Page 3 of No Room to Breathe
“You already know who committed this crime,” Hoffman challenged.
Devyn shook her head.“I don’t have a name to give you,” she repeated.“As I explained to Mr.and Mrs.Archer, Charlene was murdered by a man.He was very careful not to leave evidence behind.”What an understatement.The pressure built behind her heart.Her source of psychic information, the place she envisioned as a deep abyss, was throwing a lot at her, not all of which she could share with professional detachment right now.
“Careful,” Hoffman echoed.“We noted that at the time.”
“Yes, the Archers told me,” Devyn said.Martin and Amy had gathered a great deal of information during their search for answers.“The police were clearly frustrated with the lack of forensic evidence.”
“The goal was to find Charlene alive,” Hoffman said.
The job never gets easier.The detective’s thoughts flowed to Devyn unbidden.She hurried to block the connection before any privacy lines were crossed.“The Archers found some solace in learning Charlene died quickly.”
“And peacefully,” Amy interjected.“You said she went peacefully.”
Devyn nodded.She’d wanted to gloss over those details in this meeting.Surely Hoffman would assume her comments were nothing more than soothing platitudes.And that was fine for this situation.
She could hardly explain to an accomplished detective who relied on facts and evidence prepared and preserved to hold up in a court of law that Charlene herself had shared many intimate details of her murder.Devyn didn’t always connect so clearly with a spirit, but Charlene was determined, eager to give her parents the closure they sought.
The girl’s murderer had a wealth of insider information.He knew how to avoid detection, how to prevent transfer of evidence, and many more details.He’d come by the information through the course of his career...as a cop.
She didn’t know who he was or why he’d targeted Charlene.She did expect them to find other victims.Because Charlene couldn’t have been his first kill.Too smooth and confident.But so far, nothing else had come to light that would suggest a serial killer was hunting freely in Chicago.
“In my opinion, the man who killed Charlene was someone with a great deal of expertise and knowledge about forensic evidence,” she said carefully.
Not carefully enough.Hoffman’s gaze turned positively glacial.Cold enough that Devyn shivered.“You’re telling me a cop did this.”She slapped her hand on the report.
Devyn held her ground.“I’m saying it was someone with extensive forensic expertise and knowledge,” she repeated.
She could sympathize with Hoffman’s reaction.She despised the assumption that all psychics were fakes and imposters that only cast doubts and obstructed situations.But it wasn’t as if she was labeling Hoffman as the killer or anyone else inside the Chicago PD.
The killer might have been a cop or forensic expert from another jurisdiction passing through the city.“There was a convention in town the weekend that Charlene went missing.”
“Yes,” Hoffman snapped, increasingly annoyed.“That’s no secret.Charlene was working for a catering company at the same event.”
Hoffman wasn’t in a receptive place.Devyn waited.The questions and accusations would start flying any minute now.With luck, they wouldn’t devolve into an argument that would upset the Archers.
Hoffman muttered an oath under her breath.“We looked at everyone who came in contact with her.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“But here you are, after locating the remains.What is it you think we overlooked, Ms.Norris?Which police officer should I bring in for questioning?”
Devyn tried to be gentle.“I believe the person who murdered Charlene had enough expertise tonotbe caught.To be overlooked by design and intent, not by neglect or mistake during the investigation.You did everything possible at the time.”
The detective frowned, her gaze on the report and her fingertip drumming a slow beat on the table.
“Will details at the site help you find the man who ki-killed our daughter?”Amy asked.
“It’s been a long time,” Hoffman began.“Finding the site should help.”She mustered up a weak smile for the grieving parents.“I’ll go back through everything.The team will analyze your daughter’s remains with the utmost respect and attention to detail.”
“Will you treat it like a new case?”Martin queried hopefully.
“No,” Hoffman replied gently.“A cold case is, by nature, worked differently.But Charlene will have my full attention.And the evidence that comes in from today’s efforts will have my full attention.”She stood, bringing the meeting to an end.“I commend you both for your persistence.And I’m so sorry it was necessary.I know you loved your daughter dearly and I understand how painful this has been for your family.”
“We want justice for our girl,” Martin said firmly.He stood, helping his wife to her feet.Devyn rose as well, happy to leave the room and the building behind.
Standing, Hoffman returned the preliminary report to Mr.Archer.“Give me time to review the evidence as it comes in,” she said.“I’ll keep you informed as we go.”
“Please do,” Amy said.Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.“It’s so strange.I know she’s been dead this whole time.I’ve known it in my heart.”She pressed her fingers to her lips.“We’ve grieved.And yet, I want the real funeral.Why is there such a need to put bones in the ground?”She caught Devyn’s arm, held tightly.“Why is that?”
