Page 122 of Forever Gone

The killings arranged themselves with sudden clarity.

Selena placed Karen’s packet beside the photograph of the ruined word processor.

“The tongues weren’t trophies. Carol was punishing speech. These women told her to leave, and she decided their words cost her Andrew.”

Kelly glanced between the files. “Then why keep using MorningGlory44?”

“At first, repetition. Carol kept giving the same advice because she needed to believe it. Once Andrew remarried, she stopped posting publicly and used private messages to stay close to the women she blamed. The account changed from reassurance into surveillance.”

Dates appeared throughout the handwritten notes. The earliest entries began within days of Andrew’s wedding and continued through the week Karen died. Carol had spent the intervening months identifying the women, learning their routines, and waiting until each one became vulnerable.

“And Karen’s machine?”

“She advised Carol in writing, then went to the cabin to write a book. Carol destroyed the machine and removed her tongue. Both acts punished the means by which Karen spoke.”

Ruth and Linda’s photographs waited beneath the lamp.

“Carol killed them for telling her what she wanted to hear,” Kelly said.

“She killed them because accepting responsibility would mean admitting she chose to leave.”

The fourth packet remained on the desk.

Kelly opened it fully. Notes listed Harry’s Print Shop, a late lunch after one, William Screech Square, a move from Elmsview to Eagleton, and a residential address.

At the bottom, Carol had written:

FRIDAY. 8:00.

Selena checked her watch.

Seven twenty-six.

“The first three packets have murder dates,” Kelly said. “This one has tonight.”

Selena called Connor and put him on speaker while Kelly photographed the fourth file.

“We have another target,” Selena said. “Blond woman, mid-forties, connected to a place called Harry’s Print Shop. HearthSpace username BlueSkies36.”

Keys clicked at Connor’s end. “Dana’s checking.”

“Carol knows her. There’s a note for eight tonight. I think Carol might be about to kill this woman.”

A pause followed.

Connor returned to the line. “Wait a minute… Jesus, I know her. Deb Mosley. She works at Harry’s Print Shop. I’ve got an address here.”

The name struck Selena with the weight of the scene they had not yet reached. Carol’s Civic was gone. Deb’s packet contained the only future time in the room.

“Send every available unit to the address,” Selena said.

“No other patrol can reach her in under thirty minutes,” Connor said. “Chuck and Kelvin are still with you.”

“Kelly and I will go. Kelvin can follow once Carol’s house is secured for evidence.”

Selena took the fourth photograph and the page marked Friday.

Selena pressed the transmit button on her radio. “Chuck, secure the house and keep everyone out until the evidence team arrives. Kelvin, help him check the perimeter and seal the entrances, then follow us to Deb Mosley’s address.”