Page 18 of No Room to Breathe
“You have my word,” he replied.
“Thank you.I will hold you to it.”Turning she smiled and hugged Devyn.“Go do your thing sweetheart.”
“And be myself?”
“Everyday.”She dropped her sunglasses over her eyes.“Come see me when you’re done.”
Devyn hurried along with the detectives.Marlene’s approval hummed in the back of her mind.She was where she needed to be, even if she couldn’t quite see how it would work out.
Cade drove while Hoffman sat in the back with Devyn, filling her in on what they’d learned so far.
“Cade found a possible link between Charlene’s and Dee’s cases.Both disappearances coincide with a big law enforcement expo that occurred in Chicago this year as well as six years ago.He checked for similar crimes in the hosting cities.”
“And you found them,” Devyn stated.
“Yes,” Cade confirmed.
“And they’re all cold.”Again, not really a question.
“That’s right,” Hoffman continued.“Plenty of males in attendance, most of them forensics experts.We’re hoping that visiting the convention center will be helpful for you.”
“Two months after the fact,” Devyn said.“I can’t make any promises.”
“Just do your thing,” Hoffman implored.“You found a body that was buried six years ago.”
After plenty of research, interviews with the parents, and solitary time coaxing her informants to cooperate.While this wouldn’t be the first time she’d attempted something of this nature, it wasn’t her preferred way of working.“Tell me about Dee.Is she also on staff at the convention center?”
“No,” Hoffman replied.“She worked the coffee kiosk at the hotel.Physically, she resembles Charlene, just a year younger.The other victims also have similar physical attributes.”Hoffman pulled up an image on her phone.“Here’s a picture.”
The physical resemblance between Charlene and Dee landed like a punch, stealing Devyn’s breath.This killer had a type.She studied the photo while Hoffman relayed more details of the young woman’s life.
“We’re checking nearby hotels against conference attendees in case someone is still here,” Cade offered.“We are working the case through the normal channels, including tracking the ownership of the land where Charlene was found.”
The timeline—Dee disappeared two months ago—squeezed around Devyn’s chest like a mighty snake.The detectives believed the victim was alive.She wanted it to be true, but to bring the girl home, they had to find her.
Devynhad to find her.
