Page 70 of Lost Lake
El wrapped up the remaining half of her sandwich. “It’s surprising you found techs to work on the weekend at all.”
“We have amazing staff.” Sierra smiled. “One last thing about the dock. We also located a small sample of type O blood by a protruding nail. Likely a minor prick, not a significant loss. But it’s enough for DNA and we typed it as O, a potential match to Lucy. If DNA matches too, we could confirm as soon as tomorrow that not only were her shoe and bracelet on scene, but she was too.”
Mina let out a slow breath. “With the bracelet and shoe present, we’re working with the assumption she was there, but it would be good to have official confirmation.”
Sierra nodded then glanced around the room. “That’s the end of the beach evidence. Any other questions before I move on?”
“Pretty straightforward,” Mina said.
“Okay, then on to the ravine. The screwdriver is first on your list. Multiple latent prints from the same person belonged to Kenna. We found two distinct DNA samples, both of which will complete tomorrow. We typed the blood from the tip, and it’s type B, likely the attacker.”
She took another draw of the coffee. “Moving on to the van. My team used the FBI’s automotive paint database to narrow down the paint sample to a Ford Transit 350 Passenger Van.”
“Perfect,” Gabe said. “Having the make and model should help us narrow down suspect vehicles. If we hadn’t already discovered Ryker was incarcerated, he owns a Chevy Express, so this information rules him out.”
El slipped her chocolate chip cookie out of its sleeve. “Rules out any of his buddies who might be driving it too.”
“Forensic evidence can both help and hinder,” Sierra said. “Next is the blood near Kenna’s van and on her hand. Unfortunately, we don’t have the DNA yet, but the blood is type B.”
“It’s not Lucy’s.” Relief rushed through Gabe like an out-of-control river in a flash flood. At least she wasn’t out there bleeding or badly injured. One less worry.
El shared a relieved look with him then let out a long breath and slumped in her chair as if deflating. Gabe completely understood. He wanted to do the same thing, but he hung in there for her sake.
Sierra looked around the attendees. “That’s all we’ve recovered so far at that scene. On to Howard Mason’s property. You already have the camera photos. Let me know if you need Nick to enhance them. The Zippo lighter had unknown prints, and the prints don’t match the coffee mug from the house. However, those matched former police officer, Howard Mason as we expected.”
El sat forward, her gaze fixed on Sierra. “The lighter might not be his and could belong to the killer.”
“I hate to burst your bubble,” Jude said. “But the water churned up by a boat’s wake could’ve carried the lighter into the boathouse, and it could belong to anyone.”
“You’re right. That’s a possibility we have to keep in mind.” Gabe usually appreciated Jude’s take on things, but in this case, he hoped his buddy was wrong.
“We’ve only started processing his property, and more may turn up,” Sierra said. “DNA in progress for the mug should return today. Lighter tomorrow or later. Now, the boat. We lifted prints for Kenna and Lucy, and several unknown prints. We also recovered a good quantity of type B blood. DNA is running forthat and samples from several additional areas. We’ll have it to you tomorrow.”
“Confirms Kenna and Lucy were in the boat,” Gabe said. “And gives credence to our theory that the boat was used to transport them from the ravine.”
El met his gaze. “And if you believe the type B blood we recovered is the killers, then that likely puts him in the boat.”
Gabe shuddered at the thought of Kenna and Lucy in a small boat with the killer, but had to let it go.
“Next are items found at Kenna’s place. The pregnancy test held only one clear-cut set of fingerprints that belonged to Kenna, but we recovered multiple DNA samples and should have the results after four. The news on the jacket isn’t as good. Despite several hairs on the fabric, it’s proving to be difficult. We need hair with follicles attached to determine DNA. None of the samples qualify. We’ll continue to process the jacket for touch DNA, but a date for those results is unknown. We’ll also check for prints, though fabric doesn’t yield as many liftable prints.”
“You haven’t mentioned the fetal tissue sample,” El said, her expression tight.
Sierra took a long breath. “DNA is very straightforward in this situation. Hopefully, we’ll have results by four o’clock today. The blood is type O.”
“Does this help us figure out the blood type for the father?” Gabe asked.
“Unfortunately, no.”
Gabe gritted his teeth. He’d hoped to find out the father’s identity by now, but they would have to wait for the DNA results.
Sierra closed her computer. “Of course, once we complete the work, you’ll receive a detailed written report, but that’s all I have for now.”
No one spoke up.
Mina stood and held out her hand. “Thank you, Sierra, for the thorough update and for handling our evidence so quickly. I know you have a lot of priorities.”
“Nothing more important than finding this little girl.”
