Page 12 of No Room to Breathe
“Good morning, detective.”
Cade glanced at the desk sergeant.Something about the daily exchange was off.It took him a beat to figure it out.The desk sergeant hadn’t said “good” in a long time.
“It is a good morning,” Cade replied.
Jogging up the stairs to the bullpen, he felt a little tug that he was being uncharitable about the whole thing with Norris.His outlook had been improving day by day since their talk.His recollection of the conversation was blurry, but he was sure she’d said something about the wisdom of sharing the burden.
Apparently, she was right.Maybe her claims of being a counselor were true.Strange that she’d accomplished what a psychiatrist, pastor, and his friends couldn’t.He wouldn’t admit that to anyone except her.Maybe.If he saw her again.Deep down, he hoped they didn’t have to cross paths and test his gratitude.
He’d been sleeping through the night without any resistance or nightmares.That alone made a huge difference.His focus, his interest in the world, and his mood were all improved.He wasn’t skating on the razor’s edge of a furious outburst anymore.
He’d even used the shower for five days running without crying or seeing a river of blood swirling down the drain.
It was remarkable.And petty of him to try and write her out of his progress.He owed her his thanks.Owed her an apology for being an ass.He’d make time to call her today.Or tomorrow.It would depend on the caseload, he decided when he reached his desk.
His butt had barely landed in the chair when Detective Hoffman walked up.“Hi, Laurier.You’re in early.”
He glanced at his watch and shrugged.“Guess so.”
She planted her hands on her trim hips, her dark eyes studying him.“You look better.Got some color in your face again.”
“Thanks?”He tucked his gun in the drawer, but she didn’t move along.“Are you flirting with me or is there something on your mind?”
She laughed and perched a narrow hip on the corner of his desk.The query was outrageous.Everyone who spent more than a minute with Hoffman knew she was blissfully married.A couple weeks ago, he would’ve been fighting a surge of jealousy for her perfect life.Today, he could just enjoy his colleague without the misplaced animosity.
“I’ve been concerned about you,” Hoffman admitted.“It’s been hard not to hover.”
“I appreciate your restraint.”
Her smile flashed again, then faded, as she shifted to business.“I need your help.How well do you know Devyn Norris?”
His eagerness to assist evaporated.“We’re acquainted.”
“She helped you on that kidnapping-attempted murder case.Pereda?”
“Yes,” he confirmed.Days before his world had shattered.“Wasn’t she here last week to see you?”
Hoffman rolled her shoulders.“She found a body no one else could find.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”Hoffman looked around, found a chair, and pulled it over to sit close.“I had that Archer case file nearly memorized and there was no obvious reason to look at the abandoned lot where the remains were found.Not a single piece of evidence suggests the body was moved, Cade.Six years ago, that girl was kidnapped from work and no one saw her again.The medical examiner’s report shows injuries consistent with being restrained for some time before she was killed and buried right there in that lot.”
He swore.
“My thoughts exactly.”Hoffman started ticking off points with her fingertips.“Since Devyn walked in with the grieving parents, I’ve reviewed the case file along with the evidence recovered at the scene.Nothing about that lot connects to the Archers.”
“It can’t be random.Do you have any video?”
She leaned back as if he was contagious.“From six years ago?”She shook her head.“No way.”
“So, the perp made a deliberate choice.”
“A choice to outsmart us,” she grumbled.“Devyn said the killer was male and knows forensics well enough to not leave a trail.”She pursed her lips.“She couldn’t give me more than that.I’m doing the legwork and still coming up empty.”
Cade focused on the police work, swallowing his opinion of Norris.“The location must mean something to the killer.”
“Normally, I’d agree.I’ve been down the rabbit hole for days now.I can’t link that property with anyone who is also tied to Charlene Archer.”She pinched the bridge of her nose.“Can’t link it to anyone at all.”
