Chapter 9

Rex hopped into the backseat of Detective Mika Parsons' sedan before Charlie climbed into the front passenger seat. The Special Victims detective climbed into the driver's seat and fired the vehicle up.

"Appreciate the lift. The Charger is still in the hospital parking lot," Charlie said.

"No problem. I'll drop you back there when we're done," Mika promised as she pulled into traffic.

"How are you two doing?" She asked at the first red traffic light.

"Not a lot of sleep, hopped up on caffeine and dog biscuits, and worried about Sarah, so… yeah we've been better," Charlie admitted.

"I certainly hope you didn't have any dog biscuits," Mika teased him as she stepped on the gas pedal once the light turned green.

"I left those for Rex," he chuckled while his partner barked.

"Well, I'm sure you already know that everyone is pulling for Sarah but I wanted to extend my own personal well wishes," she said.

"We appreciate that. So, what's this lead you have about that shotgun?" Charlie changed the subject.

"I put a bug in Chloe's ear today when we talked. I was hoping that it would jog something loose and just as I suspected, she called me. Said she wanted to talk," Mika explained.

"Does she know about me and Rex?" He asked.

"No, but I figure that she might need Rex as much as we need her. She just found out that her husband's parents were hiding some big secrets today," Mika said.

"Yeah, that had to be a lot to absorb. Joe is worried that getting the court records unsealed will be an uphill battle, but maybe we'll get lucky if the court believes our predator is still looking for victims," Charlie heaved a sigh.

"It's ugly all the way around. I still want to know why the photos and why now," she said.

"I was having a thought about that. Our offending adult would be old enough that maybe something has happened to them physically. Maybe our photo sender isn't the offender, but someone related to them? That's the other thing – the envelope was postmarked but then hidden, with no fingerprints but the mailman's. Why mail it if you're going hide it in the footlocker?" He did not like how many questions there were that were still unanswered.

"We're meeting Chloe at her and Danny's place. Maybe seeing the location in person will help," Mika shrugged as she pulled into the apartment complex parking lot.

"Let's hope so. If we don't get some context soon, Danny is going to take the brunt of this," Charlie said. His phone buzzed and he checked the incoming message from Daniel Truong – She's asking for you. The detective quickly responded – I'll be there as soon as I can. Someone is trying to send us down a rabbit hole. She wouldn't want an innocent man to swing. Do what you have to do. Give Rex extra pets for her – Daniel responded. Will do – Charlie promised as he exited the car and helped Rex get out as well. Mika directed them to the front door and they entered the building before heading up to the third floor.

Chloe stood outside the door; the crime scene tape was still on it. She was surprised to see Charlie and Rex but said nothing, letting them introduce themselves. Mika smiled at the woman and cut the seal on the door.

"It's still a crime scene so we shouldn't touch anything unless we wear gloves," Mika told them.

"Rex, get to work," Charlie told him and immediately the German Shephard started smelling around.

"Chloe let's let them work. Why don't we talk?" Mika asked.

"Mental Health Services said that I can't see him until they are done with their assessment. Depending on their ruling, he could go straight to jail or be institutionalized," the woman explained.

"He shot two police officers and the Head of Forensics. There was always going to be some form of confinement," Mika said to her. Chloe heaved a sigh.

"But that's not why you called me," the detective pressed. That's when a bark from Rex disrupted their conversation.

"Detective Parsons," Charlie called out and Mika had Chloe come with her to find her fellow SJPD officers. Entering the bedroom, the two found Charlie and Rex examining an empty duffle bag.

"Rex smelling dirty gym socks?" Mika raised an eyebrow.

"Hardly. He can detect illegal substances and recently fired weapons," Charlie explained.

"That duffle is a decent size," the detective looked at her colleague.

"Large enough for a sawed-off shotgun," Charlie figured. The two turned to Chloe, who could only stare back at them.

To Be Continued…