Dreaming Death (Krewe of Hunters #32) - Heather Graham Page 0,77

in a whirlwind attack.” Raina was silent a minute. “Her killer came at her from behind. She never saw what happened.” She paused again, hanging her head sadly. “She knew she was going to die. I felt her thoughts in those last minutes. Heartbreaking. But...it was like a replay in my mind. I don’t think that she’s lingered here, that she’s still with us in spirit. It was a residual thing that I felt. I wish there was more. I know what she knew at that time, but... Doesn’t really help, does it?”

“Now we know she was lured, then attacked,” Keenan told her.

“Oh! One thing. I picked up...a scent. A scent of perfume.”

“Perfume, or aftershave?” Stacey asked.

Raina was thoughtful and then said, “I really think perfume. I think that she was killed...by a woman.”

And yet, in her dreams, Stacey was fairly certain it seemed that the killer was a man.

“Well, the thought does seem to be that there’s more than one killer involved in this,” Jackson said.

“Billie?” Stacey said. She looked around at the others. “Lindsey was attacked before Billie. Did Billie kill her—before she was killed herself?”

No one answered as they considered the possibility.

“And does that mean that there’s just one killer left, or that more than two people were involved?” Keenan wondered aloud.

“We’re trying to keep our eyes on all the key players,” Jackson said. “Jess Marlborough’s roommates. Tania Holt. Peggy Bronsen. Colin and Sandra Smith. Cindy Hardy. Protecting anyone who might have been a witness—and who might be seen as a last victim in the Ripper round of this. But we have checked into missing persons and found those who vanished, along with the skull of one man. This might just be one stage of a truly wide-range operation.”

Jackson studied Stacey for a long moment. “Anything more?” he asked.

“The person physically committing the murders is male,” she said. “That’s the clearest part of my dreams.”

“All right, then, keep up whatever pressure you can on Colin Smith,” Jackson said. “He’s still a primary suspect.”

“We’re going to show up there as soon as we’re finished with the task-force meeting,” Keenan told him. Then he asked, “The info that a piece of kidney was sent to Stacey hasn’t gotten out, has it?”

“No, but the kidney was sent to her, so we can’t let up on watching Stacey’s back, either,” Jackson said.

“We’ve got to get to the airport,” Axel said. “I have a few things to get from my office, then we’ll head out.” He nodded to them all and stepped out of the room.

“I’m going to drive him,” Raina said.

“Good, then,” Jackson said. “I’ll check in with Angela, see what our searches have turned up.”

He left the room.

“I’ll be right back,” Keenan said, following him out.

Stacey was left alone with Raina. She smiled weakly.

“Do you have the dreams often?” Raina asked her.

“In general, no. When they do come, it’s like watching a scene unraveling, bit by bit. I saw the body in Lafayette Square, and that was it for that part of the dream. But now I’m seeing a room where the killer is with the victim. He’s functional, but seriously deranged. He can’t wait to rip up his last victim.”

“But you can’t see his victim. Or exactly where it is?”

“No.”

“Well, from what Jackson has told me, you will,” Raina assured her. “I heard this isn’t the first case you’ve helped with. And,” she added brightly, her tone filled with admiration, “you’re an agent.”

“I always wanted to be.”

“I’ve always loved animals,” Raina said. “And I think my more natural talents lie in helping with both police and agency dogs—and pets! I’m happy to come in, though, anytime you think I might help. Or even if you just want to talk.” She hesitated a minute. “Have you met Jon Dickson and Kylie Connolly, yet?”

“No.”

“Oh, no, you wouldn’t have—they’re in Scotland, vacationing and investigating for a friend who apparently has a haunted castle,” she said. “Aren’t all castles supposed to be haunted?” she said with a smile. “But Kylie has had...strange events in her life to go along with this. She had a past-life regression and wound up finding herself as a murder victim. I’m just telling you all this because...well, the Krewe exists because Adam knew there needed to be an honest place for those of us with these strange talents. I just didn’t want you to feel like...the Lone Ranger.”

“Thank you. That is reassuring!” she told Raina.

Raina was quiet for a minute and then asked her, “You’ve experienced dreams that