Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [621]
“Bonzado seems to think the killer used a hatchet or machete,” Maggie said out of the blue. Evidently the case still preoccupied her mind, too.
“How is the handsome professor?” she asked, perhaps overcompensating by changing the subject even though the case was exactly what she wanted and needed to hear about. Was it possible Rubin Nash had easy access to a hatchet or machete?
“He’s fine.”
She was pleased with Maggie’s smile. She hadn’t seen Maggie smile about a man since that Nebraska cowboy-turned-district attorney tripped her up. Too much chemistry and no substance was how Maggie explained the disappearance of Nick Morrelli from her life. But Adam Bonzado held some hope. He was certainly someone she could finally share her crazy career with as well as her obsession with evil. And Bonzado was someone who wouldn’t flinch or run away from a woman who tracked killers for a living. Quite the contrary, it would be something that would intrigue him. Adam Bonzado also seemed like a man who knew exactly what he wanted and would be patient enough to wait until Maggie was ready. Gwen hadn’t been convinced that Morrelli had any clue as to what he wanted, nor did he have such patience.
“He has a conference in the District next month,” Maggie offered.
“Oh?”
“So maybe we’ll get together for dinner.”
“Good.”
“Have you heard from Tully since he left for vacation?” Maggie asked, very matter-of-fact, as if it was the most natural progression of the conversation.
Gwen felt a sudden knot in her stomach. Had she opened a can of worms by asking Maggie about Bonzado? Now it was supposed to be her turn to share about Tully. Despite confiding in Maggie about her feelings for R. J. Tully, Gwen still wasn’t sure she wanted those feelings validated or confirmed. Not just yet. Nor did she want to admit she had missed him.
“Couldn’t Cunningham send Tully to Nebraska when he gets back?”
“Gwen?” Maggie laughed. “Tully’s gone for another week. Besides, I thought you’d be anxious to see him.”
“Of course, it’ll be good to see him. That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I don’t understand how Cunningham can send you out on another case when you only got started on the one here. And it sounds like you made some major progress yesterday.”
“I faxed over my preliminary report to Cunningham this morning,” Maggie said as she pulled out her watch to check the time, which Gwen knew meant that she needed to get in line for security soon.
“You were able to come up with a profile that quickly?”
“A preliminary one. When we know more about the victims I’ll learn more about the killer. Racine and Stan have an ID on Jane Doe number three. That’ll help.”
“They know who she is?” Gwen asked.
“Dentals matched a Virginia Tech college student. Her name is Libby Hopper. She’s been missing since early last week.”
“Missing? How did she go missing?” Gwen tried, but couldn’t remember where the university was. What would Nash be doing cruising college campuses? But, of course, easy prey.
“She was supposed to be staying with relatives here in the District between summer sessions. Her car was found in the parking lot of a nightclub in Richmond.”
“Why would he risk bringing her back here?”
“Actually he may not have brought her back here,” Maggie explained.
“What do you mean? Of course he did. You found her head on the banks of the Potomac.”
“He might not have killed her here,” Maggie said, lowering her voice, and Gwen thought it was unnecessary. No one could overhear with the speaker system blasting every other minute about leaving unattended luggage. “He may have killed her somewhere between Richmond and here. That could explain why we haven’t found any torsos. It’s less of a risk to carry around the head.”
“So if Racine gave you all this information about Libby Hopper, does that mean you’re still on this case?” She tried to sound curious, not desperate.
“I’m sure Racine