Reeves, who are investigating the case of the Weekday Killer. Already this man has murdered three women and is still at large.” She pushed the mic toward Ellie. “Can you give us an update?”
“The FBI, along with local Bluff County law enforcement, are doing everything possible to find this killer and make it safe for women in the county again. Currently we are exploring several leads and persons of interest, one of which includes escaped psychiatric patient Vinny Holcomb,” Ellie paused.
“Mr. Holcomb has a history of violence against women and is extremely dangerous. If you have any knowledge of him or his whereabouts, please contact the police.” She glanced at the clock in the middle of the square––every single second counted in a case like this. “Once again, he is considered extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to apprehend him yourself. Alert authorities immediately.”
Ellie’s mind turned to the photo of her, branded with a X. He might be coming after her right now.
“One last thing, Mr. Holcomb, if you see this, please contact us. No one else has to be hurt. If you want me, then call me and we’ll talk.”
As she wrapped up, Ellie noticed a muscle ticking in Derrick’s jaw. She didn’t give a damn if the killer came after her if she could save Shondra’s life.
Leaving Derrick to finish dealing with Angelica, Ellie ducked into the station.
Deputy Landrum looked up from his desk. “Are you sure you should be here instead of the hospital?”
Ellie battled guilt. “Right now, Shondra needs me more. I can do something for her––but I can’t help my mother right now.” She licked her dry lips. “There’s something I want you to do.”
He murmured agreement. “What is it?”
“Both Dr. Whitefeather and the therapist at the mental hospital suggested the killer might have worked in the medical field or a funeral home. I want you to look into those, any that are close by, and any medical personnel or funeral directors who’ve had complaints filed against them. Also compare those names to anyone connected to the Ole Glory Church. Even one of the body movers who transports bodies to the funeral home.” She rubbed her forehead.
“Still working on getting a complete list of the parishioners and staff of Ole Glory,” he replied. “Apparently, someone recently broke into their office and stole files, but the historian of the church is trying to compile a list from memory.”
That could take time. Time they didn’t have.
A text dinged on Ellie’s phone, and she opened it, her heart pummeling her chest when she saw what it was.
Dear God. It was a video of a young dark-haired woman somewhere in the woods, tied up in the midst of a cluster of weeping willow trees. Spidery moss hung to the ground, the willows’ limbs bowed with the weight. Terror filled the woman’s eyes and her cheeks were stained with tears.
“Please don’t kill me,” the woman cried, her voice jagged with desperation. “Please, I don’t want to die.”
Ellie gasped as the camera showed a man’s hand gripping a knife, glinting. “Thursday’s child has far to go,” the masked man sang creepily. “Too far to go for redemption.”
“Someone help me!” the woman screamed.
He swung the knife down in one quick motion, slashing the woman’s throat.
Blood spattered across the ground and dripped down her neck, staining the grave of wildflowers.
Seventy-Nine
Weeping Willow Holler
Ellie replayed the woman’s death in her mind as Cord led her toward Weeping Willow Holler. She’d recognized the place the moment she’d seen the video and had called Cord immediately.
Before she left, tips from the public had started coming in about Vinny, and Derrick had gotten word that a man fitting his description had been spotted at a property near a small country store. He had gone to check it out.
Meanwhile, Paulson had been ruled out as the Weekday Killer. Evidence proved he’d set the fire at her parents’ house, but he had alibis for the other murders.
Although Ellie was relieved Shondra hadn’t been in the video, watching another young woman die at the hands of this monster had torn her up inside. How many other innocent victims would die under her watch?
Derrick’s team was analyzing the video to see if it was real time, and nausea rolled through Ellie at the thought.
Dusk had set in, casting the forest in gloom as the moss from the weeping willows draped the ground and formed a circle near the creek bed. They passed a group of hikers setting up camp, and Ellie paused to