or a group?“ asked WGN.

„No comment,“ Spinnelli said. „Next?“

„You only have two detectives assigned to this case when you’ve put teams of four or more on other serial murder cases.“ The observation came from a Trib correspondent and brought more murmurs. „Should the public assume you’ve placed less significance on the murders of these men because they were accused criminals?“