The Hunted Girls by Jenna Kernan (best book club books for discussion txt) 📕

“If there’s a killer up there again. And I can help…”

He nodded. “Then go for it.”

“Would you come with me?”

He blinked at her and then returned his attention to the road, gliding up the North Trail toward Bradenton, passing car dealerships and strip malls.

“I have a job.”

“Leave of absence?”

“I can request it. No promises.”

“Do you think Juliette would join us?”

“All you can do is ask,” he said.

“Dr. Finch? Are you there?” asked Skogen.

She tapped the screen to unmute. “Yes. I’m here. I’d like to form my own team.”

He made a sound in his throat. “It’s my investigation. My team.”

She smiled, wondering how badly he wanted her help, and waited.

“They would not be active members of my investigation and would have to be vetted. Their opinions and input would be for you alone.”

“Of course.”

She noticed how, before even knowing her team, he had dismissed their importance and the value of their input while establishing his control over “his” investigation.

“I can live with that.” But she believed he was making a mistake. As a Homicide detective who worked for years in Miami-Dade County, Detective Clint Demko likely had worked on many more murder investigations than Skogen ever would.

“That it?”

“No. My role as consultant for this case would have to remain confidential. No press announcements, no interviews. And no media gets near me or my team.”

“My team and superiors would have to be aware of your role.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“Then I’ll look forward to meeting you in person this evening. You’ll have a room waiting for you in Silver Springs. I’ll send you the details.”

“Thank you.”

“How long until you assemble your team?”

“Let me get back to you on that.”

“Fine. Text me when you arrive so we can meet, Dr. Finch.”

Agent Skogen’s number vanished from the screen. She took a moment to add it to her contacts so he wouldn’t spring on her again.

“So, tonight? I can’t get there that fast,” said Clint.

“I understand.”

“Nadine, you don’t have to go up there tonight or at all. Not if you think it will be too hard for you.”

Hard did not begin to describe the whirlwind of emotions tearing around inside her.

“He’s cleared it with Tampa. I’m assigned. His request is a formality.”

She was certain of only one thing—she would do all she could to help the FBI stop this unsub.

“Another serial killer hunting in my mother’s territory.”

“Hell of a coincidence,” he said.

“Yes.” Except she didn’t believe in coincidences.

Nadine exited the highway and tried to ignore the goose bumps as she spotted the sign for Ocala and Silver Springs. Her headlights illuminated the familiar collection of gas stations, hotels and fast-food joints that clustered about each exit. These gave way to a smattering of industrial parks and car dealerships.

Seeing her childhood home again conjured thoughts of her brother, Arlo, an inmate in Lawtey Correctional Institution, eleven years into a fifteen-year sentence on a conviction for sexual assault.

Another criminal in the family.

They exchanged frequent emails, occasional phone calls and, since the purchase of her first car after college, she visited once a month. Being in Ocala would shorten her travel time considerably.

Her heart was beating so fast. She kept one hand on the wheel and pressed the other over her rib cage to still the mad pounding.

Had she really thought to escape this place? Believed that she would never have to come back and face the memories and the pain? Meanwhile, she’d carried them with her all these years.

Why was she doing this? She hated this town, this terrible place. Hated that no one had known what her mother was really like, and that she had waited so long to tell.

As she pulled into the hotel parking area, she wondered if she had really woken up in the FBI dormitory at Quantico this morning.

Before exiting her vehicle, she checked her texts, seeing one from Juliette.

Notified my director, requested leave.

They had spoken before she’d left town about the possibility of Juliette joining her. Nadine barely had the question out and Juliette was agreeing, jumping at the chance.

Great! Hope to CU soon.

Nadine threaded her keys between her fingers. Then she stepped from her Lexus and scanned the parking area. It was well lit, and her space was close to the hotel entrance.

She wheeled the amassed luggage, still containing her yellow-painted brick, the distance to the lobby. Inside, the tropical vibe prevailed with potted palms, blue pastel wallpaper and a carpet covered with a pattern of Monstera leaves. Between the baggage station and the main desk sat a square cage on wheels. Inside was a sulfur-crested cockatoo that she went over to admire. It reminded her of Juliette’s beloved pet.

“Good evening,” said the chipper young woman at reception. “That’s Petunia. She’s a permanent guest here. Left behind in one of the rooms over a decade ago.”

“My friend has one.”

“Oh, fun!”

Nadine sagged on the counter.

Meanwhile, the woman before her looked perky as a cheerleader at halftime. The tag said that her first name was Rosie. Well named, thought Nadine.

“Long day?” asked Rosie.

“Endless.”

“Well then, let’s get you checked in so you can get to your room and relax.” Rosie was a blonde with a pale complexion. She wore a cloth headband and a crisp uniform of gray-and-white polyester. Her fingers shot to the keyboard. “Do you have a reservation with us?”

“Yes. I should. It’s Dr. Nadine Finch.”

Rosie’s carefully applied eyebrows lifted. “Oh yes. Dr. Finch. I have your reservation here. It’s open ended. You will be having an extended stay?”

“Yes.”

“Very good. Let me just get your key ready.” Rosie ducked below the counter and out of view, popping back up like a gopher from a hole. “How many keys?”

“One.” She hoped that Demko would be up here shortly, if his leave of absence was approved, but preferred spending time with him at his place.

As Rosie ran a plastic key card through the data-card system, a text from Skogen appeared, asking her to reply upon arrival so he