Sorry about the long wait! Hope you enjoy.
Music started playing by my head, "Well I can't stand to look at you now/this revelation's out of my hands" I picked up the phone on my nightstand and put it to my head.
"Hello?"
"Hey, you and Ian need to get down here ASAP. We might have found a new lead."
"Why didn't you call him?"
"He didn't answer, so will you come?"
I rolled over looking at the still sleeping man beside me. "Yeah, we will be there soon." And I hung up before sitting up in the bed and looking down at him. I ran my hands through his hair and that got him moving. "Ian, they found something and want us down there. Time to get up."
"Do we have too?"
"Come on, we can shower together." And he jumped up and was in the bathroom waiting for me. I laughed as I walked to the door of the bathroom, already hearing the shower going. Already being naked from the night before, I walked over to the tub and pulled the curtain aside, stepping into the hot water with him behind me. "You aren't getting any right now, we have to hurry." I could tell he was pouting, but handed me my shampoo as he just used a bar of soap on his body, washing mine for me as well. As we finished, we entered the bedroom and I tossed him his bag as I went to the dresser.
After dressing, we both grabbed a bagel and cream cheese walking to his truck. The drive to the office was quiet, me wondering on what they found and Ian was trying to eat and drive. Luckily, we got to the FBI in 15 minutes, no incidents, but there was some honking following the truck. We showed the guard our badges and went up to Don's office. I sat down on the table, stretching out a bit and Ian went over to Colby. "So, what do you got Don?" I asked before taking a bite of the bagel in hand.
"We looked up the name, Joseph Collins; that you found yesterday. This is what we got." He clicked the remote and pictures and files appeared on the screen. "He is a bouncer for a local bar, 36, single, only living relative is his sister, Dana." The man was blonde with brown eyes, stood at 6'5" and was well muscled, very attractive. "No connection yet." I nodded and looked around the room.
"Question, is this the only reason you brought us down here?" I wasn't happy that when I looked at the clock it read 8:15, after the shower.
"No. Actually Charlie wanted you to help him with some numbers." I looked over at the curly-haired professor and pushed myself off the table.
"Come on professor. Let's do some math." And he led me to a room where several whiteboards were set up.
"So, I was thinking of using the Small World Problem algorithm to see if that is how he is finding these people, since as of now there is no connection between the two. There is a security team being sent to guard him as we speak."
"Well, let's get started." And after about three hours, we had…nothing.
Don walked in. "So, this Joe guy never officially met Hull, but he saw her in passing at a bookstore a few weeks ago."
"Does he know what she bought? What did he buy?" They pulled credit card purchases for the past two months and started going through them.
"Wait, go back." Megan called out. Don went back up and there were purchases for the same bookstore- Libra del Sol. They were from the same day and for the same amount.
Don immediately took action. "David, Megan, go." They both stood and were out the door within seconds, Don calling the team protecting Collins. "Yeah, can I talk to Collins?" He asked the lead man. It was a few seconds before he was talking again, "Yeah, how are you? Good, good. So, a few weeks ago you bought a book at Libra del Sol, what was it?" Silence. "Really? Did you notice a brunette there too, around the same time? Thanks." And he hung up, looking at his phone and sighing heavily.
"Don?" Colby asked cautiously.
"There was a book signing, he was in line right next to her. It was for Kevin Srouch."
There was silence except for me, I had read his book. The Dark Night, it was about a murder who used the seasons to cover up his killings. "Don, we may have more bodies out there." I say quietly. He looked at me. "In the book, the killer uses the seasons to kill people. Like in the summer, he left them out to bake to death, those types of things."
"Tell us the whole story." I was ordered. I glared at Colby but summarized it. Don then asked where he published through. I told them and we called immediately, needing to know more about him. He just so happened to be on his way to LA today for a review.
"Paige, you and Ian are going to go with Colby to interview him. We need to know if he saw anything suspicious. I will tell Megan, David and Charlie about it." We nodded and I grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair as we were leaving. Ian and I were heading to his truck when Colby whistled.
"Guys, FBI vehicle." And swirled a key ring around his finger. We laughed and followed him down to the FBI garage. He hit the unlock button and the lights flashed on an SUV, which we headed to. I grabbed the front passenger side before Ian could, resulting in sticking my tongue out at him. He got in the back while Colby turned on the SUV and drove us to the two story, house turned business on the eastern part of town.
"Why set up a multi-million dollar business here?" Colby asked looking at the house. There was nothing that would say it was anything other than a house. Light blue paint with cream shutters and door, a wrap-around balcony on the upper layer. Two car garage, with a shed in the back and trees in the front and back. A garden was on the right side of the lawn, seedlings adorning it. Two dogs were playing, a golden retriever and a mix, the only indication it wasn't a normal home was the enlarged driveway to fit an extra dozen cars or so. We parked and walked up to the front porch, ringing the doorbell, arousing the dogs' curiosity.
When the door opened, a man that easily stood at 6'6" and was broad shouldered and heavily muscled, easy to tell through his tailored suit. His dirty blonde hair swept back and his deep brown eyes menacing. "May I help you?"
Colby held up his badge. "Special Agent Colby Granger, FBI. Ian Edgerton, FBI. Professor Paige Miller. We called to talk to one of your writers, is your boss in?"
"Please, come in." we followed and he closed the door behind us. The inside was beautiful with dark hardwood floors and the hallway was painted with a light moss green. It was beautiful, and accented by mirrors and a few painting and photos. He opened a safe and gestured. "For the safety of Ms. Gia, would you leave your weapons here, to be returned when you leave. I would prefer not to have to search you." Ian and Colby were both hesitant, but unloaded their guns and put both rounds and guns in. I pulled the knife I had out of its hiding spot and put it in as well.
"Thank you, now please follow me." And he lead us up the stairs and down the hall to a set of double doors. Upstairs was decorated the same as the first level. Opening the door, the office was painted in a deep woody green with a tree bark brown carpet. Two full length windows were on either side of the cherry-wood desk. The furniture was all black leather, except the couch on the wall which was a crystal blue. Opposite of the couch was a large fish tank, a few fish in it, nothing compared to the shark that was swimming along the bottom.
The man prompted us forward and told us to take a seat in the three chairs in front of the desk. A very feminine voice came from the chair. "Thank you Greer, will you please get our other guest?"
"Yes Ms. Gia." And he left the room.
"Welcome, I am Gia Sarus, owner of Element Publishing. How can I help you?" She said with a smile, her chestnut brown hair held red streaks and her eyes a deep ocean blue.
"I am Special Agent Colby Granger, with the FBI. We have two murders that are connected to your client's book signing a few weeks ago, and we would like to talk to him."
"Of course. You have our full cooperation. And who are your friends Mr. Granger?" Her eyes met with mine briefly then passed to Ian.
"This is special agent Ian Edgerton, and Professor Paige Miller." At that her eyes snapped right back to me.
"As in the archery champion?" I blushed. "Oh I would love to get an autograph, please?" I nodded and she pulled out a piece of paper and handed me her pen. I gave the autograph, which was different than the signature I used to sign checks and credit cards. When I handed it back to her, the door opened and Greer led in a man that was 5'9" and had black hair with glasses. He walked up to us and Greer pulled over another chair.
"Thank you, please bring up some coffee." And the imposing man left. "Mr. Srouch, these are FBI agents Colby Granger and Ian Edgerton, and Professor Paige Miller. They have some questions about your book signing a few weeks ago."
He shook our hands, "Pleasure to meet you. I will help however I can." His voice sent a shiver through my body with its deep baritone.
Colby started the questioning, holding up a picture of Hull. "Do you recognize this woman?"
"Uh, yeah. She started talking about how much she enjoyed it, the book, and then spilt her coffee on the front of her shirt. First time I had a book signing with cussing." He chuckled. "The man behind her handed her some napkins and they left together, without getting his signed. About an hour later another man had his signed and the man from earlier was with him. They were talking like they have known each other for years, yet they were still uneasy enough to tell they just met."
Colby pulled out another picture, this one of Collins. "Was this one of the men?" He took the picture and studied it.
"Yeah. This is the one that came back. I wasn't paying a lot of attention but I think he was talking to other people around the store too."
"Thank you, is there a number we can reach you at for more questions?" He gave us a business card.
I spoke up before he left. "Sir, may I have an autograph? I am a big fan." He smiled and signed a piece of paper to me.
He winked at me. "Good luck guys, and lady." Then left. We turned to our host again.
"He is, charming." Ian said with difficulty, not liking that he hit on me.
"Ah, jealous? Yes, we do have a lot of women that send him mail that have nothing to do with his books." She smiled softly. "He stays here; all our writers do, when they are in town. It is the safest, between our guard dogs-not the ones out front, and Greer, we have ample protection."
"Well, let us know if you see anyone suspicious, just in case. Thank you for your time." And we stood up, shaking hands. As soon as we were back outside, with our weapons back on our persons, Colby had his phone out.
"Don, Collins might be the culprit. We are heading over now. Yup see you there." And Colby put on the sirens as we sped to the place where Collins was staying.
"Before you accuse him of anything, let me talk to him." I said while we went down the highway.
"Why?" Colby asked, eyes flicking to me.
"If I see his hands, I can tell if he has shot a bow before." I said pulling on a pair of gloves from my pocket.
"What if he wears gloves?"
"There are signs." I said, confident in the fact I would be able to recognize callouses.
"You sure?" Ian asked, knowing better than to order me to not go. At my nod, Colby called David.
"Don't act like we are on to them. We will be there in about 10 minutes. Just keep him occupied." His swerving caused me to be tossed to his side, even with the seatbelt. I glared at him, which he didn't even notice. We got there and parked. I got to take point going up to the house and knocked, being let in.
Megan pointed me to Joe's room, and I went and knocked. He let me in and looked confused. I held out my hand, "Paige Miller, nice to meet you."
"Joseph Collins, likewise." I didn't feel any callouses but until I looked I couldn't be sure. "Not to be rude, but why are you here?"
"Just to talk, another civilian to help you calm down." I noticed his copy of Kevin's new book with a marker towards the end. "How far are you? I finished mine last week."
"I am just after they found the weapon for the spring." And we were talking about his other books. I noticed he kept gripping his hand, "You're hand ok?"
"Yeah, just stiff. Been reading all day."
"May I?" I held out my hands and he put his in. I started massaging, feeling for any callouses. "You do any sports?"
"Hiking, that's about it. My hiking stick is in the corner." I kept massaging and looked over to it. It was a dark wood with carvings.
"It is gorgeous. Did you do it?"
"Yeah. Way back when." And we were talking about nothing. By the time I was done with both hands, I could tell positively that he had never shot an arrow in his life, if even held a bow.
"What do you do for a living?" I had to know.
"I am a bouncer. I try to advertise whenever I am out." I nodded.
"I will be back in a bit, thank you." He waved and I left meeting everyone in the living room. "He hikes. I can tell you with a high percent accuracy he has never shot an arrow, let alone held a bow, in his life."
"You sure?" Don was looking straight at me, I matched his brown gaze.
"Yes." I went back in while everyone else stayed in the living room, and eventually I was asked to leave for questioning once again. Ian decided to take me home and my mind was wandering.
"Paige?"
"It wasn't him. I can tell."
"I believe you, we will find the killer. I promise." And we got into bed together.
Who do you think the killer is?
Song is "Country Song" by Seether