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“I’m sorry, but that’s the M.E.s findings. We’re required to pass these results over to local law enforcement,” the doctor continued. “Since you’re listed as her next of kin, expect a call from someone.”
Prescott gritted his teeth and stared out the break room window while the news sank in. Ethan’s mom had been murdered. What in the hell had his sister done to deserve this? And who had killed her? Suffocationwasn’tthe MO of the ALPHA Killer.
He needed to take this one step at a time.
“Can you email me that report?” he asked.
“Sure.” He confirmed Prescott’s email address. “One more thing… did you know your sister was pregnant?”
19
BONDING
Jacqueline
After Prescott left for work with Ethan in tow, Jacqueline brought Loki out back to make sure his little bladder was empty. Then, she took him into the laundry room, where she had placed his doggie bed, a fresh bowl of water, and one of his toys.
“I’ll be back soon.”
First stop, Z’s condo. While she loved the spectacular views of DC, she would sleep better in Prescott’s home.
Well, maybe not, if last night was any indication.
After packing her clothes, toiletries, and what little food she’d bought, she left. Next stop, the grocery store. With that completed, she drove to Prescott’s.
She loaded the food into his luxury-brand refrigerator and the pantry, left her suitcases in the first-floor bedroom. Then, she snuck into the laundry room to find Loki fast asleep. Pausing, she stared at his small body with those giant-sized paws.
He opened his eyes, stretched, yawned, and padded over to her, tail-a-wagging. She gave him some kisses, then a quick rub behind his ears. “Who wants to go for a walk?”
When they returned, she grabbed a ball, took him out back, and tossed it. He was the cutest, fluffiest ball of fur she’d ever seen. After she exhausted her baby, they retreated inside, and she started working at the kitchen table.
Then, she spied Prescott’s office. With her laptop in hand, she relocated there.
The bookcase held photos of Prescott with his family and several with his band of brothers. She wondered if she would fit into his world. Then, she spotted one of him and his friends on a boat.
No, that’s a yacht.
Prescott was with the same group of friends, and there were women in the photo too. Addison and Addison’s cousin, Liv, Emerson, and Danielle.
Loki wandered in, a toy in his mouth. He plopped down and started gnawing on it.
“Hey, sweet boy.” She patted him, then opened her laptop and got to work. Today’s goal? Could Gloria or Bert’s spouses be suspects in the ALPHA Killer case?
After a thorough Internet search into Gloria’s life, Jacqueline determined that her second husband—a widower—and his two sons were a happy, blended family. Gloria’s first husband lived in Costa Rica and he hadn’t been back to the area in years.
Jacqueline figured out how to run a report in ALPHA which showed Gloria’s whereabouts over a period of time. There was no reason for Jacqueline to suspect either Gloria or her husband of having an extra-marital affair.
Time to move on to the second victim, Bert Grimes.
Her phone buzzed. Prescott’s text made her heart skip a beat. “Can’t stop thinking about you.”
“What about me?” she texted back, then added a smiley emoji.
“Everything,” he replied. “Making any progress?”
“Yes. How’s your day going?”
“Are you a runner?”
