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“Both,” I respond.
“I wouldn’t know anymore,” she scowls. “The FBI took over both cases this afternoon.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s not uncommon for the local office to step in with a possible serial killer scenario, especially if there is media coverage. But, aside from that, one of the women was already on their radar, so naturally, they pounced.”
“I heard the ways in which the women were killed were similar.”
Rowan doesn’t respond, which is answer enough.
“Does this lessen your workload? Last time we met, you mentioned how busy you were.”
“Not really. Now I’m playing catch up with the other cases I neglected while working that one.”
I watch as Rowan pulls a cuticle, creating a line of blood next to her nail. I wince. She doesn’t even seem to feel the pain.
I clear my throat. “You’re handling a lot. All the time, Rowan. And on that note, I’d like to revisit how our last appointment ended. Specifically, that you think Shepherd is cheating on you.”
“He is.” Rowan finally looks at me.
“How do you know for certain?”
“He has a new tattoo on his wrist, hidden under the watch he always wears.”
“What is it?”
“I didn’t recognize it at first, but it is the symbol for Zhiva.”
“Who’s Zhiva?”
“A goddess in Slavic mythology.”
“Ah, I remember you telling me that Shepherd is of Russian descent. Velky is a Russian name, right?”
“Yes,” she says, “Shepherd’s lineage is Russian, and he’s proud of his roots. He has like, ten books on the history of Russia.”
“What does the symbol mean?”
“Love.”
My brows pop. “Really?”
“Specifically, love and fertility.”
“And you think this new tattoo serves as a symbol of his love for someone else?”
“He wouldn’t get a tattoo symbolizing love without it representing something. And it certainly has nothing to do with me.” She looks out the window. “It is a sign of commitment to her.” She swallows deeply. “And the fertility thing…”
“The fertility thing, what?”
“Shepherd has always wanted to have children.”
“Yes, you’ve told me that. But you never told me why you don’t want to have children.”
She looks away.
“Rowan…”
