Page 210 of Hidden Nature

“Watching her house, at that time.”

“So stalking became the grab through circumstance. They had to be prepared for circumstance. They may be psychos, Nash, but they’re organized and prepared. They have a place they can take them, a place, when they’re done, they can dispose of the bodies. They have a purpose.”

“What’s the purpose?”

On a frustrated breath, she leaned back. “That’s a question. If they’re fanatics, and the common denominator of the victims indicates that, it may be human sacrifice.”

“Well now. That’s a cheery thought.”

“It’s the one I keep circling back to. It could be revenge over a loved one who wasn’t saved—but they don’t go after the medical team. Detective O’Hara tells me the task force is looking into fringe cults and groups.”

“Task force? And you’re not on it?”

Since she intended to stay, Sloan topped off her wine.

“No.”

“And that doesn’t piss you off? It pisses me off.”

She toasted him, drank. “Thanks, but I’m okay with it. You’ve got three states involved, the feds, multiple jurisdictions, and none of the abductions happened on public land. The DNR has jurisdiction throughout the state, but including me added one more agency.”

“Fuck that.” Rising, he took their plates to load in the dishwasher. “You’re the one who made the connection, who found the common denominator.”

“You helped with that.”

“Maybe that’s why I’m pissed off. You handed it to them—the motive, purpose, whatever the hell you want to call it. And they exclude you?”

“O’Hara’s reading me in on a consultant basis—with approval. I’m really fine with it, but boy, I appreciate the outrage on my behalf.”

She propped her elbow on the counter, her chin on her fist. “It’s nice to have someone in the pissed-off mode I talked myself out of.”

He turned. “Why did you do that?”

“If I still worked in the Criminal Investigative Bureau, I wouldn’t have. I’d have stayed pissed off, and I’d have pushed—and hard—to be included.”

“What difference does that make?”

“A lot, it turns out. I made a big change in and for my life. A choice,” she added. “Not the big, giant, dramatic change and choice you did, but a big one. I’m not just content with it, but happier with it than I expected to be.

“This investigation’s important to me. It started with Janet Anderson because when she was taken, I felt helpless, weak, ripped out of my element. I’ve had the chance and the time to rebuild. She never will.”

“You’re in it for her.”

“For her, and now the six others I’ve found. Initially I considered making a case to bring me on. O’Hara would back me there. So would my captain. But I realized I like working it alone, my way, my time.”

She reached out a hand so he’d come back and sit.

“I like,” she added, “talking it through with you. You bring a different perspective than Joel does. I like you’re willing to listen and give that perspective.”

“Hooked,” he reminded her. “And talking serial killers is a break from tackling an unfinished basement—that’s tomorrow, and not mine. Or looking at paint samples, fixtures, and finishing the built-ins for the library that will be mine.”

“You’ve started them?”

“Barely.”

“I’d love to see.”

“Give it a day or two. Besides, I’m on my serial killer break.”

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