Free Deadly Dreams by Kylie Brant Page B

murders are random, but I think it’s more likely there’s some sort of connection. We just need to find it. Brandau and Recker will take Christiansen’s family and neighbors, and cross-reference with those of the first two victims. Hoy and Mendall trace his steps his final day. I want to know everywhere he went. Everyone he talked to. Get the security tapes from any place he might have passed by.” He took a quick look at his watch. “That’s enough for now. My cell number is in the folder. Call if you get anything. Otherwise we’ll meet back here tomorrow morning.”
    Chairs scraped as the detectives began to rise. They sank into their seats again as Captain Morales went to Nate’s side to speak for the first time. “This case is top priority.” The room went as still as a tomb. “Everyone on the force wants to get this guy. We’ve no shortage of manpower, and we’ll have more volunteers than we can use, which is great. But that also means everyone we work with is going to want to know about the progress of the case. They’ll be quizzing you about it.” He looked from one face to another. “I shouldn’t have to remind you, but confidentiality is an issue on any task force, and this one is no different. Let’s keep the details in this group. If I find out that anyone’s talking—to anyone—that will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the investigation.” Risa noted that a few of the detectives exchanged glances, but none said a word as they filed out of the room.
    She also observed Cass shooting a final look at McGuire before exiting with Brandau at her side. She took a moment to wonder if there was something personal going on between the two before dismissing the thought. The man’s personal life was nothing to her. And it certainly had nothing to do with the case.
    When the room was empty save for Morales, McGuire, and Risa, the captain spoke again. “Nate, you’ll be paired with Risa for the duration of the case.” He seemed to watch the detective’s face closely. “Will that be a problem?”
    It came to her in a flash that the assignments had been determined by the captain, although he’d allowed McGuire to run the briefing. Which explained why the man wasn’t working with his regular partner. She, too, observed Nate for a reaction to the assignment. But his expression remained impassive. “No, sir.”
    “She’ll have access to all details pertinent to the case,” Eduardo went on. A smile flickered at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Risa. “Let’s hope you still have those famous instincts of yours.”
    The words started her heart hammering in her chest. No pressure. No expectations.
    Yeah, right. “I hope I can be of some help,” she managed inanely, and searched for something, anything, to change the subject. “What about the tape?” She looked at both men in turn. “I’m sure IT isn’t done with it yet, but did anyone come back for it last night?”
    Nate shook his head. “We put a dummy camera in the place of the one he left. I’ve had some undercover officers posted there around the clock since we left the scene. There have been a few people in the area, none of whom approached the tree. But they questioned and ID’d all of them.”
    “He’d be expecting a police presence at what’s still a crime scene,” Risa mused. “He may wait a while before returning.” The UNSUB could afford to be patient, up to a point. There was no rain in the forecast this week. All he risked was a dead battery on the camera. And it had been well hidden in that fork between the branches. Chances of it being discovered were small. Most would never have noticed it.
    Most wouldn’t have dreamed of the scene.
    “We’ll keep someone posted there for the duration.” The corner of his mouth pulled up briefly. “We can only hope it gets solved that easily.” Taking a sheet from the folder on the table in front of him, he continued, “Results of the latents test were back this