Hannahs face went pale, but she didnt look away. If I hadnt gotten away-
He didnt finish the thought for her. He didnt need to.
The door to the room opened, and a woman in a white coat entered, carrying a file folder. She crossed to speak to Jim Tanner, whose brow furrowed deeply the longer she spoke. Joe looked across the room at Riley, his expression grim. Rileys stomach twisted into a knot.
Joe and Sheriff Tanner crossed to Hannahs side. Riley stood to face them.
The lab report on the IV tube is back, Tanner said.
And? Hannah asked.
His expression grew hard. There was enough digoxin in that tube to kill you in a matter of minutes.
Chapter Three
The buzz of urgent conversation surrounding her seemed to fade around Hannah as she took in Sheriff Tanners quiet announcement.
Her attacker had tried to kill her. Again.
It had to be the same guy, right? It wasnt likely two different people would go after a nobody tourist like her. But why? She hadnt even seen him, really. She could remember almost nothing about him. Why did he consider her a threat?
She looked around for Riley Patterson, the closest thing to a familiar face in the room. His ice-blue eyes met hers, his expression grim but somehow comforting. He crouched beside her again, one hand resting on her forearm. You okay?
She nodded quickly, forcing her chin up. I just want to know how he could get to me so easily.
So do we, Sheriff Tanner assured her. Ive sent a man to check with hospital security. But I dont have much hope. This is a small hospital, and Jackson Holes a pretty laid-back place. Theres not much security in place here.
He thinks hes invincible, Riley said softly. Hes gotten away with everything so far.
Joe tells me you two think this attack is connected to other murders in the state, Sheriff Tanner said.
Riley glanced at Hannah. She could tell he didnt want to talk about this in front of her. He hadnt given her many details about the other cases hed been investigating, though what hed told her had been horrifying enough.
Ive made file folders full of notes, he told Sheriff Tanner. I dont mind sharing. The more people looking for this guy, the better.
The Teton County sheriff studied Riley, his eyes narrowed, then turned his gaze to the lanky, dark-haired man Riley had introduced as his boss, Joe Garrison. You vouch for this, Garrison?
Joe nodded. Rileys right. This guy has struck before, and hell do it again if we dont stop him.
Joe nodded. Rileys right. This guy has struck before, and hell do it again if we dont stop him.
Sheriff Tanner didnt look happy to hear Joes affirmation. Okay, send me copies of your notes, and Ill put a detective on it. See if we cant tie it to any open cases were working on.
Cold cases, too. Ive only been keeping notes since three years ago, but I think it could go back further, Riley said.
Why three years ago? Hannah asked.
Joe and Sheriff Tanner both turned to look at Riley, but Riley kept his eyes on Hannah, his expression mask-like.
When he didnt answer, she rephrased the question. You said youve been keeping notes for only three years. What happened to make you start?
Riley held her gaze a long moment, then looked down at his hands. He flexed his left hand, the ring on the third finger glinting as it caught the light. He spoke in a soft, raspy voice. Three years ago, the son of a bitch murdered my wife.
Rileys words felt like a punch to Hannahs gut. No wonder he seemed personally involved in this case. Im sorry.
He acknowledged her condolences with a short nod, his mouth tightening. I want this guy caught even more than you do, he added softly, as if the words were meant for her ears alone.
She swallowed hard, remembering how just a little while ago, she wanted nothing more than to catch the next plane home to Alabama. A part of her still did.
Shed done a lot of running home over the last four years.
But knowing what she now knew, could she really run away? She was possibly the only living witness who could identify a cold-blooded murderer.
A murderer whod killed Riley Pattersons wife.
Excuse me?
Hannah turned at the sound of a new voice. The doctor whod treated her in the Emergency Room when she arrived at the hospital stood nearby, his expression concerned.
Id like to check on my patient, he said firmly.
Riley stepped between the doctor and Hannah. Mind if I see your ID?
The look on the doctors face almost made Hannah laugh. Mind if I see yours?
Riley had his badge out before the request was finished. The doctors mouth quirked. Once hed studied Rileys credentials, he held out his name tag for Rileys inspection. James Andretti, he said aloud. Ive been working here for ten years. Ask anyone.
He treated me in the E.R. Hannah touched Rileys arm. He retreated, though he didnt look happy about it.
Id like to check on my patient, Dr. Andretti repeated, giving Riley a pointed look. Can you clear the room?
Its a crime scene, Riley said.
Its also a hospital room.
Sheriff Tanner stepped in. The techs have processed the areas around the bed. Well step out a few minutes and let the doctor do his business. When hes done, Ill be back in to talk to you, Ms. Cooper.
Hannah gave a nod, darting a look at Riley. She found his gaze on her, his expression impossible to read. But when the other police personnel left her room, he followed, leaving her alone with the doctor.
Dr. Andretti pulled out his stethoscope and bent to listen to Hannahs heart through her hospital gown. Heart rates a little elevated, but I guess thats to be expected. Hows your head feeling?
Better, actually, Hannah admitted. The headache that had plagued her earlier in the evening had faded to nothing.
He had her follow his fingers as he moved them in front of her face. No double vision, no more memory lapses?
Nope.
Good. Looks like well spring you in the morning. But I think we should move you to another room so you can get some rest.
Do I really need to be here at all? she asked.
Thats how we usually handle a concussion.
But Im not symptomatic anymore, right? You only kept me for observation and you just said Im doing fine.
The doctor shot her a questioning look.
Somebodys already gotten to me here tonight. Im not that comfortable hanging around to let them have another shot.
I can have a security guard posted at your door.
You dont know one of your guards isnt behind this. Or even another doctor or nurse, she pointed out.
Dr. Andretti bristled visibly. Thats not likely.
Hannah sighed. Maybe not. I just want to get out of here. I dont have to have your permission to check out, do I?
No-
Then arrange it. Please.
What are you going to do when you leave? Its four in the morning. No motels worth staying in are going to let you check in at this hour. Assuming you can even find a room available.
I just want out of here. A tingle of panic was beginning to build in the center of her chest. The thought of staying in this room until the next day was unbearable.
Why dont I go get the nice police officers to tell you why leaving right now would be a very big mistake? Dr. Andretti suggested, making a final note in her chart and tucking it under his arm. You stay put.
He left her alone in the hospital room, which now looked like a war zone, thanks to the handiwork of the evidence technicians. She tucked her knees up to her chin and closed her eyes, feeling as tired as she could ever remember. But she couldnt afford to fall asleep.
Not in this place, surrounded by people she didnt know and couldnt trust.
SIX MURDERS DONT SEEM like much over three years, Jim Tanner said, passing Riley a cup of lukewarm coffee from the half-empty carafe on the break-room hotplate. I thought serial murderers tend to escalate, but this guys pretty steady at two a year.
Well, Hannah would have been three this year. Riley grimaced at the taste of the stale coffee.
So hes escalatingslowly? Tanner looked skeptical.
There may be others. These are the ones Ive been able to glean from relatively public sources.
Youd think the feds would be all over this.
Some of the links are nebulous, Joe said, refusing Tanners offer of coffee. Weve only linked three of the murders to pepper-spray attacks. Two years ago there were two instances, and one last year. And what happened to Hannah.
All six of the murder victims were wrapped in plastic sheeting and dumped in bodies of water, Riley pointed out. All six were killed by ligature strangulation.
Thats not an unusual mode of murder. Same ligature used each time?
No, Riley admitted. I think he uses weapons of opportunity.
Victims of opportunity, weapons of opportunity- Tanner shook his head. Yeah, I could see the FBI needing more.
Riley glanced at Joe. Did his old friend secretly agree with Jim Tanner and the FBI about the scarcity of connections between the cases? Was he simply humoring Riley out of loyalty?
Tanner put his cup down on the Formica counter. You know what? You clearly believe the cases are linked, and Im not one to blow off a fellow cop whos having a hunch. Ill put one of my guys on the cold cases in our jurisdiction, see if any of them match any of your criteria. Maybe itll help flesh out the body of evidence. You never know.
Riley gave the Teton County chief a grateful half smile. I appreciate it.
Sheriff Tanner?
Riley turned and saw Hannahs doctor approaching, a frown creasing his forehead.
Can I help you? Tanner asked.
Ms. Cooper is asking to leave the hospital early. Now, in fact. She feels uncomfortable remaining here.
Can I help you? Tanner asked.
Ms. Cooper is asking to leave the hospital early. Now, in fact. She feels uncomfortable remaining here.
Rileys stomach tightened. Did you leave her alone?
I posted a guard outside, but-
Riley didnt wait for the rest of his sentence, pushing past Joe and heading back to Hannahs room. He didnt see a guard outside her door, or any other door lining the corridor.
His heart rate climbing, Riley pushed open the door to Hannahs room and almost bumped into the guard standing just inside. He was a slim man in his early twenties, with crow-black hair and sun-bronzed skin. He was laughing as he turned to look at Riley.
Riley pushed past him, putting himself firmly between the guard and Hannah. Are you okay? he asked her, keeping his eyes on the guard, whose brow furrowed at Rileys question.