The head of the unit introduced himself as Lieutenant Gibbons, then pointed out the other workers by name. A redheaded woman named Petunia, a chubby guy named Larry, a rail-thin guy with funky glasses named Jerry, and the guy with the dog was named Herbert.
Amanda explained what theyd discovered so far and handed over the shoe to be bagged and sent to the lab. The next hour they scoured the area in case Kelly had somehow escaped, but finally even the dog team gave up.
Well take a cast of the tire print, Lieutenant Gibbons said. And were going over the car with a magnifying glass.
Run the paint sample through the lab, too, Justin said. Maybe the paint was custom designed for a particular vehicle.
Amanda checked her watch. Its getting late, but I want to talk to the bridal party tonight. She removed her phone and called Fisher. Call everyone in the bridal party and tell them to meet me at the sheriffs office in half an hour.
Did you find something? The young mans voice warbled as if hed been crying.
Well talk when Sergeant Thorpe and I get there.
She disconnected, dread balling in her stomach. Telling Kellys fiancé and father about finding the car would be difficult. If theyd harbored any shred of hope that Kelly had simply gone away for a couple of days without telling anyone, the fact that theyd found blood would kill that hope.
* * *
JUSTIN STUDIED THE group of young men and women whod gathered in the sheriffs office.
Kellys bridesmaids and best friendsBetty Jacobs, Anise Linton, Mona Pratt and Eleanor Gogginswere all attractive women in their twenties, although they were a mixture of brunettes, blondes and redheads.
Any one of them could have fit the profile of the victims whod disappeared over the past few years. So far, the kidnapper didnt have a clear MO, which had slowed down the police in connecting the cases in the beginning. Normally a kidnapper/killer chose a certain typeall blondes or brunettes or redheads. This unsub seemed to have no preference for hair color or body type or career choice.
Except they were all in their twenties and lived in Texas.
The groomsmen looked nervous as they settled into wooden chairs. Glenn Cates, Danny Latt and Lance Stephens. Fishers father, Ernie, was his best man. He stood beside his son with a hand on his shoulder.
Raymond looked even worse tonight, the strain of the day wearing on him.
Amanda had taken Kellys father to her back office to explain to him about the car and their findings.
I want to thank you all for coming, Justin said.
Did you find Kelly? Mr. Fisher asked.
Justin shook his head. Im afraid not, but we did find her car.
Raymond jerked his head up, while the others exchanged worried looks.
Where? Ernie Fisher asked.
Out on Old River Mill Road.
What was she doing there? Raymond asked.
Justin crossed his arms, studying the group for their reactionsany sign that one of them might have already known about the car. But he caught no signs of deceit on their faces, only fear and worry.
Our tech department studied the text that you received, Mr. Fisher, the one supposedly sent from Kelly telling you she was spending the night with Betty.
What do you mean, supposedly sent?
That text was sent from a burner phone, not from Kellys. That same phone sent a message to Kelly asking her to meet the person out on Old River Mill Road.
Fishers eyes widened in horror. Someone tricked her into going out there.
Thats correct, Justin said. Whoever
it was sent you that text so you wouldnt realize she was missing until the next day.
Gasps and whispers rumbled through the group.
Raymond paced over to Justin, his breath wheezing out. Someone kidnapped her, didnt they?
Justin swallowed hard. It appears that way, Mr. Fisher. Her car had been run off the road and crashed into a ditch. We also found a small amount of blood on the seat.
Fishers face crumpled with emotions. Oh, my god. She might be...hurt or gone like those other women.
Why her? Betty sniffled. Everyone loved Kelly.
She was so excited about her wedding, the girl named Anise said.
And the shower, Eleanor added. She couldnt wait to open the gifts and move into her new house.
Mona wiped tears from her eyes and hugged Eleanor.
Justin made a low sound in his throat. Can any of you think of anyone whod want to hurt her?
Heads shook, mumbled nos resounding through the room.
Amanda stepped from the back with Lambert who looked ashen-faced and distraught. Please call us if you receive a ransom call, Amanda told him.
He nodded, then looked over at Fisher, pain radiating from him. Have you heard anything, Ray?
Raymond shook his head no, rubbing his bleary eyes.
Amanda rapped her fingers on the desk. Ladies, Id like to talk to you individually.
And I need to interview each of the groomsmen, Justin added.
Mumbled questions and protests sounded.
One of the groomsmen, Lance, scowled, his arms crossed. You think one of us had something to do with her disappearance?
Thats not what were implying, Amanda cut in. But you might be able to help in some way. You do want to find Kelly, dont you?