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"Iknow, but--I think this is a lot bigger than one isolated incident. I found outabout another similar murder in Nevada at a different museum. It wasn't thesame traveling exhibit, but the MO is nearly identical, sir."
Thechief leaned forward, his interest piqued. "What do you mean, nearidentical?"
Fionaswallowed hard, her nerves getting the best of her. "Both victims werestabbed in the chest and had an insect left on their forehead. A caterpillar inNevada and a beetle here in Portland."
Thechief's expression darkened as he absorbed Fiona's words. "That's a prettyspecific MO. You're saying we could be dealing with a serial killer?"
Fionanodded, her voice shaking. "I know it sounds crazy, but the evidence isthere. And there's no telling where he might strike next."
Thechief leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Fiona. "Alright. I'llmake some calls. But I need more than just speculation before I can justifygetting involved in another department's case."
"Iunderstand," Fiona said, her mind already racing ahead to the next stepsin her investigation. "There's a witness who I talked to on thephone--Julian from the museum. He's the one who found the Nevada body.”
Justthen, another knock on the door, and the chief said, "Come in."
Jakepoked his head in, looking flustered. "I'm here. What's going on?"
"Sitdown, Tucker," the chief said, "I think we might all need totalk."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Fionaheld her breath as she sat in Chief Whittaker's office, Jake shifting nervouslybeside her. She had just explained everything to both of them--the phone callshe'd made, Julian's testimony, and how she was certain these two cases wereconnected.
"Andyou're sure the man on the phone said there was an insect on the victim'sforehead?" the chief said. "Because I've looked over the reports, Ms.Red, and the police didn't include it."
"Hesaid they must have omitted it," Fiona said. "But I never mentionedanything about the crime here, and he still brought it up, which tells me hewas being honest."
ChiefWhittaker leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on Fiona's face. "Isee," she said slowly. "Well, if what you're saying is true, then wemight be dealing with a serial killer who leaves insects on his victims'bodies."
Fionanodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "That's exactly what I wasthinking. And if that's the case, we need to act quickly. We can't afford towait until the killer strikes again."
Theroom fell silent as they all considered the implications of what Fiona had justsaid. The thought of a serial killer on the loose was enough to make anyone'sblood run cold.
Finally,Jake spoke up. "What do we do now?"
ChiefWhittaker went quiet for a few moments. Then, he said, "Let me make a fewphone calls. You two, wait in the hallway."
Fionaand Jake stood up and left the office, and Fiona's heart raced withanticipation. As they stood outside in the hallway, Fiona couldn't help butthink about the murderer at large. She wondered who he was, why he was doingthis. What could drive a person to commit such heinous acts? The questionsswirled around in her mind like a hurricane, and she could feel her anxietylevels rising rapidly.
"So,you really found a connection," Jake said, and Fiona's eyes snapped tohim. He offered her a lopsided smile. "I can't say I'm surprised, Red. Youweren't willing to give up."
Fionareturned Jake's smile, grateful for his support. "I couldn't let it go.Too much was at stake."
"Iknow," Jake said, his voice low and serious. "But now that we'vefound a connection, it's up to the chief what role we get to play inthis."
Fionanodded, biting her lip.
As ifon cue, Chief Whittaker emerged from his office, his face grim. Fiona's heartraced with anticipation; this was the moment of truth.
"Alright,"Chief Whittaker said, his voice a gravelly baritone. "I just got approvalfor you two to take on the case." His tired eyes seemed to gleammomentarily with renewed purpose. "This is your chance to prove you'reright for it."
Fiona'spulse leapt. Finally, she could get her hands on this case for real.
"Thankyou, sir," Fiona and Jake chorused. They were itching to leave, to diveinto the mystery that had haunted them for so long now. But as they turned togo, Whittaker held up a hand.
"Wait,Fiona. I'd like a word with you alone."
Fionablinked, surprised. She nodded at Jake, who gave her an encouraging smilebefore slipping up the hallway.
