Page 82 of Hunting Justice
“My serial killer.” Noelle shoved her trembling hands under the table.
Jonah reached over and clasped her fingers, hoping his touch encouraged her to continue.
Noelle shook her head. “But it’s not possible.”
“How so?” Decia leaned in.
Jonah glanced at Alana and Juliette, who remained silent, worry etched on their faces.
“The age is all wrong. This guy is in his late twenties, early thirties. The man who abducted me would be in his late fifties if not early sixties by now. There’s no way it’s the same person.”
“A son, maybe?” Alana offered.
Decia rubbed her temples. “I’m not saying it is, but what if it is a father-son connection like we considered?”
“Congressman Clifton Sanford and his son Lincoln?” Juliette asked.
“Maybe.” Noelle rubbed her eyes. “But I don’t think so. Sanford’s eyes are blue, but not the same. And Lincoln’s were brown.”
“Contacts?” Alana rested her elbows on the table.
“Anything is possible.” Noelle sighed.
Decia narrowed her gaze at an invisible spot on the table. “The aide, Royce Dwight, has blue eyes. They had this strange, almost icy look to them.”
“What?” Noelle jerked her attention to her detective friend.
The description wasn’t lost on Jonah. She’d described the eyes that haunted her to him. He squeezed her hand.
“They weren’t your normal blue. That’s why it made an impression,” Decia said.
“He didn’t make eye contact with me. Always seemed to have his head down.” Noelle’s voice quivered. “I never saw them.”
Jonah’s gut twisted at the implication. “Alana, call Raven and get her looking into Royce Dwight. And while she’s at it, into his father too.”
“On it, Doc. I’ll catch up with y’all later when I have answers.” Alana had her phone to her ear as she strode from the room.
“Decia, I know you have an officer researching Royce and his dad, but we need to move on this.” Jonah’s heart threatened to beat out of his chest.
“I agree. I’ll gladly accept Raven’s help.” Decia’s cell rang. “What’s up, Matt?” A pause. “Are you serious?” Another pause. “I’m on my way.” She hung up. “Matt has the address for Richard Nelson along with a search warrant.”
“How’d he secure that?” Jonah hadn’t thought they had enough evidence to convince a judge.
“EGA has friends in high places.” The detective smiled. “Since the man is missing and a possible link to a serial killer, they agreed.”
Noelle stood. “I’m coming.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Decia’s calm tone belied the worry stamped across her features.
Jonah glanced at Noelle, and it hit him. She’d opened the dam on her past, and if she ever wanted to recover from her personal nightmare, she had to see this through for her own sanity. After all she’d endured, she deserved to be there. “I’ll go with her.” He stared down Detective Slaton, determine to give Noelle what she needed.
“Fine. But, Doc, you stay right by my friend’s side.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be.” That was a lie. He’d rather be at Noelle’s house waiting on the news instead of taking her to the possible home of the man who’d tortured her. But he’d be what she needed him to be: the person that stood beside her as she faced her biggest fear.
* * *
The birds chirping in the trees surrounding the old house that sat away from the county road set Noelle’s nerves on edge. Hip resting on the hood of her car, she wrapped her arms around her waist and waited on Matt and two other officers to search Richard Nelson’s modest single-story house. Sweat beaded on her forehead, but not from the heat. What if Nelson was her serial killer?