Page 102 of Forever Gone

The murder board waited behind them.

Karen Sloane. Ruth Keller. Linda Mercer.

Their photographs seemed to hold the room in judgment.

Selena checked her email again. Nothing.

Connor stood near the coffee machine, reading a report from the deputies who had searched the land around the barn where Linda’s body was found. Matt’s team had checked the tire impressions and partial footwear marks, but the ground had been disturbed by weather, wildlife, and old farm traffic. No result had yet separated the killer from everyone else who had used the track, not even the tracks Connor had photographed himself.

Connor closed the report. “We should call it a night.”

Selena glanced at the time in the corner of her screen. “The judge could approve the warrant any minute.”

“We’ve said that for the last two hours.”

Kelly checked the service records again. “Even if it arrives tonight, HearthSpace’s compliance team won’t produce anything immediately. They’ll still have to match the IP addresses to accounts and collect the approved records. The request covers account metadata correlated to the victims’ exact connection times, shared private-group memberships, and communications only for accounts that meet the approved correlation criteria.”

Selena knew both of them were right. The request covered the victims’ login records, associated usernames, private-group memberships, and communications within the approved date range. The judge had returned the first version for narrower correlation windows and tighter limits on the records HearthSpace could produce. Revising it had cost them hours, but pushing for broader access would only risk another rejection.

Every delay gave the killer time to choose someone else.

“And the night shift can call us if it comes through.” Connor placed the report on the table. “We’ve been here since this morning.”

Kelly removed her glasses and rubbed both temples. “I wouldn’t mind the rest after staring at this screen all day.”

Selena wanted to argue. The three photographs made rest feel undeserved, but another hour would not force a judge to move faster.

“All right,” she said. “We’ll start again early.”

Kelly saved her work. Connor switched off the display beside the murder board, leaving the victims’ photographs under the softer wall lights.

They gathered their coats and files, then crossed the station together.

Cheryl had gone home. A younger dispatcher sat at the front desk with a headset over one ear and a paperback open beside the console. Two night deputies were reviewing patrol assignments near the entrance. Connor stopped to remind them that any message from the circuit court or HearthSpace’s legal department required an immediate call.

Outside, the cold had sharpened.

The rain from earlier had left the parking lot wet, and wind pushed loose leaves around the county vehicles. Connor walked toward his SUV while Selena unlocked her sedan. Kelly opened the passenger door and placed her bag on the floor.

Connor paused beside his vehicle.

“Aw, look at you two,” he called. “Going back to your motel together.”

Selena rested one arm on the roof of the sedan. “I’m the designated driver. This one was up last night putting shots away with Eric Wilson.”

Kelly stopped halfway into the car. “I had a few drinks. I wasn’t running a saloon.”

Connor’s mouth lifted. “Watch that one. Eric used to be fast with the ladies.”

“I can handle myself, thanks,” Kelly said.

“I’m sure you can.”

Connor’s phone sounded.

The change in him came before he read the screen. His shoulders tightened. The faint humor disappeared as he turned slightly away from them.

Selena watched him open the message.