Page 72 of Chilled

“We didn’t think you’d mind if we opened it.” Chief Burkholder spoke from the doorway.

“Hi, Chief.” Brenna shrugged. “I’m glad you did. I’m tired of the notes. Hell, I’m tired, period. What did he say this time?”

“He didn’t say anything,” the chief said.

“Huh?”

Melissa held up a sheet of paper. “He sent us a map.”

“A map?” Brenna leaned close to the paper. It was a computer printout of an online map with two bright red stars near the center of the page.

“We figure it’s the locations of Gomez and Carmichael. He’s impatient for us to find his little presents.” Chief Burkholder sighed. “I have a forensics team on their way out to both locations.”

“What about the map? Can we get any information from it?” Brenna wanted to take the map from Melissa, but she didn’t dare without gloves.

“I’m working that angle.” Paul sat with his gaze intent on the computer screen. “I have a buddy in the bureau who traced the Maury Travis case in St. Louis. He’s already working to pinpoint the IP address of the computer that generated this map.”

“How long do you think it’ll take?” Brenna asked.

“No telling.” Paul tapped a pen on the desk. “It took them four days on the Travis case.”

Her chest squeezed tightly as she thought about all the people the killer could take out in that time frame. “We don’t have four days. This guy tried to kill Robin last night.”

“We have two cops on her room at the hospital. He’d be a fool to try killing her after last night.” The chief slipped an arm around Brenna’s shoulder. “Heard you went for a swim to get her out of that truck.”

A chill shivered its way down her spine despite the warmth of the chief’s arm. “That’s right. Unfortunately, Jason Conlin didn’t make it.”

A cell phone chirped, and everyone in the room glanced down at his or her cell phones. It was the chief’s.

“Chief Burkholder.” As he listened, every gaze in the room was on him.

Brenna held her breath.

When he finally ended the call, he sighed. “They found Gomez’s and Carmichael’s bodies.”

“Damn.” Melissa walked to the whiteboard and made notes of the locations and dates as the chief relayed the information.

“That wasn’t all, they said.” The chief stared around the room at the team assembled.

“What? Another body?” Paul asked.

“No. The levy is leaking like a freakin’ sieve, and it’s only a matter of time before it breaks. The mayor and emergency management team have issued an immediate evacuation order for the city.”

Brenna’s heart thumped against her ribcage. “Great. Nothing like a flood to get in the way of catching a murderer.” She’d been through the last flood and knew the chaos of a citywide evacuation. “Geez, he could take out anybody, anywhere, anytime. This is going to be a disaster.”

Chief Burkholder shook his head. “And we’re going to need every cop on the force to direct traffic out of town. We won’t have enough for the evacuation, much less to watch out for every single woman.” He hurried to the door and yelled, “Sergeant Behrendt!”

The desk sergeant raced into the room a minute later. “Yes, sir?”

“Mobilize every available man. The city is under a mandatory evacuation order issued by the mayor.”

“Yes, sir.” The sergeant spun and left the room to carry out the orders.

Melissa stood beside the whiteboard, her gaze on the empty doorway. “Where will everyone go?”

“Bismarck, Minot, and some of the smaller towns in between. The emergency management team will notify nearby towns and cities to expect evacuees.” He gave them a twisted smile. “You guys are on your own. Let me know if you need anything from the force. I have a city to clear.”

Paul reached for his cell phone. “Time for our fearless leader to come to work.”

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