The District Read Online Free Page B

chain.” He tapped the picture. “Just like this.”
    She squinted at the necklace with the round pendant nestled against the dead woman’s chest. “It’s just a coincidence, Eric.”
    He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I always thought it was some symbol of Satan or something.”
    “And why wouldn’t you?” She studied the design of the symbol, black etching on the silver disc. It almost looked like the outline of a whale’s tail, but she could see how a child might see a pair of horns.
    “Did you ever research it?”
    “Honestly, I’d forgotten all about the design until two minutes ago.”
    “How can you even be sure it’s the same symbol after all these years?”
    “You have your feelings, and I—” he poked his chest with his thumb “—have mine.”
    “It’s not the same necklace, Eric. This is not the same woman.”
    “The age is right. My kidnapper was probably mid-twenties. This woman is mid-forties.”
    “Eric.” She gripped his wrist. “Liz Fielding is not the same woman who kidnapped you. She’s wearing a similar necklace.”
    Licking his lips, he wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. “You’re right. It just took me back. Crazy.”
    He opened the desk drawer and slipped out a piece of paper. He started sketching on it with his pencil.
    “Now what?”
    “I didn’t have access to a computer or the internet twenty years ago. Now I’m curious what, if anything, this symbol means. Who knows? The meaning of Liz’s necklace might even lead to a break in this case.” He lodged his tongue in the corner of his mouth and continued drawing.
    While Eric took his walk down memory lane, she perused the crime scene photos, checking them against the report. The detectives in Portland hadn’t identified a location where the killer could’ve been lying in wait, but he must’ve done so. He’d had his killing accoutrement with him, a blunt object for stunning his victim, a sharp knife for the cutting and the tarot card for the coup de grâce.
    Maybe it wasn’t going to be Liz Fielding that day, but it was going to be someone.
    She’d have to make a return visit to the area where Liz had been found and take Eric with her. She slid a glance at his face, the lines set in concentration.
    He still made her pulse race, and warm, sweet honey pool in all the right places.
    He’d broken her heart when he walked out on her. By the time she’d discovered her pregnancy he’d gone on a leave of absence and escaped to parts unknown.
    Even when she’d heard he was back on the job, she couldn’t bring herself to contact him and tell him about Kendall. He probably would’ve accused her of using Kendall to get him back.
    Once he’d discovered her notes about the Phone Book Killer, it had completely destroyed any trust between them. She’d been so outraged that he believed Ray’s lies about her, she didn’t bother explaining the truth to him. When she found out she was pregnant, it was too late. He’d disappeared from her life...but apparently not for good.
    “There.” He ended the drawing with a flourish. “I’m going to track this down.”
    “I hope it does mean something.”
    Someone tapped on the door and they scooted their chairs apart as if they’d been cheating on an exam.
    Officer Griego waved through the window and held up a white bag.
    “Come in, Rita.”
    She pushed into the room carrying the bag in one hand and a drink in the other. “Here you go. The other drink’s on the table outside.”
    Eric jumped from his chair and took the bag and soda from her and put them on the desk. “Thanks.”
    She handed him the other drink and a fistful of money. “Here’s your change.”
    “That’s okay.” He waved a hand. “Put it in the lunch kitty.”
    “Will do. Enjoy your lunch. Let me know if you need anything.”
    Eric tapped his black bag on the floor with the toe of his shoe. “Wi-Fi for my laptop?”
    “Absolutely.”
    “Thanks,