Vail had just arrived at the command post and dropped Ramos off at his car when her Samsung buzzed violently in her pocket.
So much for going home. She drove off toward I-66, headed for a wooded area that surrounded the banks of the Potomac River: Great Falls National Park in northern Fairfax County, where a dead body had been found.
It did not sound like the deceased male was related to their case, but the task force was obligated to look into all area murders that could be associated with their escaped violent felon.
While en route, her phone rattled again. She did not recognize the number.
“Vail.”
“Karen, it’s Jasmine.”
“Hey girl, I was beginning to wonder about you.”
“I’ve been following the news reports,” Jasmine said. “He’s been killing people again.”
“As I expected,” Vail said. “That’s why I want you in protective custody.”
“Karen, please. Let’s not go through this again. You saw what happened to the last cop you posted outside my house—to keep me safe. No thanks. I’m doing just fine. I’m moving every couple of days to a different place. Although I am eating away at my book advance.”
“Look on the positive side. It’ll give you material for book two.” Ouch. That’s not fair. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make light of this.”
“Of all people, you don’t have to explain your motives. I know you have my best interests in mind. But for now, I feel safer where no one knows who I am. Or where I am.”
“I don’t like it, but I get it.”
“Plus, it lets me be absolutely sure no one talked, voluntarily or involuntarily. My father’s not above torturing someone for information on my whereabouts. This way, no one can give me up. And no one gets hurt.”
“That’s admirable, but—”
“And I’m wearing a disguise.”
Vail stifled a chuckle. “A disguise?”
“Nothing elaborate. Just enough to keep people from noticing me. Maybe it’s silly. I was only on TV a couple of times. But I figured it can’t hurt. You any closer to finding him?”
How do I answer that? “Closer? I think so, yeah. But I wouldn’t say we’re close. I’ll keep you posted. And you stay safe.”
Vail hung up as she turned onto Route 738, then took Old Dominion Drive to the closed National Park Service entrance shack, where she was admitted by a posted law enforcement officer.
In the parking lot sat Curtis’s Chevy sedan and Hurdle’s Toyota SUV. She pulled alongside them and saw a group of men huddled thirty yards away that looked like it included her task force members. Vail made her way over to the knot of personnel and joined the conversation.
“So who and what do we got?”
“No ID,” Curtis said. “Fit white male, early forties and wearing what looks like an expensive shirt and shoes. Nordstrom and Allen Edmonds, according to the ME.”
“Nice wardrobe. But why are we thinking the vic is one of ours?’
Hurdle shrugged. “That’s what we have to determine. Might not be.”
“Cause of death?”
“Strangulation. There’s bruising, pressure marks on the throat, neck, and behind the ears, consistent with a large hand. Hyoid bone may be broken. Petechial and subconjunctival hemorrhages. He said it’s likely to assume the assailant was a male because, judging by the bruises on the neck, those are two sizable paws.”
And women don’t usually have the strength to strangle a man. “Anything else?”
“Looks like he was raped,” Curtis said.
A woman approached with a flashlight in hand. From the gait, Vail knew it was Leslie Johnson.
“Raped how?” Vail asked.
“There’s anal penetration,” Curtis said. “ME thinks he used a condom. He’ll know more later, but he’s fairly certain.”
“Important to know ASAP,” Vail said.
“Why?” Curtis asked, keyed in on her enthusiasm.
“Something that came up in the last few hours. Remember I mentioned my theory that Marcks is gay? His murders may have something to do with that. I’m still working it through.” She turned to Hurdle. “But for purposes of the task force, I think we should put some guys at known gay bars throughout the county, even in the district.”
“Okay,” Hurdle said.
Even in the relative darkness, Vail could tell his facial expression was one of skepticism. “Look, I realize that’ll take a lot of manpower, but I’m confident enough in what I’m seeing to think it’s worth it. If I’m right, and we put undercovers at known gay bars and he shows, we may get our man.”