“I give you my word, nothing will happen to your sister.” He meant his words, but couldn’t fight his own worry over Bella’s involvement in such a dangerous pivot-point.
Holden had to keep it together, because zero FBI backup was in the area and MVPD was spread thin.
“I’m going to walk your brothers out. Stay here until I get back.”
“I need a shower. Or is that off-limits?”
“Fine. Get one but make it quick and don’t leave the house, not even to go out on the patio.”
“Got it.”
He caught up to the brothers and fell into step next to them until they were at Spencer’s K-9 SUV.
“I’ll keep you posted.” He spoke to Spencer, as informing Jarvis about the investigation wasn’t protocol. He knew Spencer would keep Jarvis informed.
Spencer nodded. “I know you will. I’ll let you know what I do, Jarvis.”
“Sure thing. See you, Holden.” Jarvis got into the passenger seat and waited while Holden and Spencer talked outside.
“Thank you for the extra security on-site at the school and here.” Holden couldn’t do his job if MVPD didn’t do theirs.
“Yeah, well, whatever it takes, right? Let’s get this bad guy once and for all, Holden.” Spencer looked up at the deepening sky, the stars that were shining across the earth’s canopy. “It’s not unlike the long hours we pulled waiting for the drill sergeant to ream our butts, is it?”
“Not much different at all. Except I’ve been managing some sleep each night, thanks to MVPD and you.”
Spencer snorted. “I know you, Holden. You never sleep while the enemy’s still on the prowl.”
“Yeah, well, at least I can catch a nap here and there. That’s more than we ever did in the Army.”
“It is.” Spencer opened the driver-side door. “Let’s hope this doesn’t go on for the rest of the week.”
“If he does what he’s done in the past, the next two days will be key.” Holden had studied the timelines of each murder, the pageant preparations leading up to it. Ms. Mustang Valley was right on time for the murderer’s schedule. He expected an attempt on Bella’s life in the next forty-eight hours.
Spencer shifted on his feet. “Not to change the subject or make it seem like I’m not invested in my sister’s stalker, but I have another case to ask you about. I need a favor.”
“Anything. Shoot.”
“You know about AAG, and that Leigh, one of the contestants, is heavily involved in it.”
“Right. She’s still ingratiating as all get-out, always telling Bella and the other contestants that they are all beautiful winners and can do it no matter what.” Holden managed a short laugh. “We probably owe her, in a twisted way, for keeping the pageant going and the contestants coming back in the face of danger.”
“I’d hold off on your praise. AAG is not right, I’m certain of it. And I’ve had reason to look into its founder, Micheline Anderson, after we talked about her. Turns out she didn’t exist as a person until forty years ago.” Spencer looked at him intently, clearly waiting for Holden to put something together.
“Okay, so she’s forty years old?”
“No, nothing like that. Micheline isn’t a day under sixty-five. But her birth date, or appearance on the planet, coincides with the disappearance of Luella Smith, the nurse at the hospital who likely switched her baby for the one we know as Ace Colton. Look, here’s a photo of Luella Smith from forty years ago.” Spencer tapped onto his phone and handed it to Holden.
“Wow. Save for the darker hair and glasses, this woman’s the spitting image of Micheline.” He’d observed the AAG founder at the pageant practices, sitting in the audience with the smattering of other relatives, friends and parents who stopped by to see how their loved ones were doing.
“Exactly. I questioned her about what kind of history she had, before forty years ago when it all goes dark for her. She told me that she was in the witness protection program until now, and can’t talk about it. I thought that was odd, because you can’t divulge if you’ve ever been in the program but I didn’t want to call her on it right then. I want her to think we’re clueless as to her motives.”
“Good thinking. No, you’re not supposed to ever reveal if you’ve been in the witness protection program.” Holden referred to the Bureau. “I can ask a colleague who helps administer it to look her up.”
“That’d be great!” Spencer’s relief was palpable. “I appreciate it.”
“But remember, I’m not privy to the protection’s program information, not on an official level. Whatever you find out is yours—do with it as you need to.”
“No, no, that’s not a problem at all. I owe you, buddy.”