Free Ripped in Red by Cynthia Hickey Page B

handing him the note. “He’s playing a silly game.”
    Colin’s mouth twisted in thought. “No one died, which leaves me to believe he didn’t want them to. When he kills, it’s personal.”
    “Personal to his accomplices, too.” Cassidy sighed. How could she keep up with the man without clues? A single sheet of paper and a set of tire tracks wouldn’t reveal his identity. “I can look for someone in the system named Draco, but I’m sure it’s an alias.” They didn’t even have enough for Rosie to track. She bit back a curse. Her mother had once told her that if you had to curse to be interesting, then you weren’t interesting to begin with. Still, times that like this made it difficult to keep a civil tongue.
    Most people in law enforcement cursed with regularity. Cassidy was determined to be different. Not only in the way she handled herself, but in how she did her job. She glanced heavenward. I could use some help right about now . From her mother, from God, she wasn’t picky.
    After letting Agent Ingram know about the note and statements from the witnesses, Cassidy opened the door to the jeep to let Rosie in, then climbed in herself. The note proved The Dragon was responsible. Thus, the FBI could supervise casing the scene, freeing her and Colin to head back to the station.
    Once there, she made a pot of coffee, filled two mugs, and joined her partner in front of the case board they worked on with the FBI. After handing Colin his coffee, she tacked up the note and two cards with the descriptions of the vehicles. Perching on her desk, she sipped her coffee and studied the board. Nothing but murders and games.
    She sighed and sat at her desk, opening her laptop and logging into the site that gave her access to old newspapers. She typed in her mother’s name and started searching.
    She stopped on the article about her mother’s rape. Not a rape by a stranger, but one at a college fraternity party. Her mother said she hadn’t known the man, but had fought back until several other college young men heard the ruckus. By that time, Mom was covered in blood…not hers.
    Cassidy needed to find the young men who found her. No names, but someone at the college had to know something. She picked up the phone and called Arkansas State. Fifteen minutes later, she had the name of a teacher who had been there at the time of the rape who agreed to speak with her.
    “Let’s go to college.” She grabbed her purse and weapon, clipped the leash on Rosie’s collar, and headed out the door.
    “I really hate when you do that,” Colin said, jogging to catch up.
    “Do what?” She cut him a sideways glance.
    “Take off like I’m going to follow like an obedient puppy.”
    “Aren’t you going to follow?”
    “That isn’t the point.” He scowled, his brows lowering over his amazing eyes. “It’s rude.”
    “Sorry. I’ll try to do better, but we have an appointment.” She explained what she found. “Maybe this teacher saw or heard something that will take us a step further in this investigation.”
    ~
    They parked in front of the administration building, then asked the receptionist inside where to find the cafeteria. She glanced at Cassidy’s badge before pointing them in the right direction. She frowned at Rosie, but didn’t say anything, then turned back to her work.
    The cafeteria was virtually empty that time of day. Cassidy headed for a man who looked to be nearing his retirement years. “Mr. Laraby?”
    “Yes. I presume you’re Detective Monroe.” He waved them to the two empty chairs at his table. “Beautiful dog. A service animal?”
    “In a sense.” Cassidy took her seat. “You knew Maureen Monroe?”
    “She was one of my students. A very bright girl. I was saddened to hear of her murder.” He straightened in his chair and crossed his arms. “You believe her rapist killed her?”
    Cassidy nodded. “What can you tell us about the night she was attacked?”
    He sighed. “It was a frat party.