Harm's Reach

61

Ren called Kohler and explained her theory.

‘We’ll put the ranch and the abbey on lockdown, and issue an alert. Any idea where he’s headed?’

‘We don’t know yet which car he’s taken,’ said Ren. ‘We’ve got someone here trying to work that out. We think he could be headed to the Princes’ rental in Golden.’

‘We’ll send someone there,’ said Kohler.

‘We’ll meet you there,’ said Ren.

Ren called Kristen Faule. ‘Did you hear back from Ingrid Prince?’

‘No,’ said Kristen. ‘I also tried Robert Prince, and had no luck.’

Shit. ‘If Ingrid arrives at the ranch or if she makes contact with you in any way, please go directly to one of the Sheriff’s Office investigators at the ranch. Do not try to contact the Princes yourself.’

‘OK,’ said Kristen. ‘OK.’

The panic in your voice. Your baby is under attack.

Janine’s phone started to ring. She picked up.

‘Detective Hooks? This is Casey from Ink Corp tattoo shop. That kid you were asking about that came in for the cat tattoo? He’s just been here. He wanted another tattoo — lettering this time. I told him the guy he needed for that wasn’t here, he wouldn’t be back for another half hour. He was so pissed.’

‘What lettering did he want?’ said Janine.

‘Uh... “Angry cats get scratched skin”... but in Swedish. Weird.’

‘Did you see where he went?’ said Janine.

‘No,’ said Casey. ‘But he was mad as hell.’

‘When did he leave?’ said Janine.

‘Right before I called you,’ said Casey. ‘I’m not sure about his mental state. And I thought I might have seen, like, blood on his neck. Like he had tried to wipe it away...’

‘Thank you for letting me know,’ said Janine.

She ended the call.

Ren and Janine sped toward the Princes’ rental.

‘His father abandoned him,’ said Ren, ‘his mother died, Laura’s gone. He’s been pushed over the edge.’

Ren phoned Ingrid Prince. She picked up. Hallelujah. ‘Mrs Prince, have you seen Conor today?’

‘No,’ said Ingrid. ‘I was to pick him up at the ranch this morning, but I’ve been tied up here at the house. Robert is going tomorrow instead when he gets back.’

‘We believe that you might be in danger,’ said Ren. ‘We’re on our way. Do not open the door to Conor Gorman. Lock yourself in.’

‘To Conor?’ said Ingrid. ‘Why not? Why isn’t he at the ranch?’

‘We think he’s very angry with you for not showing up today, Mrs Prince,’ said Ren. ‘We think he’s fixated on you. We believe that he killed Laura Flynn because she wanted to take him away from you. And we think you upset him too by not showing up today. Please, stay safe. We’re on our way.’

‘I don’t want to stay here, if he’s coming this way,’ said Ingrid. ‘What if he’s able to get in? I should go somewhere.’

‘It’s a secure property,’ said Ren. ‘Have the security gates been breached?’

‘No,’ said Ingrid.

‘Is there any other way onto the property?’ said Ren.

‘No,’ said Ingrid. ‘No.’

‘Then stay right where you are,’ said Ren. ‘Lock your doors. The Sheriff’s Office should be there right away.’

‘I’m afraid to stay here—’ said Ingrid.

‘It’s the safest place to be,’ said Ren. ‘Trust me.’

Twenty minutes later, Ren and Janine were pulling up to the gates of the rental. They were wide open. Cars from the Sheriff’s Office were abandoned out the front, lights flashing.

Fuck.

Ren and Janine jumped out of the Jeep. The first thing they saw was a stream of blood snaking down the driveway. It was coming from under a black tarp, the shape of a body clear.

Oh God.

The driver’s door to Ingrid Prince’s Range Rover was open.

Kohler started walking toward them.

Ren could vaguely hear crying. They looked beyond the body, beyond the driveway into the house where Ingrid Prince was rocking back and forth, an investigator beside her, her arm around her.

‘What happened?’ said Ren.

‘He must have gotten the code,’ said Kohler. ‘He got in the back door. She heard the noise. She came out the front, tried to leave, he ran after her, he raised the gun. She says she barely remembers. She panicked. She reversed. She knocked him down. She’s distraught in there. She’s covered in blood. She won’t see a doctor, says she’s fine. She just wants her husband. She said she tried to help him... but it was too late. She said he said sorry, though. He said sorry about Laura.’

Ren looked past Kohler to the lump under the tarp. ‘What the fuck is all I have to say. What the fuck...’

‘Better him than her, I guess...’ said Kohler.