Page 44 of So Savage

She shook her head.“I can’t take a break.Our killer’s still on the loose, and he’s moving fast.”

“Go take a nap,” he repeated.“You’ve been up for almost thirty-six hours.The military branches in the area are discontinuing training activities and restricting their handlers from traveling alone.I understand your concerns, but if we’re going to find this guy, I need you to be one hundred percent.No offense, but I think your exhaustion has left you a little burned out.”

Faith wanted to protest, but she knew he was right.It wasn’t just exhaustion affecting her either.It was the sight of Delgado bringing up memories of her own ordeal in the hospital.It was the fact that her real partner was back in Philadelphia handling the case she should have been running while she was in Minnesota dealing with a killer whose methods brought back the worst memories of her life.

She nodded.“All right.I’ll drive the truck back to the station and take a nap in the cab.Call me if you get any more information or if Delgado wakes up.”

“If you’re gonna nap in the cab, then park the car outside and keep the engine running and the heater on.Otherwise, you’ll freeze to death.”

She chuckled.“Maybe I’ll just help myself to one of the killer’s darts and slow my metabolism enough to survive extreme cold.”He stared at her for a moment, and she sighed.“Yeah, that was a bad joke.You’re right, I need sleep.”

“Maybe keep the truck parked in the hospital lot instead of driving back to the station.”

“Yeah.Good idea.”

She got to her feet and headed for the exit, just as Marcus’s phone rang.When he answered and said, “You found him?”she spun around and rushed back to the table.

“They have James Cooper?”she asked.

Marcus held up a hand.“And you’ve positively identified him?”After a brief pause, he smiled.“Wonderful.We’re on our way.”

He hung up and looked at Faith.“I take it back.They got James Cooper.You’ll have to nap later.”

“That’s fine with me,” Faith replied.

“And I’m driving.”

She handed him the keys.“Fine with me too.Come on, boy!”

Turk got to his feet and followed the two investigators from the room.Faith was no longer exhausted.In fact, there was a bounce in her step as they walked across the parking lot to the truck.

Just when they hit a wall, another path had opened up.They hadn’t lost yet.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Faith’s first impression of James Cooper was that he had given up on life.He made no attempt to resist as he was led into the interrogation room and didn’t protest his innocence or show any sign of concern at his situation.When Turk bared his teeth, James ignored him, and other than glancing briefly at the two agents, he offered no greeting.

He sat with his shoulders slumped, his eyes downcast, his face otherwise expressionless.His disheveled clothes sported tears, holes and several days’ worth of dirt and grime.His hair—close-cropped in his driver license photo—spread out in a tangled, matted mop.He had a beard that was equally tangled and matted.

But in those downcast eyes, Faith could see a spark of anger and frustration at the injustices he believed he had suffered.He might not have hope for his future, but he was angry.That was enough to make some men kill.

Marcus started the interrogation.“This interview will be recorded.Do you understand?”

James didn’t reply.Marcus shared a look with Faith and tried again.“Mr.Cooper, we need to record this interview for your safety and for ours.Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”

James lifted his eyes to Marcus.Faith thought he was going to stonewall them again, but he nodded slowly.

Marcus pressed the record button and said, “Will you please state your name for the record?”

“James Cooper.”

James had a deep basso voice that hard living had roughened into a gravelly rumble.Other than that, his voice was toneless.No emotion leaked through.

“Mr.Cooper, do you understand why you’re here?”

“You believe I murdered some people,” James replied.

Faith named them."Master Sergeant Thomas Reeves, USMC, Staff Sergeant Kevin Walsh, U.S.Army, and Technical Sergeant Maria Delgado, USAF."

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