I shook my headno to both questions. Briggss hand fell back to his side. He clenched his jaw again. For the second time, Dean intervened.
All Cassie did was give a copy of the case file to me.
Every pair of eyes in the room turned to Dean. Normally, he stood and walked like someone who wanted to disappear into the woodwork, but today, his shoulders were back, his jaw set.
I read the file. I profiled it. And I think Cassies right. Dean leveled his gaze at Agent Briggs. These women are stand-ins, and I think theres a very real chance that the person theyre standing in for is Cassies mother.
Youve never even seen the Lorelai Hobbes case file, Briggs shot back. My mothers name hit me like a punch to the stomach.
Ive seen Cassies mothers picture, Dean argued. Ive seen the human hair that someone just sent to Cassie as a gift.
Briggs listened to every word Dean had to say, an intense look of concentration on his face. Youre not authorized to work this case, he said finally.
Dean shrugged. I know.
You are not going to be working this case.
I know.
Im going to pretend that we never had this conversation.
Liar, Lia coughed.
Briggs was not amused. You may leave the room, Lia.
Lia clasped her hands together. Oh, Mother, may I?
Dean made a choking sound. I wasnt entirely certain, but he might have been swallowing a laugh.
Now, Lia.
After a long moment and a glare aimed at the room as a whole, Lia twirled on her toes and stalked out of the room. Once he was sure Lia was gone, Agent Briggs turned to Agent Locke. Do you think this case is related to the Lorelai Hobbes case?
I didnt flinch when he said my mothers name a second time. I concentrated on the fact that Lia was correct: Briggs had no intention of forgetting what Dean had told him.
I think Cassies right .
I dont know that it matters whether the two cases are related or not, Locke answered finally. Cassies hair is red. Shes a bit younger than the other victims, but otherwise, she fits the profile of this killers victims, and more importantly, our UNSUB is escalating. If you assume the last victims hair was dyed as a message, that means this guy is playing with us. And if hes playing with us, theres a sizable chance that hes watching us. Agent Locke rubbed the back
of her hand wearily over her brow. If hes watching us, he could have followed us here, and if he followed us here, he could have seen Cassie.
Briggss phone rang before he could reply. By the time he hung up, I already knew what the next words out of his mouth were going to be.
Weve got another body.
YOU
You watch the FBI agents scurrying around the crime scene like ants. This particular corpse is not your best work. You killed her last night, and already, her screams have faded from your ears. Her face is still recognizablemore or less.You used scissors this time instead of your knife .
But thats not the point. Not this time. This time, the point is that the gift you sent sweet little Cassandra Hobbes was the real thing.
The pathetic little slut lying lifeless on the pavement is just a piece of the plan. You abandoned her body at dawn, knowing that it wouldnt be discovered immediately. Youd hopedprayed, eventhat Cassie would be there when the agents got the call.
Did you scream when you opened the box, Cassie? Did you think about me? Am I the thought that keeps you up at night? Theres so much you want to ask her .
So much you want to tell her .
The rest of the world will never understand. The FBI will never know the inner workings of your brain .
Theyll never know how close you are .
But Cassieshes going to know everything. The two of you are connected. Cassie is her mothers daughterand thats as close as youre ever going to get .
CHAPTER 28
Ill accept gifts in lieu of an apology, Lia told Agent Locke. Any time now is fine.
Locke didnt reply. The three of usalong with Briggs, Michael, and Deanwere in Briggss study. Sloane was nowhere to be seen.
You sent me a piece of hair . I couldnt keep from talking to the killer in my head, couldnt keep from thinking about the present and what it meant that the UNSUB had sent it to me. Was she screaming when you cut it off? Did you use the scissors to cut her afterward? Was it ever even about her? Or was it about me? About my mother?
Am I in danger? I sounded remarkably calm, like my question was just a piece of the puzzle and not a matter of life and deathspecifically, mine.
What do you think? Locke asked.
Briggs narrowed his eyes, like he couldnt believe she was using this as a teaching opportunity, but I answered the question anyway.
I think this UNSUB wants to kill me, but I dont think he wants to kill me yet.
This is insane. Michael had that look on his facethe one that told me he wanted to hit someone. Cassie, are you even listening to yourself? He turned to Briggs. Shes in shock.
She is standing right here, I said, but I didnt contradict the rest of Michaels statement. Given his ability
to read people, I had to assume that he might be right. Maybe I was in shock. I couldnt deny the fact that my emotions were on lockdown.