Page 86 of Hunting Justice
Arms wrapped around her waist, Noelle stood several feet away from the metal autopsy table that held the remains of the man unearthed in Richard Nelson’s backyard. Her pulse raced. The body, the torture room similar to the one he’d used for her, and Matt finding her serial killer had sent her into an internal black hole that she hadn’t climbed out of. From the moment she’d flashed back to her abduction, she’d pushed Jonah away, unsure how to deal with the kaleidoscope of emotions whirling through her. Nelson had taken her security—her self-confidence.
Jonah tied his apron and snapped on nitrile gloves. “All right, ladies and gentlemen. I plan to record the findings, but are there any questions before I start?”
Matt stood across the table from Jonah and cleared his throat. “I’d like it on record that the remains are confirmed through dental and medical records as those of Richard Nelson. He had a unique crack in his jaw noted by old dental X-rays and identical evidence of previous broken bones. We still need DNA verification, but I believe that is a formality at this point. The crime scene techs are continuing to collect evidence, but the initial assessment, along with the cold-case files, shows that starting fifteen years ago, Nelson kidnapped, tortured, and killed for over six years until he disappeared.”
“Noted.” Jonah adjusted the overhead lamp.
“Any information about the young boys in the photo?” Juliette had insisted on backing Noelle up, knowing last night had taken a toll on her.
Matt nodded. “We discovered that Nelson had at least one child. Beyond that, we can’t find any information.”
The conversation swirled around Noelle. She swallowed against the smell of dirt and decay, but it was being in the presence of her killer that made her stomach roil. She hated to admit weakness, but the scene had thrown her off-balance. “Juliette, you have protection duty. I’m stepping outside.”
Jonah paused his work. His gaze met hers.
She couldn’t respond to his silent question. The whole situation had numbed her from the inside out. She hurried from the room.
The door swung closed behind her, and she rushed out the exit into the parking lot.
She drew in fresh air and tilted her face to the sun. Tears spilled over her temples.
God, I should be thanking You for finding the man who hurt me. And I am grateful. But how am I supposed to deal with this? Then there’s Jonah…She closed her eyes. Why had she thought a relationship with Jonah was possible? Life experiences had damaged her more than the physical scars on her arms and chest. Jonah deserved a whole woman, not someone who retreated when memories came crashing down.
Footfalls clomped to her right. She lowered her head, not wanting to bring unwanted attention to her meltdown. She turned to greet the person walking down the sidewalk.
Icy blue eyes met her gaze.
The air was sucked from her lungs. The man who’d attacked Jonah stood a few feet away. She reached for the Glock that pressed against her back.
“No, no.” The man closed the distance and held a gun to her side. “Get your keys. We’re going for a little ride.”
“Who are you?” Noelle slid her fingers into her pocket.
“Easy there with the hand.” He nodded toward her jeans. “You can call me Jack.”
The man’s eyes had her heart pounding. The same unique color and sinister look as Richard Nelson. She fought against the flashbacks, retrieved her keys, and held them up.
He snatched them from her hand and jabbed the barrel of the gun into her side. “Slowly walk to your car.”
Noelle scanned the empty parking lot. So much for covertly signaling someone to alert security. And the cameras on the outside of the building were useless. The assailant had positioned himself in such a fashion that the video feed would show the two of them strolling to her car like friends. Besides, with the Glock in her back, it would be a death sentence to do anything bold.
“Go to the passenger side and get in.”
“I know why you’re trying to kill Dr. Harris, but why take me, Jack?” She followed his instructions and slipped into the car, all the while searching for a way to take the guy down.
“The ME knows too much. He’ll die soon. But you…” He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.
She jerked away. Her skin crawled from his touch.
“You are a loose end. The elusive whale, if you will.” He flashed a grin at her.
“And you’re Moby Dick’s Ishmael?”
He shook his head and chuckled. “Ishmael? No.” Jack flipped down the car’s visor and winked. “Gotta block the view.”
Bile rose in her throat. A list of horrible things he could do to her swirled in her brain. Even with God by her side, she’d never survive another abduction like the first one.
Jack held out the loop of flex cuffs. “Hands.”