Page 52 of Now or Never
Langley shrugged. “Great, how does anyone prove that?”
“Probably easier to look for other deaths with a similar MO. Or similar victim profile.”
“I’ll get right on that.” Langley didn’t move.
She didn’t comment on his belligerence, because in his situation she would’ve been as skeptical. “Any leads on who did this?”
“No fingerprints, no DNA left behind. Cameras were disabled. No witnesses.”
“Sounds like solving it will be an uphill battle.” Jax wandered to her side. “And you probably have a stack of open cases on your desk. So we won’t keep you from your work.”
“I’m not leaving you guys here to lock up.” Langley rocked back and forth on those shiny shoes. “How about you tell me what your interest is in this case before I escort you both out.”
“We believe Steven Braughton was on a list of victims, possibly one of many.” Jax surveyed the markings she’d spotted on the floor. “He’s the first we’ve looked into, and finding the perpetrator isn’t currently our primary focus.”
Langley eyed them. “Good to know you aren’t going to show up at my office with a lead that will hand me the killer.”
Kenna said, “Don’t rule that out. We do good work.”
The detective smiled slightly. “Noted.”
Jax said, “We don’t believe the murder was connected to Steven’s work at the Pentagon, or that it’s connected to some vast government conspiracy.”
“At least not as far as the usual clandestine operations go,” Kenna added. She sort of disagreed with her husband on that one, but Langley didn’t need to dig in something involvingDominatusand end up getting himself killed. “So watch your back, make sure you’re not under surveillance, and just stick to your regular duties.”
“Interesting.” The detective made a note on his phone.
Jax said, “If you come across any deaths you believe are connected, could you send the information our way?”
Langley nodded.
“Thanks.” Kenna returned his nod. “We’d appreciate it.”
“What other cases are you working?” He glanced between them, a passive expression on his face.
This guy was a solid cop who didn’t let his emotions get mixed up with his work. She wasn’t sure how he’d be with a victim and what level of empathy he’d have to draw from, but hoped he had compassion in his arsenal.
Kenna said, “Nothing that intersects with this so far as we know.”
Except that the two men in Boston who’d kidnapped teenage girls had a military connection. This case had a military connection. It was only the bombing that didn’t fit. Unless it was the piece that made it all go together into some kind of grand plan.
“I suppose that’s some kind of answer.” Langley herded them to the door and locked it after they’d assembled in the hall. He handed over his business card. “Don’t forget to call if you come up with something.”
Kenna nodded, and Jax shook the guy’s hand.
Langley headed for the stairs, and she looked at the other doors on this floor.
Jax touched her back. “Want to talk to the neighbors?”
“The police would’ve done it.” She shook her head. “I’d rather help the lawyers fight the charges than investigate a murder when I already know who did it.”
“Your ghost?”
“He’s notmyanything.”
“Sorry. You know what I mean.”
Kenna gave him a quick hug. “Let’s get to the car. Call Maizie and see what she’s come up with.”
