Chapter 289
Over there, Cory dashed off to make a call and came back quickly. “After Caleb was taken in for questioning, he was sent off to the mental institution. He’s been there ever since, so he’s got an alibi.”
Finn furrowed his brow. “Huh, that guy wouldn’t get his hands dirty with a murder. He just needs to lift a finger.”
I rolled my eyes at Finn. “What are you, spinning fairy tales? Why don’t you just say Caleb is a god or something, with all that finger–lifting talk…
Finn shot me a disdainful look. “What do you know? Ever seen a case of murder disguised as an accidental death?”
I shook my head earnestly.
“There are plenty of ways to wish someone dead without breaking the law,” Finn said with a detached tone.
I pursed my lips, clearly skeptical.
Finn grew impatient. “Seems like you’re definitely not Phoebe.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m Foebe Larson, and what makes you so sure Caleb’s the killer? Didn’t you say the serial murder case was about to be closed?”
“There’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. It’s normal for someone with an average mind like yours not to follow,” Finn said bluntly before directing me to an interrogation room, preparing to head to the crime scene. “Guess what? The killer was following a plan, and if Melody hadn’t died, the others were supposed to be safe. But why did the killings start as soon as Caleb was committed to the mental institution?”
I frowned, not quite following Finn’s logic.
“The killer, he’s taunting the police. He’s been targeting each victim just for Caleb. Can you really say this string of murders has nothing to do with Caleb?” Finn’s eyes blazed with anger, convinced that Colin was the mastermind behind it all.
“He’s pressuring the cops. They commit Caleb, and he gives them hell. After all, he’s helped Robin solve cases and found Melody before. He’s an asset, and if the cops hit a wall and can’t predict the next victim, they have to turn to him,” Finn said through clenched
teeth.
Finn’s fury was so intense I stepped back until I was pressed against the car door.
Finn scoffed. “Caleb wants to challenge me? Let’s see if I can figure out who the next victim is and where before anything happens.”
I took a deep breath, watching Finn, who seemed almost possessed in his need to outdo Colin.
“Is the latest victim from the orphanage?” I asked quietly.
That snapped Finn back to the present. He turned to Cory. “Has the victim’s identity been confirmed?”
“Dr. Quinton is on it, but we can’t be sure yet. The scene’s been cordoned off, but there were a lot of stray dogs in the alley last night…” Cory murmured. “The scene’s quite a… mess. You going over?”
Finn massaged his temples. “I’m heading there now.”
I blurted out instinctively. “Can I come along?”
I couldn’t explain why, but something felt off about this murder.
Tangle Lane…
It was different from the previous killings.
In this series of murders, the bodies were always found near water. Dumping it in Tangle Lane… was it really because Colin was in the mental institution, and someone wanted to pressure the police and make solving the case more difficult?
But throwing a body in the water could destroy most of the evidence left during the crime. Dumping it in an alley…
Stray dogs.
I gasped, my hands clenching in nervousness.
Could it be the stray dogs had gnawed at the body?
Finn glanced at me.
“No, you
can’t.”
I didn’t press further and followed a female officer into the interrogation room.
It was self–defense on my part – there was video evidence and witnesses at the scene.
