"Correct," Owen said.
"So maybe that seven year timeframe is important, and we should be working around it and looking further back. Because she would have been an authority figure seven years ago, and that might have been when the killer would have interacted with her. Or else, his family did."
"I see what you're saying," Owen said. “We need to go back further in time.”
"I don't understand," the coffee slurping cop said, looking interested but puzzled as he turned toward them. "I'm a bit lost, myself. Are you saying this guy is looking to take revenge for something that happened seven years ago?"
"Yes, that's right," May said. “He’s the Bomber. He’s been killing authority figures, but we’re trying to work out how he’s connected to them and what the pattern is. Now, we think perhaps he’s looking to get retribution for something that happened to one of his family. Based on the timeframe of the one victim’s retirement, that would have been seven years ago, or maybe longer.”
"Perhaps the guy or his family has been in jail," the cop said. "I’ve heard about the Bomber, of course. Tough, dangerous case. I wish you good luck with it."
He finished his coffee, picked up his forms, and headed out of the back door to his car.
“Owen, being in jail is a very good point,” May said. “I think that cop just gave us a good direction on where we need to focus. On someone being in jail. A family member of the killer?”
She and Owen stared at each other thoughtfully. Owen tapped his fingers on the desk.
"I guess that means we come back to the lawyer, Sheila. Because she was a criminal lawyer, and she started her career what, eight years ago? Perhaps she would have handled that case, and that’s why she was targeted?" Owen suggested.
"That will be the best starting point," May agreed. "It will be the easiest one to narrow down. In fact, it will be the only one we can narrow down."
She got on the phone, and within a minute, was speaking to the stressed but helpful assistant whose voice she now recognized.
“It’s me again, Deputy Moore. I need another favor from you, please,” she said.
“Sure. What do you need, Deputy?” the assistant asked.
“When Sheila started with the firm, I need the cases she handled from seven to eight years ago. “
“Okay, so basically, for the first two years that she joined the firm?”
“Yes, please.”
“Sure. I can send them through to you. It will just be a summary of the facts of each case, the outcome, and any updates. In fact, if you’re in a rush, it will be quicker to send you the complete list of all her cases as it’s in one master document. You can then just go through it and look for the dates you need.”
“That will be perfect.”
May cut the call. “She’s sending it as soon as she can,” she told Owen.
She waited, staring at her screen, anticipating the ping that would mean the information had arrived.
It was truly their last chance, the only other scenario she could think of that fit the facts.
May knew they didn't have much time.
As soon as that email arrived, she was going to have to focus on it and try to identify all the possible cases that fit the parameters they were looking for.
Another minute later, May's laptop pinged, and she leaned forward eagerly, hoping that the information had just landed that would allow them to identify a previously hidden lead.