This was all thought out, and somehow the unsub overlooked the girlfriend? Doubtful.
Leonard follows me as I make my way toward the girl who is chewing her nails, a blanket over her shoulders as she sways from side to side.
“Ms. Blanks?” At her name, she pops her head up, looking directly into my eyes. “Do you care to come talk with us?”
She nods dully and moves under the tape, coming closer to us. She’s not in shock, despite what she saw.
“Ms. Blanks, I know the sheriff already talked to you, but if you could tell us anything you saw, it’d be greatly appreciated,” I say softly, trying to sound calm and approachable, unlike the madman who shouldn’t be directing this manhunt.
“It was dark. I just saw blood, and guts, and that crazy guy threw his saw at Kyle. It cocked him in the head. I thought he was going to get me next.”
“But that didn’t happen,” Leonard says soothingly. “What happened next?”
She nibbles her lip. “I ran out, but turned around and saw him dragging Kyle. People were stepping over him and stuff, laughing or screaming. No one knew it was real, but I did. Some people panicked when they saw Chad, because it was gross. They started to question it, but still didn’t say anything aloud. I finally got out when I saw him continuing to pull Kyle, and told the other two deputies where they were inside.”
“You didn’t see the escape hole? It wasn’t covered or anything,” I point out.
“I was too scared to focus,” she says, not meeting my eyes.
I exchange a look with Leonard. Her not telling them about the hole would lead to them coming all the way through the setup backwards, fighting against hordes of people who would slow them down. She saw the hole. She elected not to mention it, but still told what was going on to clear herself of any wrongdoings as far as the sheriff was concerned.
“Thank you for your time, Ms. Blanks,” I say as Leonard walks away with me.
“I almost think the girlfriend wanted Kyle gone,” Leonard says under his breath.
I look around, surveying all the faces that don’t seem the least bit upset.
“Someone here saw something,” I say to him, looking back at all the people whispering amongst themselves, but not saying anything to us or the sheriff’s men.
“Loyalties are shifting,” Leonard says quietly.
“What?” I ask with the same hushed tone.
He gestures around. “These people have been conditioned from speaking out for years and years, finding punishment instead of reward. Finding terror instead of pride. Now this masked crusader comes in and is calling them out on their lies, killing the corrupt ones who’ve oppressed them for this long. They’re loyalties are shifting to our killer instead of their oppressors. Before long, they’ll develop a hero worshiping complex and consider the killer to be a vigilante speaking out against injustice.”
“Our killer is doing much more than speaking out against injustice,” I say on a sigh.
He nods. “Killing was the only option for our girl. Because speaking only ever got these people killed or worse,” he states flatly before walking away.
I’m starting to question his loyalties. Out of everyone, Leonard is the last one I thought would feel too much empathy for our killer.
And we need to stop calling her our anything.
Enacting possession or ownership makes the empathy ties stronger, and he’s been referring to her as our girl or our killer all day. Knowing she’s a female fighting against rapists also demands more sympathy and empathy. It’s fucking with our heads, more so him than me.
But even I’m struggling to give a damn about finding Kyle before it’s too late. I haven’t even called Hadley out yet to run the forensics.
Deciding to force the issue, I text her, asking her to join us, and get a message back immediately that she’s on the way. I also text Lana.
ME: You okay? Hadley has to come here, so I can send someone else.
LANA: All good. No need. I have to go home, deal with something tonight, and then I’ll be back. My house was broken into and Duke called to ask me to come see if anything was taken.
The fuck?
ME: A homicide detective is calling you about a possible burglary?
LANA: The cops couldn’t reach me on my phone, because my house number was the number the security company had. Duke had my cell, and he knew I was out of town. It’ll be a quick trip. Promise. Love you. <3