Her Final Confession

Chapter Forty-Eight

Josie watched Trinity pace the short length from one end of her apartment to the other, her cell phone pressed to one ear. Behind her, the lights of New York City dazzled, making it hard for Josie to focus on her sister. She’d been on the phone for twenty minutes, working a source she claimed knew everything there was to know about the Seattle Soul Mate Strangler. She stopped at the kitchen counter and tore a paper towel from the roll by the sink. Grabbing a pen, she scribbled something down on the towel. Finally, she said into the receiver, “I really appreciate this. Yes. You’re a lifesaver. Of course. I promise.”

Josie suppressed a groan. She didn’t know what Trinity had promised this guy, but she was quite certain it had something to do with exclusive interviews, since that was the currency Trinity most often dealt in. Trinity ended the call and brought the paper towel over to Josie.

“What did you promise this guy?” Josie asked.

“If this helps Gretchen and solves a few cases, does it really matter?”

This time, Josie didn’t bother to withhold her groan.

“Oh, it’s not that bad,” teased Trinity.

“Please. You’re not the one who has to do these interviews. You know I hate press.”

“Not press. Just information this time. He’ll want to know whatever you know, before things break, if possible. He can be trusted.”

Josie looked at what Trinity had scribbled onto the paper towel. A website with a username and password. “Who is this guy?”

“A very good and very useful source who has proven to be extremely discreet over the years. He also happens to be an expert on serial killers—well, the ones who haven’t been caught yet. That web address will take you to a set of online forums where bloggers, journalists, and other people basically try to solve these cases by sharing information.”

Josie gave her a skeptical look. “Internet trolls and loons are not what I need right now.”

Trinity smiled and tapped the paper towel in Josie’s palm. “No trolls. No crazies. These forums are all by invitation only, and the members are carefully vetted by my guy.”

Josie thought about Starkey and Gretchen and their paranoia. “He’s not law enforcement, is he?”

“No. No law enforcement allowed. He likes to maintain a ‘fresh set of eyes’ approach. People who come at these cases from different perspectives. Don’t get me wrong, he has law-enforcement contacts, and many of the members are journalists outside of the anonymity of the forums, and they do have access to a lot of information from law enforcement. By the way, he asked that you not make any posts or comments. You may take a look around, but don’t engage. He wants you to be as discreet as possible since you actually are law enforcement.”

“Who is this guy?” Josie asked.

“I can’t tell you that. He’s a protected source. I told you, valuable. I can’t compromise that. Also, when you sign in there will be a set of rules on the home page—no public sharing, no violating the privacy of other forum members—that sort of thing. You must follow them. You understand, I hope?”

“Of course.” Josie looked again at the information. “Is this some dark web stuff?”

Trinity laughed. “No, not the dark web. Although I do have a contact with dark web expertise if you need it.”

“No, just a laptop will do for now.”

Trinity set up her laptop at the kitchen table while Josie changed into sweats and a T-shirt. She had a feeling it was going to be a long night.