Page 30 of Serial Love

“Yeah, but college recruiters only work for one college, and they’re limited by geographical caseloads,” Chad remarked.

“Keep brainstorming,” Jack ordered. “We can eliminate later.”

The group continued to throw out ideas as the meeting went on. They added truck drivers, pilots, athletes, sportsmen, retail buyers, photographers, consultants, and the list kept going.

“This is never-ending,” Bart growled.

Jack’s emergency number lit up and he took the call. The others watched carefully as his face grew hard. “Right. We’ll be there.”

Looking over his group, he reported, “A decomposed body has been found in the woods about a mile from Washington College. Preliminary says it could be Nola Talbot.”

“Who do you want on it, boss?” Marc asked.

“I’m going,” Jack replied. “Monty, you coordinate with the FBI on this and I’ll take Chad and Blaise.”

“Boss,” Cam said softly. “Let one of us take the lead. You’ve got a date tomorrow night.”

Jack shook his head, a flash of regret in his eyes, before he growled, “No. I’ve got this. I need you, Bart, and Marc to get to the other medical examiners and interview them personally. I want to know if anyone else had impressions about the cuts. None of the other girls’ cuts seemed to be in a pattern but find out if the sex to throat kill was something anyone else thought. Luke?”

“I know, boss. I’m working it.”

The group dispersed, each moving out to take care of business until they were ready to travel. Jack watched them leave and then made his way to the kitchen where he washed the cobbler dish. Sighing heavily, he made his call.

That evening as he, Chad, and Blaise drove out, his thoughts were on the beautiful blonde. She had assured him that she understood and to call her when he got back into town. She even promised she would dress up for the occasion and get out of her jeans. He joked that he would not mind her being out of her jeans. Laughing, they hung up, but his heart was heavy.

As the night road passed them by, he forced his thoughts to the task tomorrow. Dealing with the decomposed body of another young woman.

He watched her leave the library again. The last time, she had gone straight to the dorm, but tonight she metwith a small group, and they were walking in the opposite direction.Where are you going, my pretty?Following at a distance, his lip curled in disgust as they entered a bar. Adjusting his mustache, he paid the cover fee and walked into the dimly lit atmosphere. It was crowded and the loud, live music irritated him. To add to his agitation, he lost her in the crowd. Seeing stairs to the side, he made his way up and found an opening at the rail looking down.Yes, there you are.Her hands were raised above her head, her hips grinding to the beat of the music.And that man, his dick pressed into your ass. I knew it. You all turn into sluts at some time.He slid his hand discreetly down to his crotch, pressing his palm against his cock until it hurt.You’re making me hurt, you little bitch.He smiled slowly, continuing to massage himself to erection.But your time’s coming. Then I’ll make you hurt.

Jack, Chad, and Blaise watched as the medical examiner began his work on the body. There was little left after animals had devoured and dragged off several bones. Her right skeletal arm was intact, and it was obvious—her right index finger was missing.

With little flesh left on the body, the medical examiner was unable to discern weapon of death, but the missing finger tied this into the same pattern as their killer. Jack, as the doctor was comparing the dental records to the teeth, stared at the remains.No family. No parents to check with. Foster placement in high school.Rageat a lone young woman whom life had already abandoned, in college trying to make something of herself only to end up on a slab in a medical examiner’s office—Fuck!

“She’s Nola Talbot. Positive identification based on dental records,” the examiner stated definitively.

Nodding to his men, Jack turned to walk outside. At the door, he turned back around, staring at the remains one last time. Lifting his eyes to the examiner, he said, “When you’re all done with her, contact me. I’ll pay for her burial.”

If the doctor was surprised, he did not show it. He had paid for a few burials himself over the years. He just nodded and turned back to his duties.

Chad and Blaise shared a look, unsurprised as well.

Back in the SUV driving home, the three were silent for the first part of the trip, each lost in their own thoughts.

“Call the others. We meet when we get in,” Jack ordered and both men immediately began texting.

Blaise added, “Boss, if you wanted to take an evening off to go ou?—”

“Nope. Meeting.”

The two men nodded, knowing their boss’ mind was not going to change about the evening. They just hoped that it would not change about Bethany.

The men had just met back at Jack’s and had begun to process the new information when Monty called.

“Hate to dump this on you, but there’s been another one.”

Jack had him on speaker and growled, “Damn, go ahead.”

“Just got a call from my FBI contact who hasn’t even called the Governor yet. Virginia University in Charlestown. Same MO. I’m heading there now. Figured you’d want to be there as well.”

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