Deadly Touch - Heather Graham Page 0,30

of that electric heat she was feeling.

“Tonight,” she said, forcing a cheerful smile.

Titan barked and wagged his tail.

Axel waved, and he was gone.

* * *

Nigel Ferrer arrived at Andrew’s house just minutes after Axel.

They’d agreed to meet there. Though they were grateful for all the help they had from every quarter, it was good to meet and talk about what each had learned themselves.

Axel was first up, telling the other two about his experience at the morgue with Raina.

“Jennifer Lowry. We’re finding out more about her,” Nigel told them. “She was a dental assistant for Dr. Herbert Wong. He has his office in the Kendall area. Jennifer has worked for him for three years. She was certified to do cleanings and, according to Dr. Wong, his patients all loved her.”

“Can’t see it being a patient,” Andrew said. “I’ve had a dentist or two I’d have loved to sock in the jaw, but not many people want to kill the assistant.”

Axel looked over at him, arching a brow. Nigel continued. “Hey, I’m just saying. I can’t see this as something being done as a statement against dental assistants.” He grew serious. “We just had an ID confirmed on the last victim before her through dental charts—finally finding their way to the right place.” He pulled out his phone to read notes he’d taken on it and continued. “Alina Fairchild. It took a long time for her to reach the ranks of ‘missing person’ because she traveled the state. She worked for what had been a boutique clothing firm now extending its reach not just through Florida but upward into Georgia and the Carolinas. Sounds like a good deal. She traveled all over, seeing what people were wearing, and what would be comfortable first for year-round heat, and then for changing temperatures. She was a designer, but also, so personable that she met with people to talk about clothing. Attractive clothing that wasn’t torturous to wear. The company is called Sea Green Clothing. If you haven’t heard of it, they started with women’s clothing. Now, they’re stretching out.

“Anyway, because she traveled so much—and met with so many people—she wasn’t missed right away. But once we knew who she was, we managed to trace her last known meeting to South Florida. She had lunch with three women down at Bayside, talking about boating wear.”

“And that’s the last that anyone is known to have seen her?” Axel asked.

Nigel nodded gravely. “She was driving. She kept a condo here, but officers at her building say people weren’t very helpful. Seems people just come and go—and don’t really notice their neighbors. When shown her picture, most of them knew she lived there and had seen her around, but they had no idea when.”

“Where was her home base?” Andrew asked.

“Orlando. Like I said, she was all over. An outgoing and friendly individual, full of spice when defending a friend, well-liked by everyone who knew her.”

“Not everyone,” Axel murmured. “Though...”

“What?” Nigel asked.

“I don’t think it matters. I don’t think these murders are personal. I think people are being executed for something they may have done, and whatever it is, it ties them all together. We really need to find whatever it is and fast.”

“The murders were spread out,” Andrew reminded him. “And who knows? There might be a copycat involved here, too.”

“Maybe. And maybe there are more we don’t know about yet.”

“Let’s hope not,” Axel said.

They talked awhile longer, all agreeing they would have their agencies discover everything they could about all four victims. They’d dig deeper.

And they’d meet again the next day.

Axel rose, nodding, glancing at his watch.

“Hot date tonight?” Nigel asked him.

Axel looked at him with surprise. “A benefit for a children’s facility—”

“Oh, yeah, I know about that. Jeremy is going,” Andrew said.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, Jeremy Gray. He’s a member of the council now and, of course, both the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes will be involved, but the land just about borders reservation land so he wanted to be there to represent what we can do.” He shrugged. “You’re aware there are areas of the country where the tribal police and the county police butt heads. So far, we’re lucky out here. All going for the best possible outcome. But you never know, so it’s always best to be represented.”

“Yep,” Axel agreed.

“Some ranking cops are going to be there, too,” Nigel told them. “I take it you’ve received a special invitation? It wasn’t closed to the public or anything. But tickets sold out long ago.”

“I inveigled a special