A Profiler's Case for Seduction - By Carla Cassidy Page 0,34

Garcia had discovered that Troy Young had written and emailed Senator Merris, the communications filled with vicious words and threats.

Apparently Troy Young’s father had worked for billionaire, and Melinda’s ex-husband, Gabe Dawson’s oil company and had been one of the many men laid off when Senator Merris had embezzled from the company and run it into the ground. Troy’s father had committed suicide after his layoff and Troy had blamed the senator for his father’s death.

Just three days before the murders, Troy had fired off yet another email, damning the senator and promising that one day he’d pay the piper for his crimes.

Those communications to the senator, coupled with Troy’s hatred of Sheriff Burris, had the whole team buzzing with the scent of a solve in their noses.

All they needed to do was tie Troy to David Reed and then they could probably build a case that would lead to an arrest. Had Mark been that wrong in his theory about Melinda? Certainly, he’d been wrong before in his career, but this one felt different. His instincts were still screaming even though a potential viable suspect had emerged.

“Are you going to pursue the Andrew Peterson angle anyway?” Richard asked.

Mark shrugged. “I think it’s something that needs to be done. I think it’s something I have to do. Even if we make Troy Young as the murderer, that doesn’t answer the questions about Melinda’s kidnapping. I’m just not ready to let Melinda Grayson off the hook yet. I need to know where this piece fits into the puzzle. If nothing else, he needs to be checked out concerning the kidnapping. Maybe he had something to do with it because she threatened to tell his wife about their affair.”

“That’s the first actual potential motive that’s come to the surface concerning the kidnapping. It would definitely be nice to come up with a solve of both of the crimes at the same time. You need help you let me know,” Richard said.

Mark shot him a quick grin. “You going rogue with me?”

Richard laughed and then sobered. “Even if we get the killer behind bars, we still don’t have any answers as to Melinda’s kidnapping. Your theory of a spurned or scared lover at least makes sense.”

“But, once the killer is arrested, we’ll be pulled out of here and back to Dallas. The kidnapping investigation might or might not continue with the local law enforcement, depending on the new sheriff,” Mark replied. “And I hate to leave unfinished business behind, even if it is deemed not our business anymore.”

“I’m like you, I’d like to have all the answers when we leave here.” For the next couple of miles they rode in silence. And in the silence, Mark’s thoughts turned to Dora and the night before.

Mark had loved Sarah when they’d married, but it had been a quiet love that was comfortable and easy...until it wasn’t. She began to resent his long hours, his time away from home, and slowly their love had changed into nothing more than a friendship.

Mark’s desire for Dora screamed inside him. There was nothing comfortable or easy about it and that excited him. But she wanted to keep things on a friendship level and he would do that because he had to, because he’d rather have part of Dora than none of her at all.

He sat up straighter in his seat as Richard pulled down the dirt road that led to Troy Young’s place. Troy’s house was a small ranch bleached into multiple shades of gray and beige by the sun and wind. It screamed for a coat of fresh paint and some basic maintenance. However, the cattle herd in the pasture next to the house looked well fed and healthy, and the nearby barn appeared to be well maintained.

Richard hadn’t even turned off the car before the medium height, dark-haired rancher stepped out on his front porch. The man was clad in jeans and a white undershirt. His face was pale and his eyes narrowed as if the overhead sunshine tortured the last vestiges of a hangover.

He didn’t move from his planted position in front of his door as Richard and Mark climbed out of the car. There was no question as to Richard’s and Mark’s identities. The day was cool and each of them wore their dark windbreakers with the bright yellow FBI letters on the front and back.

“Gentlemen,” Troy greeted them. He didn’t smile, but he also showed no sign of nervousness or anger at their appearance.