that Courtney settled because the complaints were bogus, and that the women who sued were money-hungry.”
Anger twinged inside Ellie. Courtney’s sister told a different story.
“We’ll keep pursuing it,” Hale added, “but given how things are developing, it feels less likely than it did on Monday that it’ll lead to our killer.”
Moving on, Ellie said, “Dr. Whitefeather also found a thick band of bruising around the victim’s neck, which could be consistent with a dog collar or a choker that might be used in sexual play.” Ellie gestured to Heath. “Did you find anything on that?”
“Nothing definitive,” the deputy said. “The adult shop on the interstate sells several versions that might fit the crime, although most of his customers pay in cash, as they don’t want to give their names.”
“Or their wives to see the shop on the credit card bill,” Bryce muttered.
“And he said a lot of the trade is online anyway these days,” Heath continued, ignoring him. “A collar or choker could have been ordered from countless online stores.”
“The killer texted me personally,” Ellie went on, also ignoring the sheriff. “The number was from a burner phone, which as you all know is difficult if not impossible to trace to the owner.” Ellie released a breath. “The message on the paper found in the victim’s mouth appears to have been written on a typewriter. The lab is analyzing it now, along with the wounds on the woman’s throat, to pinpoint what kind of knife he used. Although the striations look like a regular hunting knife.”
“Send everything to my people,” Derrick said. “Maybe they can trace the type of typewriter and who bought it.”
Ellie motioned for Heath to handle it.
“What’s this place called the Reflection Pond?” Derrick asked.
Ellie explained about the folklore associated with the area. “Locals claim that if you look at your reflection in the water there you see a mirror of your inner soul. I think our killer knew about the flaws with Courtney’s makeup line, and that she was lying to her customer base to sell her product.”
Ellie pinned up a photograph of victim number two. “This is Tuesday’s victim. Her name is Carrie Winters.” She glanced at Heath.
Heath looked up from his laptop. “She’s a stripper,” Heath said. “Works as a dancer at a place called the Men’s Den.”
“They do more than dance there,” Bryce muttered with a chuckle.
Ellie barely resisted an eye roll. Of course he would know that. “That could mean something to our killer. I believe the way he poses the victim, the wording of each day’s rhyme, and the locations where he chooses to leave the body are significant.”
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Derrick making a note. “Where did he leave victim number two?” he asked.
“At a primitive Baptist church called Ole Glory, by Red River.” She filled him in on the folklore about the color of the water and the baptisms held there. “Tuesday’s child is full of grace,” she said as she gestured to the whiteboard. “My working theory is that our killer must have thought Carrie had fallen from grace, so he left her at a church which has old-school, traditional values and would be a place to repent.” She tapped the photograph of Carrie. “He also left a Bible page from Genesis in her hands. The very page where Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit.”
A heavy silence settled over the room as everyone absorbed the information. Derrick was making copious notes and Heath was tapping away. Over his shoulder, she saw him studying Carrie’s social media.
“Did you find Ms. Winters’ next of kin?” she asked.
Heath shook his head. “According to records, her parents are dead, and she has no siblings.”
“I’ll talk to her coworkers,” the sheriff offered. “Maybe one of her customers is this perv.”
Of course he’d volunteer to go to the strip club.
But they had to divide up manpower, so she said nothing.
“Why wrap thorns around their necks when he’d already slashed their throats?” Captain Hale asked.
Deputy Landrum cleared his throat and spoke before Ellie could. “According to Biblical symbolism, thorns represent sin.”
“Which means our killer could be religious, or he’s studied its symbolism,” added Ellie.
Derrick drummed his fingers on the table. “Your theory sounds right, Detective Reeves. The posing and places are definitely significant. He may have some kind of God complex where he believes he’s punishing these women for perceived sins.”
Ellie relaxed slightly. She was accustomed to being underestimated by her peers, and it was refreshing for someone