Dead Woman Crossing by J.R. Adler (best management books of all time txt) 📕

He turned around.

“When you’re finished, I need you to conduct some initial interviews with her co-workers at the pharmacy.”

Bearfield nodded and turned back, following Nancy up the hill.

Kimberley’s eyes, glossy and strained, bounced from Nancy to Isobel to Hannah’s body to down the creek and back as if she were trying to solve the case, put all of the pieces together, right then and there.

Sam glanced down at the ground and kicked a lone stone. “We’re going to find whoever did this. We’ll head down to the medical examiner’s office later this afternoon and see what Megan has pulled together for the preliminary report.”

“I’m hoping they were sloppy. Left some fibers or fingerprints behind. But based on this scene, I don’t think we’re going to get that lucky,” Kimberley said.

Sam nodded. “Most likely not. You’re right. Too clean of a scene.”

“I’m going to start by pulling whatever I can on Hannah. Who she knew, who she talked to, who Isobel’s father was.”

“Thinking she knew her attacker?”

“They usually do,” Kimberley said.

“My gut is still saying we got ourselves a copycat killer, an outsider looking to stage some sick fantasy. But you may as well pull that information together so we have a full picture of what we’re dealing with here.” Sam scratched the back of his neck.

“You got it. The only thing that matters is what we can prove.” Kimberley nodded as she excused herself and headed back toward the vehicle.

13

Barb walked into Sheriff Walker’s office carrying a bottle of water and a piece of homemade apple pie. He was seated at his desk with hundreds of photos spread out in front of him. He looked up and then quickly tried to turn the photos over.

“No need to spare my eyes. I watch all them CSI shows.”

He looked up at her and a look of despair flashed across his face.

“I’ve seen nothing like this, up close. Such a violent death with no regard for another human’s life.”

Barb shook her head. “I know. It’s awful what happened to that poor girl.” She set the apple pie and bottle of water down on the desk.

“I can’t believe someone could do something like this, especially in my town.” He ran the palms of his hands down his face and let out a breath of frustration.

“I haven’t a doubt in my mind you’ll find the bastard that did it,” Barb said, patting him on the shoulder.

“Thanks, Barb.”

“Let me know if you need anything, anything at all,” she said, leaving the office.

Sam took a gulp from the water bottle and returned his attention to the photos in front of him. There were close-ups. Pictures of the surrounding area. Every detail was captured.

Kimberley knocked once and walked in carrying a pen and a pad of paper.

“Whatcha got for me?” he said, looking up at her.

She took a seat in front of his desk. “Hannah’s last name is Brown. Never been married. Still trying to figure out who the father of Isobel is. Bearfield conducted an initial interview with her boss, Frank and her co-worker, Michelle. All they had to say was she went to work yesterday at the local pharmacy, she was late as usual, and neither of them noticed anything different. Bear swung over to the Happy Trails Daycare Center. He got the same thing there. Isobel’s daycare teacher didn’t notice anything unusual about Hannah when she picked up Isobel yesterday afternoon. Her mom, Lisa, lives in town. Nancy from social services just rang me to let me know that Isobel is with her, so I think we should head over there.”

Sam steepled his hands in front of his face.

“Good. I have Hill pulling together a list of outside-town visitors as well. He’s checking on motels and Airbnbs. I really have a hard time believing that a local could have done something like this.”

“And why’s that?” Kimberley asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Just a feeling,” he said curtly.

Kimberley averted her eyes back to her pad of paper so Sam wouldn’t see the look of skepticism slip across her face. She tapped her pen repeatedly on the page. She knew Sam would have a set of blinders on when it came to his locals. Small towns typically did. It’s hard to criticize the trees when you’re so protective of the forest. Kimberley was convinced that Hannah had to have known her attacker. With no defensive wounds and no sign of a struggle, either this killer was as stealthy as a ninja, taking her out without her ever seeing it, or she was comfortable enough to get close to them. With the exception of serial killers and terrorist attacks, murders were statistically personal. The only doubt that creeped into her mind were the similarities in the case between Katie DeWitt James and Hannah Brown. Well, more than similarities, an exact copycat.

“I was doing some research online, and I came across this.” Kimberley pulled out a piece of paper from the middle of her notepad, unfolding it and handing it to Sam.

It was a printed-out advertisement for a ghost tour Kimberley had found online.

It read:

Discover Oklahoma’s most terrifying ghost story! Come learn about the unsolved murder of Katie DeWitt James and how the town of Dead Woman Crossing got its name. Legend has it that Katie’s restless spirit still roams the area near Deer Creek, calling out for her baby daughter. Daily tours, $20 per person.

Sam rolled his eyes. “I’d heard about this. Old Man Kent Wills started this business nearly a decade ago.”

“It’s disgusting.” Kimberley shook her head.

“It’s how he makes his living apparently. He lives on the outskirts of Dead Woman Crossing. Mostly keeps to himself, aside from his little ghost tour business.”

“Well, he must keep a record of who goes on the tour,” Kimberley said connecting the dots.

“Ahh. Yes. Good thinking. I’ve never liked this type of thing, ya know?” Sam shook his head.

“You mean exploiting someone else’s pain and suffering for financial gain? Yeah, me neither.” Kimberley’s tone was sarcastic.

“Add him to the list of people