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

Nadine sat in the SUV, too tired to hold her head up, her forehead now cradled in the palm of her hand as Demko drove.

“He did as he promised. He released her alive,” she murmured.

“Knowing that she wouldn’t survive her injuries. He cheated,” Demko said.

“Serial killer,” she reminded.

He made a humming sound. She had not meant to sleep but must have dozed because she woke with a start as Demko pulled into an Applebee’s. The FBI protection unit pulled in beside them.

“Be right back,” said Demko.

Nadine watched him go, then nodded to the agent before fiddling with the radio, settling on NPR and a discussion of the red tide, algae bloom and the implication to fish. The topic seemed safe and she rested her head back, closing her eyes.

Demko must have called in an order because he was back within minutes. She had not thought she was the least bit hungry; in fact, she thought she’d never want to eat again after seeing Summerville’s final moments. But the aroma of fried food and seared beef roused her appetite. Her stomach growled in anticipation.

Back at the safe house, Molly greeted her, joyful as always to see them. Nadine showered, and emerged feeling half human to share a meal with Demko and Tina. Juliette had not yet returned and she suspected was engaged in an autopsy with the regional ME. Demko put her meal in the refrigerator.

After the leftovers were cleared away, Demko kissed her good night and she dragged herself off to bed. Before turning off the light, she reached in the drawer of the side table and spotted the ring box. It was still there.

She had a half thought it wouldn’t be. That his proposal was all a dream. Nadine opened the box and slipped the ring onto her finger again, wishing that marriage forecast happiness and a family instead of uncertainty. She needed to have a heart-to-heart with Demko. Until then, she couldn’t accept his ring.

But, oh, how she wanted to! She clutched her left hand in a fist and pressed it to her heart, cradling it with the other, like the infant she longed for and knew she would never have.

The lump rose in her throat and she sagged onto her pillow. She was lucky, she told herself. She had a wonderful man who loved her enough to wish to spend his life with her. A man who understood her in a way that no one else ever had.

For him, their future was bright and clear. He could conceive of no other outcome. But for her, their future was uncertain and strewn with dark prospects. A game of genetic Russian roulette.

And this ring meant she’d have to explain the gamble they would be taking. Then, if he still wanted her, she’d marry him.

Nadine glanced down at the ring, flashing with brilliant white shards of light. Then she squeezed her eyes closed and let the tears leak onto her pillow.

SATURDAY

Nadine woke with the lamp on her side table still on in the hours before dawn. As was becoming her custom, she moved to the seating area and her desk, flipped on the lamp and roused her desktop. She turned to her profile and hesitated. Then she wrote down the conjecture that had stirred in her mind for days. Putting it down in black and white only made her more certain that she was correct. There was a sick rightness about her theory. And the danger howling straight at her like a tropical storm.

The chilling panic gripping her throat with icy fingers made her more certain. Explaining this, speaking her theory out loud, would be difficult. She hoped to only do so once.

Nadine closed her laptop and noticed the diamond engagement ring she had all but forgotten she wore. She slipped it back in the box, promising to speak to Demko as soon as possible. After that, the decision would be his.

She waited until eight that morning to text her team. Then she fired a group message off to Skogen and his people, summoning them for a meeting at the safe house. She did not expect them to be done processing the scene, but they surprised her. Skogen, Coleman, Vea and Wynns arrived at nine that morning, joining her people at the large rectangular glass table.

“I just released Simon Kilpatrick, the prick. His mommy picked him up.” Skogen snorted out of his nose as if expelling an unpleasant odor and looked to Nadine. “So we’re all here.”

All eyes turned to her. She felt a rush of blood in her face and the tingling awareness lifted the hairs on her forearms. She dragged in a breath and summoned the courage she needed.

“The Huntsman’s manifesto was all about hunting, stealth and camouflage. Hiding in plain sight, just out of the notice of his prey.”

“We’ve all read it,” said Skogen.

Demko glared at him across the glass surface.

“Yes, and it was also filled with references to domain, building and protecting a territory from all competitors. He referenced the birds. Breeding pairs chasing others of their species from their territory.”

Skogen lifted an open hand as if he did not understand her point. She needed to be very clear. Leave nothing to interpretation.

“I have a theory that he did not target these women until after he established his territory. He chose this area and then he used the birding app to lure birders, waiting for likely victims to arrive. It’s unclear why he felt the need to clear the area of only female trespassers. But he seems to be attempting to prove himself worthy by clearing women from it.”

“That makes no sense,” said Coleman, spinning rhythmically back and forth on her counter stool.

Skogen said, “Worthy of what exactly?”

“Of being a provider, a protector. I’m not sure. But he was showcasing his skill as a hunter. He chose this area, the place where my mother killed those women, then killed and displayed them to draw attention. My attention. He initially