Page 30 of In Her Wake
“It’s museum quality,” Jenna explained, sharing what Liza had told her.“Amberson Museum Figures made it—a high-end manufacturer that went out of business about ten years ago.The face is a custom silicone mask, made with exceptional detail.”
Spelling raised an eyebrow.“You seem remarkably well-informed about this...creation.”
“I consulted an expert,” Jenna said simply.“A sculptor who is familiar with that company’s work.”
“The clothes are what concern us most,” Jake added.“According to Marjory’s boss, these are exactly what she was wearing yesterday when they had lunch together.Which suggests—”
“That Mrs.Powell was abducted and stripped of her clothing,” Spelling finished grimly.“Potentially deceased.”
Jenna felt a chill at his words, knowing from her dream that “potentially” was sadly optimistic.She wanted to tell him with certainty that Marjory was dead, that the killer had acted before and would act again, but the words stuck in her throat.
“I believe we’ve gathered everything of value from this scene,” Spelling said, gesturing to a technician.“We’ll transport the mannequin to Jefferson City for more thorough analysis.Perhaps the lab can tell us more.”
“Good idea,” Jenna agreed.
“Yesterday on the phone, you mentioned a possible suspect,” Spelling said.
Jenna had to think a moment.That phone call now seemed like ages ago.Then she remembered about Rebecca Ashcroft.But in her dream, Marjory had referred to her attacker as “he.”Did that eliminate Rebecca as a suspect?
Jenna couldn’t be sure.After all, the dead were far from reliable about the circumstances of their deaths.And for all she knew, she might be confused about who had killed her.The “he” Marjory mentioned might not even be her killer, but someone else altogether.
She explained to Colonel Spelling their reasons for suspecting Rebecca, and how they hadn’t been able to interview her yet because she left town late yesterday afternoon.
“But she’s supposed to return to Trentville this morning,” Jenna added.“And when she does—”
Jenna’s phone buzzed, interrupting her.The display showed the Trentville Sheriff’s Office number.
“Sheriff Graves,” she answered, stepping away from the mannequin.
“Sheriff, it’s Dispatch.We just got a call from Cody Rostow out on Route 16.He found a body on his property.Female, adult.Officers Delgado and Baldry are en route, and the coroner’s team has been notified.”
Jenna’s heart sank even as her pulse quickened.“Location?”
“East pasture of the Rostow farm, in a gully near Trentville Creek.”
“I’m on my way.”She ended the call and turned to Jake and Spelling.“Body found on Cody Rostow’s cattle farm.Female.”
Jake’s eyes met hers, understanding passing between them without words.
“I’ll follow you there,” Spelling said, already motioning to his team.“They’ll continue processing this scene while I’m gone.”
Jenna and Jake moved quickly to her cruiser, leaving the house behind.As they pulled away from the curb, Jake voiced what they were both thinking.
“It’s her, isn’t it?Marjory.”
“Yes.”Jenna accelerated, flipping on her lights but not the siren in the quiet morning.“The timing, the circumstances—it has to be.”
“And if your dream is accurate, this isn’t his first victim.”
“Or his last,” Jenna added grimly, pushing the cruiser faster through the empty streets.“We need to figure out who he is before he chooses his next target.”
Jake nodded, his expression hardening.“So we work backward.Find the connection between Marjory and any other missing persons cases that might fit the pattern.”
“If there even is a pattern we can recognize yet,” Jenna said, turning onto the county road that would take them to the Rostow farm.Behind them, Spelling’s SUV followed, its headlights steady in her rearview mirror.
As the cruiser ate up the miles, the day was brightening around them.But the knowledge of what awaited them cast a shadow over the morning light.Marjory Powell was dead.And somewhere out there, the killer perhaps already watching, waiting, working on his next personalized mannequin.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
