Midnight Fear Read Online Free PDF Page A

resentment sailing through her.
    “I know what your role in the investigation cost you, Caitlyn,” he said. “And no matter what Joshua did, I understand he is still your brother.”
    “He’s a murderer,” she whispered. Her face felt hot. “What he did—”
    “Wasn’t your fault.” Reid reached across the desk and covered her hand with his, an unexpected, consoling gesture. Caitlyn didn’t look at him, afraid her eyes would reveal the loneliness and pain she’d felt since her family’s unraveling. Reid was a specialist in behavioral psychology with an advanced degree—surely he could sense such things. When he withdrew his hand after a brief moment, she released a breath and slowly repeated the question she’d asked earlier.
    “Why are you here?”
    “I was at a homicide scene this morning. A female victim. The signature was similar to Joshua’s.” A tensebeat of silence fell between them. “It’s being viewed as a possible copycat.”
    What felt like a cold stone sat in the pit of Caitlyn’s stomach. “You think someone’s emulating Joshua? Why?”
    “There are a couple of theories.” Reid templed his fingers on the desk as he spoke. “It’s believed copycats have the same impulses as regular killers, but lack the originality to go their own path so they mimic the style of someone they admire. They may also view it as a bonding ritual with the original killer.”
    “You said regular killers. I’d consider that an oxymoron.”
    He gave a small nod. “That’s true.”
    “How was the murder similar to…” Caitlyn’s voice trailed off, but she forced herself to finish. “To the ones Joshua committed?”
    “The victim’s physical description is similar to the women he chose—mid-twenties to mid-thirties, blonde, attractive. There’s also a similar pattern of wounds to the body. The COD—” realizing his use of law enforcement lingo, Reid checked himself “—the cause of death appears to be strangulation.”
    “What about the cigarette burns?”
    “They were present, as well.”
    Caitlyn swallowed, thinking of the crime scene details brought out during Joshua’s trial. “But those things could be purely coincidental, couldn’t they? It isn’t enough to know for certain.”
    “There’s something else. A chess piece, a pawn, was inserted into the victim’s mouth.”
    She felt a chill. Joshua’s mastery of the game had been widely discussed in the press reports surrounding his arrest and trial, since it pointed to his high intellect and was symbolic of the privilege and culture in which he’d been raised. One journalist had even used the game as a metaphor for describing Senator Cahill’s strategy for thwarting the FBI investigation into his son. It was a game her father had been winning until Reid Novak approached Caitlyn and convinced her Joshua was responsible, asking for her help.
    Her arms folded over her white turtleneck sweater, Caitlyn stood and walked the short length of the office, until she reached the window that provided a view into the equestrian ring. Sarah, her newest instructor, was on foot and leading a brown gelding by the reins. A boy of about ten, his face and anatomy bearing the physical characteristics of Down’s syndrome, sat in the horse’s saddle. His expression was one of pure delight. Above them, the sky was bright blue with only a few wispy clouds.
    Caitlyn sensed Reid’s presence behind her. She turned slowly, tilting her head upward to stare into his face. She’d been right. There was a new leanness to him and his dark hair was shorter, making his strong, clean-cut features more pronounced.
    “I wanted you to know about this. If there are other murders, it could create renewed media interest in your brother.”
    Her throat felt tight. “You think there could be…others?”
    “I hope not. But the chess pawn indicates the perpetrator wanted to be sure we made the connection. It’s not a good sign. Just be prepared, Caitlyn.”
    She did her