Chapter Eight

The magnolia's for which her home received its named, were in full bloom and scented the air with their lemony-fresh fragrance. There were forty of them evenly spaced along the drive.

The team stood on the steps, slack-jawed.

Rebecca smiled. "What do you think?" She asked them.

"Oh my god!" Emily whispered. "Does Scarlet know you're living at Tara?"

Rebecca laughed as she made her way up the steps, her friend Mark waiting somberly at the entrance. "Magnolia Manor would be a nearer replica of Twelve Oaks, Emily – but you were close."

"Who cares, as long as I get to stay here!" Emily returned her smile. "It's gorgeous!"

Aaron took the steps two at a time and stood beside her. His voice was somber as he put out his hand to Mark. "Hello Mark. It's good to see you again."

Mark took the extended hand but Rebecca could see the pain in his eyes. The last time he'd seen Aaron had been the day Aaron had rescued him.

Rebecca could feel the electricity between the two men. "Mark have you made arrangements for the team? She knew he had, but at the moment she wanted to pull both men far away from that horrible day twelve years ago.

"Yes, I've put them in the west hall," he paused,cleared his throat and warned, "the Sheriff is in your office."

David had joined them, and Rebecca watched as he and Aaron stiffened.

"Who was it this time?" Rebecca asked quietly.

"A waitress at the Overlook."

The Overlook was a local restaurant featuring southern cuisine, and popular among the tourist that came each spring.

Rebecca found David's eyes. He jaw was tense and he looked as if he wanted to hit something really hard.

She said a silent prayer that maybe this time he'd get the chance.

"Where was she found?" Aaron asked.

"Twenty yards from where Terri Andrews was located." The big, bass voice came from inside the door, and it was followed by Bill Deerwolf, a rather large Native American, with coal black hair and a weakness for cigars.

Rebecca wasn't found of the town sheriff. Maybe it was the way his eyes took in every detail around him, maybe it was his uncanny ability to suddenly be where you least expected him, but there was something eerie about the man, Rebecca couldn't put her finger on. Without realizing what she'd done, she instinctively stepped closer to David.

It wasn't until he protectively placed his hand on the small of her back, that she realized where she was standing.

"Everyone this is Sheriff Deerwolf." Rebecca offered the introduction and gave Aaron a pleading look.

He took the hint and began introducing his team.

Thunder rumbled in the distance and Rebecca motioned them inside.

"I took the liberty of setting up an office for Aaron..ugh...the BAU in the library." Mark announced.

Rebecca thanked him and the small group followed her down the hall.

Mark had managed an evidence board and coffee and a file on Terri Andrews as well as the latest victim.

Derrick looked at the files and opened his phone.

"Whose he calling?"

One thing Rebecca knew about the town's Sheriff was he did not like being the star in any given circumstance. Being the sheriff insured he always kept some measure of influence in most situations in and around Colton County, which Rebecca knew was a major boost to his overinflated ego.

"He's calling our analyst, Sheriff." Jennifer replied. "If anyone can find a link between our victims it's Garcia."

Deerwolf made a growling sound, but addressed his attention to Rebecca.

"I don't like any of this."

He waved his arm in the direction of the evidence board, but Rebecca knew it was the BAU's presence he detested.

"But you've got some influential friends that seem to think this will work." He made his way to the door, "If you need anything, call Billie."

"Whose Billie?" Emily was busy putting the pictures of the two victims on the board.

"Billie is the deputy sheriff, she's also Deerwolf's sister."

"Family affair, huh." JJ offered.

Rebecca nodded.

"What do you know about our latest victim...Sara Cotter." Aaron was looking at the crime scene photo's.

"Not much. I saw her a couple of times when I ate at the Overlook."

Aaron posted the picture of the young girl on the board. "Face down, legs spread, twenty-two stab ones and two broken ribs." He looked at the file, "According to this, he's dumping the bodies closer to Magnolia Ridge."

Rebecca couldn't move. The last time this madman had killed this way, the very last body had been left on the steps of her home.

Along with a note.

As if he were reading her mind, David asked, "Was there a note?"

Aaron nodded but held onto the evidence bag with the note inside. "Are you sure you're up for this?" He looked at her. A mixture of sympathy and concern etched his face.

Rebecca reached for every ounce of control she had, "Yes Aaron. I'm ready to put this bastard where he belongs."

Aaron moved to the large table near the evidence board as the rest of the team took their seats.

David grabbed her elbow and whispered, "That's my girl."