The Girls in the Snow (Nikki Hunt #1) - Stacy Green Page 0,87

floors she remembered from middle school. Stairwells provided a pop of green, but the next floor featured the exact same design. The only thing that changed was the security level. Despite Mark Todd’s incarceration for double homicide, good behavior over the past two decades had earned him a cell in the lower-security area on the first floor.

She followed the guard past the cell block and down a wide hall that led to a common area.

“I heard the resort killer writes to you from prison,” the guard said; his gruff voice made the question sound more like an accusation, but Nikki gave him a pass on manners. Prison guards had one of the hardest jobs in law enforcement.

“Every once in a while,” Nikki confirmed.

“Think you’ll ever catch Frost? I heard he’s very smart.”

“He’ll make a mistake one day. They always do.”

The guard stopped at an open door. “We’ve never had a problem with this guy, but I’ll be out here. The door is unlocked. I’ve been told that thirty minutes is the most I can give you.”

“Thanks.” Her hands were clammy and sweat dampened the back of her neck, but there was no turning back now. She held her head high and walked into the room.

Mark Todd stood as she approached, a nervous smile on his face. He looked the same as Nikki remembered, but he’d gained twenty pounds of muscle and a head of gray hair. Nikki could see a prison tattoo covered part of his thick forearm. “I couldn’t believe it when they told me you were here,” he said. Nikki’s heartbeat accelerated at his friendliness. He made eye contact easily, showing her that while he was nervous, he wasn’t intimidated.

She pulled a chair a little bit away from the table and sat down. “What does the blue uniform signify?” Nikki asked, trying to start the conversation off lightly. She was used to seeing prisoners in orange uniforms, but she was often visiting the most violent of them.

“My job. I work in welding. Got my associate’s for it in here.” Minnesota’s prison education program was among the best in the nation, and the state had experienced a small but consistent drop in repeat offenders among those who earned a certificate or degree, but Nikki was surprised Mark had done this. “I’m going to work for Rory when I get out.” He spoke softly, as though trying to explain himself carefully.

“He’s very loyal to you,” Nikki replied.

Mark nodded, running a hand through his short, gray hair. “You’re the big-time, huh?” he said, motioning at her badge.

“I’m just an FBI agent.”

“Not what I’ve heard,” Mark replied. “You know gossip travels faster in prison than it does in high schools. Couple guys you’ve arrested said you’re relentless. One said you mind-fucked him—his words. He called you an ice-cold bitch.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Use some vitamin E on that or it might scar.” The concern in his eyes was unsettling.

Nikki pulled her hair over her ear to cover the still aching welt. “You should have your attorney here. The security camera doesn’t record audio.”

Mark shrugged. “I trust you.”

What was it with the Todd men and trust? Nikki thought.

Nikki set her phone on the table and turned on the voice notes app. “I want this on the record. I’m protecting myself. Rory said I needed to ask you about the party,” she began. “He said he wouldn’t tell me himself, that it’s your story to tell.”

“Sounds like Rory.” Mark nodded. “Do you remember drinking and then going to sleep it off? And then waking up to what you thought was me attacking you.”

Nikki’s nightmares had returned in full force over the last few days, but they were longer this time, with hazy images she never made out. Nikki was afraid the murky images from her decades-old nightmares had been trying to tell her something she didn’t want to know. “Yes, but I’ve only recently been made aware that I can’t trust what I saw. I was told I was sober enough…”

Mark ran his hands over his face. “I can’t believe no one’s told the truth in twenty years.”

“Mark, what is it you think I need to know?”

Mark sighed. “You were out cold. Like a limp doll and John was laughing and trying to wake you up. He tossed you over his shoulder and carried you down the hall. Before he shut the door, he sticks out his tongue and gives everyone in the room this look. He comes out ten minutes later and