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Renee Yeager, a twenty-five-year-old petite blond rookie, handpicked by Captain Fortier, was his second choice to act as a decoy for the alley murderer. His first choice had been Dylan Dirck, but he’s working undercover on another assignment.
Yeager was posing as a sex worker named Trixie, and had dressed accordingly.
Northcutt and Cantin had arranged for her to have a unit on the first floor at the Riverside apartment complex near the wharf on Decatur. The building was in such a rundown condition the detectives were surprised the property hadn’t been condemned by the city. Good thing for them, because the place totally suited their purpose.
A deep rumble of thunder.
Yeager made herself visible by leisurely walking up and down Decatur Street.
Officers Hebert and Martin had been assigned to protect her. Easily distracted by a couple of passersby who wanted to speak with them about the recent murders, the men proved themselves incapable of keeping their eyes and ears open for opportunities to advance their careers.
Yeager moved closer to the alley hunting for a doorway to duck into in a sudden rainstorm.
A large raven swooped down as if to chase her away. She ran headlong into the alley. A thunderclap muffled the sound of her being struck from behind with a bat carelessly discarded a moment later. She fell where she’d been standing looking for shelter. Strong arms lifted her up, and half dragged her to the curb. To the discerning eye, they were just a couple of drunks.
Yeager was loaded into the back seat of a car. Covered in a black or dark blue bed sheet.