in black, and none of my neighbors saw anything.”
Bennett picked up her cell phone and studied the photograph again. “The message on your door says the murders will begin again. That would indicate they haven't started yet.”
Emilia froze. “The previous victims were held for a day or so before they were killed. Have any women gone missing recently?”
Three
Half an hour later, Bennett pulled into the parking lot of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department. The two-story historical building also housed the courthouse. A large pine tree in front was decorated with ornaments and a wreath hung over the wooden front door. Plastic candy canes lined the walkway.
Emilia unsnapped her belt. “Do you think Sheriff Wilson will believe me?”
Bennett killed the engine. “It’s no secret I wasn’t fond of her predecessor, but Sheriff Wilson is a good cop. She’ll take the threat seriously. More so if there is a missing woman that matches Derrick’s type of victims.”
They crossed the parking lot and entered the sheriff’s department from the side door entrance. Holiday music filtered from a small radio at the front desk, but the deputy on duty was missing. Sheriff Wilson spotted them through the glass wall of her office. She waved them back. Bennett had called ahead of time and wasn’t surprised to find Claire in the office on a Saturday afternoon. The sheriff often took the shift so her deputies could have the day off.
“Bennett, it’s good to see you.” Claire extended her hand for him to shake. Her blond hair was tucked into a bun at the nape of her neck and, even though it was the weekend, her uniform was perfectly ironed. Her gaze was sharp and direct. Only the freckles marching across her nose softened the tough appearance.
“Good to see you, Sheriff.” Bennett shook her hand. “Thank you for meeting us on such short notice.”
“It’s not a problem.” Claire turned to Emilia. “And you must be Special Agent Sanchez. I’m Sheriff Claire Wilson. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Emilia shook the sheriff’s hand. “Please, call me Emilia.”
“And you can call me Claire.” She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. “Have a seat. What can I help y’all with?”
Bennett explained about the threat left on Emilia’s doorstep, along with the connection to Derrick Jackson and the murders. Claire listened carefully, interrupting only to ask clarifying questions. She scribbled notes on a pad.
When Bennett was finished, Claire studied the photograph on Emilia’s phone. “Someone is clearly trying to scare you.”
Emilia leaned forward. “I believe it’s a warning, Sheriff. One we need to take seriously.”
“I have every intention of doing so.” Claire set the phone down. “But I also don’t want to make any assumptions. We don’t have any evidence Derrick was working with someone else. Or that this threat is legitimate. There haven’t been any murders in the county.”
“What about missing women?”
“Nothing in the last few months.”
Bennett breathed out. “Well, that’s something to be grateful for.”
“Agreed. I’ve reviewed the case files on the previous murders even though they happened before I was sheriff. There are holes. Most of the evidence collected from the cabin was never processed. Once Derrick died, my predecessor considered the case closed.”
“Sheriff King relied on my ID.” Emilia rubbed her forehead. “Which, based on this, was faulty.”
“The ID was enough for an arrest, but not to close the case entirely. Victims—especially when drugged—often make mistakes.” Claire met Emilia’s gaze. “Understand, this is not your fault. The evidence from the cabin should have been processed and leads followed up on.”
Bennett’s esteem for the sheriff grew. Claire had sensed the weight of responsibility Emilia carried on her slender shoulders. But it wasn’t her burden to bear.
Emilia’s chin trembled. “Thank you, Claire.”
Bennett patted Emilia’s arm in solidarity before turning to Claire. “Sheriff, if you transfer the evidence you have to the state lab, I can put a rush on it.”
Texas Rangers had priority at the state lab. Bennett had made the same offer to the previous sheriff, but he’d refused. Sheriff King kept an iron grip on his cases and rarely liked to share information or cooperate with other agencies. It’d caused a lot of friction between them.
Claire nodded. “Appreciate it. I’m not sure how much is in the storage room, since the case was closed. Some—or all—of the evidence may have been destroyed. I’ll have a look as soon as we’re done with this meeting.”
“I’d like to review the case files as well,” Bennett said. “I don’t want to step on your toes here, Sheriff—”
“Not