Cynthia Eden - Before The Dawn

“How long was she in there?” Tucker asked her.

Julia hesitated.

“If we know how long she was frozen,” he said, “we can figure out more information about the man who took her.”

“Freezing the victim helped to obscure her time of death.” She shook her head. “I’m working on that, but...I don’t have a definitive time for you. Considering the way she was stored, I doubt I’ll ever have that for you.”

Exactly what Dawn had said...and, unfortunately, what he’d suspected given his own knowledge of forensics. “Did you find any evidence on her?” Tucker asked. “Skin cells beneath her fingernails? Fibers or—”

“Her wrists were tied together when we pulled her out of the freezer. From what I can tell, she never had the opportunity to fight back.” Sorrow flashed on Julia’s face. “The killer was very organized, I can tell you that. No trace evidence was left behind.”

So basically, they had jackshit. “I want to see the crime scene.”

Anthony nodded. “Sure thing, but...the freezer was transferred to Evidence. We ran a check on the serial number and got a hit because, years ago, the freezer was registered under warranty. We found that owner, but it turned out that she’d put the freezer out as garbage two years ago. She thought it was hauled to the dump. Hell, maybe it was...or maybe someone just took it when they saw it outside. Either way...we turned up empty when it came to tracking it.”

Son of a bitch. “I’ll be wanting to talk to that woman.”

Anthony shrugged. “Yeah, okay, but I already interviewed her. She didn’t know anything about the case and when I told her about just what had been found inside of the freezer...I thought she was going to have a heart attack.”

His attention shifted back to the woman in that freezer. “She has a name. She has a family.”

“She had a life,” Macey murmured.

Had. Until some sick bastard stole that life.

“Someone is looking for her,” Tucker said. Somewhere out there, someone was looking.

But Anthony shook his head. “Maybe they’re not.” He paced near the exam table as the coroner watched him. “Jules, you know as well as I do that the lost flock to our city. The Big Easy is a great place if you’re looking to escape a troubled past. If you just walk down Canal, you’ll see our homeless. Those are people that slip under the radar every day. People who could vanish and...” His lips tightened. “And no one would be looking for them.”

Tucker cocked his head as he studied the victim’s covered body once more. “She didn’t look malnourished. Her hair was cut neatly and...” Now his stare darted to Julia. “Any sign of needle marks or drug use?”

“No. Other than the knife wounds, there were no marks on her at all. No distinguishing birthmarks. No tattoos. Nothing that stood out.”

He nodded. “I don’t think she lived on the streets.”

“That doesn’t mean she wasn’t running from someone,” Anthony continued doggedly. “Hell, just ask Dawn. People come here for a fresh start. ’Cause they are trying to escape someone or something.”

Tucker’s shoulders stiffened. “I know plenty about Dawn.”

“No,” Anthony denied, “I’m not so sure you do.”

The guy was pissing him off. He took a breath, focused. Keep your control always. And a dick detective wasn’t going to get beneath his skin. Tucker motioned toward Macey. “Dr. Bradford, my partner, Macey Night, has her medical degree.”

Julia’s brows rose. “So you want to review my findings?” She jumped right to the point, but didn’t seem upset or territorial, responses that Tucker had certainly seen in the past.

“I’d like to assist you,” Macey clarified. “Because when it comes to serials, I have experience.”

That was an understatement.

“Sometimes I can see things—particularly relating to a killer’s signature—that might be missed during the course of a normal exam.”

Julia nodded her head toward a box of white exam gloves. “Help yourself. I’m not into any pissing match, so you want to help me find justice for this woman?” She nodded grimly. “Then I appreciate the help.”

And while Macey was working with the coroner, Tucker had plans of his own. “Thanks for your time, Doctor,” he said to Julia. Then he made his way outside. Anthony was right behind him. He waited until they’d left the coroner’s building, when they were outside—and then he turned on the guy. “Just what is the nature of your relationship with Dawn Alexander?” The words came out quiet, flat, as he stared at the other man.

Anthony blinked. His expression was bemused. “Excuse me?”

“Do you have a personal relationship with her? Because that’s something I need to know about.” Right the hell then.

Anthony’s face tightened. “Look—”

“No, you look. We have a killer imitating the Iceman in New Orleans, the same city that the Iceman’s only surviving victim just happens to live in. And then we have you...the detective who found the body based on a tip. Then I learn that you and Dawn... You two seem close. I’m thinking the killer knew that, too, and that’s why he chose you to receive the tip.” His breath felt cold in his lungs. “So I’m going to ask again, just what is the nature of your relationship with Dawn Alexander?”

A muscle flexed in Anthony’s jaw. “We’re friends. I help her on cases and she helps me.”

Friends. “Nothing more?”

Anthony’s mouth opened.

“No, nothing more.”

That had not been Anthony responding. Tucker glanced to the right and saw Dawn step from the side of the building. She came toward him with slow, determined steps.

“Eavesdropping?” Tucker demanded.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her left ear. “I’ve found that cops don’t always want to share directly with me. But you’d be surprised what you can pick up from folks if you just stop...and listen.”

And hide out of sight.

“I need to get back to the station,” Anthony mumbled. “Captain Hatch is going to be wanting a report from me. Agent Frost, we’ll finish this conversation later.”

“Nothing left to finish,” Dawn said. “I think I gave him a solid answer for us both.”

“Dawn...” Anthony’s voice had a warning edge. “Watch your step with him. The FBI might not play as nicely with you as the NOPD does.”

She didn’t speak until Anthony was gone. Then she swept her gaze over Tucker. “I asked you to play nicely before, but you shut me out of the investigation.” She shook her head. “That’s okay. I don’t give up easily.”

Obviously not.

“You followed me here?” Tucker asked.

She smiled. For an instant, he could have sworn that his heart stopped.

“Don’t be silly. I know where the coroner’s office is. Julia and I go out for beignets every Thursday.” She paused. “And po’boys on Tuesdays.”

So she had an in with the coroner. “You’re planning to get her to tell you what she’s learned on the case?”

Her smile dimmed. “I was actually hoping you would tell me what you learned.” She paused a beat. “Is it him?”

Him? And he found himself reaching for her. This time, he was prepared when she flinched away from his touch, but he still kept his hands wrapped around her shoulders. “Jason Frost is dead.”

“Was the MO the same? Was the pattern of slices the same?”

“Yes,” he ground out, “but...”

“Was she alive when he put her into the freezer?”

He didn’t speak but he could tell by the way her face paled that his silence was answer enough.

“So...” Dawn licked her lips. “If this is a copycat, we’re dealing with someone who has closely studied Jason’s work. To get all of the wounds just right, to attack with a knife that many times...”