I swallowed. “Yes. He could be a she.”
“I’ll do tests on the hair.” Dr. Ross grabbed a pen and scribbled notes onto a pad. “Hopefully, I could let you know what type of hair products were used and if it was a hot comb. Maybe I can even figure out what type of hot comb. Give me twenty-four hours.”
Alexander gave her his winning smile. “You get it done faster and I’ll bring you two packs of high-end protein shakes.”
She quirked her brows. “How fast?”
“Have it in by tonight.”
“Then, you better grab those shakes. There’s a Whole Foods in Colesville. Five minutes away.”
“Sounds good.”
Movement came from behind. I glanced over my shoulder. Several Fullbrooke police officers followed Sheriff Michaelson as he marched toward us.
I remembered him from my childhood. Every now and then he would invite my father, mother, and me over to one of his barbecues that coincided with football season. He was one of the few cops that my father liked on the force.
He’d changed from when I’d seen him long ago. The sun had tanned his skin to a ruddy reddish tint. Wrinkles decorated his cheeks and forehead. Gray dotted the black hair near his temples.
Sheriff Michaelson nodded at me. “I heard you were back Haven.”
I smiled. “News travels fast around here.”
“As always. Your father sure would be proud to know you were down here helping to find these little girls.”
“I hope so.”
“You’ll have to come over for dinner one of these evenings. Betsy still makes a mean apple pie. I know how you loved that when you were a little girl.”
“I sure did. I’ll make sure to let you know.”
“Then, I hope to see you soon, Haven.” Sheriff Michaelson directed his attention to Dr. Ross. “What’s new?”
Dr. Ross handed him the bag with the holy cross. “Our guy left this in the victim’s mouth. It has the Lord’s Prayer on it.”
The sheriff didn’t look at the bag. Instead, he checked the little girl. “Any signs of nasty things? Sexual stuff?”
“No, sir.”
“Make sure you check again.” Sheriff Michaelson pointed at her. “There’s no other reason that this man is taking these little girls, but to do nasty things to them. I bet when we find the place, there will be semen all over it.”
With a bored expression, Alexander asked, “What gives you that impression?”
“He’s a pervert. That’s what?”
Alexander countered, “I believe there’s something more to him taking the girls than sexual perversion—”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m rounding up more pedophiles today and throwing them in jail.”
Alexander crossed his arms over his chest. “My understanding was that you did that last month and Melody was still kidnapped.”
“That just means I missed a few pedophiles.” The sheriff’s mouth widened into a smile. “I heard that you all are looking for a black man for this. Last month, I grabbed all the white perverts. This week, I’m going to get all the black ones.”
Alexander frowned. “Not that I care about protecting pedophiles’ rights, but we have not made an official report on the profile of the Unsub yet.”
“There are whispers that he’s black and goes to Pastor Miller’s church. Why else would you send forensics down there?”
“We’re following a trail of evidence.”
“And I’m trying to get a mad man off my streets—”
“By arresting random people?”
“By rounding up the usual suspects.”
Alexander shook his head. “That could be a mistake.”
I spoke up, “Sheriff Michaelson, men who are listed as sexual offenders run a long list of offenses. Some of the men could have been eighteen and dating a sixteen-year-old and the parents had them arrested. Others could truly be sick and disgusting. The problem is that this town is already hot with fear and rage. Mass arrests may not be the solution.”
“Haven, you’ve been gone a long time.” Sheriff Michaelson gave me a sad smile. “This town is not as peaceful as you remember it. Action must come.”
“Action.” Alexander snorted. “You waited for seven months to call us.”
“We had no idea it would get this out of hand.”
“You should’ve called us for missing girl number two at least.”
The sheriff growled, “Agent King are you trying to tell me how to do my job?”
Dr. Ross raised her hands in the air. “Excuse me, guys, but I have a lot to do. Unless you want examination notes, I would love for you to finish this conversation outside.”
The sheriff and Alexander exchanged angry expressions. Sheriff Michaelson looked like he wanted to punch Alexander in the face. Regardless, I knew he wouldn’t. Alexander was too big and tall. And the sheriff was too old to be scrapping with anybody.
Chapter 7
Lover Boy
Alexander
The sun set. It had been a long day. The morning began with Melody’s body. The afternoon brought the new agents—Haven and Tina. As much as I disliked new people, they had been a huge help in the case.
I may let Barron stay longer. But when it gets too dangerous, she’ll have to go.
She was too beautiful to be harmed. Too kind to be changed from this case. Every person that knew her had smiles on their faces and good memories of Haven in their heart. While it was clear she’d been a troublemaker as a kid, the town loved her dearly.
As we drove toward Haven’s ex-boyfriend’s house, I glanced her way. “You’ve helped a lot today.”
She gave me a weak smile. “I hope so.”
“Trust me. I wouldn’t have caught the hot comb with Melody’s hair.”
She laughed. “Let’s hope that’s a big clue, but I doubt it.”
“It sounds like a big one to me. There’s a reason he pressed her hair. It also points to his background and culture.”
She let out a long breath. “God, I hope he’s not black.”
“You would rather he be white?”
“It’s messed up to say, but yes. Am I racist for saying that?”
“Most people don’t want a killer coming from their racial groups. It’s as if the person is muddying the whole group’s name.”
“I guess. Also, I don’t want this killer being from Fullbrooke. I would rather he be some crazy stranger from far away.”
“Too close to town, the killer’s reveal might hurt everyone even more?”
“Yes. It would break everyone’s hearts.”
“But at least other little girls will be safe.”
“Which is more important.”
“It is.” I rounded the corner to his street. “Are you nervous about seeing your ex-boyfriend?”
She shook her head. “I would rather approach this as interviewing Mr. Sean Thompson.”
“But, one can’t forget your connection to him.”
“Why not?”
“I guess because I’m intrigued.”
“But it has nothing to do with the case.”