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“So I’ve heard.” Kane shrugged. “The story is, one of Mateo’s men took my photograph and passed it through the prison system until they got a name. It sounds too good to be true, but time will tell, won’t it? My travel arrangements to get to the trial are the problem. If I get hit before or on the way to the trial, we’ll all know it came from your team.”
Feeling the tension rising, Jenna looked from one to the other. “Then we’ll make our own arrangements.” She gave Kane a knowing look. “We’ll take it out of their hands and use our resources to get to California. That way only we know the plans.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.” Kane smiled at her. “I’ll make a few calls.”
The phone rang, as if on cue. It was Wolfe. Jenna flicked a glance at Kane and raised one eyebrow. “Hey, Shane, what do you have for me?”
“A positive ID on Leona Brinley.” Wolfe’s footsteps echoed on tile. “It’s the same cause of death as the other victims. We’re scouring the vehicle for trace evidence but have found nothing significant.”
Jenna glanced at the others. “I have you on speaker. Dave will call you later, but can you use your contacts to arrange for us to travel to California for the trial? Dave isn’t trusting the FBI to watch his back.”
“I’ll call him tonight. We’ll work out something.” He chuckled. “I haven’t been to California for a long time. I might come with you. He’ll need someone to watch his back.”
“I’d like that.” Kane smiled. “We’ll get to see the ocean.” He glanced at Jenna. “Speak to you later.” The line went dead as Wolfe disconnected.
Clearing her throat, Jenna tapped her pen on the desk. “Let’s get this meeting back on track.” She looked at Rio. “What do you know about the latest deepfake developments? They’re moving ahead so fast. I’m aware of the new proposed legislations to protect people but I know this is something you follow.”
“It’s all over.” Rio shrugged. “Most times, celebrities are used to endorse products or schemes on social media. It’s all fake. Fake news stories. I mean, now they can take a dead celebrity and make a movie that is an exact replica of the real person. AI is boundless and dangerous. We won’t know if what we are seeing is real anymore. If this is what happened to Carter, it’s entry-level manipulation. If you want a more detailed analysis, I can give it to you.”
Surprised that technology had moved so fast, Jenna shook her head. “No, thanks. That’s fine. Now what?”
“We need to assume one of our two suspects is the Casanova Killer.” Kane raised an eyebrow. “I suggest we split up and go and find them.”
Jenna nodded. “We’ll bring them in for questioning.” She swung her gaze to Carter. “You’re coming with us.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Carter tipped his hat and stood.
FORTY-FIVE
Piper Rio enjoyed working at the sheriff’s department. She liked people and came into contact with all walks of lives during her time there. Maggie had left her in charge of the counter for a time and explained how to take payments for fines and take down details from anyone calling in on the hotline about the CCTV footage collection. Something big was brewing in the office. Everyone had been holed up in Jenna’s office for over an hour. As they spilled down the stairs, she waved Rio over. “What’s happening?”
“We’re bringing in suspects for questioning.” Rio frowned. “I’m heading over to the Diamond Bar Ranch with Rowley. Make a note of where we’re going in the daybook.”
Nodding, Piper picked up a pen. “What about Jenna?”
“She’ll be with Kane and Carter. They’re going to stop by Living Things, the woodcarving store in town.” Rio slapped the table. “Gotta go.”
As she watched her brother follow Rowley out of the door, she made the notes in the daybook and looked up as Jenna stopped at the counter. “Maggie will be back in five minutes. No one has been by for ages.”
“Okay.” Jenna pulled on gloves. “We’ll be busy once we get back. I want you to order a variety of things for lunch. Order what you’d like for yourself as well. Sandwiches, bagels, cinnamon rolls, any assorted pastries are good. Everyone eats when they can during investigations, so speak to Susie or Wendy and they’ll know what we usually order, plus we’ll be feeding three extra men.” She turned as Kane came by with Carter and then looked back at her. “When it’s ready, will you drop by and collect it? That’s if Maggie is in the office.”
Nodding, Piper smiled at her. “Not a problem. What time do you want me to have it here?”
“Between twelve and one, we should be through interviewing the suspects by then.” Jenna pulled up the hood of her jacket and hurried after Kane.
After making a few notes and entering the team’s whereabouts in the daybook just as Maggie had taught her, she wandered through the office and collected the cups on Rio’s and Rowley’s desks. She carried them to the kitchenette and washed them. As she returned, she noticed Rio’s computer screen was active and couldn’t resist peeking at what he’d been doing. She sat at his desk and wiggled the mouse. The screen lit up with a page of files. She had heard about the Casanova Killer on the news and looked all around before clicking on the file of the same name. More files covered the screen and the crime scene image files caught her attention. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she clicked and opened the files. Horrified at the images flooding the screen, she swallowed hard and, hands trembling, closed the files and hurried back to the counter. The killer of those poor women was in town. He could be anywhere. Was one of the suspects the teams were bringing in for questioning the killer? Would she come face-to-face with him today? The idea sent a wave of nausea through her as she slipped back behind the desk. The sheriff’s office suddenly seemed very big and empty.
Needing to hear a friendly voice, Piper called Aunt Betty’s Café and spoke to Wendy. After explaining what she needed, Wendy told her to drop by at twelve-thirty and the order would be ready. A few moments later, Maggie walked back into the office. Piper heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at her. “The sheriff is out but they’ll all be back soon with suspects.”
“Good, you’ve made a note in the daybook.” Maggie dropped a book of raffle tickets on the counter and then rifled through the drawers and pulled out a cardboard cutout of a picture of the Her Broken Wings Foundation. She set this on the counter. “It’s the Thanksgiving fundraiser raffle. This year they’re holding an arts and crafts raffle at the townhall. Are you going?”
Piper shrugged. “I might. It depends on how much it costs to fix my truck.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Usually, I ask Kane to look at it, but he’s been too busy of late. I know he’ll be using all his downtime fixing his Harley.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Maggie frowned.
Rolling her eyes, Piper shrugged. “I have no idea. Sometimes it starts and other times it goes click, click, click. George at Miller’s Garage said he can take a look today or maybe tomorrow.”
She spent the next twenty minutes or so tidying the office. When it was quiet, Maggie just played on the computer. It was never the same. They had times when six or seven people would arrive and then no one for hours. With reluctance, she pulled out her tablet and sat down to study. The next moment, Jenna and Kane walked through the front door. Between them was a man who looked like Carter, but Carter and Zorro came in right behind them. Piper peered over her tablet, trying to get a better look at the suspect, but they all moved swiftly through the office and headed down to the interview rooms. She raised both eyebrows. Now, it’s getting interesting.
