Page 33 of State of Retribution

Sam handed her card to Brianna.“If you think of anything that might be relevant, even the smallest thing, please call me.Tell her other friends, too.We never know what might lead to a break in a case like this.”

“I saw on the news that two other people were killed the same way.”

“Yes.”

“Are they related?”

“We’re treating them as if they are, but we don’t know anything for certain yet.”

“Is there someone who could come and stay with you?”Freddie asked.

“My friends were here, and I asked for a little time to myself.They’ll be back later.And my parents are flying in from California.They loved Alexa, too.She was an honorary member of our family.”

“We won’t take any more of your time, but please reach out if there’s anything we can do for you, or if you think of anything we should know.”

Brianna got up to walk them to the door.“Thank you for coming by.I can’t imagine how busy you must be.It means a lot that you came.”

That right there was why Sam had wanted to make these visits, as hard as they were.

Sam reached out a hand to the young woman.“Alexa is mine now, and I won’t rest until we get justice for her and the others.”

Overcome, Brianna nodded, squeezed her hand and released it.

Sam took a feeling of outrage on behalf of Alexa and her friends with her as she went down the stairs.“I want to know who’s doing this, and I want to know it right the hell now.”

“Me, too.”

“Call IT and find out where we are with video from the areas where the attacks took place.Sergeant Walters is covering for Archie while he’s out.”

He pulled out his phone and made the call.

As bad as all murders were, the ones that were seemingly random, someone killing people going about their lives just for the fun of it or whatever, were the worst.

And Sam had a sinking feeling that the person or people doing the killing probably weren’t finished yet.

When they werein the SUV for the return trip to the District, Sam called Malone while Freddie was on the phone with Walters.

“How’s it going?”he asked.

“Dreadful few hours meeting with the victims’ families.I want a very big statement to the public about steering clear of poorly lit areas at night until we catch this person.”

“We’ve already made that statement.”

“Let’s make it again.Put it on the socials.Put it everywhere.Get some media coverage.Do whatever you can to sound the alarm.I also want to publicize the GoFundMe Alexa Prescott’s friends are doing to cover funeral expenses since she had no family to speak of.Cruz will send you a link.”

“I’ll take care of it.Are you okay?”

“I’m pissed.These people weren’t doing anything wrong, and now they’re dead.”

“I hear you.It’s terrible.Are you coming back for the Stahl meeting at three?”

“That’s the plan.”

“I was thinking that maybe you should sit it out, in light of your history with him and all that.”

“If there’s something I can do to help get justice for his other victims, I want to be part of that.”

“And I totally get why you feel that way.It’s just that… it might not be in your best interest.You know?”

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