Page 76 of Dirty Valentine
Doug showed a larger expanse of the map.“This is the east side of the property.”
More satellite imagery filled the screens.The marshy property stretched for acres along the river, mostly wetlands and forest.But there were hints of other structures.
“What’s that?”Daniels pointed to a clearing about a quarter mile from the main cabin.
Doug zoomed in.“Looks like an old structure.Maybe one that was torn down.”
“Can Margot overlay a historical survey of that area?”Jack asked.
“I can do anything for you, sugar,” Margot purred, making the team chuckle.
Margot hmmed absently, and not for the first time I shuddered at the thought of what the future looked like.Not nearly enough people had seenThe Terminator.
She overlaid the historical survey on the map that was already on the screen.“This looks to be the original homestead on the property, but as you can see the waterline has changed dramatically over the centuries.There’s also what seems to be a stone circle of some sort here.”
“Stone circle?”Cole asked.“Like Stonehenge?”
“On a smaller scale, yes,” Margot said.“During the witch trials, those who were knowledgeable about herbs and healing often sought stone circles at certain times of the year, believing that the natural gifts the earth had to offer—like the moon rising or the summer solstice—enhanced their healing gifts.”
“Maybe Bridget really was a witch,” I said.
Jack’s phone rang, and I saw it was dispatch.He put it on speaker.
“Lawson,” he said.
“The Escalade you requested the BOLO for has been found,” dispatch said.“There’s an archaeological site off Cedar Creek Road where it was abandoned.Walters and Durrant are responding officers.”
“Patch me through,” Jack said, and waited for dispatch to connect him.
“Sheriff,” Walters said.“Durrant and I are here on scene.”
“What do you have?”Jack asked.
“No one inside the vehicle.There’s blood on the passenger seat, just a small amount.And there’s a note.It says,Where truth was buried, justice will rise.”
Jack’s hand flexed into a fist, and he punched the top of the desk.Jack wasn’t a man to ever let his emotions get the best of him, and I knew he was hanging on by a thread.
“I want every available unit out there,” Jack said.“Search every dig site.Look for recently disturbed areas.Coordinate with maintenance and get spotlights set up.”
“Yes, sir,” Walters said and disconnected.
He paced back and forth, like a tiger trapped in a cage, his mind lost in thought.
“Jack,” I said, and I waited until he looked at me.“Remember what you said.She thinks she’s smarter than everyone else.Do you really think she’d make it so easy?”
“No,” he said.“But I can’t take the chance.Just in case we’re wrong.I want the team here to suit up.We’re going to pay Evangeline a visit.”
“You should go in by water,” Margot said.“It will take you closest to the stone circle.”
“Good thinking, Margot.”
Jack’s phone rang again, though it was a number he didn’t recognize.
“Lawson,” he said, and I could hear the weariness in his voice this time.
“Sheriff Lawson?”a deep voice asked.“This is Dr.Patel at King George Hospital.We have a situation with your witness, Judith Hughes.”
Jack’s expression darkened.“What kind of situation?”
