Page 38 of The Drowned Woman
Leah remained at the bar separating the kitchen from the living room, but when Luka began questioning Risa, Jack quietly moved from the kitchen to Risa’s chair. He said nothing, simply sat on the arm of the chair, one hand on Risa’s shoulder, offering his silent support.
“Last April 1st. You can see the timestamp on the first email. The video about the man hit by the train came a few weeks later but I don’t have any proof of that; it was sent by a text that deleted itself.”
“And who else have you told about his correspondence?”
“Me,” Dom said, chest thrust out as if it was a point of pride, his gaze not on Luka but rather on Jack. Leah had the feeling it wasn’t the first time the two men had competed for Risa’s attention. “I’m her agent, Risa tells me everything.”
“It wasn’t until a few months later—May or June, last year—after I’d hired a private cybersecurity consultant, that I told Dom,” Risa corrected him.
“That consultant was Ian Wright?”
“Yes. I contacted him through the college, thought that way I’d be sure to get someone reputable. After he couldn’t track the stalker via my computer, we asked my most frequent contacts to allow Ian to check their computers for malware and tracking software.”
“Contacts? Including Mr. Massimo?”
“Right. And my editors at the news bureau along with a few research contacts. Since I became ill and began working from home, I haven’t been in touch with as many people as I used to be.” She grimaced and shrugged one shoulder.
“The stalker seems well aware of your illness. How many people know about it?”
“That’s my fault,” Dom interjected before Risa could answer. “When it became clear that Risa’s condition precluded any travel, I put out feelers, called in some favors to get her work she could do from home.” Then he aimed a glance at Jack. “Not that it was any secret. Jack started a fundraising campaign to help Risa with medical expenses.”
Luka nodded his understanding and returned his attention to Risa. “Ms. Saliba, have you noticed anyone taking an unusual interest in your activities?”
Risa seemed surprised by the question. “No. But I don’t actually have many usual activities—lately I haven’t even left the apartment.”
“Because of your medical condition?”
She hesitated, raising a hand to cover Jack’s. “No. Because of Ian Wright’s murder. I thought, maybe, his death could be tied to my stalker.”
Leah noticed that Jack’s jaw tightened at Risa’s admission, but he said nothing, only squeezed her hand.
“And yet you never reported your stalker to the police,” Luka said, his tone calm—too calm, like a cat waiting to pounce.
Leah turned to Risa. “But you did. You said—”
“I said I’d spoken to the police. And I have. I’ve chased down every lead the stalker left, trying to confirm his victims. Without evidence, no one would believe me. Several threatened me with charges of making a false report.” She kept her expression and tone business-like despite her obvious frustration. “So, no, Detective Sergeant. When an expert like Ian Wright couldn’t track my stalker, I realized there was no way your department would be able to. I did submit a cybercrime complaint to the FBI but never heard back from them.”
“Do you have documentation of any of that? A copy of your report to the FBI?”
Jack jumped up, taking a stance between Risa and Luka. “Are you calling her a liar?”
Before Luka could answer, Harper returned, her phone held up in front of her. “Boss, you’re going to want to see this.” She handed the phone to Luka. “The message led to a webpage.”
He peered at the screen. Leah had the urge to step closer, to try to see what he saw, but it was Dom who actually sidled up to Luka, shamelessly reading over his shoulder.
“It’s addressed to Risa,” Dom said.
“What’s it say?” Jack asked.
Luka said nothing, simply cleared his throat and handed the phone back to Harper. “Go ahead, read it,” he told her, stepping back, his posture rigid as he observed the others’ reactions to the message.
Harper began,“My dearest Obituary Reader, You’re the one person I can trust with these insights because even if you went to the police, there’s nothing to lead back to me. I know you’re hungry for details, facts you can check and validate and use to springboard your investigation. I’ve whetted your appetite, perhaps given you a new reason to live given the pathetic prison your health has sentenced you to? I hope so. In fact, my guess is that Detective Sergeant Jericho is there with you now, reading this. You have my permission to share everything with him. He, of all people, will take an interest in my very first kill. After all, he was engaged to her. Her name was Cherise.”
The phone shook in Harper’s hand and she turned to glance at Luka. He blinked rapidly and jerked his chin, nodding at her to continue. Leah was certain no one except her noticed his reaction; everyone else was focused on Harper. But then she saw that Risa was staring at Luka as well.
Harper continued,“Luka will think I’m lying, taking advantage of the fact that it’s public knowledge that he’d be lead investigator on any violent crime committed in your city. But I’d never not tell you the truth, my dear Obituary Reader. You’re the one person I trust to chronicle my achievements; I’d never tarnish our relationship with tawdry lies. Tell Luka to open the encrypted image below. Welcome to the game, Detective Sergeant Jericho. Just call me Chaos.”
Everyone was silent as Harper finished. “Sanchez told me not to click on the image, but he’s going to decrypt it, run it through software to make sure it’s not infected, and text it to you.”
