I glanced at the time on my phone—I was becoming anxious. “Damn it. What’s taking Tom so long to get back to us?”
Rue shook his head and stared at the enhanced image Tech had given us of that still shot I’d taken. “I hate to say this, but that picture, even though it’s obviously a van, isn’t going to get us a warrant. No judge in the county will pony up a warrant based on an image of a blurry van that resembles the white van Jacob Kenney owns. Not just because he used to abuse animals. He hasn’t been on anyone’s radar since he got out of jail.”
“So how can we build a case against him if we can’t search his premises or vehicle?”
Rue shrugged. “Good question. The only way is if Tim from the mall can get us a clear look at that van as it turns onto the street. Maybe we can catch the rear plate or see who is behind the wheel. Or maybe we’ll see the Econoline badge on the rear panel. Something has to work. We need to dig deeper into Jacob and Dylan Marx. My gut says they’re both lying to us.”
I cracked my neck, and Rue groaned.
“Dude, you’re going to mess up a vertebra doing that.”
“Nah, it relieves the tension I’m feeling.” I let out a long-winded sigh. “Royce will send us packing as soon as he realizes we’re still here. I was sure by now, Tim would have called.”
When we heard footsteps heading our way, we stared at the door.
“Great, it’s probably Royce. You jinxed us by saying his name.”
“Whose name?”
I raised a brow and grinned at Royce standing in the doorway. “Guess you heard that, huh?”
“Some of it, and why are you two still here? I thought you left a half hour ago.”
“That was the plan, but I guess we’re waiting on a phone call,” Devon said.
“From?” Royce asked.
I took over. “Tim at the mall. There was the chance of getting a better look at those two vehicles we saw video of.”
“Did you give him your card?”
“Yep.”
“Then he can call your cell if he actually has something for you. We’re on a tight budget now, and the head honchos haven’t actually approved overtime yet, so hit the road.”
I pushed back my chair and stretched. “Roger that, Boss. We’re heading out now.”
Rue and I parted ways in the lot, and as I drove home, my instincts told me that Tim was having problems. If everything was good to go with that camera footage at the mall entrance, we would have heard back from him hours ago. Something wasn’t right. I didn’t have his cell number, and it was doubtful that a mall security office would give it to me on request. Everyone had a right to privacy, so I would have to wait.
Once at the house, I checked my phone every fifteen minutes as I played board games with the girls. Supper was almost ready, and it was unlikely I would hear from Tim at all that night. Later, after we’d eaten, I slipped away and contacted the precinct to see if Tim had called there looking for me. He hadn’t.
After saying good night to the family, I headed upstairs to bed. Sleep didn’t come easily. I kept thinking about Jacob. I was sure that van belonged to him, yet why would he risk abducting women in public places just to kill and remove their organs? It didn’t make sense. Everyone’s life had value, but if he wanted to kill someone that badly, there were other options where the likelihood of being caught on camera wasn’t as high. Maybe the thrill of being caught was as much of an adrenaline rush to him as the kill itself.
Did he sacrifice their organs during a ceremony then ask for forgiveness during that very ritual only to repeat it again? Is he addicted to these heinous crimes, or does Dylan have influence over him?
I didn’t have those answers. I didn’t even know if I was on the right track, but without some actions resulting in their arrests, I had no idea of the men’s personalities or level of risk-taking.
The last thing I remembered before falling asleep was rolling over, punching my pillow, and checking the time—three a.m. I was pretty certain I would be living on caffeine the next day.