Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“I don’t see how they could be,” he said. “But I have to ask you, is this attack colored by yours?”
She reared back. “Excuse me?”
He peered at the camera. “I’m sure everybody knows that you and I were engaged at one point. Is this attack on Agent Snow one based on jealousy?” He lacked media training, but he knew people, and he knew how to get his point across.
“Of course not,” Rachel said.
Huck smiled, putting every ounce of charm he’d ever had into it. Hopefully his expression would read as sincere and confident. “Well, good then. We agree that nobody is motivated by personal relationships in this matter, and we all agree that we’d very much like to put alleged serial killer Jason Abbott back into custody for his trial.”
Rachel sat back. “Of course we do. The Killing Hour is delighted to provide this public service to the entire area of Genesis Valley. So I have to ask you, Captain, word is just coming through that a dead body was found at the base of Snowblood Peak near Iceberg River, correct?”
“That’s correct,” Huck said. Damn it. He hadn’t known the media had gotten hold of the story yet.
Rachel’s face fell into perfect lines of concern. “Was the victim a woman?”
“Yes, but she has not been identified yet,” Huck said. “So that’s all I can share at this time.” The more he thought about it, the more the idea that the victim was his mother seemed farfetched. He had overreacted upon seeing the body, and he wished he had kept his damn mouth shut. All he needed was for Rachel to hear about his statement at the scene.
“Don’t you find it a terrible coincidence that serial killer, I mean alleged serial killer, Jason Abbott, escapes a hospital and then a woman is murdered the same night?”
That would probably be the headline in the online edition come morning. “We actually don’t know time of death,” Huck said. “She could have been murdered before Abbott escaped.”
Now disbelief filtered perfectly across Rachel’s features. How did she do that? And how the hell had he fallen for it so long ago? “Wouldn’t that just be a terrible coincidence?” she whispered.
“I can’t comment on the body that was found,” he said. “We don’t have enough details.”
“How was she killed?” Rachel persisted in asking.
He kept her gaze and avoided looking at the camera as he gave the truth. “I don’t know.”
“Did you view the scene?”
That scene had planted itself in his brain. “I did, and I still don’t know the cause of death.”
“Were her hands still attached to her body?” Rachel asked slyly.
Huck exhaled slowly. “Yes, her hands were attached, and I saw no signs of strangulation, which, as you know, was Jason Abbott’s MO.” Of course, strangulation and drowning both involved loss of breath until death resulted.
“Are you telling me there might be two killers out there?”
“I’m not telling you anything other than we found a body. We don’t even know if there was foul play. There hasn’t been an autopsy, so let’s not speculate.” He focused on the camera. “For now, I need everybody on alert, watching for Jason Abbott. Please call the number at the bottom of your screen even if you just suspect something. We need the public’s help.”
“All right,” Rachel said. “We have to go to our sponsors now.”
The red light above the door blinked off. Huck yanked the microphone off his jacket and tossed it onto the table. “Thanks for your help, Rachel.” He pushed his chair back.
“You really love her, don’t you?”
Huck paused and then stood. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not discussing my personal life with you.”
“Then how about you and I go for a drink to celebrate old times?” She leaned forward, revealing a nice amount of cleavage beneath her pink top. The sparkly and somehow professional material pared nicely with her black pencil skirt and high-heeled black pumps. “What do you say?”
“I say no,” he said. “Thanks again for helping us with this case. The sooner we get Abbott back into custody, the better for everyone.” He strode toward the door and paused, turning to look back. “Abbott’s type is professional women with higher educational degrees, which you have. Be careful, Rachel. By recording this and going live with it, you’ll definitely be brought to his attention.”
Rachel smoothed her blond hair back from her face. “Huck, I didn’t think you still cared.”
He didn’t. “I want every woman to be safe, and this interview will put you front and center.” Well, behind Laurel Snow, Melissa Cutting, and most likely Dr. Abigail Caine. All three were better educated than Rachel, but there was no doubt Huck had just put a target on the reporter’s back. “Be careful and watch your movements. If you feel like you’re in trouble, call the police. My agency and the FBI are stretched pretty thin right now, but the Genesis Valley police force should be able to provide you with protection.”