The Girls in the Snow (Nikki Hunt #1) - Stacy Green Page 0,53

was killed out of desperation.”

“Exactly,” Nikki said. “We need to find out who she is. Liam, get her description on the news, along with a picture of her tattoo. Make sure the information goes to both Wisconsin and Minnesota media.” She turned to Miller. “Did your deputies turn up anything at Hanson’s house this morning?”

“Uneventful. He doesn’t have a freezer, and there’s no sign of one recently being moved,” Miller said. “His wife wasn’t surprised when we showed up with the warrant.”

“He probably gave her a sterilized version of events,” Nikki said. “Did you get my message about Amy on the security video of Kaylee’s?”

Miller’s mouth tightened. “I can’t believe she didn’t tell me that. Do you think she could be involved?”

“Anything is possible, although I have a hard time believing she killed her own child. I need to brief Hardin. Walk with me?”

“Absolutely. I stopped by Brianna’s place last night,” Miller said. “Her dad and I played football together, so I’d hoped that would be my in to talking with her. But her father’s out of town on business, and Brianna told her mother she’s got nothing else to say and that we needed to leave her alone. Apparently, she’s got anxiety issues as it is.”

“She definitely knows something more,” Nikki said. “But pressing her mother doesn’t sound like a good idea. She works at the library, right?”

Miller nodded. “I think her next shift is in a couple of days.”

“I gave her my card. If she does know anything relevant, maybe a third victim will convince her to call.” Nikki was determined that no one else was going to be killed on her watch. This case had to be solved as soon as possible.

Hardin had retreated to his vehicle, his big belly pressed against the steering wheel. Nikki rolled her eyes. If he got in an accident, that steering wheel would be coming out of his ass, she thought to herself.

Hardin rolled down his window. “Well?”

“Zero chance Frost did this,” Nikki said. “Good chance it’s somehow related to Madison and Kaylee’s murders.”

“How in the world do you get that?” Hardin asked.

Nikki explained her theory to Hardin. “From the disturbance to the snow, it’s likely she rolled around in the snow, probably fighting to get up, before she died. He came back and arranged her and probably put the ribbon on her.”

“Then why couldn’t this be Frost?”

“Frost immediately freezes his victims after they’re dead,” Nikki said. “Their bodies are pristine. He wouldn’t deviate from his routine and allow a victim to get frostbite. That mars the beauty of it to him.”

Hardin sighed. “You’ve already said Madison and Kaylee aren’t Frost victims, either.”

“To you,” Nikki said. “But not to the public. He’s still in play. The girls’ killer didn’t expect us to find their bodies, and when we did, he started to panic. Frost gives him a lifeline. I think this woman’s death may have been an attempt to push us towards Frost again.”

Hardin chewed his lower lip. Nikki didn’t remind Hardin of his earlier certainty that Frost had struck in Stillwater.

“You know as well as I do that most killers aren’t as smart as they’re portrayed on television. If this is someone who killed the girls and didn’t expect them to be found, he’s in a panic right now. He most likely believes killing this woman leads us away from him, and we need to let him believe that.”

“I can keep the press information brief,” Hardin said.

“You have to walk a fine line,” Nikki said. “Don’t commit one way or the other.”

Hardin’s chin jutted out. “I know how to deal with the media, Agent.”

“And I know Frost,” she replied. “He’s methodical, and he’s ruled by his ego. If you push the narrative too far, he will do something that very clearly proves he’s not responsible. That blows our strategy, not to mention possibly getting someone else killed.”

“Fine,” he said. “You think our victim knew something about the murders or was she just a decoy?”

“That’s the million-dollar question. We’ll know more after she’s identified and autopsied.” Nikki smiled sweetly. “Why did you call Newport?”

Hardin scowled. “I’m just trying to get her attention off us.”

Miller had walked over to speak with a deputy. Hardin already seemed off his game. If she asked about the blood test now, she might get an honest reaction.

“Where’s the blood test I took that night? To check my blood alcohol level.”

Hardin’s expression didn’t change, but he stiffened, his hands gripping the steering wheel. “What are you talking